Sports

Press release:

Genesee Region USBC bowlers produced three 300 games and two 800 series during another week of prolific league bowling.

At Mancuso Bowling Center, Middleport left-hander Brian Cline added to his long list of honor scores by finishing with a 300 game for an 815 series in the Mancuso Real Estate Monday Night Doubles League.

Cline's games were 268-247-300, raising his average to 239. According to his list of achievements on the United States Bowling Congress website, he has a remarkable 43 800 series and 63 perfect games since August 2001.

At Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen, Batavia right-hander Tom Fluker notched his 12th USBC-certified 300 game in the Wednesday Men's Handicap League. His games were 204-300-238 for a 742 series.

The previous week, Fluker picked the 4-6-7-10 ("Big Four") to earn a special award from the GRUSBC.

At Legion Lanes in Le Roy, Shayne Herold of Batavia registered his second perfect game in the American Legion Thursday Men's League. The right-hander started with 279 and 300 before struggling in game three for a 737 series. 

And at Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion, Robbie Hanks of Spencerport spun 279-269-256--804 for his fifth USBC-certified 800 series. The son of hall proprietor Randy Hanks, he raised his average to 233.

In the Turnbull Heating Triples League at Mancuso's, Batavian Mike Pettinella finished with 269-277 for a 793 series, upping his average to 230, and in the Wednesday Nite Ladies League, also at Mancuso's, Kim Williams closed with 227 for a 638 series.

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

These two pooches know who to root for in tonight's big game.

Photo submitted by Paul Nichiporuk.

Batavia United got its season off to a fast start on Tuesday, scoring three goals in the first period on its way to a 6-1 win over the WFL-Geneva Panthers.

The first goal came at 2:02 on a power play with Jameson Motyka and Brady Johnson feeding  Cooper Hamilton.

Later in the quarter, both Motyka and Ronin Hofmaster would score with assists from Hamilton and Jake Hutchins.

Brady Johnson, Motyka assist, scored in the second period.

Motyka scored on another power play in the third period with assists from Hofmaster and Johnson. 

The Panthers scored their lone goal at 7:34 in the third period and Hofmaster capped off the scoring at 12:06 with an assist from Hutchins.

Goalie Thys Tanner blocked 15 of the 16 shots sent his way.

“All in all, not a bad effort from the squad," said Head Coach Marc Staley. "It’s early in the season, so we are trying to gel as a team and get everybody on the same page. Not sure we have found our identity yet.  We’ve only had 10 practices together due to the storm, and the Thanksgiving holiday. And only two times did we have all of our players on the ice together.   We will learn from this game and get better.  We have a rather large test in front of us this weekend with back-to-back games against Starpoint, and Hamburg, two very strong Section VI teams.  We’re jumping right into the deep end.”

United plays Starpoint at the Northtowne Center in Buffalo on Friday at 5:30pm.  The team faces Hamburg at home at 3 p.m. on Saturday.

Submitted photo.

The 28th annual Karl Marth Cup, pitting members from the former Batavia Bowling Association, is scheduled for 1 p.m. this Saturday at Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia.

The 24 bowlers will compete for two teams – the BBA North (primarily from the Medina, Albion and Oakfield areas) and the BBA South (primarily from the Batavia area).

The BBA North holds a 15-12 advantage in the series. The event was not held in 2020 due to COVID-19.

The BBA North roster is Hayden Allis (captain), Alex Allis, Mike Allis, Roger Allis, Scott Allis, Dean Cadieux Jr, Brian Cline, Jim Foss, Scott Gibson, Mike Lavender, Jason Mahnke and Jake Rosenbeck.

The BBA South roster is Ed Doody (non-playing captain), Matt Balduf, Scott Culp, Josh Elliott, Fred Gravanda, Geoff Harloff, Mike Johnson, Steve O’Dell, Jim Pursel, Jason Quilliam, Scott Shields, Paul Spiotta and Rick Underhill.

LE ROY HOSTING YOUTH DOUBLES

The 17^th annual Genesee Region USBC Youth Doubles Tournament is set for Le Roy Legion Lanes this weekend, with a 1 p.m. Saturday squad and 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Sunday squads.

