basketball

Junior guard Carter Mullen’s three-point basket with 43 seconds to play broke a 49-49 tie, and Batavia High went on to defeat Attica, 56-52, in a battle of Blue Devils to win the 42nd annual Batavia Lions Club Pete Arras Memorial Basketball Tournament Large School bracket on Friday night at Genesee Community College.

The stage was set for Mullen's heroics when senior Joey Marranco hit a three-point shot with 1:45 left on the clock, giving Batavia a 49-44 lead. Attica's Jack Janes responded with a three-point shot and then followed a missed shot with a layup to knot the score at 49-49.

After Mullen's big bucket, which was launched near the sideline in front of the Batavia bench, Attica turned the ball over with 30 seconds left. That led to a free throw by junior forward Justin Smith. Attica made another errant pass at the 18-second mark, giving the ball back to Batavia.

Mullen then made a foul shot to make it 54-49 before Janes swished another three-pointer to cut the lead to two with eight seconds remaining.

Marranco was fouled with six seconds left and sank both free throws to secure the victory for Batavia, now 4-3, heading into some tough Monroe County League competition.

Attica led 13-11 after the first quarter, but Batavia rallied to take a 23-19 lead into the locker room. Batavia led 40-33 after three quarters as Smith scored six of his game-high 16 points on his way to being named the tournament MVP.

He was joined on the all-tournament team by Mullen (14 points), Attica’s Cole Harding (12 points) and Clayton Bezon (13 points), Le Roy’s Merritt Holly Jr. and Royalton-Hartland’s Dan Aquilina.

Marranco finished with nine points, and Estavon Lovett added eight for Batavia, while Carter Gorski had 11 and Janes 10 for Attica, now 6-2.

Batavia Coach Buddy Brasky credited Lovett for “doing a great defensive job” on the 6-foot-4 Harding.

“That was one of the keys to the game,” he said. “Secondly, I thought we executed our offense pretty good. Carter Mullen’s three there at the end was a huge shot. They’re a good team; we’re a good team. It was just a real competitive game.”

Attica Coach Rob Crowley said his team was tentative in the first half and missed several open shots.

“I felt we played well defensively in the first half, but we sort of hurt ourselves on offense. We held on to the ball a little too long and missed several opportunities,” he said. “It looked like we were tense because the ball wasn’t going in, and we forced it a bit. We obviously played much better in the second half.

“But it’s not like Batavia’s a bad team. I knew this would be a toss-up game, and I think if we played 10 times, we’d each win five.”

In the Large School bracket consolation game, Le Roy turned back Roy-Hart, 64-45, using an 18-0 run in the third quarter to break the game open. Holly Jr. scored 28 points and grabbed 16 rebounds, and Matthew Hockey added 13 points to lead the Knights. 

See also: Alexander Trojans captures Lions Club tournament Small School crown, 61-49 over Notre Dame

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Photos by Steve Ognibene

The Alexander Trojans used a 17-0 spurt at the end of the second quarter and start of the third quarter to break open a close game and went on to defeat the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, 61-49, for the Small School bracket championship of the 42nd annual Batavia Lions Club Pete Arras Memorial Basketball Tournament.

The game took place on Friday night at Genesee Community College, prior to the Large School title contest that was won by Batavia, 56-52, over Attica.

Batavia posts thrilling 56-52 victory over Attica for Lions Club tourney Large School championship

Tournament MVP junior center Dylan Pohl scored 21 points for Coach Jalen Smith’s Trojans, doing most of his work close to the hoop, while junior guard Kingston Woods added 14 points, mostly on hard drives to the basket.

Woods joined Pohl on the all-tournament team along with Notre Dame’s Jay Antinore and Jaden Sherwood, Oakfield-Alabama’s Avery Watterson and Elba’s Michael Long.

ND led 13-6 after the first period before Alexander rallied to take a 23-21 lead on a layup by Pohl following a nifty pass by Trenton Woods. Antinore sank two free throws for the Irish to make it 23-23 before two buckets by Kingston Woods gave the Trojans a 27-23 halftime edge.

