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'Avid baseball players' wanted for startup 18U Tournament Baseball Team

By Billie Owens

Press release:

My name is Brenden von Kramer and I am starting a 18U Tournament Baseball Team that will be both affordable to all and for young men who are looking to play past high school and even potentially the next level.

We will be competing in the Darien Lake tournament and potentially a few other tournaments against top-notch teams from all over. The team will be coached by Chad Winkelman David Hall and myself as well as possibly some other high school coaches from around the area.

We are looking for avid baseball players.

If this interests you or you know someone who would be interested, please contact me as soon as possible via call/text or FB Messenger for further details.

We will be holding tryouts in the near future after the basketball season has ended, at a date to be announced later.

We hope to see you there!

Brenden von Kramer

(585) 208-8595

Olympic Gold Medalist in Women's Speed Skating to visit GCC's Club Fair on Tuesday

By Billie Owens

Submitted photo and press release:

A big part of what makes Genesee Community College special are the 50 or more student clubs available to enrich any student's college experience.

On Tuesday, Feb. 13, each of the student clubs will be showcased at the annual Club Fair. Each club will have representatives at booths from 11:30 a.m. 'til 2 p.m. in the Batavia Campus Forum. All GCC students are encouraged to visit the club booths, ask questions, join the clubs and "Go for the Gold"!

Speaking of the Gold, this year, there will be something a little extra at the Club Fair. GCC's Multicultural Communications Club will host Olympic Gold Medalist Cathy Turner! Turner, in photo above, will be at the Club Fair to meet the students, sign autographs and pose for photos!

Turner is a two-time Gold Medalist in short track speed skating (1992 and 1994), and a Silver and Bronze Medalist as anchor of the 3000m Relay Team. She is one of only two people ever to win Gold Medals in consecutive Winter Olympic Games. With a total of four medals, she ranks fourth for the most medals ever won by a Winter Olympian.

Multi-talented and outgoing, Turner enjoys combining her Olympic success and her amazing story to motivate people of all ages whenever she has the opportunity. Nine years after retiring from her sport to pursue a professional singing career, Turner returned to speed skating and competed in the 1992 Olympic Games. Her childhood dream of winning an Olympic Gold Medal was now within her grasp.

Critics scoffed at the notion that a woman in her 20s could overcome such a tremendous setback, especially being away from the sport so long. Turner proved them wrong by making her dream a reality, winning both Gold and Silver medals in the 1992 Winter Games in Albertville, France. Draped in the American flag, Turner took her much-deserved "Victory Lap" with the whole world watching.

She retired immediately after the 1992 Games, only to make a stunning comeback just seven months prior to the 1994 Winter Games in Lillehammer, Norway. Once again, her amazing determination and strong will prevailed as she added two more medals to her collection -- a Gold and Bronze. Once again, Turner challenged herself and came out of retirement in 1998 and earned fifth place in the 3000m Relay in her third Olympics in Nagano, Japan.

Turner wrote a chapter in a book entitled, "Awaken the Olympian Within." Her chapter is entitled "See it, believe it, be it." To Turner, "See it, believe it, be it" were essential steps in fulfilling her lifelong dream.

Turner now works as a database administrator at PAYCHEX in Rochester and focuses on her two daughters Britney, 18 and Bayli, 17. Like their Mom, both are very athletic and have participated in many sports including Tae Kwon Do (with Mom), skiing, tennis, gymnastics and of course, speed skating. Bayli is currently a level-10 (out of 10) gymnast, which now has Turner traveling to meets on weekends just like her own parents did for her. Her daughter, Britney, was on the high school tennis team since middle school and is now a sophomore at Ithaca College with a double major, Film Production and German.

PE teachers countywide invited to Pavilion Central School on Monday for free tennis and technology workshops

By Billie Owens
A message from Marianne Witkowski, PE teacher and PE Department Chair at Pavilion Central School:
 
The Physical Education Department at Pavilion Central School is sponsoring a PE Teacher Network Meeting for area schools on Monday, Feb. 12.
 
It will feature a workshop on tennis provided by the U.S. Tennis Association from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.; then after lunch, from 12:30 to 3 p.m. there will be a Care to Share session with a focus on integrating technology in PE.
 
The morning of the P.E. Network Meeting will have consultants from the USTA sharing the resources available to districts in an Activity Based Session.
 
Attendees will need to bring a device with them for the training. Also download and sign up for information in the email notification from your Teacher Center Policy Board Member. When you sign up for this USTA program, your district will receive curriculum information, lesson plans and equipment.
 
  • With Net Generation, the USTA is committed to helping teachers introduce and maintain tennis in PE classes and after-school programs. The free, three-hour workshop will introduce teachers to the new SHAPE-collaborated curricula designed to encourage and challenge kids to advance at their own pace guided by the national grade-level outcomes. With the resources and tools of Net Generation, Tennis in Schools has never been easier to teach or more accessible! Learn more by clicking here.
 
