Sports

Batavia Notre Dame Head Coach Marc Staley believes his United varsity hockey team is prepared to make a strong push over the last eight games of the Section V regular season.

“Tomorrow (Tuesday) is our 13^th game and it’s the first time all year that we’re healthy, so I think we’re ready to put it together,” Staley said today, two days after United’s 4-2 victory over Western Finger Lakes Panthers at the Batavia Ice Arena.

The win over WFL – Staley’s 150^th in nine-plus seasons behind the Notre Dame (and now merged program) bench -- raised BND’s record to 6-4-2 entering Tuesday’s home game (6 p.m.) against Williamsville East.

“The way I look at the milestone is that I’ve stuck around long enough to compile that many victories,” said Staley, who has a 150-128-6 record. “I’m thankful for the kids that have played through the years. I’ve been able to watch a lot of great hockey players. It’s been rewarding, challenging and, at times, stressful.”

Staley said that this season’s six victories have meant more to him because of the merger of the Batavia and Notre Dame programs.

“For quite some time I felt that our kids were at a disadvantage playing against the Rochester teams by being split up,” he said. “We’re seeing mergers in Rochester, too, and I’m just glad that we were able to do this.”

As far as his future, he said he wants to keep coaching “for as long as they’ll have me,” with a goal of being able to coach his son, Luke, who will be entering seventh grade next fall.

HIGH EXPECTATIONS THIS YEAR

Batavia Notre Dame came into its first season as a combined unit with high expectations with a roster loaded with skilled players at all positions. Offensively, United hasn’t had too many problems putting the puck in the net – five players have at least eight goals each -- but has been hampered by inconsistency on the defensive end.

On Saturday against WFL, United held the Panthers to just 15 shots on goaltender Courtney Schum and killed four of five penalties – an encouraging sign, Staley said.

“We’re working to correct things defensively – limiting shots, limiting chances and being in better position,” Staley said. “Now, with Cooper (Hamilton) back from injury, we are looking at moving Zack Eschberger to defense as he is just a versatile player.”

Hamilton, a junior center, suffered a collarbone injury in the season opener and returned to action on Saturday, picking up an assist.

Staley said he plans to put him on a top line with senior wingers Gavin Schrader and Vin DiRisio while wingers Ronin Hofmaster and Jameson Motyka will skate with freshman center Brady Johnson on the team’s other high-scoring line.

SCHRADER LEADS ALL SCORERS

Schrader (photo at right), with a goal and two assists on Saturday against WFL, now has 103 points in his high school career – 54 goals and 49 assists. This season, he has 22 goals and 21 assists, and – according to the Pointstreak website, is the leading scorer in Section V.

“Gavin is one of those generational type talents,” Staley said. “You rarely find someone his size (6-foot-4) that can skate as fast as he can and is as strong physically as he is. Beyond that, he’s become mentally tougher as a senior.”

Motyka had a goal and two assists – upping his totals to 10 and 16, respectively – while Eschberger and Johnson had the other goals. DiRisio has 11 goals and 12 assists; Hofmaster has eight goals and 16 assists, and Johnson has eight goals and 13 assists.

Defensive standouts thus far this season include senior Andrew Kasmarek, junior Noah Hudson and sophomore Orion Lama.

STRONG BETWEEN THE PIPES

United has been without starting goaltender Frank Falleti Jr. since its first game due to a right foot injury but senior Courtney Schum has performed admirably in his place.  Falleti, a sophomore, skated for the first time last Friday, Staley said, but it is unclear if he will make it back this season.

“We not rushing him; he’s got two more years ahead of him and we don’t want to risk any further injury,” Staley said. “We’re supremely confident in Courtney. We feel she has the ability to lead us down the stretch.”

Following tomorrow’s game, BND will be off for a week. It has a Jan. 18 game at Geneseo/Avon/Livonia before ending the regular season with a five-game homestand, including two games against powerful Victor with McQuaid Jesuit, another tough opponent, sandwiched in between.

