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Elba outlasts Notre Dame, 49-44, in GR girls' basketball

By Mike Pettinella
Elba ND 1

 

Elba defeated host Notre Dame, 49-44, in Genesee Region girls’ basketball action Wednesday night.

Sofia Falleti recorded a double-double for the Irish, scoring 20 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Nina Bartz added 12 for ND.

ND Coach Vinny Falleti:

“Our team played hard tonight and made runs to come back but couldn’t put together a complete game against a physical Elba team. The game was back and forth with a lot of intensity. We will see each other again late in the season.”

Statistics from Elba have yet to be submitted.

For more high school sports competition from last night, click on the Sports tab at the top of the home page.

Photos by Debra Reilly

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Totten leads Pembroke to Holiday Classic crown; Mendon tops Batavia, Avon defeats Le Roy

By Mike Pettinella

Sparked by Tyson Totten’s 25 points, Pembroke defeated host Akron, 50-47, on Wednesday night in the championship game of the Jack & Joyce Silvernail Holiday Classic boys’ basketball tournament.

Totten tallied 22 of his points in the second half to earn most valuable player honors. He also added six assists.

He was joined on the all-tournament team by fellow senior Avery Ferreira, who had eight points. Jayden Bridge chipped in with seven points and seven rebounds for the Dragons,

“We played solid on the defensive end … and needed to be good on that end because we struggled offensively in the first half,” Coach Matt Shay said. “And Tyson and Avery came alive though in the second half.

“I was very pleased with how the team handled adversity and especially with how my seniors stepped up.”

In other high school action last night:

-- Host Pittsford Mendon rode the outside shooting of Amari Coleman and Cayden Rathnam to a 66-46 boys’ basketball victory over Batavia.

Coleman connected for five three-point shots and Rathnam had four for Mendon, which led 31-23 at half and 50-37 after three quarters.

Justin Smith and Carter Mullen each scored 11 points for the Blue Devils.

-- Avon held Le Roy without a basket for the first six minutes of the fourth quarter and went on to a 42-34 win at Avon.

It was the first loss of the season for Le Roy, which trailed by just 31-29 entering the final period.

Merritt Holly Jr. led the Knights with 13 points while Matthew Hockey had nine points. Michael Rowland led Avon with 17 points.

Batavia girls fall to R-H; Pembroke boys win

By Mike Pettinella
Isabella Walsh goes up for two points.  Photo by Steve Ognibene
Isabella Walsh goes up for two points.  Photo by Steve Ognibene
Alivia Day scored 23 points, including five three-point shots, to lead host Rush-Henrietta to a 56-33 victory over Batavia in Section V varsity girls’ basketball action Tuesday night.
 
The senior guard tallied 15 points after intermission as R-H, now 2-2, pulled away after opening a nine-point halftime lead. Senior guard/forward Ashlyn Roberts added 13 points.
 
For Batavia, 4-2, Isabella Walsh scored 11 points, grabbed four rebounds, recorded three assists and came up with five steals. Violet Lopez chipped in with 11 points.
 
In boys’ basketball at Akron, Pembroke defeated Alden, 67-61, in the Jack & Joyce Silvernail Holiday Classic.
 
Tyson Totten led the way with 22 points, eight rebounds and five assists, while Avery Ferreira added 17 points and eight rebounds, Jayden Bridge 11 points and Sean Pustulka nine points and five assists.
 
To view or purchase photo, click here.

Photos by Steve Ognibene

Jamin MacDonald looking to shoot from the paint.  Photo by Steve Ognibene
Jamin MacDonald looking to shoot from the paint.  Photo by Steve Ognibene
Violet Lopez moving in for a shot.  Photo by Steve Ognibene
Violet Lopez moving in for a shot.  Photo by Steve Ognibene
Anna Varland looking to pass.  Photo by Steve Ognibene
Anna Varland looking to pass.  Photo by Steve Ognibene
Batavia's bench during halftime.  Photo by Steve Ognibene
Batavia's bench during halftime.  Photo by Steve Ognibene

Batavia Downs realized a 75% handle increase in 2023

By Tim Bojarski
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Photo courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery.

