Sports

Emily Konfederath, an Alexander High School senior, and Emma Quintern, from Kendall, have been named to the cheer squad for the Ronald McDonald All-Star Game, to be played in Houston in March.

The cheerleaders won their spots on the team through their individual routines in a competition held in Attica.

The Ronald McDonald All-Star Game features top high school basketball talent from throughout the United States. Proceeds from the event benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities, which provides a home-away-from-home for families with children receiving medical treatment at nearby hospitals.

The Notre Dame Running with the Irish 5K Run/Walk is back for its second year and is set to take place on March 11.

The event will kick off with a Kids Fun Run for children under 11 years old at 9 a.m., followed by the 5K run/walk starting at 10 a.m. The course will start behind the school and take runners north on Richmond Avenue, around the VA facility, and up and down Redfield Parkway before returning to the school.

All proceeds from the event will go towards supporting the athletic department at Notre Dame.

Participants in the Kids Fun Run can register for $10, with prizes being given to all participants. T-shirts for the kids can be purchased separately. The 5K registration fee is $25 and includes a cotton long-sleeved T-shirt with the race logo.

Awards will be given to the top overall male and female runners, as well as the first-place winners in the following age categories: 14-Under, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, and 60+. There will also be awards for the local school with the most registered runners, the business with the most registered runners, and the family with the most registered runners.

Registration for the Notre Dame Running with the Irish 5K Run/Walk can be found online at runsignup.com or on the ND website at www.ndhsbatavia.com.

The race is held in close proximity to St. Patrick's Day to celebrate Notre Dame's Irish pride. Last year's event had 125 participants, and the organizers are hoping to see even more runners this year.

(Based on press release).

While Le Roy's Merritt Holly Jr. reached a significant career milestone, Le Roy couldn't quite get past Avon for a win.

The Knights lost 74-55.

Holly scored 16 points, giving him 456 points on the season.

Boys Basketball:

• Pembroke beat Alexander, 86-49. For Pembroke, Tyson Totten, 28 points, Avery Ferreira, 17 points, Cayden Pfalzer, 14 points, Owen Hootman, 9 points, Jon Suro, 11 assists. For Alexander, Dylan Pohl, 17 points.
• Wheatland-Chili beat Elba, 75-31
• Byron-Bergen beat Notre Dame, 62-51. Braedyn Chambry scored 25 points and had 17 rebounds and five blocked shots for the Bees. Ryan Muscarella scored 12 points and had seven rebounds. David Brumsted scored 11 points and had 10 rebounds. Gianni Ferrara scored eight points.  No stats were provided for Notre Dame.
• Oakfield-Alabama beat Attica, 53-44.

Photos by Jason Coniber.

The Zamboni machine at the David M. McCarthy Memorial Ice Arena on Evans Street has a new name. But it’s not Zam-Pepsi or even Peps-oni.

“Just call it Skully McPepsi,” said Batavian Tom Fluker, new business manager for Pepsi’s Upstate New York market, as he – with help from a group of Mite level hockey players – unveiled the updated ice cleaning machine this afternoon.

The Zamboni’s facelift is a product of Fluker’s initial idea of an imposing skull in a hockey setting, the artistry of Janette Biehler of Beals Graphic Design of Rochester and the precision “wrapping” by Guy Laesser’s Unitech Application of Le Roy.

“This is something that we wanted to do as part of our relationship with Matt Gray, whose company is managing the rink and also through his Eli Fish and Alex’s Place restaurants,” said Fluker (pictured at top with youth hockey player Abram Lopez).

The Zamboni now sports space age colors of purple and blue, punctuated by the logos of Pepsi Zero, Gatorade, McCarthy Ice Arena, Batavia Notre Dame United and Ramparts youth hockey.

But the main attraction – depicted on the front and top of the Zamboni -- is the gold skull and cross sticks, featuring a flaming puck between its teeth.

“It really is a work of art,” Fluker said.

Gray thanked Pepsi for stepping forward to provide the Zamboni’s new look.