File photo by Steve Ognibene.

Right-handers Curtis Foss of Medina and Geoff Harloff of Batavia rolled 800 series this week in Genesee Region USBC league bowling action.

Foss, 34, posted 258-260-289--807 in the Sneezy's Monday Night League at Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion and now has about three dozen 800 sets over the past 16 plus years.

For Harloff, 46, his 802 series in the County Line Stone/Mancuso's Trios League on Friday night is his first United States Bowling Congress-sanctioned 800. His games were 255-288-259.

Also in the Friday league, Jason Quilliam of Batavia started with 298 en route to a 750 series.  Josh Elliott and Alex VanScoter had big nights with 777 and 768, respectively.

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

The Batavia Ski Team competed Saturday in their first race of the season at Swain Ski resort.  In Giant Slalom the girls team was led by sophmore Lily Wagner who finished 17th overall with a combined time of 1:51:07.  

In Slalom, Sophia Minuto was the top skier finishing 17th with a time of 1:11.15.  Abby Bestine and Quinn Woeller also were the teams finishers.

The boys top finishers were Ben Stone in 25th in GS with a time of 1:45.77. Ethan Bradley finished 25th in Slalom with a time of 1:09.71.  

There was thick fog at the start of the race but conditions were good overall for the first race of the season said head coach Matt Holman.

The teams next race is this Wednesday night.  Start time 5:30p.m.

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Photos by Steve Ognibene

The Hornets stayed undefeated at 8-0 on Friday after beating Notre Dame 62-45.

For Oakfield-Alabama:

 

• Gaige Armbrewster, 31 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists, 1 block
• Kam Cusmano, 18 points, 16 rebounds, 2 blocks
• Kaden Cusmano, 10 rebounds, 3 blocks

For the Fighting Irish:

• Jordan Welker, 16 points
• Ryan Fitzpatrick, 10 points
• Cody Henry, 10 points

Notre Dame is now 7-3 on the season.

Also on Friday in boys basketball:

• Le Roy beat Rochester Prep 80-41.  Merritt Holly, Jr. scored 34 points, Finn Shelby, 15, and Mitchel Hockey, 14.
• Pavilion lost to Livonia, 6-41.
• Alexander lost to Wheatland-Chili, 59-42
• Byron-Bergen beat Kendall, 74-54
• Elba beat Attica, 65-51

There were no local girls games on Friday.

Photos by Kristin Smith. For more, click here.

Notre Dame came back from a first-half deficit, down 20-16, to beat Le Roy 42-33 to capture the 2022 Batavia Rotary Club Girls Basketball Classic championship.

It's the 15th time in 31 tournaments the Lady Irish have taken home the trophy.

Avelin Tomidy scored 14 points and Juda Macdonald scored 10 for Notre Dame.

For Le Roy, Lindsey Steffenilla scored 11 points.

Tomidy won the Christina Volpe MVP Award.

The rest of the all-tournament team:

• Jaimin Macdonald, Batavia
• Karli Houseknecht, Pembroke
• Kenna Mckenzie, Le Roy
• Maylee Green, Notre Dame
• Lyndsey Steffenilla, Le Roy

Lyndsey Wiedman won the Ray Shirtz Service Above Self Award.

Past champions:

• 2021 No Tourney
• 2020 Batavia
• 2019 Batavia
• 2018 Notre Dame
• 2016 Batavia
• 2015 Batavia
• 2014 Notre Dame
• 2013 Notre Dame
• 2012 Batavia
• 2011 Notre Dame
• 2010 Notre Dame
• 2009 Batavia  
• 2008 Batavia  
• 2007 Pavilion 
• 2006 Notre Dame
• 2005 Batavia
• 2004 Notre Dame
• 2003 Notre Dame
• 2002 Notre Dame
• 2001 Batavia
• 2000 Cal-Mum
• 1999 Notre Dame
• 1998 Notre Dame
• 1997 Notre Dame
• 1996 Notre Dame
• 1995 Pavilion
• 1994 Pavilion
• 1993 Gates-Chili
• 1992 Byron-Bergen
• 1991 Attica
• 1990 Attica