Alexander caught fire over the first three minutes of the third quarter, scoring the first 13 points of the period on baskets by Pohl, Kingston Woods, a pair of three-pointers by Paul Schmidt, and another by Trenton Woods to make the score 40-23.

The Trojans’ advantage ballooned to 54-33, with Jacob Brooks providing five points on a three-point shot and a turnaround jumper to beat the third-quarter buzzer.

Notre Dame employed a full-court press to start the fourth period, came up with several steals and created some turnovers to close the gap. A steal and layup by Sherwood made it 58-48 with just over two minutes left before a three-point shot by Brooks with 1:18 to play sealed the outcome for Alexander.

“Our game plan was to be patient on offense and look inside as much as we can because our big man (Pohl) is one of the best in the league,” Smith said. “It was all about ball security and taking care of the ball. The more we did that, the better we got on offense.”

Smith, in his first year at the helm, said he is excited about the progression of his team, which upped its record to 6-2.

“From the start, new principles and rules came in because of new coaches, and honestly, we’ve been getting after it every day, and the guys are starting to learn what we’re expecting and looking for and starting to get the job done.”

For Notre Dame, now 6-1, Sherwood was the top scorer with 12, while Ryan Fitzpatrick tallied 11, Antinore 10 and Makyell Walker nine.

ND Coach Mikey Rapone said the game turned when the Trojans got hot from three-point range,

“Basketball is a game of runs, and they went on one there in the second half,” he said. We tried to make some adjustments … but once they started hitting from the outside, we weren't able to give help against (Pohl) inside.”

All in all, he said he was “proud” of the way his players fought back and hopes they use it as a learning experience.

“Either you springboard (from) this and realize the things we need to work on … or you feel sorry for yourselves and go on a spiral. It was good to see that fight and ‘no quit.’”

In the Small School bracket consolation game, Oakfield-Alabama downed Elba, 47-35, as Gavin Armbrewster scored 11 points and Avery Watterson and Kyler Harkness 10 apiece. Michael Long had 15 for Elba.

Photos by Deb Reilly.

Junior forward Justin Smith scored 10 of his team-high 20 points in the fourth quarter and Batavia withstood a 37-point barrage by Le Roy’s Merritt Holly Jr. tonight to advance to the championship game of 42^nd annual Batavia Lions Club Pete Arras Memorial Basketball Tournament.

Coach Buddy Brasky’s Blue Devils turned back the Oatkan Knights, 68-62, at Genesee Community College, and now will take on Attica for the Large School bracket crown at 8:15 p.m. Friday at GCC.

Le Roy will face Royalton-Hartland in the consolation game at 3 p.m., also at GCC.

Holly, a 6-foot-6 senior forward, scored 11 points in the first quarter for Le Roy, now 4-2, but Batavia countered with long-range shooting from Cruze Rapone (two three-pointers), Joey Marranco and Carter Mullen (each with a three-point shot) as the teams played to a 20-20 tie.

Three more three-point shots – from Rapone, Marranco and Lovett – sparked the Blue Devils to a 15-9 edge in the second quarter as they held Holly to two points.

Batavia outscored the Knights, 13-12, in the third quarter, with Rapone and Mullen connecting from beyond the arc to offset Holly’s 10 points.

Holly scored 13 of Le Roy’s 21 points in the fourth quarter but it wasn’t enough as Smith came through with four shots from the field and a couple free throws and Mullen and Mazur sank foul shots down the stretch to keep Le Roy at arm's length.

Mullen and Rapone tallied 14 and 12 points, respectively, for Batavia, now 3-3, while Adam Woodworth scored 10 points and Jean Agosto eight for Le Roy. Holly grabbed 13 rebounds to go with his 37 points.