“This is a big part of the stuff that we've done -- the work that we've been doing to improve the arena,” said Gray, owner of Batavia Sports Facility Management. “Several businesses recently signed on as dasher board sponsors and all of that money specifically went to the lighting upgrades that we just installed last week.”

Companies that supported the lighting project included Arctic Refrigeration, Casella Waste Systems, Eli Fish Brewing Company, McAndrew Funeral Home, Max Pies Furniture, Batavia Muckdogs and Suburban Propane, Gray said.

From left, Tom Fluker, Pepsi sales manager; Ryan Webster and Jed Davis, Zamboni drivers/maintenance, and Kati Murray, general manager of Batavia Sports Facility Management.

These Mite hockey players were excited to see the new look Zamboni. From left, Levi Jafari, Luis Reyes, Connor Reidmiller, Jameson Smith, Liam Langiewicz and Joey Sacheli.

Photos by Mike Pettinella.

Greece Athena, a top-seeded Section V Class A team, was upset by Class B Batavia on Wednesday, 96-91.

It was only the third loss of the year for the Trojans and the Blue Devils improved to 14-4.

Scoring for Batavia:

• Ja'vin McFollins, 30 points, hitting eight three-point buckets
• Sawyer Siverling, 18 points, four three-pointers
• Carter McFollins 18 points
• Cam McClinic. 13 points and 8-8 from the foul line down the stretch
• Rashawd Christie, 12 points, with eight points in the final four minutes.

"I don’t think I’ve ever won a game where both teams scored in the 90s," said Coach Buddy Brasky. "They are a very talented offensive team   We matched them shot for shot   Ja'vin caught fire early, so they face-guarded him in the 2nd half. That opened up Carter’s penetration. He was able to get into the lane, finish, dump to Rashawd or pitch to Sawyer."

Girls Basketball:

• Alexander beat Oakfield-Alabama, 48-45. For the Trojans, Alyssa Kramer scored 16 points, Riely Powell, nine, and Emily Pietrzykowski, eight. For the Hornets, Emma Wray, 16, and MaKena Reding, 15.
• Byron-Bergen beat Wheatland, 58-25. MacKenzie Senf scored 11 points, Zoey Shepherd, 10, and Kendall Phillips, nine.
• Pavilion beat Cal-Mum 49-45. Karlee Zinkievich scored 34 points. Lauren Kingsley, seven.
• Pembroke beat Holley, 41-35. Elle Peterson scored 18 for Pembroke. Isabel Breeden scored eight.
• Le Roy lost to Geneseo, 42-41. Kenna MacKenzie scored 15 points. Abby Allen, 12, Corina Dunn, 10.
• Notre Dame beat Lyondonville, 65-39. Amelia McCulley scored 28 points, Avelin Tomidy, 19, and Emma Sisson, 10.

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Photos by Steve Ognibene

Mancuso Bowling Center is hosting the annual “Super Bowl” Handicap Singles Tournament this Sunday with one qualifying squad set for noon.

First place in the event, which is sponsored by Red Bull, is $450 based on at least 32 bowlers. One in four bowlers will advance to the head-to-head final rounds.

Entry fee is $45. Handicap is 100 percent of the difference in the bowler’s average and 215 – using the 2021-22 highest United States Bowling Congress-certified average unless this season’s is 10 or more pins higher.

To enter, contact Mark Brown at 716-474-7960.

Other local tournaments during February are as follows:

• Feb. 17-18, “Strike Out for Crossroads House.”

The 27th Annual Betty Ellison Memorial "Strike Out for Crossroads House" No-Tap Tournament returns to Mancuso Bowling Center, with squads at 6 p.m. Feb. 17 and noon and 2:30 p.m. Feb. 18.

Registration fee for the four-person team event is $100. Entry forms are available at the bowling center or on the Crossroads House website – www.crossroadshouse.com.

For more information, contact Vicki Johnson at vickijohnson@crossroadshouse.com or at 585-343-3892.

• Feb. 18-19, Genesee Region USBC No-Tap Doubles.

Letchworth Pines in Portageville is hosting the 3^rd GRUSBC No-Tap Doubles event with squads at 1, 2:30 and 4:30 p.m. on both days.

