Sports

Press release:

The Genesee Amateur Hockey Association (GAHA) Timbit Beginners will be participating in their end-of-the-year “Jamboree” on Saturday, March 18, starting at 9 a.m. at the David McCarthy Memorial Arena. 

The world has the Olympics, Buffalo has pond hockey, but we have the Beginner Cross-Ice Event – ‘THE JAMBOREE”.  The draft has taken place, and the teams are set.  Game schedules are confirmed, and the blue lines are waiting for the hockey players to stand on them for the National Anthem.  The Rink will be divided into three areas, and two teams will play against one another in two-minute shifts for 12 minutes; then, they move on to play more “games” with other teams – a total of four games.  Since there are five teams, the team not scheduled for a “game” will participate in skill drills in the middle section. 

At 9 a.m., the players will be introduced one by one as they step onto the ice and proceed to the Blue Line for the National Anthem.  This year the National Anthem will be played by Miles Meyer on his electric guitar.  Miles is the grandson of the late Dave Meyer, who had a long history with GAHA serving as President for several years and coaching from the Mite level right up to being Assistant Coach with the Notre Dame Hockey team.  We’d love to have you join us and capture the progress of the little players' ages 4 to 12.  This year the Beginner Program consisted of 69 registered players.  They are coached by Brian McCarthy along with Nick Harris as well as many other dads and family members, plus several GAHA Student Coaches serving as on-ice helpers.

Without all of this support, it would be impossible to run this program.

Most of the players have been on the ice since early October thru today.  About 23 joined the program in early January after participating in the November USA Hockey – Try Hockey for Free Event.  At practices, they run through drills established by USA Hockey’s American Development Modules – six stations are set up around the rink, and a different drill is introduced at each station.  The players move from station to station.   GAHA is thankful for the sponsorship of its Beginner Program by the local Tim Horton Shop managed by Dave Lumberg.  They provide the jerseys for all of the players as well as Timbit donuts for our special functions throughout the year.

For this Jamboree, the players are divided into five teams (featuring the Black Team, the Royal Blue Rockets, the Navy Team, the White Lightnings and the Red Hamsters)  denoted by the color of their jerseys and will play five 12-minute games with shifts of 2 min.  A great time is had by all.

At the end of the Jamboree, the GAHA organization will offer a free family skate for the Beginner Program until Noon and the McCarthy Rink Staff and Management will be providing “free” rental skates for those participating.

Press release:

CAN-USA Sports is very excited that Xtreme International Ice Racing will be here on Friday March 31st, at 7:00 PM at David McCarthy Memorial Ice Arena to host the XiiR World Championship!

XiiR (Xtreme International Ice Racing) is a motorcycle racing tour...ON ICE! Man and machine going from 0-60mph in under 3 seconds, with Speedway bikes and quads that are modified to compete on an indoor ice arena. There are over 2000 metal studs added to the tires and there are NO BRAKES! What does that mean? PURE ADRENALINE! It is THE fastest sport on ice and one of the fastest sports in the world. The rush of so much power and speed on something as unpredictable as ice, has whipped audiences into a frenzy and gained new fans across the country.  Each year's series continues to get better... drawing bigger crowds, more sponsors and riders from all over the globe.​

We are also inviting all members of the media to attend a special pre-event on March 30th, at 3:00 pm at David McCarthy Memorial Ice Arena to come out to experience the joy of riding on the ice! Please let us know if you are able to make it! 

Tickets are on sale now! Call (814)-504-9979 or you can purchase tickets at the David McCarthy Memorial Ice Arena located on 22 Evans St, Batavia.

Pavilion's 42-40 loss came down to the closing minute of play against Randolph in the Class C Far West Regional Championship game at Buffalo State Sports Arena.

Karlee Zinkievich hit a three-pointer with 40 seconds left in the game to tie the score at 40-40. 

The Girls Basketball title game on Saturday, which determined which Class C team would advance to the state semifinal game, was decided on a two-point basket by the Cardinals with 12.3 seconds left.

The Batavian did not receive statistics for the game.

Photos by Debra Reilly.

The Alexander Air Rifle Team, which includes shooters from Perry High School, placed fourth, as representatives of Section V, this weekend at the NYS Invitational Shooting Competition in Lancaster.

Team members:

• Parker McGarvey
• Logan Church
• Liam Hyland
• Evan Gifford
• Garrison Butler
• Katelyn Green
• Devin Bubel

The coaches from Alexander are Tom Green and Brian Waite. The coaches from Perry are Dillon Hirsch and Nathan Paddock.

Photo and information submitted.