Past MVPs:

• 2020 McKenie Reigle, Batavia
• 2019 Bryn Wormley, Batavia
• 2018 Stevie Wilcox, Notre Dame
• 2017 Gillian Flint, Cal-Mum
• 2016 Tiara Filbert, Batavia
• 2015 Tiara Filbert, Batavia
• 2014 Laurie Call, Notre Dame
• 2013 Riley Norton, Notre Dame
• 2012 Tiara Filbert, Batavia
• 2011 Carly Pike, Notre Dame
• 2010 Nicole Hort, Notre Dame
• 2009 Jaycee Shirk, Batavia
• 2008 Annie Palermo, Batavia
• 2007 Hannah Norton, Pavilion
• 2006 Heidi Norton, Notre Dame
• 2005 Amanda Page, Batavia
• 2004 Katie Francis, Notre Dame
• 2003 Ashley Napoleone, Notre Dame
• 2002 Marie Stressing, Notre Dame
• 2001 Jen Batchellor, Batavia
• 2000 Kelley Sullivan, Cal-Mum
• 1999 Christina Volpe, Notre Dame
• 1998 Christina Volpe, Notre Dame
• 1997 Christina Volpe, Notre Dame
• 1996 Christina Volpe, Notre Dame
• 1995 Taya Blanton, Pavilion
• 1994 Taya Blanton, Pavilion
• 1993 Naima DeLain, Gates-Chili
• 1992 Melody Hutchinson, Byron-Bergen
• 1991 Lynn Jensen, Attica
• 1990 Jenny Acquard, Attica

Notre Dame will get a chance to play for another Rotary Club crown at 7:30 p.m. tonight at GCC after beating an aggressive Pembroke Lady Dragons team on Tuesday for a 49-34 victory.

The Lady Irish were led by Emma Sisson with 13 points, Mayee Green, 12, and Lindsey Weidman, 10.

For Pembroke, Karli Houseknecht scored 16 points.

For more game photos, click here.

In the first game of the first round of the Batavia Rotary Club Girls Basketball Classic, Le Roy beat Batavia 48-44.

For Le Roy, Kenna McKenzie and Lindsey Steffenille scored 13 points each. 

For Batavia, Jaimin Macdonald scored 16 points and Jaylene Dersham scored 15 points.

Le Roy will face Notre Dame in the championship game at 7:30 p.m. tonight at GCC.

For more photos, click here.

Kelsey Schlagenhauf scored 12 points, 11 rebounds, and five steals to help lead Oakfield-Alabama to a 51-28 win over Kendall on Tuesday night in girls basketball.

Caitlin Ryan had 12 points, Makena Reding, nine, and Broke Reding, eight.

"Our girls played a solid 32 minutes against a well-coached and physical Kendall team," said Head Coach Jeff Schlagenhaufj. "All eight girls contributed. Brooke Reding was all over the court tonight.

"I can't say enough about the job Piper (Hyde), Alea (Grof) and Alaina (Manges) did defensively when they came in," he added. "They maintained our defensive effort and played extremely well for younger players. They improve each and every day."

The Hornets are now 11-0 on the season.

Photos by Kristin Smith. For more, click here.

Batavia Notre Dame lost to Aquinas by a 3-2 score tonight in a penalty-free Section V varsity hockey match at Lakeshore Rinks in Rochester.

Senior forward C.J. Mangone scored two goals for the Little Irish, now 9-1 after their eighth straight victory. Aquinas’ only defeat came in BND's season opener by a 6-3 count.

For United, 5-4-2, Ronin Hofmaster and Gavin Schrader tallied goals in the second and third period, respectively, with Schrader’s 21^st of the year coming with just 59 seconds left on the clock.

