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Elba girls defeat Pembroke 51-36

By Destin Danser

Despite the 15-point differential in the final score, this game was a nail-biter through the first three quarters. Pembroke lead by 2 at half time; however, Elba's defense came up big, holding the Dragons to just 11 points in the second half.

Leading scorers for Elba were Emily Reynolds with 21 points and 15 rebounds, and Madison Howard with nine points.

Elba has now won 14 games in a row.

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

Alexander Varsity rolls over Kendall 66-34

By Rick Franclemont

From start to finish Alexander dominated its matchup with Kendall, to claim a 66-34 victory.

Alexander had four players scoring in double figures, they scored 26 points in the first quarter and was up 40-20 at halftime.

Alexander only allowed 2 points scored against them in the third quarter.

Zach Jasen had nine points, four rebounds, five assists; Brian George 11 points; Chris McClinic 12 points, five rebounds, five assists; Matt Genaway 11 points; Erik Scharlau eight points, eight rebounds, four blocks; and Dustin Schmieder had 11 points.

"I thought the guys played great tonight," said Coach Josh Bender. "We played with energy and intensity and played great team defense throughout the entire game. We shared the ball very well tonight totaling 20 assists. We got our offense going early and that allowed us to get on top and set our defense down the stretch."

For Kendall, Brandon Miller had 15 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks. John Rath had seven points, seven rebounds.

More pictures from the game can be found on Francletography

Alexander JV Boys drop Kendall 55 to 29

By Rick Franclemont

Alexander JV Basketball defeats the Kendall Eagles 55 to 49.

From Alexander coach Emanual Williams - "Tonight I thought we started the game with very little enthusiasm and energy. I don't think we respected our opponents abilities, and Kendall was able to keep the score close in the first half. (Alexander 23 - Kendall 14).  At halftime I spoke about effort, accountability, and not taking your opponent for granted."

At the start of the second half Alexander's guards Tyrone Woods, Carson Wright, and Dylan Busch set the tone, with a combined 14 defensive turnovers.

Alexander lead at the end of the 3rd 46-18. Tyrone Woods led all scorers with 15 points to go with his game high 7 steals and 6 rebounds. Ryan Davis chipped in with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

With forward Alex Schmidt out with an injury, and 6th man Jay Morrison out with an illness, 6' 1" freshman Jacob Pope started at forward and played well with 10 rebounds.

Alexander's alternate players finished the game with a solid effort defensively to help Alexander secure the win.

More pictures from the game can be found on Francletography

 

Le Roy dominates Warsaw for 86-55 win

By Howard B. Owens

Le Roy moved to 8-5, riding a three-game winning streak, with a 86-55 win over Warsaw at home on Thursday night.

The team continued to draw contributions from up and down its lineup. Thursday, it was Canyon Roster's turn to step up and provide a scoring spark. He hit 10 field goals in 14 attempts and 6-7 from the line for 26 points. Luke Stella added 12 points and Ryan Boyce, 10. Boyce and Ryan Kettle each sunk a pair of three-pointers.

For Warsaw, big Ben MacConnell had a double-double with 11 points and 13 rebounds. Nate Tangeman scored 13 points and Scott Rashaun had 10.

This Saturday, both the girls and boys basketball teams, varsity and JV, travel to Notre Dame for a basketball blowout event to honor longtime Fighting Irish basketball Coach and Athletic Director Mike Rapone, brother of Le Roy's boys varsity Coach Rick Rapone. The Hoops extravaganza starts at noon. Girls varsity is scheduled for 4 p.m., with a ceremony honoring Rapone at 6:30 and boys varsity at 7 p.m.

For more high school sports scores, check the Scoreboard provided by Batavia's Best.

Scoreboard: Notre Dame gets OT win over Brockport in hockey

By Howard B. Owens

Boys Basketball

  • Elba 43, Pembroke 40 OT (more)
  • Alexander 66, Kendall 34 
  • Attica 58, Lyndonville 40 
  • Byron-Bergen 63, Notre Dame 45 
  • Le Roy 86, Warsaw 53

HS Basketball Roundup (01/26/2017): Le Roy, Byron-Bergen, Attica, Alexander, Elba all victorious

Hockey

  • Notre Dame 4, Brockport 3 OT (more)

Wrestling

  • Batavia/Attica 63, Honeoye Falls-Lima 9 
  • Canandaigua 40, Alexander 33 
  • Pavilion/York 36, Way-Coh 24 
  • Akron 45, Lyndonville 30 

HS Wrestling Report (01/26/2017): Batavia/Attica, Pavilion/York each win – Alexander, Lyndonville fall

Swimming/Diving

Natarajan sets new meet record at GR League Diving Championships

Pavilion announces new mascot for Golden Gophers

By Howard B. Owens

The Pavillion Golden Gophers have a new mascot, designed by Jeff McGee, a 1999 graduate of Pavilion.