Scholarships and trophies will be awarded to the top teams in two divisions based on team averages, depending upon the number of entries. The entry fee is $36 per team and all bowlers will roll three games.

The 1 p.m. squad on Sunday will run concurrently with the GR Youth Travel League, which features eight three-person teams this season.

To enter the doubles event, send an email to mikep@bowlgr.com or call 585-343-3736. Participants must be members of the GRUSBC.

SCRATCH DOUBLES SET FOR DEC. 10

Le Roy Legion Lanes also will be site of the Bubba’s Landscaping Scratch Doubles Tournament on Dec. 10. Squad times are 1:15 and 2:45 p.m.

First prize, based on 32 entries, is $800, and the top eight teams will advance to the finals as long as there are at least 28 entries.

Entry fee is $80 per team. To enter or for more information, call 716-474-7960.

60-AND-OVER TOUR COMING TO BATAVIA

The Tommy Kress 60-and-Over Tour will conduct its next tournament on Dec. 11 at Mancuso Bowling Center. Check-in starts at 10 a.m. with competition getting underway at 11 a.m.

Entry fee for the scratch singles event is $50. To enter, contact Pete Nashburn at 60bowlingtour@gmail.com.

Press release:

Roger Allis of Medina broke into the tournament bowling winner’s circle for the first time by capturing the 17^th annual Genesee Region USBC Senior Masters on Saturday at Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion.

The 60-year-old right-hander defeated Scott Shields of Batavia, 279-247, and Bob Santini of Mount Morris, 224-192, in the three-person stepladder final round to claim the $325 top prize. He also earned a free entry into the GRUSBC Scratch Memorial Tournament on Jan. 7-8 at Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia.

Allis rolled a 683 series in the three-game qualifying round – taking the 11^th spot out of the 12 bowlers who advanced – and followed that with 440 in the two-game second round and 225 in the semifinals to make it to the finals. He averaged 231 for his eight games.

Santini, who registered 701 in the qualifying round, 440 in the second round and 268 in the semis, earned $200 for placing second while Shields pocketed $150 for placing third. Shields rolled 690 in qualifying, 406 in the second round and 204 in the semis to advance.

Batavian Mike Pettinella placed fourth – averaging a tournament-high 241 for six games, including 724 in the qualifying round and 520 in the second round. His 203 in the third round fell a pin short of tying Shields and forcing a rolloff for the third and final spot.

Also reaching the semis were Dean Cadieux Jr. of Oakfield and John Beadle of Albion, who placed fifth and sixth, respectively. They and Pettinella won $100 apiece. Beadle was the high qualifier at 733 and Cadieux was second at 729. They averaged 227 and 229, respectively.

Other cashers ($70 each) were Brian Weber of Perry, Bill Logan of Albion, Rick Pernicone of Dansville, Paul Spiotta of Batavia, Fred Gravanda of Batavia and Reid Cole of Albion. Pernicone, Logan and Weber all broke the 700 mark in the qualifying round.

The tournament drew 45 entries – 28 in the 50-59 age group, 13 in the 60-69 age group and four in the 70 and over age group.

Submitted photo: Tournament director Paul Spiotta, left; Roger Allis and Bob Santini.

The Le Roy Girls Volleyball team was honored at this past week's Le Roy Central School District board meeting for the team's Section V Class C championship.

It's the ninth straight year under Coach Sue Staba that the team has made the finals.

The Knights were 22-2 on the season.

Their second loss came in the Far West Regional Championship against Portville.

 "We can't seem to get past Portville," Staba said. "But it was definitely a huge accomplishment making it."

Staba was named the Class C coach of the year for Girls Volleyball, but she gave all the credit to her team.

"The bond that they have, the friendship they have, was -- I've coached 16 years, and it's definitely one of the best, if not the best, team that I had the privilege of coaching with their maturity, their friendship, the things they did with each other off the court," Staba said. "I mean, they're all together all the time, which I think made them play so much better on the court." 

The school's outstanding Cross Country runners also received certificates of recognition, including Aiden Soggs (pictured below).

