Sports

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

By Mike Pettinella
Jan 19, 2017, 8:02am

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 63^rd 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 39^th 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 71^st 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
Jan 15, 2017, 5:07pm

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
Jan 15, 2017, 11:24am

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
Jan 13, 2017, 10:49pm

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
Jan 13, 2017, 7:46pm

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

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

By Howard B. Owens
Jan 13, 2017, 11:38am

There was a bigger crowd and more money raised than ever before by the Pembroke community in the Pembroke Girls Basketball Team's annual fundraiser for Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Shooting for a Cure, last night.

The event generated ~~$18,635.12~~ in donations, bringing the total raised since the annual event started in 2012 to more than $40,000. UPDATE: Officials have revised last night's figure to $19,085.12.

“These girls are the driving force behind this fundraiser and it’s become the identity of Pembroke Girls Basketball," said Coach Ron Funke.

The annual event was founded to support Funke's wife when she was diagnosed with cancer.

"(The event has) continued to grow each season," the coach said. "This season was one for the record books! We were able to raise over $18,000 and I’m speechless. The girls on this team are incredibly compassionate individuals and believe firmly in service over self.”

The players this year have also volunteered at the Carly’s Club Christmas party and also helped with the “Check Out Hunger” campaign at Tops Markets in Batavia.

Funke and the team will deliver the latest check to Rosewell today at 3 p.m.

“I have to say that the most meaningful part of Shooting for a Cure is always visiting Roswell to donate what’s been raised," Funke said. "The girls put their pink jerseys back on and travel to Roswell to present a check to hospital officials. Being there at the hospital, surrounded by people who are actually fighting their own battle against cancer never fails to inspire the girls. It’s a tangible reminder of how their efforts off the court are saving lives.”

DJ Jickster, of 97 Rock, a former Genesee County resident, was part of the opening ceremonies to help get the fans charged up.

A tradition during the half-time program is for Pembroke players to present flowers to cancer survivors. Mackenzie Jurek present a flower to Ann Bennett.

Ray Stoldt receives a flower from Aaron Brown. Stoldt is just out of treatment for throat cancer.

Part of the hallway activities was face painting.

The team presented a plaque to the family of Scott Humel, a former district employee, who succumbed to cancer during this past year.

In the basketball game, Notre Dame beat Pembroke, 33-27. For Pembroke, freshman MacKenzie Johnson had 12 points and Olivia Kohurst had nine. Margaret Sutherland led Notre Dame in scoring with 16 points. Callie McCulley had seven.

At halftime, winning tickets were pulled for several prizes. John Molnar won a bike.

To purchase prints of photos, click here.

Blue Devils defeat Canandaigua

By James Burns
Jan 12, 2017, 10:47am

Wednesday night the Batavia Blue Devils Boys Varsity Basketball (7-3) played a home game against the Canandaigua Braves (8-6). There was a lot of hustle from both teams early on in the game.

Canandaigua did a good job of moving the ball around on offense to create shooting opportunities by getting a man wide open for a two- or three-point jumper. Canandaigua led most of the first because of this ball movement on their offense. The game was tied at 10-10 at the end of one.

Going into the second quarter, Batavia’s defense started to figure out Canandaigua offense and made the time of possession a little more even, causing some turnovers on defense. At the half Batavia led 22-20.

The third quarter looked like a different game. Batavia’s defense continued to stop Canandaigua and their offense turned red hot. Half way through the third Batavia led by 10. At the end of three Batavia led 47 to 30. Batavia’s Naz Pratt #2, put the exclamation point on the quarter by hitting a nothing but net, at the buzzer, three-pointer from the other side of the court, he was almost in another ZIP code. It was a spectacular shot.

Batavia never lost control of the game in the fourth, but Canandaigua rallied a bit and put the pressure on slowly climbing out of their 17-point deficit to come within three points. Both teams increased their intensity for a hard played last few minutes with Batavia triumphing. Final score, Batavia 55 Canandaigua 49. Batavia’s double-digit scorers were Tee Sean Ayala with 20 and Antwon Odom with 12.

Le Roy finds tough match in Perry, #1 ranked Class C team in state

By Howard B. Owens
Jan 12, 2017, 8:33am

The Le Roy Boys Basketball Team had a tough assignment Wednesday night, traveling to Perry to play the undefeated Perry Yellowjackets, the #1 ranked Class C team in the state.

Perry combines size, speed, chemistry and scoring and though the Knights put up a fight, they were simply outmatched.