Two Genesee Region USBC bowlers broke the 800 mark in league play this week -- John Beadle of Brockport, who notched his first at Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion, and Brian Cline of Middleport, who has at least 40 such series but said he has lost count.

Beadle, 56, an ambidextrous bowler who competes as a right-hander in the Sneezy's Monday Night League, posted games of 279-290-238 for an 807 series on lanes 1-2. The big series, which eclipses his previous high of 787, lifted his average in the league to 214.

"It took 56 years to get it," said Beadle, who registered 31 strikes over the three games, including three in the 10th frame of the final game to put him over the top. "I was nervous (in the 10th) but took a deep breath and let it go. All three were in the pocket."

An insurance scheduler/coordinator for the online platform Maximus, Beadle said he used the Storm Phaze 3 ball that he purchased before Christmas and had drilled by Curtis Foss at Oak Orchard Lanes.

His teammate, Reid Cole of Albion, fired a 793 series in the Thursday Triples League at Oak Orchard Bowl later in the week.

Cline not only bowled an 800 series -- 801 -- but did it by bowling three consecutive games of 267 on lanes 9-10 in the Mancuso Real Estate League at Mancuso Bowling Center.

The 267 triplicate isn't even the highest triplicate series for the 45-year-old lefty as he recorded a 279-279-279--837 several years ago at Rapids Bowling Center in Niagara Falls.

His latest effort raised his average to 234.9 -- the top USBC-certified average at Mancuso's this season. Cline works full time for National Grid and also runs the pro shop at Medina Lanes.

In other action around the Genesee Region USBC:

• Tom Fluker of Batavia came within a stubborn 10-pin of another 300 game, settling for 299 and a 675 series in the Wednesday Men's Handicap League at Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen.

• Adam Philp of Le Roy led the way in the County Line Stone Friday Trios League at Mancuso's -- finishing with a 279 game for a 762 series. Red-hot Geoff Harloff of Batavia was next on the list with 749.

• Jason Quilliam of Batavia rolled 278--753 in the Toyota of Batavia 4-Man League at Mancuso's, Harris Busmire of Bergen spun 288--750 in the Thursday Owls League at Rose Garden Bowl, and Zach Plath of Le Roy set the pace in the Le Roy Moose League at Legion Lanes with 265--721.

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

While the Pembroke Dragons are Class C2 champions in Boys Basketball, their season ended on Thursday in the state qualifier game, consolidating Section V's Class C trophy winners into one team that advances.

The Dragons lost to Lyons 59-56.

No statistics were submitted for the game.

Photos by Jessica Pfalzer

The Golden Gophers took a step closer to a state tournament berth in Girls Basketball with a 43-22 win over Oakfield-Alabama on Tuesday.

Pavilion's Karlee Zinkievich scored 18 points.  Lauren Kingsley scored 12, and Makayla Washburn scored eight.

For the Hornets, Ava Groff scored six points, and Caitlin Ryan scored six.

With a 19-2 record, Pavilion moves on to the Class C Far West Regional Champoinship, where they'll face Randolph (19-4) at Buffalo State on Saturday at 3 p.m.

To view or purchase prints, click here.

Photos by Steve Ognibene

The Pembroke Dragons are Section V champions in Boys Basketball, beating York in the Class C2 final at Blue Cross Arena on Sunday, 62-59.

The game was close for all four quarters, with York leading most of the way in the first half, but Pembroke regrouped in the third quarter and held onto a slender lead at the end when time ran out on York.

Scoring:

• Tyson Totten, 16 points
• Cayden Pfalzer, 12 points
• Avery Ferreira, 13 points
• Jon Suro, 14 points
• Chase Guzdek, 7 points, 15 rebounds

"York is a great team, and Ed (Orman) does a really good job with his squad year in and year out," said Coach Matt Shay. "Our kids showed a lot of resilience responding to how York jumped on us early. We came out really tough in the third and made a nice run, but when you get to this level, teams are going to make runs on their end as well. York did that by switching to a press and a 2-3 zone. I was really proud of how some of our guys stepped up tonight. Avery, Jon, and Chase really came up huge for us today. This group has worked really hard, and they deserve this."

The Dragons get a bye in the first round of regionals. Pembroke will play the winner of Lyons vs. Northstar Christian on Thursday, March 9, in the Quarterfinals, location TBD.

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Photos by Steve Ognibene

After winning the championship, the team bus was escorted by the Pembroke Volunteer Fire Department from Batavia to the school. Video by Jessica Pfalzer.

Photos below by Jessica Pfalzer. For more photos, click here.

Press release:

Batavia Geoff Harloff continues to light it up at Mancuso Bowling Center.