Soggs finished in the Top 10 at sectionals for the third straight year. He's won four Cross Country patches, three individual and one team patch. He finished first in five regular season meets.

Also recognized was Charlotte Blake, who couldn't attend the meeting. She finished third in sectionals. It is her fourth consecutive Top 3 finish and the first girl in school history to win four Cross Country patches, and the second runner overall to achieve that feat.  She's the second girl in school history to win a Genesee Region championship.

Photos by Howard Owens.

The Pembroke Dragons beat Groton on Friday afternoon 38-18 at Union Ellicott HS near Binghamton to become the 2022 state champions in eight-man football.

Behind the blocking of JJ Gabbey, Octavius Martin, Jayden Mast, Madden Perry, Ben Steinberg, Chase Guzdek and Caleb Felski, Tyson Totten rushed 29 times for 276 yards and three touchdowns.

Cayden Pfazler added a rushing TD as well and a 24-yard pass to Chase Guzdek for another score.

Octavius Martin had 8 tackles, Caleb Felski had 10, Jeremy Gabbey Jr. had 12, and Chase Guzdek led the way with 14.

Coach Brandon Ricci said, "The team would like to thank Superintendent Matthew Calderon, the Board of Education, district administration, the Pembroke Teachers Federation, who led fundraising efforts, the local fire and police who provided home escorts and, of course, the fans and families who showed unconditional support all season. The Dragons are honored to represent Section V as the number one eight-man Team in New York State!"

Submitted photos.

 

A great football season for the Oakfield-Alabama/Elba team came to an end on Monday when the Aggies lost to Randolph in the Far West Regional Championship for Class D, 42-26.

Noah Currier, Connor Scott, Bodie Hyde all scored touchdowns and Kyle Porter had a 26-yard fumble recovery for a TD, but it wasn't enough to overcome a big game for Randolph's Xander Hind, who gained 276 yards on 48 carries.  He scored five touchdowns.

Currier had 16 carries for 166 yards.

Brayden Smith led the defense with 17 tackles.   Hyde had 12 Tackles, and Aiden Warner had 13 tackles.

"Hats off to Randolph," said Aggies' Head Coach Tyler Winter. "They were a physical football team that played a style we struggled with tonight.  They stayed ahead of the chains, and we couldn't get anything rolling on either side of the ball.  I wish them the best of luck the rest of the way.  My heart hurts for these seniors that have given so much to this program.  But they're walking out the door with no regrets and a heck of a football resume.  I couldn't be more proud of them.  For the underclassmen, the quest for the three-peat is coming soon."

Photos by Kristin Smith.

 

The Batavia Blue Devils are the Far West Regional champions after defeating Iroquois 20-8 at Van Detta Stadium on Monday night.

Iroquois scored first with 1:27 remaining in the first quarter, but the Blue Devils went on to score three unanswered touchdowns.

Aiden Anderson scored on a 3-yard run. Ja'vin McFollins scored on a 7-yard run.  And McFollins connected with Carter McFollins on an 83-yard pass with 2:52 left in the fourth quarter.

Ja'vin McFollins was 5-6 passing for 145 yards. Anderson ran for 28 yards on 13 carries. Cole Grazioplene had three receptions for 54 yards.

Photos by Jim Burns.

Alexander got one more shot at extending its football season this weekend in a state tournament quarterfinal game against Cambridge-Salem in Broadalbin and, in the cold, wind, and snow, found it tough sledding.

The game was close, but close isn't a win. The Trojans fell short in a 12-7 loss.

Cambridge-Salem is now 12-0 on the season, and Alexander finishes at 9-2.

Their only other loss came in the Class D sectional championship against Oakfield-Alabama/Elba last week.

Normally, a sectional championship loss would end a team's season but with only 11 sections in New York high school athletics, one section each year, on a rotating basis, is able to advance a second-place team to a quarterfinal game.  This year, that section is Section V.

Photos from Sunday's state quarterfinal football game between Cambridge-Salem and Alexander. Cambridge-Salem won, 12-7.

Weather delayed this weekend's Far West Regionals in football.

Tonight, Batavia plays Iroquois at Van Detta Stadium. Game time is 6 p.m.