The afternoon will be spent exploring the Pavilion PE Department resources and engaging in a Caring and Sharing Session. All participants are asked to bring an activity to share and if appropriate copies for other participants. An emphasis will be on new technology you are utilizing in your districts.
 
The meeting is free to attend. The school is located at 7014 Big Tree Road in Pavilion.

Clyde Bianchi to be inducted into Byron-Bergen High School’s Athletic Wall of Fame on Feb. 9

By Billie Owens

Press release:

This year, Byron-Bergen High School’s athletic department will recognize an alumnus who has demonstrated not only athletic achievement but also character, citizenship, success and leadership during and after their time at the school.

The department is proud to announce that this honor will be awarded to Clyde Bianchi in a ceremony at 6 :15 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 9,  during the scheduled JV and Varsity basketball games at the Jr./Sr. High School gymnasium.

Bianchi, a 1987 graduate of the school, was an exceptional multisport athlete. He played on the varsity teams for basketball, baseball, and soccer, and was named to the Genesee Region All-Star Teams for all three sports during a stellar high school career.

In 1985, a motor-vehicle accident left the promising young athlete paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair.

His spirit and perseverance continued to propel Bianchi forward, however. He graduated with a Regents degree in Math and Art, and worked full time to pay for higher education at Genesee Community College and The College at Brockport where he earned his undergraduate degree in Business, Math and Economics.

He attended the Rochester Institute of Technology from 1997-2000, studying information technology.

From 1994-96, Bianchi played professional basketball with the Rochester Wheels, winning the 3-on-3 Wheelchair Basketball Rochester Championship for all three years. He is also a professional power lifter, a billiards champion, and plays football.

Bianchi had a very successful career as a computer engineer, advancing to director of technology, a position he held for 10 years. Since 2013, he has been the CEO and president of the largest animal boarding facility in the Rochester area, Howlywood. Located in Bloomfield, the company is owned and operated by Bianchi and his family, including his wife and business partner, Kelly.

“Clyde Bianchi is an inspiring role model for our student athletes and for everyone at our school,” said Athletic Director Rich Hannan. “He set the bar on his life high and never compromised.

"He has always made sports and competitive principles an important part of his life and he has made significant contributions to his community. We are absolutely honored and proud to recognize his achievements, and add his name to our Athletic Wall of Fame.”

Byron-Bergen beats Alexander 55-53 in girls basketball

By Howard B. Owens

The Byron-Bergen Lady Bees came back from a sluggish first half to beat Alexander 55-53 in girls basketball Wednesday night.

VanValkenburg scored 22 points, with 17 in the second half, to lead B-B.

For Alexander, Macie Riggs scored 15 points.

Blue Devils get 73-55 win over C-SAT

By Howard B. Owens

Mason McFollins and Antwan Odom scored 19 points each to lead Batavia High School to a 73-55 victory at home Wednesday night over Charter School for Applied Technologies, a Section VI team.

Steve Gilebarto scored 16 points and Jonathan Liciaga scored 11.

McFollins hit five three-point shots.

For C-SAT, Jayden Galleage scored 24 points.

USBC drops ball on the way it handled league 'reclassification' effort

By Mike Pettinella

In my Jan. 18 column, I shared information about the reclassification of leagues by the United States Bowling Congress – the national governing body's analysis of bowler averages that could result in a “Standard (or House)” shot league being changed to a “Challenge” or “Sport” league based on data derived from bowlers who participated in multiple leagues during the 2016-17 season.

While I support the USBC in its effort to even the playing field when it comes to rating bowlers equal to their skill levels, I am not on board with the way the USBC handled a situation that targeted 704 leagues for possible reclassification.

USBC sent letters out of the blue to these leagues, causing a great deal of anger and confusion. This I know because I was copied on the letters from USBC to 39 leagues in New York State (and on several of the appeals from league officials that followed shortly thereafter).

What the USBC should have done was to inform its membership as a whole in advance about the process, letting everyone know that it had been studying averages from last season and that if a league had at least 20 percent of its members who bowled in multiple leagues, it could be subject to reclassification.

For the record, USBC’s research revealed that 99 leagues were statistically more difficult for bowlers with averages of 20 or more pins higher in a Standard or “house shot” league, which showed that those leagues were competing on “Sport” conditions.  It also found 605 leagues in which bowler averages were 10-19 pins higher in Standard leagues, which shows that those leagues were competing on “Challenge” lane conditions.

(Bowlers with league averages designated as “Sport” or “Challenge” are indicated as such on bowl.com, and are subject to using the conversion charts when entering leagues or tournaments bowled on “Standard” oil patterns).

So, instead of informing bowlers with a message on bowl.com and/or an e-mail blast that this was going to happen and of the appeal process, the USBC blindsided its bowlers (and this is not the first time). 