Open to GRUSBC members, the entry fee is $60 per team. One in four teams will cash.

The maximum team average is 420 -- based on the bowlers' highest USBC book average in a league for at least 21 games over the past three seasons, unless this season's average is 10 or more pins higher (for at least 21 games).

To sign up, send an email to mikep@bowlgr.com or call 585-343-3736.

• Feb. 19, Tommy Kress 60-and-Over Tour.

Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion will be the site of the next Tommy Kress 60-and-Over Tour stop.

Check-in begins at 10 a.m. with competition getting started at 11 a.m.

The entry fee is $50. Walk-ins are welcome.

• Feb. 24-26, Ron Riggi Memorial 4-Person Handicap.

Legion Lanes in Le Roy will be conducting the 21^st annual Ron Riggi Memorial tournament in honor of the late well-known Le Roy native.

Squad times are 6:30 p.m. Feb. 24, noon and 4 p.m. Feb. 25 and 1 p.m. Feb. 26.

Entry fee is $100 per team and first place, based on 32 teams, is $800. One out of every five teams will cash.

An optional singles tournament will take place, with an entry fee of $5.

To enter, contact Mark Brown at 716-474-7960.

Oakfield-Alabama is 16-2 on the season after beating Alexander on Tuesday in Boys Basketball, 75-53.

Scoring for the Hornets:

• Kyle Porter, 33 points, 4 rebounds 
• Noah Currier, 10 points
• Aiden Warner, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals
• Brayden Smith, 4 rebounds, 10 assists, 5 steals
• Colton Yasses, 5 rebounds, 2 steals

For Alexander:

• Dylan Pohl, 16 points
• Trent Woods, 14 points

"We started the game off slow," said Coach Ryan Stehlar. "Alexander did a good job of making early shots and coming out with good energy. Our defense picked up in the second quarter and into the second half. Our bench helped spark us, too, when we needed it the most."

In Boys Basketball:

• Pembroke is 17-1 after beating Holley 108-32. Tyson Totten, 29, Cayden Pfalzer, 23, Owen Hootman, 14, Avery Ferreira, 10, Chase Guzdek, 10. Jon Suro,10 assists
• Pavilion beat Cal-Mum, 60-53.
• Notre Dame beat Lyndonville, 86-43
• No game report for Le Roy vs. Geneseo.

In Girls Basketball:

• Mendon beat Batavia, 61-28

Photos by Kristin Smith

Press release:

On Friday, it was an extremely cold winter’s evening, with wind chills dropping well below zero outside; however, it was a heartwarming evening inside Pembroke Jr./Sr. High School as the community came out by the hundreds in support of the twelfth annual Shooting For A Cure! game.  The hallways, gymnasium, and cafeteria were packed with people throughout the evening who were looking to make a difference in the battle against cancer. On Friday night, by game’s end, the twelfth annual Shooting For A Cure! game had raised over $26,000 to help fund cancer research at Roswell Park. Over the weekend and even early this morning, donations have continued to trickle in, ensuring that the total keeps growing by the day.

In 2011, the original team decided to use their passion for playing basketball as a platform from which to host a fundraiser for breast cancer research at Roswell Park in support of community member Toni Funke.  As a result, the girls, their coaches, and several dedicated community members organized an annual event, naming it Shooting For A Cure!, through which they have now raised a total of over $250,000 in contributions for Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. This game remains at the top of the independent fundraising events list sanctioned by Team Roswell.

Mary Russo, Team Roswell Coordinator, continues to be amazed by the players and families in the community. “The Pembroke Girls basketball team truly knows how to rally a community together for such an incredible cause. In their twelfth year of hosting their Shooting For A Cure! game, the girls raised over $26,000 for critical, life saving treatments at Roswell Park,” noted Russo. “We are all so incredibly grateful for the passion and dedication this team, the students, the families, and the Pembroke faculty has for the Roswell Park community. We truly admire their commitment to be champions for a cure,” said Russo.

Anyone who would like to support the cause is encouraged to do so by visiting the Shooting For A Cure! donation page.