Oakfield-Alabama/Elba plays Randolf at Brockport. Game time is 6 p.m.

Photos by Greg Brownell/Courtesy the Post-Star.

Top photo: Kaden Lyons​ on the carry.

Trent Woods with the ball.

Trent Woods.

Four bowlers cracked the 750 mark in Genesee Region USBC league bowling action last week.

At Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia, AJ Allenbrandt of Le Roy led the way with 279-232-259--770 and James Townsend of Batavia posted 256-258-244--758 in the Toyota of Batavia 4-Man League. Allenbrandt finished the first game with 10 strikes after opening with a strike and nine spare.

At Legion Lanes in Le Roy, Tim Penders of Pavilion had the hot ahnd with 246-255-267--768 in the American Legion Thursday Men's League.

And at Medina Lanes, Mike Lavender of Medina registered a 286 game in a 752 series in the Sunday Rolloffs League.

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

Western New York has been pummeled by lake-effect snow for the past two days and extreme winter conditions are expected to continue through Sunday. With over six feet of snow already accumulated in some areas, an array of driving bans and road closures in place along with white-out conditions throughout the area, travel has been, in some cases, next to impossible.

As a result of the current weather combined with the forecast for later today, Batavia Downs has canceled live racing for Saturday night (Nov. 19) out of an abundance of caution for the safety of all our participating horsemen and women and their horses, our loyal trackside customers and the track's employees who make the live card happen.

Live racing will resume at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Nov. 23) at 6 p.m. 

The Pembroke Dragons, already the school's first-time-ever boys sectional championship team, kept right on winning Thursday night with a 54-38 victory over the Morrisville Eaton Warriors (Section III) in the NYS Regional Semi-Final game.

Behind the blocking of JJ Gabbey, Octavius Martin, Jayden Mast, Madden Perry, Ben Steinberg, Chase Guzdek and Caleb Felski, Tyson Totten rushed 40 times for a single game school record 400 yards and five touchdowns.

Caleb Felski added an 80-yard kick return for a touchdown, while Chase Guzdek caught a 14-yard touchdown reception.

The Dragons (11-1) were down 22-20 at the half but played good defense, forced several turnovers and "just pounded the rock, being a tough O-Line." said Head Coach Brandon Ricci.

Dominic Boldt, Sean Pustkulla, and Avery Ferreira had to step into big roles with injuries to Section V and GR All-stars Cayden Pfalzer and Jayden Bridge.

Jayden Mast had 12 tackles, Octavious Martin had 11 and a forced fumble, Jacob Dulski had 6 tackles and an interception, and Chase Guzdek led the way with 15 tackles. 

The Dragons will represent Section V in the final eight-man football game in all of New York State (the New York High School Athletic Association apparently doesn't call it a State Championship but that is essentially what it is) on Friday, Nov. 25, at Union Endicott High School.  Game time is noon.

Photos by Guy and Elizabeth Gabbey

Press release:

Veteran Batavia bowler Bill Neubert captured the 15^th annual Triple O Mechanical Handicap Singles Tournament title on Sunday, defeating second-year kegler Matt Bourg of Darien in the title match for the $700 first prize.

The tournament, hosted and co-sponsored by Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen, drew 61 entries over three qualifying squads. The top 16 advanced to the “eliminator” finals and all cashed.

Neubert, 72, rolled 228 (209 scratch) to outdistance Bourg, who posted 199 (135 scratch). Bourg, who had a 151 entering average, earned $350 for placing second.

Semifinalists, taking home $200 each, were Terry Moretti of Rochester and Mark Brown of Attica.

Quarterfinalists, earning $120 apiece, were Doug Bates and Nick Manioci, both of Rochester; 2020 champion Mickey Hyde of Le Roy, and 2012 champion Kevin Gray Sr. of Honeoye Falls.

Eight bowlers making the cut but losing in the first round won $80 each. They were Ricky Zinone of Rochester, Jim Pitts of Elmira, Gary Kinyon of Lockport, Chris Mathis of Rochester, Shayne Herold of Batavia, Kevin Gray Jr. of Warsaw, Chris Bardol of Brockport and Chuck Pitts of Cortland.