The mascot will be officially unveiled during the varsity boys and girls basketball games Feb. 10 at 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Le Roy hands Elba a loss 71-61

By Destin Danser

A big second-quarter scoring put Le Roy in command on their way to a 71-61 victory over Elba to snap the Lancers' seven-game winning streak. CORRECTION: Byron-Bergen beat Elba in OT on Friday, 51-47.

In that second quarter, Ryan Boyce knocked down three three-pointers to fuel the rally.

Boyce, who had a total of five three-pointers, finished with 28 points, four rebounds and three assists. Josh Laurie added 15 points, five rebounds and six assists.

For Elba, Jon Boyce scored 20 points and had 12 rebounds and three blocked shots. Jordan Miller had 17 points and Tucker Bezon had eight points and seven rebounds. 

Photos by Destin Danser. For more photos and to purchase prints, click here.

Muckdogs' Hot Stove Dinner is Feb. 25 at Sacred Heart Church

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The Genesee County Baseball Club will hold its annual Batavia Muckdogs Hot Stove Dinner and Auction on Saturday, Feb. 25th from 4:30 - 8 p.m. at the Sacred Heart Church Hall at 17 Sumner St. in Batavia. Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under.

The evening will begin with a cocktail hour followed by a buffet dinner at 5:30.

The Hot Stove Dinner is a time for good food, new and renewed friendships, and baseball talk. The night also features both a live and Chinese auction of baseball-related memorabilia (including signed bats and balls), work by local artists, and gift certificates from a variety of local businesses. 

Tickets may be purchased in Batavia at Dwyer Stadium, the Williams Law Firm, and the office of Dr. Alan Barcomb.

Oakfield tops Albion in girls basketball

By Howard B. Owens

Oakfield beat Albion 56-47 in girls basketball Saturday night.

Brianna Smith led the Lady Hornets with 20 points and eight rebounds. Kylie Schlagenhauf added 13 points and six assists. Tori Mandel had 10 points, five steals.

Photos by Destin Danser. To view more photos and purchase prints, click here.

Elba continues winning streak with 49-40 win over Alexander Varsity

By Rick Franclemont
The final score ended up Elba Lancers 49 Alexander Trojans 40
Alexander Coach Bender said "We came out with great energy and played a really solid first half. I always tell the guys the first 4 minutes of the 3rd quarter is where a game can be decided and I thought we just came up a little short in the second half. I was happy with the effort and energy, we just needed to maintain better focus down the stretch and execute on offense better."
Key Players for Alexander:
Dustin Schmieder 19 points and 10 Rebounds
Matt Genaway 9 points 
Erik Scharlau 4 points 14 rebounds 
Key players for Elba:
Jordan Miller 12 points
Shane O'Halloran 13 points
Coach Bender added "We will use this loss as a stepping stone to continue to get better and improve!"
 
More pictures from this game can be found on Francletography

Muckdogs announce field staff for 2017 season

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

The Batavia Muckdogs, the Single-A Affiliate of the Miami Marlins, have announced their manager and coaching staff for the 2017 season. This year’s squad will be led by Manager Mike Jacobs, Pitching Coach Jason Erickson, Hitting Coach Rigoberto Silverio, Coach TJ Gamba, and Athletic Trainer Eric Reigelsberger.

Mike Jacobs, a former Marlins first baseman from 2006-08, returns to the Marlins organization for his first stint as a professional coach and manager of Batavia. Jacobs was drafted in the 28th round of the 1999 First-Year Player Draft by the New York Mets. He made his MLB debut with the Mets on Aug. 21, 2005, hitting a three-run pinch-hit home run against Washington in his first MLB at-bat. He was then acquired by the Marlins on Nov. 23, 2005, along with Yusmeiro Petit in exchange for Carlos Delgado. Jacobs enjoyed a seven-year MLB career and an 18-year professional career. Jacobs resides in Chula Vista, Calif., with his wife, Vanessa, and four daughters: Havana, Isabella, Sophia and Juliana.