The Yellowjackets won 64-50, outscoring Le Roy in every quarter and holding the Knights to 12 or fewer points each quarter except the third, when Le Roy picked up 17 points (Perry scored 20).

Josh Laurie led Le Roy scoring with 18 points, hitting two three-point jumpers. Luke Stella had 16 points. Ryan Boyce and T.Y. Williams each had six.

For Perry, Tyler Cowie had 15 points, including two three-point buckets, Devon Mann, 14, and Austin Croll had 14. Owen Spencer added 10.

Le Roy tops Perry in girls hoops

By Howard B. Owens
Jan 11, 2017, 7:42am

Le Roy's Maddie Kiester sunk two key foul shots and Bryn Luckey hit the game winner at the end to give the Lady Knights a narrow victory over the Perry Yellowjackets in Le Roy last night, 49-47.

Luckey scored 13 points. Erin Cappotelli had nine, Ceci Tillson, eight along with 14 rebounds, and Ava Horgan added six.

For Perry, Rachel Evans had 18 points, Chelsea Pascoe, 11, and Diana Chisholm, 10.

Le Roy is now 5-5 on the year and Perry is 2-7.

Cal-Mum dominates in 2017 Rotary Tournament final to take title

By Howard B. Owens
Jan 7, 2017, 7:51am

Cal-Mum won the annual Rotary Basketball Tournament at Genesee Community College on Friday night with a 51-34 win over Notre Dame.

Gillian Flint of Cal-Mum was the tournament MVP. She scored 20 points in the final.

For Notre Dame, Callie McCulley scored 14 points and Natalie Thornton scored 11 points.

In the consolation game, Batavia beat Attica 61-55 in overtime. For the second game in a row, Ryann Stefaniak scored a season-best point total, after getting 26 on Wednesday; she scored 31 last night.

Stefaniak, along with Notre Dame's McCulley and Margaret Sutherland, were named to the All-Tournament Team.

To purchase prints, click here.

Notre Dame holds on to win against Attica in round 1 of Rotary Tournament

By James Burns
Jan 5, 2017, 10:26am

Notre Dame’s Lady Irish met Attica at Genesee Community College for the second game of the Batavia Rotary Club Girls Basketball Tournament. Coming into the game, Notre Dame was the favorite, but very quickly the game was in doubt for them as Attica came off the bench and started strong. By the end of the first quarter, Notre Dame had scored just two points on free throws and Attica led by 13 to 2.

The second quarter was not that much better, even though Notre Dame tripled the amount of points they scored in the first quarter. Half time began with a score of Notre Dame 6 Attica 17.

Notre Dame's Head Coach Tom McCulley had a short meeting with his team in the locker room and they returned to the court to get ready for the second half. Whatever he said must have been effective because Notre Dame quickly took control of the game at both ends of the court. They were able to score consistently and shut out Attica’s offense. At the end of three quarters, Notre Dame led 23 to 17.

Callie McCully (pictured above) led the scoring in the third for Notre Dame and continued the trend into the fourth quarter, ending the night with 15 points. Attica threatened to come back with a few nice plays but was not able to sustain a rally. Final score: Notre Dame 33 Attica 25.

Notre Dame moves on in the tournament to face Cal-Mum Friday. More pictures of the game are here.

For coverage of the Batavia -- Cal-Mum game, click here.

Fourth quarter rally not enough for Batavia in first game of Rotary Tournament

By Howard B. Owens
Jan 5, 2017, 10:24am

Ryann Stefaniak scored 26 points and Taylor Stefaniak added 15, but it wasn't enough to overcome an experienced an athletic Cal-Mum team in the opening round of the annual Rotary Tournament at GCC.

Cal-Mum moved to 8-1 with the 59-53 win.

Batavia drops to 2-8.

The Lady Devils rallied in the 4th quarter, closing a double-digit deficit and at one point pulling within three points of the Red Raiders. In that quarter, Ryann hit three three-pointers along with a pair of two-point goals and two free throws.

Taylor also hit a pair of threes in the 4th quarter. Melissa Mountain scored six and Bri Janes 6, including adding a three in that 24-point fourth quarter.

For Cal-Mum, Gillian Flint scored 19 points and Isabella Slocum had 13.

For coverage of the Notre Dame - Attica game, click here.