With the books now finalized after the last live card of racing took place on Saturday (Dec. 9), Batavia Downs saw a major growth in handle that started last January during their first winter meet in 20 years and ended the year showing a 75% increase in wagering over the track’s previous record high.

The total all-source handle for the entire 67 days of live racing conducted at the Downs in 2023 was $15,414,846, which easily eclipsed the old record high of $8,779,409 established in 2019 over that 63-day meet, and set a new all-time high wagering mark during Western Regional Off Track Betting’s 21-year tenure as owner of the track.

Breaking down the numbers further, the average daily all-source handle of $230,072 bested the old mark of $146,987 set in 2021 (for a full-year schedule) by 57%. The average daily handle in 2020 was $170,268, but it was during a Covid-shortened meet that ran only 42 days.

Another number that saw an uptick at the Downs in 2023 was the total on-track live handle of $935,790, which rose 2.5% from the $912,822 wagered last year.

“The momentum in the handle started during our winter meet when we set several daily records and picked right back up when we returned in July. I am very happy that the wagering support from our customers, both remote and live, carried over to our regular meet,” said Don Hoover, Director of Live Racing at Batavia Downs.

The momentum Hoover eluded to started on Monday (Jan. 30) after bettors came out in force to pump $340,602 (from all sources) through the windows to set a new all-time single card mark at Batavia Downs. That total was the largest handle recorded since WROTB reopened the Downs in 2002, and surpassed the old mark of $339,000 which occurred during the 2019 New York Sire Stakes Night of Champions finals.

Then only a week later on Monday (Feb. 6), that record was broken again after $348,205 was wagered on the very competitive third leg card of the Western New York Pop-Up Series.

The healthy daily average handle for the short 14-day 2023 winter meet was $238,895, and compared to $227,742 for the 53 day summer/fall meet, remained almost identical all year despite increased competition by the greater number of tracks that raced live later in the year.

Batavia Downs will once again host a winter meet in 2024 and it begins on Thursday (Jan. 4) with 16 dates that run through Monday (Feb. 26). Post time for every race day will be 3 p.m.

Vertus pulls away in fourth quarter to top Batavia, 59-39

By Mike Pettinella

In a game that was closer than the final score indicated, host Batavia High fell to Vertus Charter, 59-39, in Section V boys' varsity basketball Monday night.

The Blue Devils held a 37-35 lead after three quarters, but a couple of charge/blocking foul calls that went the visitors' way set the stage for a 24-2 final period for the Warriors, now 3-2.

Talhah Ali scored seven of his game-high 20 points in the final frame, while Reggie Pough had eight of his 14 and Dah'mere Brown six of his 14 in the closing eight minutes.

For Batavia, 2-2, junior guard Carter Mullen tallied 11 points.

Byron-Bergen/Elba grapplers upend Cal-Mum, 36-17

By Mike Pettinella
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Visiting Byron-Bergen/Elba defeated Caledonia-Mumford, 36-17, on Monday night in Section V varsity wrestling action.

Highlights of the match, which featured several close bouts:

116 pounds -- James Lamb (B-B/E) def. Jakob Bishop, 1-0.
124 pounds -- Parker Moore (B-B/E) def. David Scott, 8-5.
145 pounds -- Solomon Smith (B-B/E) def. James Patanella, 13-10.
152 pounds -- Roman Smith (B-B/E) def. Austin Pittman, 7-4.
170 pounds -- JC Starowitz (B-B/E) def. Garret Thompson, 5-3.
285 pounds -- Lukas Volkmar (B-B/E) def. Drake Kritzberger, 9-5.

Travis Shallenberger (138), Malachi Smith (195) and Bradley Tatar (215) registered pins for B-B/Elba.

For Cal-Mum, Jackson Peet notched its only win, 20-5 over Zack Brookhart at 160 pounds.

Photos by Doug McFarland.

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Muckdogs' owners purchase Niagara Falls franchise, sign on to operate Sal Maglie Stadium

By Mike Pettinella
Robbie and Nellie Nichols

Calling it “a good market that just needs some work,” Robbie Nichols is ready to perform his baseball magic in Niagara Falls.