Jason Erickson begins his first season with the Marlins organization as pitching coach of Batavia, following nearly four years in the Player Development department with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Erickson was selected by Pittsburgh in the 24th round of the 2009 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Washington and went to play three seasons in the Pirates’ Minor League system. He finished with a 15-10 record and 3.94 ERA in 81 games (31 starts) over the three-year span.

Rigoberto Silverio returns to Batavia, following a one-year stint as hitting coach for the Greensboro Grasshoppers. Silverio served as Batavia’s hitting coach from 2014-15. The 2017 campaign marks his ninth year in the Marlins organization. Prior to his time with the Muckdogs, Silverio spent two seasons as a coach for Jupiter (2012-13). He spent his first three seasons with the organization as a coach for the Jamestown Jammers. In five seasons in the Marlins farm system, the former infielder was a career .243 hitter in 225 games.

TJ Gamba will return for his second season as a coach for Batavia. He also played for Batavia during the 1986 season. Gamba grew up in Auburn and went onto to play baseball at Ithaca College. He was drafted in the 22nd round of the 1986 MLB June Amateur Draft by the Cleveland Indians and played in the Indians organization for three seasons. He later coached Auburn High School and led the Maroons to the 2010 Section III, Class AA championship.

Eric Reigelsberger returns for his third season as athletic trainer for Batavia. He joined the Marlins organization after two years at Wichita State University, where he served as a graduate assistant athletic trainer for the baseball and cross-country teams. He also completed athletic training internships with the New York Mets and the St. Louis Rams. Reigelsberger received his Master of Education in Sport Management at Wichita State University and his Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from Central Methodist University. He resides in Wichita, Kan.

Notre Dame edges Alexander, 34-33

By Howard B. Owens

Even with a couple of key players out because of colds, the Alexander Lady Trojans gave Notre Dame a fight for four quarters, falling short at the end when Callie McCulley sunk a pair of free throws to give the Irish a 34-33 victory.

The home team ended the first and second quarters with leads, but Notre Dame's defense helped keep the game within reach.

McCulley finished with 10 points to go with 10 from Margaret Sutherland and five from Natalie Thornton.

For Alexander, Marissa Scharlau, Jordan George, seven, Maci Riggs and Caylin Walton each had six.

Alexander JV Boys drop heartbreaker to Elba 57-53

By Rick Franclemont

Elba Lancers 57 - Alexander Trojans 53.

Coach Williams - "My guys played a great game from the second quarter until the final horn. Everyone on the team played a part in this hard fought game. Missed shots and turnovers hurt us early but we adhered to our defensive philosophy and turned it around. I'm proud of the effort everyone gave."

Alexander won the tip and scored immediately. That was the best look the Trojans got in the first quarter with Elba leading 13-4 heading into the second quarter.

Alexander went full court man to man in the second, creating turnovers and fast break opportunities, pulling within 8 at the half.

The third quarter was an entirely different game, Alexander was within 3 by the end of the third. Early in the fourth quarter PG Tyrone Woods left the game with an injury.

The Trojans kept the game close with key baskets inside by sophomore Ryan Davis, then Dylan Busch hit a three pointer to keep the game close.

With 3 minutes left Mike Atkinson hit a 3 making the game 51-48. Alexander held firm on defense, created turnovers, and near the 2 minute mark Carson Wright made a three, tying the game 51-51.

Ryan Davis made two key free throws but Alexander had missed opportunities on open shots, and in the end Elba was able to pull away at the foul line with the final score 57-53.

More pictures can be found on: Francletography

Batavia Blue Devils will open 2017 season at Carrier Dome

By Howard B. Owens

The Batavia Blue Devils have been selected to play a game the opening weekend of the high school football season in the Carrier Dome Classic, an annual event that brings in football teams from all over the state, Head Coach Brennan Briggs said this morning.

The exact time and date of the game -- either Sept. 1 or Sept 2 -- has not been determined yet, nor has an opponent for the Blue Devils been selected yet. It will likely be a Class B or Class A team out of Section IV, Briggs said.

Batavia was selected after Briggs applied for a slot in the classic a year ago.

"I'm excited for the kids," Briggs said. "It should be a blast. It's exciting for them."

The Carrier Dome Classic also puts the Batavia program on a bigger statewide stage, Briggs said. It will give people from all over the state a chance to see what Batavia football is all about.

Many of this year's team members were able to play a regional championship game in 2016 in New Era in Buffalo, home of the Buffalo Bills, so a game in the Carrier Dome is another nice highlight to their high school football careers.

"There are not too many times you get a chance to play both at New Era and the Carrier Dome," Briggs said. "It's pretty sweet."

