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Lady Irish get Section V playoff win over Lyndonville

By Howard B. Owens

Margaret Sutherland posted a double-double (13 points and 10 rebounds) to help lead Notre Dame's Lady Irish to a 55-23 victory over Lyndonville in their opening Section V playoff game Wednesday night.

Callie McCulley scored 15 points. Morgan Rhodes added nine points to go with seven steals. Hannah Bowen and Emma Finch each scored six and Bowen also had six steals.

Pembroke girls eliminated by Geneseo in first round of sectionals

By Destin Danser

The Pembroke Lady Dragons varsity basketball team traveled to Geneseo Wednesday night to compete for a chance to advance in the 2017 Sectional Championships.

It was clear from the start that Pembroke didn't have an answer for the strong offense and accurate shooting of Geneseo. The statistics make this abundantly clear; Pembroke's top scorer was MacKenzie Jurek with just eight points while Geneseo's Kaity Keihl scored 17 points.

In the end the Lady Dragons fell 62-26 and were eliminted, ending their season.

Photos by Destin Danser Photography. Click here to view complete gallery and purchase prints. 

Le Roy starts sectional play with 69-35 win over Holley

By Howard B. Owens

Le Roy opened its bid for a 2017 Section V title with a convincing win over Holley, 59-35.

Canyon Roster scored 14 points for Le Roy. Josh Laurie had 13 and Ryan Boyce, 11.

Holly's Dylan Hillabush led all scorers with 17 points. 

Sectional Basketball: Alexander 61, Letchworth 50

By Destin Danser

The Alexander Trojans were impressive from the start in their first sectional game of the season, taking an early lead in the first quarter and maintaining it for the rest of the game.

Letchworth attempted to claw its way back into the game throughout the second half, however were unable to do so due to several blocked shots by Alexander's Erik Scharlau on defense. Leading scorers for Alexander were Dustin Schmieder (19 points), Matt Geneway (16 points), and Chris McClinic (14 points). 

Photos by Destin Danser Photography. Click here to view the complete gallery and purchase prints. 

Both boys and girls teams win sectional titles for Batavia in track and field

By Howard B. Owens

Both the boys and the girls indoor track teams for Batavia High School won Section V titles at RIT on Friday night. It was the 13th title in 15 seasons for the Lady Devils and the 5th in the last 10 tries for the boys team.

The girls team dominated throughout the meet, finishing with 124 points to 71 for second-place Pal-Mac, and featured several outstanding individual performances. Katherine Wiseley won the shot put and weight throw. Lizzie Cohen won the triple jump, the 55 hurdles, and placed second in pole vault. Claire Zickl won the 600 meter, and Maddie Moore won the 1500 race walk. Bri Bromley had a strong meet with a second-place finish in the 1000 meter and a fourth-place finish in the 1500 meter. The 1600 relay of Regan Henrici, Bri Bromley, Claire Zickl and Kiaya Franklin also won.

The boys faced a bigger challenge with U-Prep keeping things close until the final event. The final point margin for Batavia over U-Prep was 15 points, with Batavia notching 91 total points. Anthony "Butch" Ray continued his dominance in the throws by winning the shot put and the weight throw while regaining the Section V record in weight, with a throw of 62'. Eric Davis had a strong performance, winning the 55 hurdles. Campbell Andersen won the 600 meter and placed third in pole vault. Nick Neid placed second in the 1600 meter. Ian SanFratello placed second in the weight throw. The 1600 relay of Isaiah Ciociola, Jerry Reinhart, Freddie Cunningham and Campbell Andersen also placed second.  

Sectional swimming action

By Destin Danser

Last night 15 teams from Section V, Class C gathered at Victor High School for sectional finals. Byron-Bergen-Le Roy represented Genesee County, placing 13th overall. 

Combined Team Rankings:

  1. Avon
  2. Marcus Whitman
  3. Dansville
  4. Wayland-Cohocton
  5. Bath-Haverling
  6. Addison
  7. Attica
  8. Gananda
  9. Midlakes
  10. Letchworth-Perry
  11. Cuba-Rushford
  12. North Rose-Wolcott-Red Creek
  13. Byron-Bergen-Le Roy
  14. Williamson-Sodus
  15. Warsaw

The Section V swimming sectionals wrap up tonight in Bath-Haverling with the Section D finals, where Genesee County will be represented by Pembroke and Alexander. 

Photos by Destin Danser Photography. Click Here to view more or purchase prints. 

Batavian Wagner captures 2017 Genesee Region USBC Masters crown; 'Belmo' returns to winner's circle

By Mike Pettinella

The affectionately-named “house pro” took it to the house on Sunday by posting a wire-to-wire victory in the 56th annual Genesee Region USBC Masters Tournament at Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia.