Nichols, owner of Can-USA Sports along with his wife, Nellie, (photo above) confirmed today that his organization has purchased the Niagara Falls Americans’ franchise of the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League and has signed on to manage Sal Maglie Stadium, the team’s home ballpark.

Can-USA Sports also owns the Elmira Pioneers and the Batavia Muckdogs, both members of the PGCBL. Nichols, General Manager Marc Witt and their staff have been credited for rejuvenating baseball in Batavia.

“Niagara Falls, I believe, is a good market that just needs some work,” Nichols said. “The gentleman that owned the team last year wasn’t returning and I think our league needs a team there.”

Last year, the team was called the Niagara Power and competed in the PGCBL’s West Division along with Batavia, Elmira, Jamestown, Auburn, Newark and Geneva.

Nichols said Niagara Falls’ leaders have committed more than $2 million for repairs of Sal Maglie Stadium.

“They put in a new turf field. It will be a very good-looking ballpark,” he noted, adding that Michael Gabriele, a former Niagara University baseball player, will be the club’s manager. He said the team already is signing players for the 2024 season.

City and state politicians reportedly are enthusiastic about the team’s prospects with Can-USA Sports on board.

“We are really excited to introduce them to the city of Niagara Falls and the Sal Maglie Stadium,” Mayor Rob Restaino told WIVB-TV.

State Sen. Rob Ortt echoed his sentiments, telling the television station that the Nichols team “chose Niagara Falls because of the stadium, because of the history, because they believe in Niagara Falls.”

“And hopefully that will inspire and tell a lot of other people here that we too should believe in Niagara Falls.”

Nichols announced that Niagara County Community College and D’Youville University baseball teams will play their home games at Sal Maglie Stadium next year. He said he plans to book many other events there, just as he does with Dwyer Stadium in Batavia.

When asked if he was stretching himself too thin – having to juggle the activities of three franchises, Nichols said he will continue to be “stationed” in Batavia once the season starts but will rotate among the three.

“I’ll probably be at 65 baseball games, working, so it will be a busy summer,” he said. “Nellie and I are excited about the new opportunity. It’s a market that needs work, but we’re not afraid of a little work.”

Nichols admitted he’s taking a financial risk as the Niagara Falls team did not attract many fans last year,

“Definitely, it’s a risk because it’s no Batavia. They weren’t drawing the crowds that we were drawing last year,” he said. “Everything’s a risk, but our staff – and how hard we work – I’m confident that we can turn Niagara Falls around.”

File photo: Robbie and Nellie Nichols by Jim Burns.

Bailey rolls 785 in Brighton Securities league

By Mike Pettinella

Chris Bailey of Batavia rolled a flurry of strikes in Genesee Region USBC league action this week, posting a 785 series in the Brighton Securities Tuesday Triples League at Mancuso Bowling Center.

The 42-year-old right-hander recorded games of 239, 279 and 267 on lanes 1-2 for his personal best series ever. He had 11 strikes in the second game and nine more in the third game to raise his average to 210.

Left-hander Nick Johnson popped a 269 game en route to a 740 series on lanes 3-4, raising his average to 224.

Other high scores for the week:

-- Geoff Harloff of Batavia rolled 745 and 758 on consecutive nights in the Toyota of Batavia 4-Man and the County Line Stone Friday Trios leagues at Mancuso's. Batavian Scott Shields led the way on Friday with a 767 series, while Haley Luce of Oakfield posted a 235 game and 649 series in that league.

-- At Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen, Kevin Gray Sr. spun 278--740 and Kevin Gray Jr. had 277--717 in the Thursday Owls League.

GRUSBC YOUTH DOUBLES WINNERS

Teams from Perry Bowling Center and StrikeForce Lanes in Oakfield placed first in the Genesee Region USBC Youth Doubles Tournament on Dec. 9-10 at StrikeForce Lanes.

In Division A (250 combined average and above), Mason Herman and Hunter Clark of Perry led the list of 11 teams with a 1,414 total with handicap. The boys each will earn $100 scholarships and a trophy.

In Division B (249 and under), Jameson Liles and Lukas Leddick of Oakfield led the way with 1,264 with handicap. They, too, will earn $100 scholarships and trophies. Eight teams competed in that division.