The Carrier Dome also hosts the state championships, so Briggs said, that yes, indeed, at some point during the year he can use "get back to the Carrier Dome" to help motivate his team. It might inspire the players to dream big.

But the 2017 season is going present challenges each week, Briggs said. Besides what will certainly be a tough opponent in week one, week two is a home game against perennial Monroe County powerhouse Aquinas. The whole schedule for the three-peat Section V champions is likely to be stacked with tough opponents, Briggs said. Honeoye Falls-Lima has been moved to Class B and schools such as Geneva, Hornell and Livonia are always tough.  

"It will be a stacked deck," Briggs said.

GRUSBC Scratch Memorial 'heavyweight' duel, Mount Morris strike-fest highlight tournament action

By Mike Pettinella

Tournaments, tournaments, tournaments.

The past couple weeks have produced some exciting and impressive performances by bowlers – young and old – in tournaments across the Genesee Region. And there are plenty more to come before the season ends.

So, let’s get to it.

Genesee Region USBC Scratch Memorial
Jan. 7-8, Medina Lanes

Bowling on two different – and challenging -- lane conditions (a 47-foot pattern during qualifying and a 38-foot pattern during the semifinals and step-ladder finals), the 63rd GRUSBC Scratch Memorial came down to a battle of the local association’s high-revving

heavyweights – Scott Culp of Lima (at right in photo) and Curtis Foss of Medina (at left).

The two had met in the finals of this event back in 2009 at Scopano’s Lanes in Oakfield, with Foss emerging victorious.

This time, it was Culp who captured the title and $750 first prize, putting together three strikes in frames eight through 10 for a 206-189 win.  Foss earned $400.

Culp entered the five-person step-ladder finals as the No. 2 seed after eight qualifying and semifinal games and, following a victory over fifth-seeded Geoff Harloff of Batavia, 231-204 -- earned the right to square off against the top-seeded Foss.

It was the second straight GRUSBC scratch tournament victory for Culp, who won the Masters Tournament last February at Oak Orchard Lanes in Albion.  He plans to defend his title next month at Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia.

The tournament attracted 69 entrants -- up from 41 last year.

Harloff claimed the No. 5 seed -- the top five of the 17 qualifiers advanced to the step-ladder finals -- and moved up two places with victories over this writer, No. 4 Mike Pettinella of Batavia ( (216-193),  and No. 3 and defending champion Kevin Gray Jr. of Warsaw (246-223).

Harloff pocketed $300 while Gray won $250 and I was fortunate enough to earn $200.

Other qualifiers (in order of finish) were Fred Gravanda of Batavia, Scott Allis of Medina, Brady Weber of Perry, Chris Bacon of Medina, Rick Lee of Mount Morris, Mickey Hyde of Le Roy, Kevin Gray Sr. of Honeoye Falls, Brett Van Duser of Perry, Dean Cadieux Jr. of Oakfield, Aaron Verheyn of Medina, Bob Santini of Mount Morris and Rich Wagner of Batavia.

For tournament statistics, go to www.bowlgr.com.

Mount Morris Pepsi Open
Jan. 13-15, Mount Morris Lanes

Norm Bialuski of Rochester, a regular participant in tournaments in the Batavia area, added $1,500 to his bank account on Sunday evening at the 39th annual Mount Morris Pepsi Open.

Bialuski outscored the red-hot Dan Vick of Rochester, 276-266, in the championship match of the event contested for the first time on the eight-lane center’s new synthetic lanes.

Proprietor Bob Santini used a short-oil pattern (37 feet) which forced the bowlers to move to the extreme right (or left in the case of left-hander Vick) of the lane. And when they did, and matched up with the right ball and the right speed, the strikes came in bunches. It took a score of 854 for four games to make the cut (cashers) and after that -- in the eliminator rounds and match play -- most of the winning scores were in the 220 range and up.

Vick, a winner of big tournaments in his hometown over the past few months, won $600, while Rochester residents John Martorella Sr. and Kara Mangiola won $200 apiece for reaching the semifinals. Martorella won the tournament in 2016.

Local bowlers who cashed were Kevin Gray Jr. of Warsaw, Dave DiSalvo of Mount Morris, Mickey Hyde of Le Roy and Kevin Gray Sr. of Honeoye Falls.

The tournament drew 91 entrants, down from 103 last year.

GRUSBC Adult-Junior Doubles
Jan. 14-15, Medina Lanes

Medina bowlers topped the pack in both divisions of the tournament, which attracted 59 teams – 29 in the 12-and-Under category and 30 in the 13-and-Over category.