The 47-year-old right-hander started and finished strong in the County Line Stone Friday Trios League this week en route to a 754 series on lanes 13-14.

Harloff rolled 12 consecutive strikes in the opening game for his fifth United States Bowling Congress-certified 300 game and, following a 187 middle game, rebounded with a 267 to close out the night.

The night before, he posted a 705 series in the Toyota of Batavia 4-Man League and two nights before that, registered 693 while substituting in the Turnbull Heating Triples League. 

At 222, his average is among the top 10 at Mancuso's this season.

In other Genesee Region USBC league action over the past week:

• Mike Pettinella of Batavia raised his average to 233 with a 245-256-269--769 effort in the Turnbull Heating Triples League;

• Batavians Rich Wagner and Tom McJury set the pace in the Toyota of Batavia League with 748 and 746, respectively. Wagner upped his average to 224.

• Mike Lyons of Elba continued his fine season at Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen with a 277 game and 739 series in the Wednesday Men's Handicap League.

BARDOLS, BROWN , PFIEFER WIN RIGGI TOURNAMENT

The team of Caycee and Chris Bardol, Mark Brown and Tim Pfeifer combined for a 3,610 score to place first in the Ron Riggi Memorial Tournament at Legion Lanes in Le Roy last weekend. The winning team split $800.

Brown also was on the second place teams with Harloff, Jason Quilliam and Matt Balduf. They earned $400.

Aaron Philp won the optional singles event, winning $125.

The tournament drew 24 teams.

The Notre Dame/Alexander Indoor Track Team wrapped up its season at this state meet on Saturday in Staten Island with a seventh place state finish in the 4x400 relay, posting a time of 4:09.89.

Jadyn Mullen placed 17th in 55 hurdles with a time of 8:92 and 18th in the 600 with a time of 1:39.08.

Submitted photo and information.

The Fighting Irish found themselves in a tough match for the Class D1 title against Avoca/Prattsburgh on Saturday at Blue Cross Arena in Rochester.

At 16-5, Notre Dame was the #3 seed in the class; at 19-2, the athletes were ranked #1.

Haden Abbott's 28 points helped lead Avoca to a 93-67 win.

For Notre Dame, Jay Antinore scored 17 points, Ryan Fitzpatrick, 15, Jaden Sherwood, 15, and Jordan Welker, 11. 

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Photos by Steve Ognibene

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Submitted story.

In a game that saw 15 lead changes, Elba needed one more they couldn't get, falling 58-55 to Andover-Whitesville in the Class D2 sectional finals Saturday night.

Andover-Whitesville's Vanessa Hall tallied a game-high 28 points, including six points in the last 39 seconds to seal the win for the Panthers.

Hall struggled in the first half shooting 4-for-15 from the floor for 10 points but turned it around in the second half on 8-of-16 field goals for 18 points. The senior made several tough inside shots, and a few nice interior passes to set up Panther teammates as well. Hall was named the Class D2 tournament MVP.

Sixth-seeded Elba (13-11) played tough throughout, grabbing an 11-10 lead after one quarter. Maddie Hall nailed a 3-pointer to get the scoring started for the Lancers, while freshman Lydia Ross and sophomore Sydney Reilly both scored four points in the opening stanza.

Reilly, who leads Elba with over 16 points per game, picked up her third foul just one minute into the second quarter. Elba would not relinquish the lead in her absence. Mariah Ognibene and Ross netted two-point baskets before Kennedy Augello got hot. The junior guard sandwiched an inside basket between two 3-pointers to give Elba the 23-21 edge at the half.

Elba's Hailie Scouten led the charge to start the third quarter. The junior forward swished a 3-pointer from the right wing to start the quarter and then 30 seconds later knocked a trey in off the board to give Elba its biggest lead of the game at 29-21. Scouten added one more basket later in the quarter and finished with nine points, 13 rebounds, three assists and five blocks.

Ross, who finished with a team-high 13 points and spear-headed the Lancers all night, added four points in the third quarter. Reilly, who came back in with 30 seconds left in the frame, and Hall added three and two points, respectively, in the quarter.

Andover-Whitesville's Hall paced her team with 10 points in the third quarter, and Graci Lewis-Ellison added five. Both teams scored 17 points resulting in a 40-38 Elba advantage after three.

The Panthers started the fourth quarter with six straight points to take a 44-40 lead. Then both Ross and Ognibene scored on putbacks for Elba to tie the game once again at 44-44 halfway through the final quarter. A free throw by Scouten gave the Lancers their final lead of the game with three minutes left.