Only after witnessing the negative reaction from league officials for several days did the USBC Executive Director Chad Murphy then shoot off a letter explaining the rationale for its action and acknowledging that other factors could be involved in a league’s scoring pace (bad pins, faulty oil machines, inconsistent maintenance, etc.), before ending with “I hope this letter helps you understand what is going on.”

Talk about shutting the barn door after the horse has bolted!

To date as a result of appeals, the USBC has decided not to change many of the 700 leagues that were targeted. In New York, at least 22 of the 39 leagues identified for reclassification have been kept as "House" leagues.

In the future, I would hope that the USBC brain trust would think things through to avoid alienating its membership base, especially considering that a decade-long trend of declining membership continues.

TOURNEY RESULTS: ‘SENIOR’ FOURSOME 1ST IN HAIGHT MEMORIAL

Results of tournaments in the Genesee Region over the past couple weeks:

Curt Haight Memorial 4-Person No-Tap
Mancuso Bowling Center, Jan. 20

Longtime Batavia bowlers Joe Trigilio, Fred Gravanda, Joe Mortellaro and Paul Spiotta teamed to place first, rolling a score of 3,187 to capture the $880 top prize.

The event drew 43 teams and raised $1,540 for Genesee Cancer Assistance.

Other cashers were as follows:

Kim Starken, Caycee Landers, Jeanette Sease, Tom Rohl, 2nd, 3,139, $480; Jason Quilliam, Brian Green, Nate Wright, Mike Lambert, 3rd, 3,097, $240; Justin Burdick, Jim Prucha, Jim Kessler, Steve Wenzka, 4th, 3,069, $230.

Dennis Rogers, Mark Brown, Rob Sease, Chris Bardol, 5th, 3,061, $220; Jen Wagner, Rich Wagner, Jason Gallo, Tony Gallo, 6th, 3,050, $210; Ron Brown, A.J. Allenbrandt, Heather Johnson, Mike Johnson, 7th, 3,033, $200.

Mount Morris Pepsi Open
Mount Morris Lanes, Jan. 19-21

Ricky Zinone of Rochester defeated Matt Burt of Buffalo, 192-174, in the title match to win the $1,500 first prize. The 40th annual scratch tournament drew 108 entries.

Zinone qualified in the eighth position with 949 for four games. Kevin Donovan of Painted Post was the high qualifier with 1,024.

Steve Santini of Mount Morris was the only Genesee Region USBC bowler to make the top 24, qualifying through the one-game, “last chance” squad with a 237.

The field included some of the top bowlers in New York State, including professional Ryan Shafer of Horseheads, Mike Rose Jr. of Rochester, Ken Muscato of Canandaigua and Dan Vick of Rochester.

Help-R-Heroes 4-Person No-Tap
Le Roy Legion Lanes, Jan. 26-28

The Le Roy team of Mickey Hyde, Naomi Hyde, Tom Rohl and Shayne Herold placed first in the handicap tournament with a 3,266 score, winning $600.

They were followed by Mark Brown, Kai Clark, Rob Sease and Norm Bialuski with 3,257, $480; Scott O’Neill, Ian Elliott, Dave Elliott and Bill Van Alst, 3,204, $300, and Tom Fluker, Mike Johnson, Mike Lambert and Nate Wright, 3,105, $200.

Proceeds went toward wounded soldiers returning home.

Baker Style Scratch Doubles
Mancuso Bowling Center, Jan, 27

The Lockport-area duo of Gary Kinyon and Jason Ciliberto defeated the Batavia-area duo of Matt Balduf and Rich Wagner, 465-395, to win the $700 first prize.

Thirty-one teams competed in the tournament, which featured six-game qualifying where bowlers alternate frames. From there, the top eight teams advanced to two-game eliminator style finals where half the field is eliminated in each round.

Balduf and Wagner earned $400 for placing second.

Other local teams cashing were Batavian Gregg Wolff and Brian Green. Tom Fluker of Batavia and his partner, Lowell Schoonmaker of Florida, combined for a 300 game.

MASTERS, CROSSROADS HOUSE TOP FEBRUARY SCHEDULE

-- Livingston Lanes in Geneseo will be hosting the 57th annual Genesee Region USBC Masters Tournament on Feb. 10-11.

Open to current GRUSBC members with at least 21 games in a particular league, the tournament offers a first prize of $525 plus a champion’s ring (based on 80 entries).

Qualifying squads (four games) are set for 10 a.m and 1 p.m. Feb. 10, with the top 16 advancing to the four-game semifinals at 4 p.m. on Feb. 10. From there, the top eight bowlers (eight-game totals) will move on to the eight-game Peterson Point match play finals at 1 p.m. Feb. 11.

The entry fee is $50, and re-entry is allowed provided the re-entry does not prohibit a first-time entrant from competing.

To sign up, contact Paul Spiotta at 585-202-6458.