Rich Wagner (at left in photo at top along with runner-up Jim Foss) burst onto the bowling scene as a teenager – I think he had the first of his dozens of 300 games at the age of 15 – and, over the next 19 years, has continued to be a dominant league and tournament player in the area.

The Batavia left-hander has been especially tough at Mancuso’s, where he regularly averages around the 230 mark in the Thursday night league (he bowls just once a week) and usually cashes in tournaments there.

Last weekend, he quickly took control of the eight-bowler Peterson Point finals of the Masters by defeating No. 1 qualifier Scott Shields of Batavia, 226-219, in the opening match to move into the top spot.  From there, he stayed in front the rest of the way to capture the $475 first prize along with a special Masters champion ring and plaque.

“It feels great. This is the one I wanted,” Wagner said. “I’m kind of speechless right now.”

Wagner averaged 215 for his eight games on Sunday and 216 overall during the scratch singles tournament, which started on Saturday with qualifying (four games) and semifinal (top 16, four games) rounds.

Seventy-two bowlers entered the event, which was contested on the challenging Kegel Beaten Path oil pattern – a 41-foot condition that created an “out-of-bounds” outside of the second arrow.

“I played a completely different shot than I normally do here – the second arrow. Usually I play up the gutter. I just had to keep focused and tried to stay clean,” Wagner said, who added he received “sound advice” from his father, Rich, who cheered him on during the finals.

Ironically, in an age where new bowling balls are being released to the public on what seem a weekly basis, Wagner uses a Storm X-Factor Ace (circa 2004) and a Jet Altitude (2011).

“The Ace is almost old enough to have a learner’s permit,” he joked.

It was the first Masters title for Wagner, a corrections officer who found success in late November – winning two of three matches -- as a contestant on the Buffalo-based TV show, "Beat The Champ."

After beating Shields in the first game on Sunday, Wagner built a 177-point lead after a sixth-game, a 217-180 win over eventual runner-up Jim Foss of Medina. He coasted home despite losing his last two matches.

Wagner posted a 5-3 match game record in the finals, and amassed 327 Peterson Points -- 90 more than Foss. Bowlers are awarded Peterson Points based on match victories (30 points for a win, 15 for a tie) and score in relation to 200.

Foss earned $325 for placing second, and Shields won $225 for his third-place finish.  Foss reached the finals at Livingston Lanes in Geneseo in 2013 but was unable to bowl as he was in a car accident on the way to the tournament. Shields was the runner-up in 2014 at Medina Lanes.

Defending champion Scott Culp of Lima was fourth, good for $175, and was followed by Rick Lee of Mount Morris ($150), Nate Wright of Batavia ($135), Joe Trigilio of Attica ($120) and Brian Weber of Perry ($110).

The top 16 bowlers out of the 72 who entered cashed. Other cashers were Jason Quilliam of Batavia ($90), Curtis Foss of Medina ($90), Brady Weber of Perry ($85), Bob Santini of Mount Morris ($85), Mike Pettinella of Batavia ($80), Scott Allis of Medina ($80), Rob Stefani of Batavia ($75) and Jeff Wolinski of Perry ($75).

To view final standings, qualifying and semifinal scores, go to www.bowlgr.com.

LEE, PASSARELL POST 300 GAMES IN MOUNT MORRIS, ALBION

A not-so-funny thing happened to Rick Lee on his way to a possible 800 series in the Wednesday Night Labatts Classic League on Feb. 1 at Mount Morris Lanes.

The 46-year-old right-hander had already posted games of 300 and 265 on lanes 3-4, putting himself in position for his second USBC-certified 800.

Unfortunately, in the eighth frame of the last game, he stuck at the foul line and fell onto the lane – over the foul line – which cost him his pinfall. After gathering himself, he left the 10-pin on the spare ball for an open frame.

He came back with four straight strikes, but the damage was done. The 223 third game resulted in a 788 total.

Obviously, Lee, a sales engineer for Frontier Communications, was disappointed.

“You get that close, and to come up shy by sticking and going over the foul line …,” he said. “And the thing is that I always drag my left foot to start my approach to make sure it slides. I’m real cautious about sticking.”

Still, Lee – using a Storm IQ Tour -- registered his fourth perfect game and raised his average to 229.

He said he changed his game a couple years ago, opting to throw a straighter line with more speed, and has raised his average from the low 200s.

Longtime league and tournament bowler Jim Passarell of Albion finally entered the 300 circle as he posted a perfect game on Feb. 6 while substituting in the Sneezy’s Monday Night League at Oak Orchard Bowl.