Medina standout presses on; GRUSBC Scratch Memorial event set for this weekend

By Mike Pettinella
Jan 5, 2017, 8:05am

The year 2016 was a year of numerous “highs” as well as the lowest of “lows” for Curtis Foss of Medina, unquestionably one of the best league and tournament bowlers in Western New York.

During the 12 months that dissolved into history at midnight last Saturday, the strapping 29-year-old right-hander rolled seven 300 games and two 800 series, cashed in numerous tournaments and averaged a Genesee Region USBC association-best 242 and 241 in two leagues at Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion.

He placed third at the Greater Buffalo USBC’s Obenauer Masters last May, losing only to two of the Queen City’s best bowlers -- touring professionals Ryan Ciminelli and John Szczerbinski.

It was a shining moment for Foss, who has won four Genesee Region USBC Masters titles since 2008, but it also turned out to be the last time that his father, Bob Foss Jr., had a chance to watch Curtis bowl.

The next day, Bob, the 2012 GRUSBC Masters champion, suffered a stroke. Less than five months later, he died at the age of 55.

Since then, Curtis has immersed himself into bowling more than ever – competing in leagues from Monday through Friday and in tournaments on the weekends -- as he struggles to deal with the loss of his dad and his best friend.

“I think about him every day. I’m just trying to get through each day,” Foss said. “He always was with me when we drove to tournaments. It’s been hard to get my mindset (in the right place). Dad was always there.”

Curtis has been splitting time between Genesee County and Florida over the past three months, subbing in leagues in Albion, Medina, Oakfield, Batavia, Lockport and Buffalo when not staying with friends in the Sunshine State.

Foss said he will be bowling in the Scott Whittier Memorial three-person no-tap tournament in Albion this Saturday and the GRUSBC Scratch Memorial singles tournament at Medina Lanes on Sunday, before heading to Florida on Jan. 17 for another month-long stay.

His plans there include competing in a PBA South Regional tournament in Tavares on Feb. 4.

“I’m bowling as much as I can,” said Foss, acknowledging that his father would have wanted it that way and that it keeps him from dwelling on his dad’s passing. “I plan to be back here to bowl in the (GRUSBC) Masters on February 11^th.”

He already has added to his list of 800 sets in 2017, having recorded 814 on Tuesday night (Jan. 3) at Allie Brandt Lanes in Lockport.

Foss now 25 perfect games and 15 800 series, and coupled with his tournament success, he may be in line to land an amateur staff position with Storm Bowling, since he uses only Storm and Roto-Grip (a division of Storm) bowling balls.

SCRATCH MEMORIAL SET FOR THIS WEEKEND IN MEDINA

Kevin Gray Jr. of Warsaw will be attempting to defend his title this weekend at the 63^rd GRUSBC Scratch Memorial Tournament at Medina Lanes. Gray is signed up for the first of four qualifying squads at 10 a.m. on Saturday.

Other qualifying squads (four games) are scheduled for 4 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Sunday, with one in five bowlers advancing to the four-game semifinals.

First place, based on 80 entries, is $1,000. For registration information, go to www.bowlgr.com to download an entry form.

(To see a list of other local tournaments this month, scroll down to the Dec. 22 Pin Points column on this page).

‘BEAT THE CHAMP’ RECAP: GRAVANDA WINS TWO MATCHES

Just as fellow Batavian Rich Wagner did before him, veteran bowler Fred Gravanda won two of his three matches on the “Beat The Champ” TV show, a regular weekend feature of WBBZ-TV (MeTV) out of Buffalo.

In the show from Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia that aired on Dec. 24, Gravanda defeated John Danielwicz of Sanborn, 247-224, and Paul Tatone of St. Catharines, Ontario, 246-197, before falling to George Szczublewski of West Seneca, 258-215. The 66-year-old right-hander earned $250 for his effort.

On the final show from Mancuso’s that aired on Dec. 31, the duo of Frank Jarkiewicz of Byron and Laurie Morgante of Bergen captured a mixed doubles event by defeating the brother and sister team of Chris and Jennifer Bardol of Rochester in the title match. Other competitors were the husband and wife duos of Rich and Jen Wagner, and Mark and Penny Brown.

HONOR SCORES UPDATE: HURLBURT 803; ALLIS, HANKS 300

Shawn Hurlburt of Freedom rolled 803 – his first USBC-certified 800 series -- on Dec. 22 in the Thursday Nite Intertown League at Letchworth Pines in Portageville. His games on lanes 3-4 were 245-279-279.