Hyde was the high qualifier with 769, followed by Mathis (764), Neubert (752), Moretti (751) and Brown (747). It took 696 with handicap to advance to the eliminator finals.

Photo: From left, Tournament director Mike Pettinella, Bill Neubert, Matt Bourg and Rose Garden Bowl proprietor Tom Sardou. Submitted photo.

Notre Dame honored some of its outstanding athletic legends on Saturday at the school's annual Hall of Fame Dinner.

Below are biographies provided by the school of each of the winners.

Photos by Howard Owens.  Top photo, Kevin Smith, Christi Moskal Ganie, and Jack Waggoner.

Kevin Smith excelled as a member of the Fighting Irish Varsity Football, Basketball and Baseball teams during his 4 years [1984-1987] at ND where his achievements led to him receiving the prestigious Rogowski  Memorial Trophy in 1987.

He was a 2-way standout on the 1985 and 1986 ND Varsity Football teams that posted a two-year record of 14-4 winning the League Football Championship in the Fall of '86 when they advanced to the Section V title game losing to Clyde-Savannah.  In his Senior year, he was selected to the Genesee Region League All-Star team and received the Outstanding Lineman Award.

During Kevin’s two Varsity basketball seasons, the team won 32 and lost 9 winning GR Championships in ’86 & ’87 while advancing to Sectional Championship game in ’87 where they lost by 1 point on a buzzer-beater to Cuba.  Kevin was named a Genesee Region All-Star in 1987 and was named the team’s Outstanding Defensive Player.

Kevin was a two-time Genesee Region All-Star on Baseball teams that won 50 while losing only 9, and  won Genesee Region and Section V Championships in 1986 and 1987.

After high school, Kevin attended Canisius College earning a BA and MS in Elementary Education. He taught in the Clark County School District in Las Vegas where he was named 1996’s New Teacher of the Year for the district. He loves coaching basketball and was an assistant coach on our 1992 State Championship team as well as a Nevada State champion team in 1999.  Following in the footsteps of his father (Kevin Smith Sr), Kevin has been a huge supporter of Notre Dame which led to his receiving the Fr.David Scheider Alumni Award in 2018.

Kevin and his wife Faith currently reside in Greenville, NY where he was Director of Golf for Sunny Hill Resort and Thunder Heart Golf Club for 17 years before moving to his current position as General Manger/Partner of the Island Green Resort and Golf Club. They are the proud parents of 4, Hannah (22), Syndey (20), Trey (18) and Emily (16).

Christi Moskal '03 was a stellar 3-sport student-athlete as a member of Fighting Irish Volleyball, Basketball and Softball teams during her 4 years at ND [2000 - 2003] and was named the 2003 ND " Outstanding Scholar-Athlete ". Christi becomes the 3^rd female athlete from the highly successful Class of 2003 to earn Hall of Fame recognition joining classmates Kathyrn Redick [HOF 2020] and Darci Walthew [HOF 2021]

As a member of the Volleyball team, she was a key contributor to teams that won 2 NYSPHSAA Section V Class D Championships in 2001 and 2002 as well as 3 Genesee Region [GR] League Championship teams ['00 - '02]. The 2002 team advanced to the State finals losing in 5 games. Christi was a Section V All-Star in 2002 as well as a Genesee Region All-Star selection.

On the basketball court, Christi was a key member of 3 Section V NYSPHSAA Class D Championship teams [2001, 2002 and 2003], a Far Western Regional Championship Champion [2002] and a NYSPHSAA Class D State Finalist [2002] squad. Her individual honors included selection as Section V MVP in 2002, Section V All-Star team in 2003 and Genesee Region All-Star in 3 times {2001, 2002 and 2003}.

Her numerous academic honors while at ND included membership in National Honor Society and ranking 4^th in her class. She was a Scholar-Athlete in each of her Varsity sport seasons.

She earned a BS in Psychology in 2007 and a Master’s degree from St. John’s University in Education in 2009. She also did post graduate studies in School & District Administration at Long Island University. She was a NYC Teaching Fellow from 2007 thru 2009 which is a highly selective alternative teacher preparation program. After teaching Secondary Mathematics for 8 years at the Phillipa Schuyler School for the Gifted & Talented in NYC, she is currently teaching Secondary Mathematics at the Eagle Academy for Young Men which is also in NYC.