“I came close many times and had a couple of non-sanctioned 300s, but on Monday night things fell into place,” said Passarell, a 62-year-old right-hander who bowls regularly in the Thursday Firefighters League at Medina Lanes.

The fleet parts manager for Kistner Concrete in East Pembroke said he played an inside line on lanes 5-6 while one of his two Storm Marvel Pearl bowling balls – a “pin up” version “that I knew would turn the corner.”

His magic touch eluded him a bit after the opening 300 as he finished with a 645 series.

In any event, he now has his perfect game to go along with the 810 series he rolled in February 1990 in league play at Oak Orchard Bowl.

CROSSROADS HOUSE FUNDRAISER THIS WEEKEND IN BATAVIA

It’s not too late to sign up your team for the 21st annual Betty Ellison “Strike Out for Crossroads House” fundraiser this weekend at Mancuso Bowling Center.

Although the Friday night and Saturday 6 p.m. squads are full, openings remain for the Saturday 3 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m. squads.

The entry fee is $100 per team and all proceeds – there is no prize money – will go to benefit Crossroads House, a comfort home for the dying.

This year’s tournament is dedicated to the late Joe Gerace, a lifelong Batavian who organized many teams over the years.  Gerace passed away on Nov. 17 at the age of 80.

To enter, contact Tara Lowder at 585-409-0136.

Medina Lanes will be hosting the Webster-Bane Memorial no-tap singles tournament at 2 p.m. Feb. 26.  The entry fee is $20.  Call Medina Lanes at 318-4474 for details.

For information on other tournaments this month, scroll down to the Feb. 2 Pin Points column.

NEARLY $1,900 RAISED THROUGH CURT HAIGHT EVENT

Thirty-six teams and onlookers combined to raise $1,890 for Genesee Cancer Assistance at the Curt Haight Memorial four-person no-tap tournament on Jan. 21 at Mancuso’s.

The Rochester team of Steve Meyer, John Martorella Sr., Norm Bialuski and Kara Mangiola placed first, winning $900, and the team of Mark Brown of Attica, Kai Clark of Rochester, Traci Spanitz of Rochester and Rob Sease of Brockport was second, winning $500.

The top six teams cashed.

GENESEE REGION YOUTH IN ACTION THIS WEEKEND

Mount Morris Lanes is hosting the 11th annual Genesee Region USBC Youth Doubles Tournament this weekend – squads are at noon and 2:30 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. and during the GR Youth Travel League at 1 p.m. on Sunday.

GRUSBC youth members will be teaming up for handicap doubles competition in three divisions, based on their combined averages. Scholarships will be awarded to the first-place teams in each division and trophies will go to the top three spots in each division.

The entry fee is $32 per team.  Contact Tom Fluker, GRUSBC president, at 585-284-2637, to enter.

In recent Travel League action, Scopano’s I maintained its five-point lead over Batavia Strike Force with a split against third-place Batavia X-Factor at Mancuso’s on Feb. 5.

Individually, Matt Baker and Skylar Laesser rolled 606 and 601 series, respectively, to lead the boys while Emma Miller had 584 to lead the girls.

BELMONTE IS BACK; TACKETT WINS PBA PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Jason Belmonte’s two-year drought is over.

The three-time Professional Bowlers Association Player of the Year won his seventh major title by defeating Anthony Simonsen of Austin, Texas, 221-204, in a battle of two-handers in the finals of the Barbasol PBA Players Championship Sunday at Wayne Webb’s Columbus (Ohio) Bowl.

The Australian pocketed $40,000 for the victory, which is his 13th PBA Tour title overall. Prior to Sunday, his last win was his record third straight USBC Masters in February 2015.

The PBA is back with another live show at 1 p.m. this Sunday on ESPN – the finals of the Tournament of Champions. On Feb. 26, there will be back-to-back live telecasts of the USBC Masters finals and World Bowling Tour Men’s and Women’s Finals, beginning at 1 p.m.

In other PBA news, 24-year-old E.J. Tackett of Huntington, Ind., was the overwhelming choice as the 2016 GEICO Chris Schenkel Player of the Year, and Francois Lavoie of Quebec City, Canada, was selected as the PBA Rookie of the Year.

Tackett’s year featured four titles, including a victory in the PBA World Championship, and he led the earnings list with $154,900.  Lavoie captured the U.S. Open, a major. En route to his victory, he rolled the first nationally-televised perfect game in the tournament’s 74-year history.

(Mike Pettinella’s Pin Points column appears every other Thursday on The Batavian, the region’s No. 1 source for online news. To advertise on this page, contact Mike at mikepett2002@yahoo.com or at 585-343-3736).