Greece-Olympia beats Byron-Bergen in Girls Basketball

By Howard B. Owens
byron bergen basketball

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

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byron bergen basketball

Elba picks up 56-33 win at home

By Howard B. Owens
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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.

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Notre Dame scores 54 points to beat Elba

By Howard B. Owens
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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.

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elba notre dame basketball

Le Roy blows past Dansville in Boys Basketball

By Howard B. Owens

Le Roy entered the second quarter in their Friday night Boys Basketball matchup against Dansville down 12-10 and then Aaric Luce got hot, Le Roy took the lead and never looked back.

Luce scored 11 points in the second quarter, hitting a trio of three-pointers to give the Knights a 30-21 halftime lead.

Le Roy went on to win 61-43.

Luce finished with 11 points.  Merrit Holly scored 28 points and had 11 rebounds.  Matthew Hockey scored nine points and had three assists.

The Knights are now 4-0 on the year.

Blue Devils pick up second win in OT, 65-62

By Howard B. Owens

Batavia beat Odyssey 65-62 in overtime in Boys Basketball on Friday night.

Carter Mullen scored 22 points for Batavia. Joey Marranco scored 15 and Aiden Bellavia scored nine.

The Blue Devils are now 2-1 on the year.

Oakfield boys came up short in closing seconds to Kendall 62-60 in Genesee Regional matchup

By Steve Ognibene
Avery Watterson moving down court.  Photo by Steve Ognibene
Avery Watterson moving downcourt.  
Photo by Steve Ognibene

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.

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Photos by Steve Ognibene

Brenden Wescott sets up the offensive attack.  Photo by Steve Ognibene
Brenden Wescott sets up the offensive attack.  
Photo by Steve Ognibene
Nate Schildwaster looking for a rebound.  Photo by Steve Ognibene
Nate Schildwaster looking for a rebound.  
Photo by Steve Ognibene
Kendall player double teamed by Oakfield defenders.  Photo by Steve Ognibene
Kendall player double-teamed by Oakfield defenders.  
Photo by Steve Ognibene
Gavin Armbrewster shooting for two points.  Photo by Steve Ognibene
Gavin Armbrewster shooting for two points.  
Photo by Steve Ognibene
Hornets Varsity Cheerleaders halftime show center court.  Photo by Steve Ognibene
Hornets Varsity Cheerleaders halftime show center court.  
Photo by Steve Ognibene

Notre Dame beats Wheatland in Girls Basketball

By Howard B. Owens
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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.

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Batavia Girls outplayed Franklin in first half to run away with another win

By Steve Ognibene
Jamin MacDonald led the Lady Devils in points and rebounds to victory.  Photo by Steve Ognibene
Jamin MacDonald led the Lady Devils in points and rebounds to victory.  
Photo by Steve Ognibene

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

Karizma Wescott triple teamed by Franklin.  Photo by Steve Ognibene
Karizma Wescott triple-teamed by Franklin.  
Photo by Steve Ognibene
Anna Varland setting up a play.  Photo by Steve Ognibene
Anna Varland setting up a play.  
Photo by Steve Ognibene
Violet Lopez driving down the court.  Photo by Steve Ognibene
Violet Lopez driving down the court.  
Photo by Steve Ognibene
Isabella Walsh scoring two points for batavia.  Photo by Steve Ognibene
Isabella Walsh. 
Photo by Steve Ognibene
Erika Gibbs grabbing a loose ball.  Photo by Steve Ognibene
Erika Gibbs grabbing a loose ball.  
Photo by Steve Ognibene

Pembroke opens season by beating undefeated Byron-Bergen Bees

By Howard B. Owens
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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

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pembroke byron bergen basketball

Fourth quarter surge gives Irish 48-39 win over Trojans

By Howard B. Owens
notre dame girls basketball
Submitted photo.

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.”

Big offense, stingy defense helps Elba to 77-33 win in Albion

By Howard B. Owens
elba basketball

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.

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elba basketball

Bees top Barker in hoops 71-59

By Howard B. Owens
byron bergen basketball

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

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