According to Arron K. Brown, a Pembroke 6th grade teacher who worked tirelessly all evening running his famous Snack Shack, “The fans this season were again extremely generous. As we sold pizza logs, slices of pizza from Homeslice 33, barbecue from Burnin’ Barrel BBQ, chips and queso from Salsarita’s, sandwiches and cookies from Buttercrumbs, donuts and coffee from Tim Hortons, ice cream sundaes from Hershey’s, people weren’t even asking us for change,” shared Brown. “The true spirit of the Pembroke community carried over into the Snack Shack, as we had an army of volunteers ready to help in any way they could! From cooking pizza logs, going on supply runs, scooping ice cream or just cleaning up tables, our Dragon spirit was on full display,” added Brown. “This night is my favorite night of the school year. I love seeing how this community rallies around each other the way they do. You can just feel the energy and love in the air,” said Brown.

DJ Jickster from 97 Rock was in attendance to energize the crowd and to share his sincerest appreciation for what the Pembroke community continues to do for cancer research at Roswell Park. During game breaks, he hosted six separate check presentations, sharing the court with students from both the Primary and Intermediate Schools who held coin drives, as well as the Oakfield-Alabama and Attica school districts who held their own coin drives in support of the event. Teachers and students were recognized by Jickster for their efforts. Each group presented their funds to the Pembroke Girls Basketball team in support of funding research efforts at Roswell Park. Additionally, Mr. Brown presented Mr. Wilson with a check from the Can Jam Redemption center’s bottle and can drive which raised $900 in returns from scores of generous supporters. Community member Billy Burd, owner of Billy The Kid Automotive, sent in a $500 donation with Jickster, accompanied by a personal note sharing some kind words for the team and the Pembroke community and memorializing family members and friends.

Later on that evening, during an emotional halftime ceremony hosted by Pembroke Superintendent Mr. Matthew Calderon, the girls team memorialized 25 community members and honored 31 cancer survivors (virtually as well as in person) personifying their dedication to this cause. White roses were placed in a vase in memory of those we’ve lost and pink roses were placed in that same vase in honor of survivors in our community. Nine community members stood on the baseline and were recognized by name. Each survivor who joined us on the court was honored with a hug from a player or family member, handed a single rose, and cheered by the hundreds of fans who packed into the gymnasium.

Jennifer Wilson, a Pembroke 5th grade teacher, organized the halftime ceremony again this season. “For the team to continue to play this game each year in memory of and in honor of members of this community whose lives have been affected by cancer means a lot to me. We’re a community, we’re all in this together, and no one fights alone,” said Wilson. “The list of people we honor and memorialize continues to grow each season. It’s important that we all give back as much as we can and be as supportive as we can be. So many teachers, parents, grandparents and even former students have all been affected by this disease in some way,” added Wilson. “Showing our love and support to these members of our community is what this night is all about,” shared Wilson.

Recent alumna Allie Schwerthoffer made it a priority to be in attendance on Friday night in support of the game that still means so much to her. As a player, Allie enjoyed the opportunity to support those battling the disease, to celebrate survivors, and to remember those we’ve lost. With her playing days now behind her, she circled this date on her calendar and made sure to be back in town for the game to help out. “I was excited to come back and see the hallways full of people. You could just feel the positive energy! It was a different experience to be on the other side of the game now as a volunteer,” shared Schwerthoffer. “The pink game is a sign of hope. It is a reminder to devote ourselves to something bigger. Our community is filled with love and support for one another and the pink game gives us all a chance to come together in support of those in need,” Schwerthoffer added.