After a scoreless first period, Mangone capitalized on a United turnover to beat BND goaltender Courtney Schum with a slapshot from the left side seven minutes into the second period. Assists went to Kevin Howse and Tyler Day.

Mangone made it 2-0 when he deposited a rebound off a shot by teammate Alex Smola with 5:36 to play. Day also assisted on the goal, Mangone’s 15^th of the season.

United cut the lead in half when Hofmaster stole the puck, maneuvered to the right and beat Aquinas goalie Andrew Gatti to the glove side with 1:34 on the clock. Brady Johnson picked up the assist.

Aquinas scored what proved to be the game winner six minutes into the third period when Tony Terrana took a shot from the point that got past Schum, who was screened on the play. Caleb Wood and Mangone were credited with assists.

BND had several opportunities in the closing minutes as it controlled much of the play in the third period -- outshooting Aquinas 13-5 -- but wasn’t able to score until Schrader muscled the puck away from an Aquinas contender and drilled it past Gatti.

For the game, United had 30 shots to the Little Irish’s 27.

United hosts Western Finger Lakes at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Batavia Ice Arena. BND defeated WFL 10-1 on Dec. 14.

The 32nd Annual Batavia Rotary Girls Basketball Classic tips off today at 6 p.m. at GCC.

The first game, Batavia vs. Le Roy.

The second game begins at 7:30 and features Notre Dame vs. Pembroke.

With a storm threatening Thursday, the finals have moved to Wednesday with the championship game beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Photo: Mackenzie Harmon, Batavia; Abby Allen, Le Roy; Allie Schwerthoffer, Pembroke; and, Lindsey Wideman, Notre Dame.

Press release:

Batavia native Pat Donaghue returned to Mancuso Bowling Center on Sunday and picked up his first Tommy Kress 60-and-Over Tour victory.

The 62-year-old right-hander, who has enjoyed much success in the Rochester area where he has lived for many years, struck out in the 10^th frame for a 226 game to defeat Batavian Fred Gravanda (214) and Rochester’s Rick Jewell (178) for the title.

The victory was worth $330 while Gravanda earned $250 and Jewell took home $170.

Donaghue qualified fifth (the top 12 advanced) and then rolled 256 and 247 in the eliminator rounds leading up to the finals.

Batavian Mike Pettinella placed fourth and earned $120, as did fifth-place finisher Steve Nowicki of Rochester and sixth-place finisher Bob Hodgson of Medina.

Bill Logan of Albion was one of six bowlers cashing for $70.

Submitted photo above: Tournament director Pete Nashburn, left, congratulates Pat Donaghue on his Tommy Kress 60-and-Over Tour victory Sunday as runner-up Fred Gravanda looks on.

LEROYAN TAKES TOP SPOT IN MEDINA

Samantha Hyde of Le Roy (with tournament director Tom Allis in submitted photo) claimed the $600 top prize in the New Year’s Day Eliminator Tournament at Medina Lanes.

Hyde rolled a 259 game with handicap in the final round to edge Batavian Mike Johnson by 10 pins. Maddie Whiteman of Albion (233) and Vicki Charache of Medina (219) finished third and fourth, respectively.

For the first 12 minutes of their championship match at GCC on Thursday night, Le Roy and Attica looked pretty evenly matched, then in the waning minutes of the first half, the Oatkan Knights offense caught fire.

By the end, the score wasn't close.

Le Roy won the large school division crown of the 39th Annual Pete Arras Lions Tournament 58-34.

The Knights held the Blue Devils to only 14 points in the second half, only four points in the final quarter.

For Le Roy, Mitchel Hockey scored 28 points, Merritt Holly scored nine, John Penepento, 9, and Finn Shelby, 9.

For Attica, Cole Harding scored 11 points.