-- The 22nd annual Betty Ellison Memorial “Strike Out for Crossroads House” benefit tournament is scheduled for Feb. 16-18 at Mancuso Bowling Center.

Squad times for the five-person handicap event are 6 p.m. Feb. 16, 3 and 6 p.m. Feb. 17 and 1 p.m. Feb. 18. As of Wednesday morning, openings remain on all squads except for the 6 p.m. Friday squad.

The entry fee is $110 per team until Feb. 9; after that date, it increases to $125.

Registration can be done online by going to www.crossroadshouse.com and choosing the Events tab.

All proceeds from the bowling as well as numerous raffles over the weekend will go to benefit Crossroads House, a comfort care home serving the residents of Genesee and Wyoming counties who have been medically determined to be in their last stages of life (three months or less).

For more information, call 585-409-0136.

-- The 12th annual GRUSBC Youth Team Tournament is set for Feb. 17 at Le Roy Legion Lanes, with squads at noon and 3 p.m.

Only a few spots remain as the maximum number of teams in the event is 16. Each team consists of four bowlers.

The entry fee is $64 per team.  Scholarships will be awarded to the first-place teams in each of three divisions, based on team average.

To enter, contact Tom Fluker at 585-284-2637.

YOUTH TRAVEL LEAGUE BOWLS IN BATAVIA ON SUNDAY

The Genesee Region Youth Travel League returns to Mancuso Bowling Center at 12:30 p.m. this Sunday.

Rose Garden Bowl I continues to lead the 13-team league by 4.5 points over Batavia Strike Force, with Oak Orchard Bowl I another 13 points back.

In recent action, Josiah Yantz of Scopano’s Lanes led the way for the boys with a 242 game and 682 series, while Paige Snook of Oak Orchard Bowl I led the girls with a 214 game and 563 series.

CHECK OUT THE NEW ‘PIN POINTS’ SPONSOR: NEO-TAC

I'm pleased to welcome a new "Pin Points" sponsor this week – Neo-Tac, Inc., which is owned by scientist and avid bowler, Frank Bernabei of Middleport.

Bernabei’s company specializes in bowling ball surface management products, such as Hook-It, Renew-It and Liquid Nitro, as well as lane conditioners and cleaners. Just click on his ad to learn more.

And while you’re at it, click on all of the ads on this page and support those businesses that help keep the sport of bowling in the news.

Medina's Allis, Rochester's Emler top list of high rollers

By Mike Pettinella

Scott Allis of Medina rolled an 806 series and Dave Emler of Rochester posted a 300 game -- his second this month -- to highlight last week's league bowling action in the Genesee Region.

Allis had games of 259-270-277 for his eighth USBC-certified 800 series over the past 17 years in the Sunday Rolloffs League at Medina Lanes.

Emler's perfect game came in the G&W Vending League at Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen, where he previously shot 300 on Jan. 2.

In the County Line Stone League at Scopano's Lanes, Paul Spiotta of Batavia registered a 290 game.

For a list of high series and games for the week of Jan. 22, click on the Pin Points tab at the top of this page.

Mike Pettinella's next Pin Points column will be posted on Thursday.

Batavia HS Alpin Ski results for Tuesday

By Howard B. Owens

From Coach Matt Holman:

Alpine Ski Results for Tuesday, January 23rd, 2018 at Swain Resort:

Deep ruts and warm temperatures dominated conversation of athletes and spectators as the Southern Tier Race League completed a two-run slalom race on Wheels Run. Despite the conditions, it was a much faster-paced race completed in just 1 hour and 40 minutes.
 
Top finishers for the Batavia Boys were Brandon Bradley (15th), Alec Wagner (18th) and Matt Grover (25th).
 
The girls also had top 20 finishers in Aubrey Towner (18th) and Lily Whiting (19th).
 
The next race is Thursday, January 25th at Swain.

Perry beats Le Roy 47-32

By Howard B. Owens

Perry came out on top Tuesday night in a match of two of the best Class C teams in the region, beating Le Roy 47-32.

Perry, ranked #10 in the state, is now 12-2, and Le Roy is 10-3.

For Le Roy, Reece Tresco scored 11 points and had five rebounds, two assists and two steals. Canyon Roster had 11 rebounds.

For Perry, Tyler Cowie scored 19 points, pulled in 15 rebounds, had two assists, three steals, and four blocked shots. Austin Croll scored 13 points and had five rebounds.

Marshall, Foss roll 300 games in Genesee Region league bowling

By Mike Pettinella

Perfect games by Brandon Marshall of Churchville and Curtis Foss of Medina highlighted last week's league bowling action in the Genesee Region.

Marshall, 28, fired his 300 game in a 704 series in the G&W Vending League at Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen, while Foss, 30, posted his en route to a 761 series in the Friday Night Mixers League at Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion.