The generous support of local benefactors has made the event possible. In addition to individual supporters, the 2022-2023 Shooting For A Cure! business and organization donor list includes 189 Burger, 26Shirts, ADPRO Sports, Alex’s Place, Aquarium of Niagara, Arcade-Attica Railroad, Arrowhead Golf Club, Baldwin’s Country Store, Batavia Country Club, Batavia Muckdogs, Batavia’s Original, Billy The Kid Automotive, Bourbon & Burger, Buffalo Bills, Buffalo Bisons, Buffalo Sabres, Burnin’ Barrel BBQ, Buttercrumbs Bakery, C.B. Beach & Son Mortuary, Cedar Street Sales & Rental, Chestnut Hill, Cinquino’s, Coffee Press, Coca-Cola of Rochester, Crickler Vending, Delta Sonic, Dinosaur Barbecue, Dixon Ticonderoga, Dollars for Scholars, Dry Creek Group

Eli Fish, Empire Realty Group, Five Guys, Foxprowl Collectibles, Game of Throws, Genesee County DSS, Great Clips of Lancaster, Green Mountain Electric, Hershey’s Ice Cream, Holiday Valley, Homeslice 33 Pizzeria, Insty-Prints, Jim’s Steakout, Jimbo’s Construction, Knockaround Sunglasses, Linda’s Family Diner, M&T Bank, Mighty Taco, Mosquito Hunters of Buffalo, Mugs & More, New Era, NYSCOPBA, OnCore Golf, Original Pizza Logs, Oxford Pennant, Pembroke Youth Association, Pesci's Pizza & Wings, Pink Cow, Reeds Jewelers – Jenss Décor, Roman’s, Roswell Park Alliance Foundation, Russell’s Steaks, Chops & More, Salsarita’s, Salvatore’s Italian Gardens, Sincerely Kayla Photography, Stan’s Harley-Davidson, Store716, Terry Hills, Tim Horton’s, ULTA Beauty of Batavia, Vivify Hydration, Yancey’s Fancy, and YMCA of Batavia.

Businesses and organizations still wishing to make a donation for this year’s event should contact Mike Wilson, the Shooting For A Cure! coordinator at Pembroke, by calling 716.949.0523.

Submitted photos.

It was just last week that Batavia Downs set its own handle bar higher after seeing $340,602 pass through betting portals both at the track and at simulcast outlets. That total became the highest on record since Western Regional Off Track Betting reopened the Downs in 2002.

However, on Monday (Feb. 6) -- only one week later -- that record was broken again after $348,205 was wagered on the very competitive third leg card made up of 12 divisions of Western New York Pop-Up Series participants that put on quite a show on the track.

The $9,000 Trackmaster 78 pace class was led by Faithful Desire (Kevin Cummings) who flexed her muscle as the only mare among the field of seven.

Faithful Desire tracked Catch A Lefty A (Dan Yetman) from third as the leader set quarters of :28.4 and :58.2. It was at that second station that Cummings tipped Faithful Desire into the breeze and blew right to the front before they got halfway through turn three. From there, Faithful Desire opened up a 3-1/2 length lead by three-quarters and extended that margin to six at the top of the stretch. From there, the mare cruised home under wraps to a 6-1/4 length victory in 1:55.4.

It was the fifth win in the last six starts for Faithful Desire ($3.20) at Batavia Downs going back to last year. Eva Saintcross owns the Shawn McDonough trained daughter of Real Desire- Faith Ann.

Cummings finished the day with a total of three wins in the bike.

The fastest $9,000 Trackmaster 77 trot of the day was registered by Seven Credits (Drew Monti) who pulled off a major upset at 25-1.

Seven Credits got away tardy and was in arrears by 7-1/4 lengths to Windsun Missile (Keith Kash) who was merrily rolling along at the half in :59 flat. As the race moved past the five-eighths, Cash N Chrome (Jim McNeight Jr.) shifted to the outside and provided live cover for Seven Credits, who followed intently as the pair gained ground on the leader. Cash N Chrome took the lead from Windsun Missile going by the three-quarters and Seven Credits continued to make up ground before drawing even with Cash N Chrome in mid-stretch. From there even Credits had the momentum and out-trotted  Cash N Chrome to the line and won by a neck in 1:59.4.

Seven Credits ($52.50) is owned by Jennifer Signor and is trained by Jason Signor.

The fourth leg of the Western New York Pop-Up Series will be held next Monday (Feb. 13) with the finals and consolations scheduled for the following Monday (Feb. 20). The finals will offer purses ranging from $12,000 to $18,000 while the consolation races will go for between $7,000 to $10,000. Spots in both will be secured by the top money earners in each Trackmaster category.