Lady Knights beat Warsaw on Luckey three-pointer, 37-34

By Howard B. Owens

Bryn Luckey once again came up with the winning shot, hitting a three-pointer at the close of the game to give Le Roy a 37-34 win over Warsaw.

Luckey finished with eight points, as did Libby Loftus. Lydia Borrelli and Ceci Tillson each had seven.

Scoreboard: Ice Devils lose to Churchville, 6-4

By Howard B. Owens

Girls Basketball

  • Warsaw 34, Le Roy 37 – FINAL
  • Odyssey 41, Batavia 30 FINAL
  • Rochester Prep Kendall – not yet available
  • Geneseo 47, Pavilion 40 FINAL
  • Letchworth 35, Cal-Mum 33 FINAL

Hockey

  • Churchville-Chili 6, Genesee Ice Devils 4 FINAL

Next weekend's 'Strike Out' bowling tournament for Crossroads House is dedicated to the late Joe Gerace

By Billie Owens

The 21st annual bowling tournament known as the Betty Ellison Memorial "Strike Out" for Crossroads House will take place next weekend -- Friday, Saturday and Sunday Feb. 17-19 -- at Mancuso Bowling Center, located at 214 Main St. in the City of Batavia.

This year it is dedicated in memory of Joe Gerace, longtime Crossroads House supporter and champion in community service and volunteerism.

Each five-person team fee is a total of $100 ($20 per person).

Lane times are: Friday at 6 p.m.; Saturday at 3 and 6 p.m.; and Sunday at 1 p.m.

Secure registration and payment can be made at the Crossroads House website: www.crossroadshouse.com (choose the Events tab).

Registration forms are also available at MBC or at Crossroads House, 11 Liberty St., Batavia.

For additional information, call Cindy at 993-0584 or Tara at 409-0136.

Scoreboard: Elba scores 71 to beat at Lyndonville

By Howard B. Owens

Boys Basketball 

  • Alexander 69, Attica 56 FINAL
  • Byron-Bergen 48, Holley 33 FINAL
  • Elba 71, Lyndonville 43 FINAL
  • Hornell 70, Le Roy 55 FINAL
  • Cal-Mum 91, Warsaw 41 FINAL
  • Mt. Morris 77, Pavilion 56 FINAL
  • Newark vs. Batavia – PPD due to weather

Girls Basketball

  • Pavilion 54, Mt. Morris 46 FINAL
  • Cal-Mum 47, Warsaw 34 FINAL
  • Hornell 73, Le Roy 38 FINAL

Hockey

  • Victor 5, Notre Dame 0 FINAL

New Golden Gopher debuts in Pavilion

By Howard B. Owens

On Senior Night, with a girls and boys basketball doubleheader, Pavilion officially unveiled its new Golden Gophers logo, with their gopher mascot carrying the flag.

In the girls' game, Pavilion prevailed over Mt. Morris 54-46. Mt. Morris won the nightcap over the boys 77-56.

Alexander Defeats Attica 69-56

By Destin Danser

In Friday night basketball the Alexander Trojans defeated rival Attical Blue Devils 69-56. Alexander pulled ahead from the beginning and never slowed down. Top scorers for Alexander were Matt Geneway with 20 points and Dustin Schmieder with 19 points. 

Photos by Destin Danser Photography. Click Here to view and purchase photos.

Alexander JV Boys wins final home game

By Rick Franclemont

Alexander Trojans 61 - Oakfield Hornets 40

The Trojans got off to a quick start and never looked back during their last home game of the season with the entire gym filled to capacity. 

Alexander ended the first quarter with a 19 point lead.

Coach Emanual  Williams said  "Tonight we finally played well from start to finish. After a disappointing loss last week, we bounced back with exceptional effort and energy throughout the entire game. I made adjustments with some players, we were well prepared, and we came out and gave a stellar performance on both ends of the court. Everyone played their role and the team was successful tonight."


Ryan Davis played a phenomenal game, going 7 for 7 from the field, 6 of 7 from the free throw line, and 14 rebounds with limited playing time.

Tyrone Woods was perfect at the free throw line, shooting 6 for 6 with a game high 6 steals in limited action.

Joshua Devries and Jacob Farnsworth played well in the fast break offense, with Joshua scoring 10 points and Jacob scoring 4 points respectively.

Dylan Busch chipped in with 6 points in the second half and was perfect from the free throw line.

For more pictures from this game and other games this season: Francletography

Photos: Girls basketball, Batavia vs. Wellsville

By Howard B. Owens

The Lady Blue Devils' record fell to 4-15 on Thursday night with a 42-53 loss to Wellsville. Batavia closes the season at home Tuesday, game time 7:15 p.m., against Odyssey.

No stats available for the game.

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