For a long list of high scores and to read Mike Pettinella's Pin Points column, click on the Pin Points tab at the top of this page.

Elba introduces Hall of Fame inductees at halftime of Lancers' game

By Howard B. Owens

Nicholas Conley, Earl Roth, and Charlie O’Geen, Elba's 2018 Hall of Fame inductees, were introduced during halftime at the Elba vs. Byron-Bergen basketball game Friday night.

The trio will be inducted tonight during a dinner at Batavia Downs.

Following the introduction, some of Elba's basketball alumni played a four-minute basketball game.

In the boys game, the Lancers beat the Bees 50-42.

For Elba, Colton Dillon scored 22 points, hitting four three-pointers, and Jonathan Boyce scored 14.

For Byron-Bergen, Cameron Shank scored 13. Joshua Hohn and Lucas Stucchio scored seven apiece.

Buffalo Beauts veteran player and Batavia resident prepares to defend Isobel Cup

By Maria Pericozzi

Kourtney Kunichika, a Batavia resident, is in her third season playing forward for the Buffalo Beauts in the National Women’s Hockey League.

Kunichika is the only player on this year’s roster that played with the team during its inaugural season.

“There’s no other team I’d rather be playing for,” Kunichika said. “We have awesome fans and a high-end facility at the Harbor Center.”

Kunichika is 26 years old, and is from Huntington Beach, Calif. She started roller skating when she was 2, and started playing roller hockey when she was 4. She then transitioned to ice skates when she was 9.

She played college hockey for Rochester Institute of Technology from 2010 until 2014, scoring 136 points in 129 career games.

“I love playing hockey and being a part of a team, being relied on, and cheered on,” Kunichika said.

While living in Batavia, she works at a local restaurant and bar at night. Being unable to make practices, she works out and gets on the ice on her own.

The season for the Buffalo Beauts started at the end of October, and runs through March.

The next game for the Buffalo Beauts is at 1 p.m. on Saturday at the Harbor Center, against Connecticut Whale. The Buffalo Beauts defeated Connecticut Whale last game, on Jan. 14.

“We are halfway through the season and in second place,” Kunichika said. “We have a target on our back, so we plan to defend our title as the Isobel Cup Champs.”

Her biggest worry for the season is the length of each game.

“Right now, our biggest concern is playing a full 60 minutes as one solid team, outworking and outsmarting our opponents each shift,” Kunichika said.

BHS Alpine ski results from Thursday January 18th

By Steve Ognibene

Batavia High School Varsity Ski Team posted four top 20 finishers in both boys and girls slalom from this past Thursday hosted by Livonia Central School at Swain. 

Seniors Brandon Bradley (pictured above) finished 13th, time 1:46:19 and Alec Wagner (pictured below) finished 14th time 1:48:07 for the slalom race.

Also finishing for the boys was freshman Ryan Bowen time 2:27:61 and Matt Grover and Zack Wagner.

In the girls race sophmore Aubrey Towner finished 15th, time 2:08:27, and freshman Lily Whiting finished 17th, time 2:10:83.

Next race is Tuesday at Swain Ski Resort for the Southern Tier Slalom ski teams.

For more photos go to: http://steveognibenephotography.zenfolio.com/p903126067

Girls Aubrey Towner pictured below and Lily Whiting in last photo.

Le Roy beats Pavilion, 72-31

By Howard B. Owens

Le Roy beat Pavilion Wednesday night 72-31 in boys basketball.

Reece Tresco scored 12 points, hauled in nine rebounds and had one assist. Tyler Rider scored 10 points and was five for five from the field. Tim McMullen scored nine points, hitting three three-pointers.

Cody Penders had seven points for Pavilion.

Annual 'Shoot for a Cure' game in Pembroke is Thursday

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

During the last six seasons, the Pembroke High School Girls’ Basketball Team has focused on winning — not just league games, but the battle against breast cancer. It’s a cause that is personal to the team and their school district because of the number of faculty and community members who have been affected by the disease. Yet according to Senior Captain, Olivia Kohorst, this year’s fundraiser (7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 25th vs. Oakfield-Alabama) is particularly important as it marks the final season she will be able to play in the event.

“I was only in sixth grade when the first varsity team came up with the idea to host the first Shooting For A Cure! game in support of Toni Funke’s battle with breast cancer,” said senior Olivia Kohorst.

The team spent that inaugural season seeking support from the community and local businesses in hopes of funding research efforts at Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) in honor of Mrs. Funke.

“I remember being on the PYA team at the time with my friends. A lot of us went to that first game and I remember wearing pink and that the gym was really crowded! As a young kid, to see our community come together the way they did in support of Mrs. Funke made a lasting impression on me. I knew then that I wanted to be a part of that, part of something bigger than just me playing basketball with my friends,” Kohorst said.

“This fundraiser means more to our team every season. It gives us an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others and it gives us greater purpose not only as student-athletes but as people. Cancer affects us all, my family included, and to be a part of a team that supports those fighting means more to me than I can express in words.