Driver Ray Fisher Jr. also had a hot hand on Monday getting a hat trick of his own during the afternoon.

When live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Thursday (Feb. 9) at 3 p.m. there will be a $300 carryover in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta which will be available in race 12.

Free full card past performance forms for the entire card of live racing at Batavia can always be downloaded at the Downs’ website (bataviadownsgaming.com) under the “Live Racing” tab and all the racing action can be viewed as it happens at the Batavia Downs Live Facebook page. 

Photo by McKenna Dziemian

Jadyn Mullen, of Alexander, placed first on Saturday in the Pentathlon at the Ocean Breeze Invitational in Staten Island.

She won with 3,352 points.

The Pentathlon consists of five events: 55-meter hurdles, high jump, shot put, long jump, and 800-meter race. In the hurdles, she ran a 9.06, in the high jump, she jumped 1.55 meters, in the shot put, she threw 9.93 meters, in the long jump, she jumped 4.99 meters and finished it off with a 2:20 in the 800.

Submitted photo and information.

This week in Genesee Region USBC league bowling produced the high three-game series at Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia, an "out of the box" 300 game at Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen, another honor score and huge series by the reigning GRUSBC Scratch Memorial Tournament champion and the first perfect game of the season at Perry Bowling Center.

Tom Baker of Pavilion was a model of consistency on Thursday night as he spun games of 279, 278 and 266 for an 823 series on lanes 15-16 at the 24-lane center in Batavia. 

The 46-year-old left-hander recorded 32 out of a possible 36 strikes -- 10 in the first game (including the first nine) and 11 each in the second and third games.

He overcame an open in the sixth frame of game three by finishing with six strikes for his third United States Bowling Congress-certified 800 series. He also has a trio of 300 games.

The big set raised his average to 219.

In other action:

• Warsaw lefty Kevin Gray Jr. used a new ball -- the Ebonite Envision Pearl -- for the first time in the Thursday Owls League at Rose Garden Bowl and the result was 300-236-233--769 on lanes 3-4.

Gray, 42, now has at least a dozen certified 300 games, including two in Bergen and three at Perry Bowling Center. The 769 raised his league-high average to 223.

• Scott Culp of Honeoye Falls, who won the Scratch Memorial last month for the fourth time, fired 215-300-257--772 in the Mancuso Real Estate Doubles League at Mancuso's. 

The 44-year-old righty raised his center-leading average to 236 with his second straight 772 series. 

• Jacob Iresabal of Castile became the first league bowler at Perry Bowling Center to string 12 consecutive strikes in one game as he rolled 300 in the Thursday Night League on lanes 5-6. 

The 37-year-old righty averages in the 190s.

• Also, in the Wednesday Night Ladies League at Mancuso's, Mary Ann Stone of Batavia finished with a 277 game for a 597 series.

For a list of high scores for the week, click on the Pin Points tab at the top of the home page.

The Batavia Blue Devils clinched the Monroe County Division IV title with a come-from-behind win over Eastridge on Friday night.

With three games left in the season, the Blue Devils are 7-0 in the division, and 13-4 overall, good enough for third place in Section V Class B1.

Batavia trailed for most of the first three quarters on Friday, before taking a brief two-point lead late in the third quarter.

The Blue Devils scored 12 points, including a pair of three-point buckets from Ja'vin McFollins, in the fourth quarter to claim a 60-55 win.

McFollins finished with 30 points on the night.

Sawyer Siverling and Carter McFollins scored eight points each.

"We struggled to score most of the game," Coach Buddy Brasky said after the game. "Eastridge took a 12-point lead with 3:50 left. It stayed that way until the 1:45 mark. Ja'vin came up big with two straight threes to cut it to six. We upped the pressure and caused three straight turnovers. Ja'vin iced the game with 6 straight free throws."