The all-tournament team for the large school division:

• Jamel Johnson, Roy-Hart
• Carter McFollins, Batavia
• Cole Harding, Attica
• Simon Lamparelli, Attica
• Merritt Holly, Le Roy
• Mitchel Hockey, Le Roy (MVP)

Oakfield-Alabama prevailed over Notre Dame on Thursday to win the small schools division of the 39th Annual Pete Arras Lions Tournament at Genesee Community College.

The final score was 74-61.

Kaden Cusmano scored 20 points for the Hornets, Kam Cusmano, 18, and Gaige Armbrewster, 11.

For Notre Dame, Jordan Welker scored 24 points and Cody Henry scored 17 points.

The small schools' all-tournament team:

• CJ Gottler, Elba
• Cody Henry, Notre Dame
• Jordan Welker, Notre Dame
• Gaige Armbrewster, Oakfield-Alabama
• Kaden Cusmano, Oakfield-Alabama
• Kameron Cusmano, Oakfield-Alabama (MVP)

Photos by Kristin Smith.  For more photos, click here.

Freshman forward Jameson Motyka recorded a hat trick Thursday afternoon as Batavia Notre Dame closed out the 2021 portion of its varsity hockey schedule with 5-5 tie against Frontier of Section VI at the LECOM HarborCenter in Buffalo.

It’s the second straight tie for BND United, which battled Hamburg to a 6-6 draw on Wednesday night at the HarborCenter.

United, 5-3-2, is off until Jan. 4 when it takes on Aquinas Institute at Lakeshore East in Rochester.

BND got on the board first when senior Gavin Schrader, one of Western New York’s most prolific goal scorers, found the back of the net at 11:04 of the first period. Assists went to Ronin Hofmaster and Brady Johnson.

Frontier pulled even with 3:20 left in the period on a goal by sophomore Tanner Smaczniak.

The Hamburg club struck twice in a minute’s time early in the second period on power play goals by junior Jake Losey and senior Matt McCarthy to take a 3-1 lead.

Motyka scored the first of his three goals at the 8:56 mark (assisted by Andrew Kasmarek and Vin DiRisio) before Frontier’s Max Conklin broke free for a shorthanded goal with 5:10 on the clock to make it 4-2.

United closed to within one at the end of the period as Motyka scored again, with Orion Lama picking up the assist with 1:37 remaining.

Schrader tied things up at 4 apiece just 29 seconds into the third period (assisted by Parker Corbelli).

A game misconduct penalty on Frontier coach Brian Dehlinger with a little over 10 minutes left for excessive arguing with referees gave BND the man advantage and it capitalized when Motyka scored again. Hofmaster picked up the assist.

BND held the lead until three minutes remained in regulation but a turnover in its own zone led to a goal by Frontier’s Nick Falcone.

Neither team scored in the five-minute overtime period although Frontier came close with only eight seconds to play. United outshot the Falcons 34-31.

Schrader now has 20 goals in United’s 10 games.

Photo at top: Jameson Motyka celebrates one of his three goals Thursday against Frontier.

Photos by Steve Ognibene

To view or purchase photos, click here.

United's Noah Whitcombe looks for an opening in the crease.

Gavin Schrader propels a slap shot at Frontier goaltender Kyle Kacmarski. Schrader recorded his 19th and 20th goals of the season.

Vin DiRisio looks to put a move on the Frontier defenseman.

BND's Zack Eschberger and Addison Warriner dig the puck out along the boards.

Senior forward Gavin Schrader's third goal of the game -- coming just 21 seconds into the third period -- enabled Batavia Notre Dame United to gain a 6-6 tie against Hamburg in non-league varsity hockey tonight at the LECOM HarborCenter in Buffalo.

Trailing 6-5 after two periods, Schrader beat Hamburg goaltender Gavin Waite, with assists going to senior linemates Zack Eschberger and Vin DiRisio.

United, now 5-3-1, was unable to find the back of the net the rest of the way, however, despite outshooting the Bulldogs, a Section VI club, 15-1 in the third period. Both teams had four shots on goal in the five-minute overtime period.