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Photos by Steve Ognibene

BATAVIA LIONS CLUB
BOYS’ BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
GENESEE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
VARSITY
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 27
Large School Bracket
Attica 67, Roy-Hart 55
Batavia 68, Le Roy 62
Small School Bracket
Alexander 52, Oakfield-Alabama 35
Notre Dame 63, Elba 31
FRIDAY, DEC. 29
3 p.m. -- Large School consolation game – Roy-Hart vs. Le Roy
4:45 p.m. -- Small School consolation game – Elba vs. Oakfield-Alabama
6:30 p.m. -- Small School championship game – Alexander vs. Notre Dame
8:15 p.m. -- Large School championship game – Attica vs. Batavia
--------------------
JUNIOR VARSITY
FRIDAY, DEC. 29
1:30 p.m. -- Small School championship game -- Alexander at Notre Dame
1:30 p.m. -- Large School championship game -- Attica at Batavia

Photos by Steve Ognibene

Byron-Bergen was beat Saturday in Girls Basketball by Greece-Arcadia, 40-31.

Janessa Amesbury scored 12 points for the Bees. Oliva Senf scored nine.

Photos by Jennifer DiQuattro

Elba beat Jasper Troupsburg in Boys Basketball on Saturday, 56-33.

Angelo Penna led the way to victory with 24 points. Nicholas Scott scored 15.

Photos by Debra Reilly.

Notre Dame topped rival Elba in Boys Basketball on Friday, 54-42.

For the Irish, Jackson Sherwood scored 26 points.  Makyell Walker scored eight.

For the Lancers, Nichols Scott scored 11, while Angelo Penna scored nine, and Ashton Bezon picked up eight.

Photos by Debra Reilly.

Oakfield lost by two points in closing seconds to Kendall on Friday in a Genesee Regional matchup at the Hornet's Nest, Oakfield.  

Kendall stunned the squad opening up the quarter, scoring ten straight to lead 16-11 after the opening quarter.

The Hornets battled back halfway through the second to come within four.  Oakfield's Kyler Harkness scored a bucket and got fouled to give momentum and maintain a four-point lead at the half, 29-25.

Both teams exchanged game leads in the third, and then Brent Mancuso scored a buzzer-beater to end the third, 48-45 Hornets.  

In the fourth quarter, the lead increased by eight to 58-50, and the Hornets were looking to get away with the game but got into foul trouble. Kendall chipped away with two plays that positioned them with a two-point lead with 18 seconds left in game regulation.  

Kendall won 62-60.

Avery Waterson scored 30 points for Oakfield. Kyler Harkness scored eight.

Oakfield is now 2-2 on the season and plays home versus Byron-Bergen next Wednesday at 7 p.m.

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Photos by Steve Ognibene

Notre Dame picked upa 61-19 win over Wheatland-Chili in Girls Basketball on Thursday.

The Irish are now 2-1 on the season.

Sofia Falleti led the scoring with a game-high 21 points and eight rebounds.

Luci Zambito scored 12 points, while Emma Sisson and Lucia Fiorentino contributed nine each.

“Tonight was a complete team effort as everyone contributed and got a balanced amount of play time for the win,” Coach Vinny Falleti said. “They executed well tonight and played like a team.”

Submitted photos.

Batavia picked up its fourth win of the season with a 51-19 victory over Franklin/Northeast on Thursday.

Stats for the game:

• Karizma Wescott, six points, four rebounds, six steals; 
• Julia Clark, two points, four rebounds;
• Anna Varland, eight points, three rebounds, two assists; 
• Violet Lopez, five points and six rebounds; 
• Jaimin Macdonald, 18 points, 16 rebounds, two assists, four steals;
• Julia Preston, four points and six rebounds;
• Isabella Walsh, seven points, nine rebounds, four assists, four steals;

"We were able to jump out to an early lead by changing up our presses and controlling the tempo," said coach John McCulley. "This team has learned from every game so far. We learned we need to hit the glass better, and they did that tonight."