Batavia’s next game is next Wednesday at Greece Athena

In Boys Basketball on Friday:

• Le Roy beats Letchworth 61-40
• Attica beat Alexander, 52-49
• Oakfield-Alabama beat Holly, 95-22
• Byron-Bergen beat Elba, 72-29.  Gianni Ferrara scored 20 points and had four assists, five rebounds and five steals. Braedyn Chambry scored 17 and had nine rebounds. David Brumstead scored 13 and had seven rebounds.

In Girls Basketball:

• Eastridge beat Batavia, 56-32
• Oakfield-Alabama beat Pembroke, 42-28. Caitlin Ryan scored 16 points and had six rebounds and five steals. Emma Ray scored eight.  For Pembroke, Isabel Breeden scored 11. Karli Housenecht scored nine and had five rebounds. Onolee Easterbrook scored five and had six steals.

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Photos by Steve Ognibene

Batavia's JV team also won its Monroe County Division IV title.  Photo courtesy Coach Dave Pero.

Le Roy beat Letchworth in Boys Basketball on Friday night, 61-40.

Merritt Holly scored 22 points.  Jean Agusto scored 17.

Holly now has 440 points on the season and has averagedt 24.4 points per game.

Photo by Jason Coniber.

Press release:

All signs are pointing toward a successful return of semiprofessional football to the Batavia area.

Harry Rascoe, head coach of the Genesee County Spartans, announced that an eight-team schedule has been finalized for the squad, which will feature around 50 players – some of them former Batavia and Notre Dame high school athletes – from throughout Western New York.

“We are looking at eight games – four home and four on the road – and have secured several sponsors for our first season,” Rascoe said. “Opening day is June 3 at Auburn. Our first home game is set for June 17 against Ithaca.”

The Spartans will compete in the Northeastern Football Alliance against clubs from Auburn, Lockport, Ithaca and Broome County.

Rascoe said he is working with Batavia High School officials to have the Genesee County team’s home games at Van Detta Stadium. All home games will be on Saturdays at 7 p.m.

Fundraising is a key component to getting the venture off the ground, he said, adding that a “Meet & Greet” is scheduled for 6-11 p.m. on Feb. 11 at Ri-Dan’s on West Main Street Road. The event will include basket raffles and cash drawings to help defer expenses.

Rascoe said he will be coordinating a final tryout for roster spots on Feb. 26 at a practice location in Rochester.

“We’re seeing great competition at all positions,” he said, adding that players range from graduating seniors to those in their early 30s.

The schedule is as follows:

June 3 at Auburn; June 10 at Lockport; June 17 vs. Ithaca; June 24 vs. Broome County; July 15 at Broome County; July 22 vs. Lockport; Aug. 5 at Ithaca; Aug. 12 vs. Auburn.

For more information about the team, including how to become a sponsor, go to the team’s Genesee County Spartans Facebook page or contact Rascoe at rascoeh@yahoo.com.

Le Roy beat Perry in Boys Basketball on Monday, 51-26.

Scoring for the Knights: 

• Merritt Holly, 23 points, 10 rebounds.
• Andrew Pocock, 14 points
• Jean Agosto, 10 points, 9 rebounds.

Photos by Jason Coniber

In Boys Basketball:

• Pembroke beat Attica, 72-57. Cayden Pfalzer, 32 points, Tyson Totten, 12 points, Chase Guzdek, 12 points
• Batavia lost to Irondequiot, 67-45. Ja'vin McFollins scored 17 points. Carter McFollins scored 9. 
• Notre Dame beat Elba, 74-52
• Oakfield-Alabama beat Kendall, 63-48

The Empire State Winter Games Torch Relay passed through Batavia on Tuesday, with a visit to the David M. McCarthy Memorial Ice Arenda during a Ramparts practice.

One of the Ramparts coaches, Mark Kuntz, carried the torch around the rink and Rampart players skated along with him.

This is the second year the torch has been brought to The McCarthy.

Le Roy Superintendent Merritt Holly asked students and parents to consider a few things during his talk this week about a potential merger of the district’s football program.

First, he didn’t want their immediate feedback, but, rather, he wanted the stats and details he was to provide to marinate for a while before they shared their comments and concerns. The deadline for feedback is Feb. 13.