“Being a part of Shooting For A Cure! has affected me in such a positive way. Playing in this game was the highlight of each season I played basketball at Pembroke and I look forward to still being involved after I graduate.”

While the Pembroke Girls Basketball team started the Shooting For A Cure! tradition, there is one standout supporter of the event that truly makes the game special and successful year after year. Wesley Cliff, a senior at Pembroke Jr./Sr. High School, has gone above and beyond in seeking donations to support the team’s fundraising efforts this season.

Moreover, Wesley has been crucial in the implementation of this fundraiser throughout his high school career, helping in any way he can.

“His passion to help the community and all those impacted by cancer is inspiring to our entire team,” Kohorst said. “Wesley’s involvement with the Shooting For A Cure! mission started off as a behind-the-scenes role when he entered high school; however this being his senior year, he wanted to become more involved.

"He saw this as a great opportunity to give back to our school and our community. We truly value all he has done over the years to share our mission.

Wesley has recently secured donation amounts of $1,762.80 from Summit Lubricants of Batavia as well as $500 from DuPont of Buffalo, in addition to several other monetary and product donations from local area businesses.

In addition to these generous donations, the New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association (NYSCOPBA) will again be donating an astounding $2,500 to RPCI in support of Shooting For A Cure! this season.

“Roswell Park has done incredible things for our membership," said Western Region NYSCOPBA Vice President Joe Miano. "It has helped so many of our members and their families battling cancer. We wanted to give back to Roswell Park as well as support the incredible efforts of the Pembroke Girls Basketball team.”

As a former Pembroke graduate and current resident, Miano is a firm believer in this cause.

“This group of young women, with the support of the Pembroke School District, continues to do great things for the community beyond the basketball court. It’s truly inspiring and we wanted to take this opportunity to reinforce their efforts,” Miano said.

Miano, accompanied by a few additional members, will take part in a check presentation with the team to be held prior to the varsity game.

At this time direct online donations are now being accepted in support of Shooting For A Cure! through this site: http://give.roswellpark.org/goto/ShootingForACurePGBB.

The team hopes Shooting For A Cure! will continue its tradition of topping the previous years’ fundraising total.

“All of the money raised that evening goes directly to support cancer research at Roswell Park,” sophomore Mackenna Johnson said. “Playing basketball for Pembroke is not just about trying to win games, it’s about giving back to the community and showing our support for those in need.

“My oldest sister Breanna and her teammates started Shooting For A Cure! back in 2011 in support of Mrs. Funke, and what they started has become one of the largest Team Roswell fundraising events. Last season, we raised over $20,000 in one night, it was amazing! Our community is so supportive and we truly can’t thank all of the volunteers and donors enough for all that they do to support this game."

Roswell Park has officially sanctioned Shooting For A Cure! as a Team Cure fundraiser and as a valuable example of the way that young people can make a difference.

“We continue to be impressed by the Pembroke Girls’ Basketball Team each and every season," said Alex Hoaglund, Team Roswell special events coordinator. "They push themselves, not only on the court, but off the court as well, going above and beyond for the benefit of others.

"It’s inspirational to have a group of teens who are so passionate about raising funds for cancer research at Roswell Park. These girls continue to demonstrate an incredible amount of compassion. This team is special and their community is remarkable.

"Although the players may change each season, Shooting For A Cure! has remained constant, with the girls leading the charge for six consecutive seasons. To think that they’ve has raised over $60,000 in six seasons with this game is a testament to the benevolence of the entire Pembroke community as well as this special team.”

Lady Lancers snap Lady Bees' seven-game win streak

By Howard B. Owens

Elba improved to 10-1 on the season with a decisive victory over Byron-Bergen in girls basketball by a score of 48-18.

The loss drops the Lady Bees to 7-4 and ends a seven-game winning streak.

Emily Reynolds scored 14 points for Elba. Leah Bezon added 13 and Brynn Walczak scored eight, with two three-pointers.

For B-B, Dana VanValkenburg scored six points.

Photo: New roof for Dwyer Stadium

By Howard B. Owens

As part of ongoing maintenance at Dwyer Stadium, the roof is being replaced on the main structure.

Interim City Manager Matt Worth said the job was bid out some time ago but the contractor has only just now been able to complete the work.

There are also plans to replace the roofs on the clubhouses plus do some painting at the facility.

In October, the scoreboard was repaired.

The New York Penn-League has taken over management of the Batavia Muckdogs and while a lease agreement is not yet in place for the 2018 season, former manager Jason Molino indicated before he left that talks for a lease for the season had taken place.

Local high school teams also play at Dwyer.

'Versatility' is key to Culp's success; Cline rolls record 858 at Mancuso's

By Mike Pettinella

Although he has racked up numerous local, regional and state tournament titles in recent years, Scott Culp of Lima – champion of the Genesee Region USBC Scratch Memorial on Jan. 7 at Letchworth Pines in Portageville – says he prefers to stay in the moment.