Christi and her husband Abdul currently reside in New Jersey with their 3 children - Devin [12], Gavin {12} and Arya [7]. 

Jack Waggoner was a 3-sport standout throughout his ND career [1986 - 1989] as a member of Genesee Region League championship Fighting Irish Varsity Basketball, Football and Golf teams. He was named Notre Dame’s Athlete of the Year after his junior season in 1988 as well as the Batavia Lions Club Bill Cook Outstanding Scholar-Athlete Award as a senior in 1989

The football squads his junior and senior seasons had a 2-year record of 12-4 winning a GR title. Jack’s excellence as a 2-way player led to his selection as a Genesee Region All-Star in both 1987 & 1988.

Jack’s basketball teams had a 2-year record of 37-10 [27-5 in GR]. In his senior season, the team went 22-2 winning the Batavia Lions Club Tournament as well as a Genesee Region title. They lost 70-66 in the Class C Sectional final to Avoca. His junior season saw the team go 15-8 while capturing a Genesee Region title and advancing to the Sectional semi-finals losing in OT to Mt. Morris. Jack was a Genesee Region All-Star in 1988.

Golf is where Jack left a footprint that may never be matched. While Notre Dame has had many outstanding golfers, Jack can make a claim to being the G.O.A.T.as he possesses the most impressive resume’ of any golfer in school history based on his 6-times as a Sectional qualifier, 3 times as the medalist of the GR qualifying event, twice advancing to the state championship and his 4-times named as team MVP whose selection is based on team points earned during the season and is a school record.

Jack epitomized the term “student-athlete” as academically he ranked fourth [4^th] in his class of forty-five {45} and was a member of Notre Dame’s National Honor Society. He graduated from the University of Rochester with a BA in Economics and Organizational Psychology.

Jack and his wife the former Kim Tooze [ND Class of 1989} currently reside in Bradenton, FL where he is a Certified Financial Planner for Equitable Advisors. Club for 17 years They have three children; Benjamin (21), Paige (20) and Bradley (17)

Aaron Fix (not pictured) excelled while playing Football, Basketball and Baseball during his 4 years [1989-1992] as a student-athlete at ND.

Aaron was a two-time Genesee Region All-Star in football and was twice named Outstanding Defensive Player.  His prowess led to his recruitment to play college football on the Division I-AA level at Canisius College where he held 14 school records when he graduated. Among these were punt returns for a touchdown in a game (3) which earned him national recognition from numerous outlets including ESPN and Sports Illustrated (Player of the Week –Special Teams). He also shared the punt returns for a touchdown in a season record (4) all divisions record with Golden Richards, Cliff Branch and Billy “White Shoes” Johnson who all played in the NFL. In 1994, he was named to the All- MAAC team on defense and the ECAC Division I-AA All-Star team as a Return Specialist.  

His notoriety led to his selection as the Notre Dame Sports Booster’s Amateur Athlete of the Year, and his love of football led to his playing Arena Football and coaching high school athletes at both Notre Dame and Batavia High Schools.

An outstanding two-way basketball player, Aaron was a member of the “Fab Five” team that won Notre Dame’s first state championship in 1992 while winning 26 and losing only 1. His teams posted a two year record of 40-9 (24-4 in GR) while winning Genesee Region titles in 1991 and 1992. The ’92 team set numerous school records during its historical run to a state title. Aaron was the 1992 squad’s Outstanding Defensive Player Award winner.

Aaron was a two-time Genesee Region All-Star on baseball teams that won Genesee Region Championships in 1990 &1991.  An indicator of his athleticism is that he was ambidextrous, playing baseball right-handed and basketball left-handed. The ’90 team won 12 of its last 15 games to advance to the Sectional finals.  In each of his 3 Varsity seasons, his baseball team was eliminated from Sectional play by the eventual champion.

Aaron and his wife Kristen live in Batavia with their children - Rhorri [20], Cooper [17] and Greyson [15]. He is the Regional Sales Manager for Hilti Inc.