Second, a merger doesn’t signal a “superpower” team of those earlier days of the game, he said. It’s not Le Roy football in the 1980s, 90s and early to mid-2000s, when enrollment numbers and participation were of a different nature, he said, and “the game of football” has drastically changed over the past 45 years.”

That isn’t what this proposition is about.

“This is about long-term sustainability in the sport of football,” he said.

Third, what is a potential merger with Cal-Mum/Byron-Bergen about?

There’s a rationale — the method behind the madness, so to speak — for considering a merger, Holly said. One issue is the safety factor: Eighth and tenth graders wouldn’t have to play to fill rosters of the junior and varsity levels, and students wouldn't be required to be on the field more than necessary.

“Imagine if we could have some balance in practice and playtime,” he said.

Student-athletes wouldn’t be overplayed, which would reduce the risk of injuries, he said, during times of, for example, athletes playing both sides of the ball.

“You have to be very careful,” he said. “You have to worry more about injuries in practice. When it comes to accountability, when you have no one else in that position to play, it becomes an issue.”

A merger could mean sustainability. A roster would be maintained at three levels, modified, JV and Varsity, with a continuous foundation of youth programs being built. Plus, the other two school districts “have a need and want to be part of this relationship and one (B-B swim team) we have already partnered with,” he said.

Not to be left out of the equation was perhaps Holly’s biggest influential statistic: a decreased enrollment of more than 500 students in 2022-2023 from 1987 figures. He called it a “staggering” slide, though also later noted that numbers seemed to be slightly on the uptick. He did so with caution.

“We could end the presentation right now and say the numbers are coming back, but there’s more,” he said.

Much of the issue was about future roster sizes, the safety of students and the ability to be competitive.

“Sometimes we’re doing our students a disservice,” Holly said. “Sports is one of the best ways to have healthy competition.”

Other districts may decide to merge at some point, and this could be Le Roy’s moment to do so, but it’s up to the school community to decide, he said. Feedback is due by Feb. 13, and the school board is to vote on Feb. 28.

If it’s yes for the merger, that would mean splitting home games, operating costs amongst the school districts, sharing homecoming and senior nights at the home game district, each district paying its own insurance costs, uniforms purchased from a stockpile, and other details to be worked out, he said.

“We’d be looking at a whole new process,” he said. “There’d be a three-year commitment with a 30-day opt-out clause.”

If the merger is a no, Le Roy moves forward with a football program.

“We need to get feedback from you. This is just an initial conversation,” Holly said.

To view the entire presentation, go HERE.

2022 File Photo of Le Roy Oatkan Knights versus Attica by Howard Owens.

Amelia McCulley led all scorers with 26 points to help Notre Dame to a 53-38 win over Elba on Tuesday.

She also had eight rebounds. Avelin Tomidy scored 16 points and had five rebounds. Emma Sisson had 11 rebounds.

For Elba, Sydney Reilly scored 16 points. Kennedy Augello scored eight points and had eight rebounds.

Elba had six straight wins coming into the game. The Lancers fall to 8-8 on the season. The Irish are now 14-1.

Girls Basketball on Tuesday:

• Alexander beat Holley, 60-35. Alyssa Kramer scored 26 points. Laurel Kania scored 11 and Melanie Pohl scored nine.
• Oakfield-Alabama beat Kendall, 50-29.  Brooke Reding scored 15 points. Caitlin Ryan scored nine and Alea Groff scored nine.
• Byron-Bergen beat Lyndonville, 58-39. Ava Wagoner and Zoey Shepherd scored 14 points.  MacKenzie Senf scored 10 points, and Olvia Senf scored nine.
• Brockport beat Batavia, 45-29
• Perry beat Le Roy, 67-52. Kenna MacKenzie scored 14 points. Abby Allen scored 10.  Corina Dunn scored nine and had 10 rebounds.
• Pembroke beat Attica, 48-44. Karli Houseknech scored 15 points. Elle Peterson scored 11.

In Boys Basketball:

• Alexander beat Holley 70-40. 

Photos by Kristin Smith. For more, click here.