“(Tournament victories) is not a statistic that I keep track of,” the 39-year-old right-hander said. “What I try to do is bowl good in every tournament I enter.”

Culp accomplished just that and more at the Pines by conquering two “Sport” oil patterns – averaging 221 for eight games – before defeating Jerry Blair of Le Roy, 215-180, in the title match to earn the $600 top prize.

The longtime employee of Gleason Works in Rochester said he has worked on his game over the years “to be able to execute on different patterns and use multiple lines (to the pocket).”

“I feel that versatility is one of my strengths – being able to play near the gutter on shorter patterns and inside, keeping the ball in a contained area, on long patterns,” he said.

He said he learned how to bowl growing up in Honeoye Falls at Brongo Ball, where he developed his unique style of walking from right to left on the approach and utilizing an extra-high backswing.

“It sort of came naturally,” he said, pointing out that as a younngster he was enamored with the style of PBA star Pete Weber.

“Plus, we used to bowl after several leagues before us, and there wasn’t a lot of oil on the lanes, so I had to get to the left and find what little oil there was in the center of the lane. I bowled a lot with Ryan Kretchmer (another great bowler out of Honeoye Falls) and he takes that big step to the left, too.”

Culp, holder of the GRUSBC league average record of 242 for a full season, successfully defended his Scratch Memorial crown with the win over Blair, who had advanced through the step-ladder finals with victories over Brady Weber of Perry, Don Parrott of Warsaw and Kevin Gray Jr. of Warsaw.

He receives ample support – and help with getting all of his bowling balls into the center – from Colleen Harrington, his girlfriend of 10 years and teammate on a league at Roseland Bowl in Canandaigua.

While the results of the tournament were posted previously by me on The Batavian, I’d like to give a “shout out” to Dean Cadieux Jr. of Oakfield, who advanced to the semifinals despite an opening 117 game in the four-game qualifying round.

Cadieux kept his composure, moved his line farther to the right, changed balls and registered 676 for the next three games to take the third and final qualifying spot from his squad.

Many others may have hung their heads and gave up after such a tough start, but give credit to Cadieux for figuring it out and, ultimately, earning a check for his efforts.

PURSEL POPS 827; CLINE SETS RECORD WITH 858

It has been said that “life begins at 50.”

While Batavian Jim Pursel has been a good bowler for many years, he has definitely stepped up his game after reaching that milestone last June.

“Jimbo,” as he is affectionately known, is wreaking havoc on the lanes throughout Western New York – posting a 300 game at Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia in November and a 300 at Transit Lanes in Buffalo in December -- and, most recently, rolling an 827 series in the Storm Bowlers Choice Pro Shop Senior League at Transit Lanes.

Pursel’s first 800 series – he has several 300 games – came in the finals of the league’s weekly match play and propelled him to his third victory of the season.

His games were 278 and 270, which were rolled on one pair of lanes, and 279, which came in the final match on a different pair of lanes. All told, he had 31 strikes – leaving just 5 10-pins along the way.

“Things have been going well lately,” Pursel said. “At Transit, I’m concentrating more; bowling with better bowlers has made a difference.”

Pursel is averaging 218 in the league, six pins less than his average in a league at Clarence Bowling Academy on Monday nights. He also substitutes in The North Pole league at Mancuso’s on Thursdays.

The 827 eclipses his previous high series of 799, and he also had a 794 back in 2005.

Brian Cline of Williamsville, one of the best left-handers in New York State, set a Genesee Region USBC Association record on Saturday when he posted an 858 series in the Adult-Youth Doubles Tournament at Mancuso’s.

Cline, 39, rolled 279-279-300, leaving a 10-pin in the first game and the second game. His effort is 10 pins better than the 848 registered by another lefty, Darrow Rumsey of Batavia, at Scopano’s Lanes in Oakfield in 2000.

In league play, Diane Hurlburt of Warsaw overcame a shaky start to roll 11 strikes in a row for a 277 game in the Monday Nite League at Perry Bowling Center this week.

Hurlburt, who is averaging a sparkling 207 in the league, started with a 2-8-10 split, and missed them all for 7 pins in the first frame before striking the rest of the way. She finished with a 658 series.

BELMONTE BACK ON TOP AS PBA PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Victory in the season-ending World Championship has propelled Australia’s Jason Belmonte to rarified air – recipient of the Chris Schenkel Professional Bowlers Association Player of the Year for the fourth time.

Belmonte was a landslide winner in voting by the bowling news media (including myself) and his fellow competitors.

Other honorees are Matt Sanders of Indianapolis, as the 2017 Harry Golden PBA Rookie of the Year; Chris Loschetter of Avon, Ohio, as the Steve Nagy PBA Sportsmanship Award winner, and PBA Hall of Famer Del Ballard Jr. of Keller, Texas, as the recipient of PBA’s Tony Reyes Memorial Community Service Award.