1973 ND Varsity Baseball
The 1973 Baseball team under the leadership of legendary ND coaches Fr. John Zeitler and Bill Sutherland recorded a 16-4 record while winning the championship of the very competitive Bishop Smith League.

They would then advance to the title game of the prestigious Georgetown Cup Championship Playoffs where they would eventually fall Canisius High School of the Burke League in a hard fought 3-1 game.  Canisius High School was an all-male school with twice the enrollment of Notre Dame. The Smith League Championship marked the second consecutive title for this group as they were also Co-Champions in the 1972 season.

The 1973 team was fueled by an air-tight defense, daring base running, solid pitching, and timely hitting.  The team was loaded with a depth of talent resulting in the team receiving seven Monsignor Martin First or Second Team All-Catholic selections [Bob Carragher, Mike Flick, Rick Rapone, Carl Simms, Sean Sullivan, Pat Strollo and Andy Vogl]. This squad also included 5 individual members of the Notre Dame Athletic Hall of Fame – Head Coach Fr. John Zeitler (HOF 1991), Assistant Coach Bill Sutherland (HOF 1995), Bob Carragher (HOF 1997), Carl Simms (HOF 2002) and Andy Vogl (HOF 1991).

ND Boys Basketball 1992- NYSPHSAA Class D State Champions

The 1992 Boys Basketball team posted a record of 26-1 in winning the NYSPHSAA State title as well as Section V and GR championships. Nicknamed “The Fab 5” { Aaron Fix, Dean Haynesworth, Tom McCulley, Rob Panepento and Tim Tucker} the team set numerous school records including wins (26) and win percentage (96.3%). Their run to the State Title put ND back in the spotlight at a time when attention on our great school was needed as enrollment had dipped below 100 for the first and only time in school history.

The highlight of the season was an exciting 76-75 win over defending state champion Prattsburgh in front of a sold out crowd at SUNY Geneseo avenging a 40 point loss to them in the 1991 sectional tournament. After this emotional victory, the team had to travel to Fredonia the next day for a 3:00 pm game versus Section 6 Champion Franklinville. After winning the Regional, they beat Fort Edward who was #1 in the State in the semi-final and Bishop Grimes in the title game.

The 1992 NYSPHSAA Class D Championship team coaching staff included Notre Dame Athletic Hall of Fame Coaches Mike Rapone [HOF 1996], Dave Pero Sr.[HOF 2016] and Kevin Smith (HOF 2022).  The team roster included HOF athletes Tom McCulley [HOF 2014] who is ND basketball’s all-time leading scorer, Aaron Fix [HOF 2022], Dean Haynesworth, Rob Panepento, Tim Tucker, Chris Tatarka, Jeff Von Kramer, Matt Von Kramer, Mike Sorensen, Matt Bausch, Kelly Bartz, Joe Condidorio and Gregg Torrey.

The local bowling community rolled out the red carpet for an Oakfield resident and longtime kegler who has been battling bladder cancer.

A 3-person no-tap tournament to benefit Claude Schultz that took place at Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia on Saturday generated $1,385 to help pay for the 62-year-old tractor trailer master technician’s medical bills.

“I would like to thank the Genesee Region USBC bowlers, Mark and Penny Brown (tournament directors) and Mancuso Bowling Center for putting this event on for me,” said Schultz, who was at the fundraiser along with his wife, Cathy, two of his daughters and three of his grandchildren. “This means a lot to my family and me.”

Schultz has been out of work – and off the lanes – since undergoing two operations in August and September and, after that, six weeks of chemotherapy. He said he goes back to the doctor on Dec. 6 for an “exploratory’ procedure.

If all goes well, Schultz said his plan is to substitute on a league with his friends at Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen after the first of the year.

Thirty-nine teams competed in the tournament, with seven earning prize money.

The team of Shayne Herold, Aaron Philp and Adam Philp placed first with a 2,428 score to win $630. The team of Scott Shields, Tom Rohl and Brown finished second with 2,414 ($360), and Rick Underhill, Fred Gravanda and Matt Balduf placed third with 2,390 ($200).