In the 12-and-Under division, Chris Bacon and his son, Jared, posted a 1,499 score with handicap to win the $250 first prize.  They were followed by Bailey Quilliam and her father, Jason, of Batavia; Gracelin and Jason Mahnke of Medina, Juliana and Amy Allis of Medina, and Madison and Joe Sanders of Medina.

In the 13-and-Over division, Foss teamed with youth bowler Alex Allis of Medina for a 1,443 score – two pins better and Matt and Diane Hurlburt of Perry.

Matt Hurlburt and Sean Sickles of Perry placed third, while the father-daughter duo of Tom and Danielle Fluker placed fourth and fifth.

The top five teams in each division earned prize money. All youth prize money will be placed into their SMART scholarship account through the United States Bowling Congress.

Individually, Matt Hurlburt notched the front nine strikes for a 279 game en route to a 737 series, and Alex Allis posted series of 697 and 643 (as bowlers were allowed to re-enter). Hurlburt also had a 653 series, and Sam Miller rolled a 264 game and 649 series.

High games: Juliana Allis 192, Dennis Van Duser 192, Ian Wagner 196, Ethan Cramer 231, Paige Snook 198, Jared Bacon 231, Morgan Allis 212, Gracelin Mahnke 191, Ryleigh Culver 193, Collin Scheiber 194, Julia Menzie 214, Danielle Fluker 190. By the way, Danielle Fluker registered her first 600 series ever -- 236-189-175--600 -- on Jan. 14 in the Turnbull Heating Junior League at Mancuso Bowling Center.

The adults registered numerous high series, led by Quilliam’s 730, Bacon’s 728, Steve O’Dell’s 726 and Foss’ 719. Scott Allis shot 706, while Mike Lavender had 694, John Culverwell 683, Fluker 668, Mahnke 659, Ray Neuman 655, Frank Jarkiewicz 651 and Colleen Pimm 604.

Scott Whittier Memorial Tournament
Jan. 7, Oak Orchard Bowl, Albion

The team of Judy Ward of Albion, Robbie Hanks of Spencerport and Curtis Foss took top honors in the fifth annual Scott Whittier Memorial three-person no-tap tournament.

The fundraiser attracted 66 teams over four shifts of bowling and raised $1,500 for the Scott Whittier Scholarship Foundation.

Ward, Hanks and Foss split $600 for their 2,537 score with handicap, which was 14 pins more than the team of Brian Stefaniak, Chris Ray and Shannon Parker. Eleven teams cashed.

In tournament action in Buffalo on Jan. 15, Foss won the Greater Buffalo Bowlers Tour event at AMF Airport Lanes, defeating Carl Kinyon of Lockport, 224-223, in the title match for the $500 first prize.

The 29-year-old right-hander also added to his long list of honor scores with a 299-247-278—824 effort on Jan. 6 while substituting in the Friday Night Mixers League at Oak Orchard Bowl.

DAVID OZIO IS ELECTED TO USBC HALL OF FAME

In national developments, news that David Ozio of Beaumont, Texas, has been elected to the USBC Hall of Fame in the Superior Performance category transported me back in time to the late 1980s and early 1990s when the PBA Tour visited WNY on a regular

basis.

I remember having lunch with Ozio at Marcel’s Olympic Bowl in Rochester during a promotion for the upcoming tour stop.  He was very gracious, answering all of my questions, and he was as classy off the lanes as he was smooth on the lanes.

You would be hard-pressed to find a bowler as fundamentally sound as Ozio, and if you don’t believe me, check out some of his videos on You Tube.

A 1995 inductee into the PBA Hall of Fame, Ozio has 11 titles, including the 1991 PBA Tournament of Champions in 1991 – a year in which he won four events and was recognized as the PBA Player of the Year.

Today, Ozio, 62, a former competitive fisherman, spends more than 300 days each year on the water at Texas' Lake Fork, where he offers guided fishing tours and instruction.

70-YEAR-OLD INDIANA MAN REGISTERS 900 SERIES

I’ve often noted that bowling is a lifetime sport.

On Jan. 11, 70-year-old John Buchanan III of Evansville, Ind., experienced the thrill of a lifetime when he became the oldest bowler in USBC history to record a 900 series. The right-hander’s achievement came in the Woodward Commercial Seniors League at Evansville’s Franklin Lanes.

Just three weeks shy of his 71st birthday, Buchanan surpasses Dale Gerhard of Mill Hall, Pa., as the oldest to attain three-game perfection. Gerhard was 59 when he rolled his 900 series last January.