Hall gave Andover-Whitesville the lead right back on the very next possession slicing into the lane for a tough inside bucket.

Ognibene would tie the game once more with her own free throw with 2:30 left, but Panthers senior Gabby Terhune netted a layup on a nice assist from Hall seconds later to put Andover-Whitesville up for good. Two Panther free throws and two more baskets from Hall put Elba down 54-49 with just 30 seconds remaining.

Reilly made an off-balance basket and was fouled on the Lancers' next possession. The following free throw made it 54-52 in favor of the Panthers. Foul shots from Hall, Terhune and Lewis-Ellison increased the lead to 58-52 with 11 seconds left in the game.

Augello swished one more three-pointer, her third of the night, as the buzzer sounded. She finished with 11 points on 4-of-8 shooting.

Ognibene ended with five points and a game-high 16 rebounds for Elba, while Reilly ended with 10 points, nine rebounds and three assists. Ross, who was named to the all-tournament team, also had four rebounds, four assists and three steals to go with her 13 points for the Lancers.

Elba's Hall tallied five points, while junior Ava Chatt rounded out the Lancers scoring with two points.

Andover-Whitesville's Lewis-Ellison ended with eight points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals. Bledsoe finished with 10 points and six rebounds.

Reilly, Lewis-Ellison and Bledsoe were also named to the all-tournament team.

Photos by Kristin Smith. For more, click here.

Le Roy lost its Class B2 championship game to Wellsville at the Blue Cross Arena in Rochester on Saturday, 52-43.

There are no game statistics available. 

Maveric McKenzie received the sportsmanship award, while Merritt Holley and Andrew Pocock were named to the all-tournament team.

Photos by Jason Coniber.

A balanced offensive attack and strong defense all season wasn't quite enough on Saturday for the Batavia Blue Devils to overcome Newark for the Class B1 title at Blue Cross Arena in Rochester.

The Blue Devils lost 60-55.

Carter McFollins scored 16 points for Batavia. Carter Mullen scored 11, while Mikey McKenzie scored nine and Rashawd Christie scored eight.

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Photos by Steve Ognibene

 

 

The Oatkan Knights put together a balanced attack against Dansville on Wednesday to advance to the finals of the Class B2 finals.

It was a close game, with Le Roy posting a final score of 49 points to 47 for Dansville.

Merritt Holly Jr. posted a double-double with 15 points and 14 rebounds. Andrew Pocock had 12 points and six rebounds. Maveric McKenzie had 10 points and four assists. Jean Agosto scored eight points.

The Knights play Wellsville at 11 a.m. on Saturday at Blue Cross Arena.

Photos by Jason Coniber.

Pavilion, who entered the Girls Basketball Class C2 Section V tournament as the #3 seed, beat #2 seed Notre Dame on Wednesday, 51-42.

The Golden Gophers face #4 seed Dundee/Bradford at noon on Saturday at Rush-Henrietta.

No statistics were submitted for the Pavilion team.

Amelia McCulley scored 34 points for Notre Dame. Emma Sisson had seven rebounds.

Four Blue Devils scored in double digits as Batavia beat Bishop Kearney 66-62 in the Class B1 Section V semifinal.

Scoring: 

• Mikey McKenzie, 16 points
• Ja'vin McFollins, 15 points
• Rashawd Christie, 14 points
• Carter McFollins, 12 points

The #1 seed in Class B1, the Blue Devils play at Blue Cross Arena at 9 a.m. against #2 Newark for the B1 title.

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Photos by Steve Ognibene

Elba overcame foul trouble and walked away with a Section Class D2 semifinal win over Scio-Friendship on Tuesday, 47-34.

The Lancers, the #6 seed in the tournament, with a 13-10 record, will vie for a sectional trophy on Friday at 6 p.m. against #1 seed Andover/Whitesville.

Sydney Reilly had a double-double, scoring 12 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.

Kennedy Augello scored 11 points. Ava Chatt had 11 rebounds and Mariah Ognibene had eight.

The team recorded 18 fouls.

Photos by Kristin Smith.

A strong season by the Trojans ended abruptly on Tuesday with a 46-31 loss to Canisteo-Greenwood in the Class C1 semifinal game.

Emily Pietrzkowski scored eight points for Alexander, and Alyssa Kramer scored seven.

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Photos by Steve Ognibene

Oakfield-Alabama came from behind on Tuesday to win their Section V Class C1 semifinal matchup against Bloomfield, 59-56.

Alea Groff scored 18 points. Caitlin Ryan scored 13. Piper Hyde scored nine. Emma Wray scored eight.  Brooke Reding scored seven.

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Photos by Steve Ognibene