Hamburg took a 3-2 lead after one period with senior forward Luke Stotz scoring twice around a power play goal by junior forward Josh Gregoire. BND's goals were by Schrader (from DiRisio and Eschberger) -- see photo above -- and DiRisio (from junior defenseman Noah Hudson and freshman forward Jameson Motyka).

The wide open play continued in the second period as both teams scored three goals. 

Schrader and Eschberger opened the scoring in the period, giving BND a 4-3 edge, before the Bulldogs countered with a goal by junior forward Braeden McGuire.

United took a 5-4 advantage on a goal by junior forward Ronin Hofmaster 10 minutes into the period before Hamburg rallied to take the lead on goals by senior forward Luke Nassoly and sophomore defenseman Matt Holst.

BND outshot Hamburg, 40-29. Senior Courtney Schum was in goal for United.

Schrader now has 18 goals and 16 assists, while DiRisio upped his goal and assist totals to 11 and 10, respectively. Hofmaster's goal was his seventh of the season to go along with his 14 assists.

United is back at the HarborCenter for a 4:15 p.m. game on Thursday against Frontier.

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Photos by Steve Ognibene

Vin DiRisio connects for a power play goal in the first period.

Brady Johnson looks to maneuver past Hamburg's Alex Wood (55).

Zack Eschberger (middle) gets some high-fives from DiRisio and Jameson Motyka after his power play goal in the second period.

Motyka seeks an opening in the Hamburg defense.

United's Ronin Hofmaster pokes the puck past Waite to tie the game at 5-5.

After trailing for much of the game, including, at times, by double-digits, the Batavia Blue Devils put together a final quarter rally but still fell short against Attica, 50-48.

Carter McFollins scored 19 points for Batavia while Tanner Mountain added 12 points.

For Attica, Simon Lamparell scored 16 points and Luke George scored 10.

Attica advances to the championship game at 9 p.m., Thursday, at the GCC gym against Le Roy.

For more game photos, click here.

The Fighting Irish are advancing to the championship round the 39th Annual Lions Club Tournament in the small school division after beating Alexander on Tuesday 66-51.

Notre Dame will play Oakfield-Alabama at 7 p.m., Thursday.

For the Irish, Cody Henry scored 22 points, Jordan Welker, 17, Ryan Fitzpatrick, 11, and Jimmy Fanara, nine.

For the Trojans, Nick Kramer scored 14 points, Dylan Pohl, 10, and Trent Woods, 8.

For more game photos, click here.

In a first-round game of the small schools' division of the annual Lions Tournament at GCC, Oakfield-Alabama beat Elba 60-44.

For the Hornets:

 

• Gaige Armbrewster, 20 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 steals
• Kam Cusmano, 15 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals
• Kaden Cusmano, 12 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks

For Elba, CJ Gottler scored 25 points.

O-A is now 5-0 on the year.

Photos by Kristin Smith.  For more, click here.

The Lady Lancers hit 70 percent of their shots in the first half of Monday's game against Batavia propelling Elba to a 54-31 win.

Dakota Brinkman, who dropped three three-point buckets, scored 13 points for Elba, while Laci Sewar and Kennedy Augello scored nine each. Adrianna Long scored eight and Sydney Reilly scored seven.

Brinkman also had seven rebounds.

For Batavia, Jaylene Dersham scored 10 points.

Press release:

A pair of Batavia left-handers found perfection in Genesee Region USBC league bowling this week.

On Wednesday, Rich Wagner started with a 300 game in the Wednesday Men's Handicap League on lanes 3-4 at Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen.

He followed that with 279 before finishing with 218 for a 797 series.

On Thursday, Brian Green ended with a 300 game in the Toyota of Batavia Thursday 5-Man League at Mancuso Bowling Center to post a 698 series. On Tuesday, Green rolled a 778 series in the Mancuso Real Estate League in Batavia.

Also in the Toyota league, Batavian Fred Gravanda started with 274 and 278 en route to a 766 series.

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