Buchanan's achievement is pending approval from USBC and would be the 31st USBC-approved 900.

BENEFIT TOURNAMENTS ON TAP THIS AND NEXT WEEKEND

Three handicap no-tap tournaments to benefit worthy causes are scheduled fo Mancuso Bowling Center, Legion Lanes in Le Roy and Medina Lanes over the next two weekends.

-- The Curt Haight Memorial four-person no-tap tourney will take place this Saturday at Mancuso's, with squads at noon and 3 p.m.

First place, based on 48 teams, is $1,000, and the entry fee is $100 per team. A portion of the proceeds will go to Genesee Cancer Assistance,

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

-- The Help-R-Heroes four-person no-tap tourney will take place Jan. 27-29 in Le Roy, with squad times at 7 p.m. on Friday, noon and 3 p.m. on Saturday and noon and 3 p.m. on Sunday.

First place, based on 40 teams is $1,000. The entry fee is $100 per team.

Proceeds will go toward supporting wounded soldiers returning home.

To enter, contact Scott O’Neill at 585-409-0459.

-- The Knock Cancer to the Gutter three-person no-tap tournament is set for Jan. 28 at Medina Lanes, with squads at 2 and 4 p.m.

First place is a guaranteed $500. The entry fee is $75 per team.

Proceeds from the event as well as basket raffles and a 55-inch TV raffle will go to benefit the family of Shaun Ayrhart, who has been stricken with an incurable brain tumor.

 (Mike Pettinella’s Pin Points column appears every other Thursday on The Batavian. To advertise on this page or to suggest story ideas, contact Mike at mikepett2002@yahoo.com).

Outdoor hockey at DeWitt

By Howard B. Owens

Conditions were just right this afternoon for a group of young hockey players to get some practice time in at the outdoor skating rink at DeWitt Recreation Area.

Schmieder ties career high in Alexander win over Lyndonville

By Rick Franclemont

Alexander Trojans 69 -- Lyndonville Tigers 51

Alexander key players:

Dustin Schmieder 33 points  (Tying his career high) 4-4 3-point FGM, eight rebounds;

Matt Genaway 11 points, six rebounds, four assists, three 3-point FGM;

PJ Brennan six rebounds;

Chris McClinic eight points, four assists, three steals.

Lyndonville key players: Jacob Hoffee 18 points, Eric Neace 15 points.

Coach Josh Bender -- "Great team win for us, proud of the effort that everyone put forward. We got off to a great start shooting the ball in the first quarter and that confidence stayed with us throughout the game. We have been playing good basketball of late and guys keep working hard in practice and its paying off in games."

"I thought defensively we got after it and I told the guys at halftime we needed to apply pressure in the second half in order to finish the game and we did just that."

More pictures from the game: click here.

Blue Devils blow big lead in narrow victory

By James Burns

Batavia Blue Devils boys varsity basketball had a home game against the Greece Odyssey Leopards tonight. What started as a blow out and continued that way into the fourth quarter was almost an upset loss. 

In the first quarter Batavia did about anything they wanted at either end of the court, easily leading by 13 to 5. After the nice easy warm up of the first quarter, Batavia cruised through the second and led 35 to 17 at the half. 

Once play started in the third,Greece’s’ John Mathis III came out scoring with 14 points, outscoring Batavia by himself. Batavia still led by 47 to 36 at the end of three quarters.

The fourth started slow for Batavia. With about four minutes remaining in the fourth, Greece had caught up to Batavia and tied the game. A few seconds later Greece was in the lead.And Batavia called a time-out. Turnovers and missed shots were causing a lot of damage to Batavia at this point in time. Greece was out rebounding them and clearly in control.

The final minute of play began with the scored tied at 53-53. Antwon Odem (16 points on the night) stepped up and drove hard into the paint with the go ahead two-pointer with 20 seconds left. After that Greece was not able to rally again. Final score: Batavia 57, Greece Odyssey 55. Other standout Batavia team members were Tee Saun Ayala with 15 and Jonathan Liciaga with 12. 

Pembroke team presents $19K fundraising check to Roswell

By Howard B. Owens

Members of the Pembroke Lady Dragons presented a check today for $19,085.12 to the Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo. The funds were proceeds from their annual fundraiser held last night at the school.

UPDATE: Tonight the team received an anonymous $685.05 donation, making the total raised this year $20,020.17.

Previously: Shooting for a Cure aims high and hits new record in fundraising for cancer research

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