They will be recognized at the Go Bowling! PBA 60th Anniversary Celebration Dinner and Hall of Fame induction ceremonies on Saturday, Feb. 17, at the Indianapolis Marriott North. The entire celebration dinner will be live streamed on PBA’s online bowling channel, Xtra Frame.

Belmonte is the first player in PBA history to win three major championships among his four titles in 2017. At age 34, he joins Mark Roth as a four-time winner of the award.

Walter Ray Williams Jr. is the all-time leader with seven Player of the Year Awards, followed by the late Earl Anthony with six.

Belmonte, the best two-handed player ever, led the PBA in earnings ($238,912) and scoring average (a PBA record 229.39 for 380 games bowled). The PBA World Championship title is his ninth major and was his third major victory in 2017, along with the Barbasol PBA Players Championship and his fourth United States Bowling Congress Masters.

He now has won the Player of the Year award in four of the past five years, missing out last year when E.J. Tackett of Huntington, Ind., captured the prize.

USBC TO RECLASSIFY MORE THAN 700 LEAGUES

The United States Bowling Congress, in a continuing and more intensive effort to ensure bowler average integrity, is reclassifying more than 700 leagues to either the Sport or Challenge designation.

According to a USBC press release, data compiled from bowlers who competed in multiple leagues during the 2016-17 season reveals that the lane conditions of 704 leagues nationwide were more difficult than Standard (or House) leagues.

As a result, 605 leagues will now be reclassified as Challenge leagues and 99 will be reclassified as Sport leagues based on data that showed the scoring pace was significantly different from the scoring pace its members had on Standard league conditions.

The averages of the bowlers in those leagues now will carry a Sport or Challenge designation on Find A Member on bowl.com. If they have no other average, the bowlers will need to follow Rule 201 and use the Sport or Challenge conversion charts when entering leagues or tournaments bowled on Standard conditions.

I have not seen that any leagues in our area are being reclassified, but I believe that some in local halls with more difficult scoring conditions should be. I have seen that a few leagues in Rochester have been reclassified.

Last year, the USBC bridged the gap between Sport and Standard leagues by introducing the Challenge league designation for leagues using tougher, though not Sport, lane conditions.

Compared to Standard lanes conditions (house shot), bowlers in Challenge leagues have averages that are 10-19 pins lower than averages on a house shot. Averages in Sport leagues are 20 or more pins lower.

MOUNT MORRIS, MEDINA, BATAVIA HOSTING TOURNAMENTS

Tournaments this weekend:

Friday, Jan. 19-Sunday, Jan. 21
40th annual Mount Morris Pepsi Open
A $1,500 guaranteed top prize awaits the winner of this scratch singles event, which features qualifying squads at 7 and 9:30 p.m. Friday, 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Sunday.

A one-game “last chance” squad is scheduled for 4 p.m. Sunday, followed by eliminator-style finals.

The entry fee is $70, with a re-entry fee of $50.  One in five bowlers will cash.

For more information or to enter, call 585-658-2540.

Saturday, Jan. 20
Curt Haight Memorial 4-Person No-Tap, Mancuso Bowling Center, Batavia.

A $1,000 first prize, based on 48 teams, is being offered at this annual handicap event conducted in memory of the late Curt Haight, who was an avid Batavia bowler.

Squad times are noon and 3 p.m. The entry fee is $100 per team and one in six teams will cash.

To enter, contact Matt Balduf at 585-415-2964 or Mancuso’s at 585-343-1319.

Saturday, Jan. 20
8th annual Winter Classic, Medina Lanes

First place is $600, guaranteed, and one in five bowlers will cash in this scratch singles tournament.

Squad times are 1 and 3:30 p.m., and will be followed by a one-game “last chance” squad for those missing the cut. A head-to-head match play finals will determine the champion.

The entry fee is $50. Call Medina Lanes at 585-318-4474 to enter.

Alpine Ski results for Tuesday

By Howard B. Owens

Photo and info from Coach Matt Holman. Photo: Aubrey Towner.

Alpine Ski Results for Tuesday at Swain Resort:

There was snow falling all night for a two-run Giant Slalom Race at Swain Resort on Tuesday night. (The resort is also located in Swain, a hamlet in Livingston County.) The loose soft powder pushed together to form big ruts as the hard base was exposed just inside the race line.

The Boys Batavia Alpine Ski Team finished fifth out of eight teams in the Southern Tier Race League. Top finishers included Brandon Bradley (15th), Alec Wagner (24th), Zack Wagner (28th), Matt Grover (31st) and Ryan Bowen (36th).

The Girls team competed individually (no team time), the top finisher was Aubrey Towner (21st).

The next race will be a slalom race Thursday.

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