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Photos by Steve Ognibene

Many teams have already played four or five games in the 2023/24 season, but the Pembroke Dragons didn't hit the hardwood for the first time until Wednesday night to take on an undefeated Byron-Bergen team led by early season hot shot Braedyn Chambry.

Chambry set a school record in a game this season by scoring 41 points.  A couple of times, he's topped 20 points.

On Wednesday, the Dragons held him to nine points, sending the Bees (4-1) to their first defeat, 61-50.

For Pembroke, Tyson Totten scored 31 points, and Sean Pustulka scored nine.

Colin Martin led Byron-Bergen with 16 points. Noah Clare scored nine, and Brody Baubie scored eight.

"I was pleased with how we played defensively tonight, meeting our defensive goal 3/4 quarters," said Pembroke coach Matthew Shay. "I was also pleased with Jayden Bridge and Sam Pfeiffer and how they battled tonight defending Chambry along with our team defense limiting his touches. Roxanne always does a nice job with her squad, and I feel fortunate to come out of there with the win. Obviously, Tyson played really tough and controlled the game for us."

Photos by Jennifer DiQuattro

Notre Dame beat Alexander in Girls Basketball on Wednesday, 48-39. 

The Irish trailed until the fourth quarter, when they pushed ahead and held on for the win.

 Freshman Sofia Falleti led the scoring with 21 points, seven rebounds, and four steals. Senior Emma Sisson dominated with a double-double 17 points, 12 rebounds, three assists and two steals. 

“Tonight was a phenomenal win for the Lady Irish over a talented, veteran team, Alexander," said Head Coach Vinny Falleti. ”Our team did not take the lead until the fourth quarter and never gave up. I am so proud of how well they played.”

On the road against Albion, Elba picked up another win in Girls Basketball, 77-33.

Sydney Reilly came on strong again, scoring 29 points. Lydia Ross scored 21 points, and Mariah Ognibene had 10 points with 6 rebounds. 

"The team is really playing solid team defense," said coach Charlie Pangrazio. "We got 27 steals tonight as a team. Ross had 12, and Ava Buczek had five."

Photos by Kristin Smith.

Byron-Bergen beat Barker in Boys Basketball on Monday, 71 to 59.

Braedyn Chambry scored 24 points, and Brody Baubie scored 19 points.

Photos by Jennifer DiQuattro

Elba beat Wheatland-Chili 88-20 on Monday.

Five players for the Lancers hit double-figures scoring.  Sydney Reily and Lydia Ross each scored 18 points. Mariah Ognibene and Maddie Hall each scored 12. Brea Smith scored 11. 

"The team is really playing hard for each other," said Coach Charlie Pangrazio. "Our team defense is improving and will get better every game."

Photos by Debra Reilly.

After a couple of seasons where the Batavia Blue Devils have struggled for wins in Girls Basketball, the team is off to a 3-0 start in 2023-24.

And the games haven't even been close.

The Class A Blue Devils have beat Class A Geneva 42-16, Class A Young Women, 64-25, and on Friday night, Class AA Wilson/Early College 58-21.

On Friday, Jaimin Macdonald scored 21 points, Karizma Wescott scored 11, and Julia Preston scored 10 points. 

The next home game for Batavia is Monday at 7 p.m. against Le Roy.

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Photos by Steve Ognibene

With 17 points in the final quarter, Byron-Bergen notched a 59-56 win over Attica on Thursday evening.

Braedyn Chambry scored 21 points for the Bees. Brody Baubie scored 13, and Colin Martin scored nine.

Jack Janes scored 19 for Attica.

The Bees are now 3-0 on the year.

Photos by Jennifer DiQuattro

Alexander improved to 3-1 in Boys Basketball with a 60-38 win over Elba (1-1) at Elba on Thursday night.

Dylan Pohl scored 16 points for the Trojans, with King Woods scoring 13 and Trent Woods scoring 11.

For the Lancers, Angelo Penne scored 16 and Mike Long scored 11.

Photos by Debra Reilly.