Hurlburt, a 40-year-old right-hander who works for Bliss Machine in Arcade, said he used a Track Hx05 ball, spotting around the second arrow, to consistently hit the pocket. After the opening 245, he left only a 10-pin in the sixth frame of game two and another 10-pin in the ninth frame of game three.

Hurlburt said he was calm – until the final two shots.

“I was definitely nervous on the 11^th ball because I knew I needed that one,” he said. “But I threw it good. On the last ball, it went Brooklyn (crossing to the left of the 1-3 pocket), but they all went down.”

Hurlburt is averaging 213 in the league, which consist of five-person teams. He said he is choosing a ring as his award from the United States Bowling Congress.

He has three children, including Karson, a ninth-grader who bowls for the Pioneer Central School team.

On Dec. 22, Robbie Hanks registered a 300 game on lanes 7-8 at Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion. Previously, the son of proprietor Randy Hanks notched an 800 series in a summer league on May 19.

And on Dec. 28, Scott Allis of Medina recorded a 300 game en route to a 740 series in the Wednesday Community League at Medina Lanes. Allis has been red-hot this season, shooting an 811 on Sept. 14 and a 290 game on Oct. 27.

SCOPANO’S TEAM MOVES TO TOP OF YOUTH TRAVEL LEAGUE

A 15-5 victory over Batavia Strike Force propelled the Scopano’s I team into first place at the halfway point of the Genesee Region Youth Travel League.

Mason Cadieux’s 521 series sparked the Oakfield foursome to the win in Dec. 18 action at Mancuso Bowling Center. Cadieux’s series with handicap was 761, which is high for the season.

The league resumes competition at 1 p.m. this Sunday at Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen.

Scopano’s I holds a 5.5 point lead over Strike Force, with Perry Bowling Center another 10 points back in the 12-team league.

Individually, Matt Hurlburt of Perry led the way with a 210 game and 575 series for the boys, while Emma Miller of Batavia X-Factor rolled a 190 game and 466 series to lead the girls.

(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).

Notre Dame HS to host hoops extravaganza honoring Coach Mike Rapone on Jan. 28

By Billie Owens
Jan 4, 2017, 12:23pm

Press release:

Saturday, Jan. 28^th will be all about basketball at Notre Dame High School.

All four basketball teams will play against Le Roy, starting with the JV Girls team at noon, followed by the JV Boys team at 1:30 p.m. Varsity teams tip off at 5 p.m. with the girls' game followed by a ceremony around 6:30 p.m. honoring Coach Mike Rapone, Section V Basketball Hall of Famer and winningest coach in Section V Boys’ Basketball history. Then Coach Rapone and the Boys Varsity team take the court at 7 p.m.

A tour of the renovated school is scheduled for 4 p.m. and there will be a gathering after the Boys Varsity game in the cafeteria to congratulate Mike.

Coach Rapone was inducted into the Section V Basketball Hall of Fame in November, 2016. He has led Notre Dame Basketball to an incredible 30 Genesee Region League Basketball Championships, capturing nine Section V titles, six Far West Regional Championships and two New York State Championships. He has been honored as Section V Coach of the Year three times and Genesee Region Coach of the Year four times.

Rotary Tournament starts tonight at GCC

By Howard B. Owens
Jan 4, 2017, 8:26am

Notre Dame's Hannah Bowen, Gillian Flint, Cal-Mum, Emily Weber, Attica, and Melissa Mountain, Batavia, are all ready for the annual Rotary Basketball Tournament, which tips off tonight at Genesee Community College at 6 p.m.

Notre Dame's Head Coach Tom McCulley, pictured below, said the annual tournament is a great showcase for girls' basketball.

"It's a great atmosphere," he said.

Marty Hein, Batavia's head coach, said he and his players always look forward to the tournament.

"It’s just nice to do it right here at GCC," Hein said. "Big gym, big floor, big crowd. It’s just a good time."

Batavia enters the tournament at 2-7, Notre Dame is 4-2, Attica is 4-4 and Cal-Mum is 7-1.

Allis rolls 300 in Medina; Luce family shines in Bergen

By Mike Pettinella
Jan 3, 2017, 8:57am

A 300 game by Medina's Scott Allis and three big series by members of the Luce family at Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen highlighted last week's league bowling action around the Genesee Region.

Click on the Pin Points tab at the top of this page to see all the high scores, and watch for another Pin Points bowling column by Mike Pettinella on Thursday of this week.

O-A's Cole O'Donnell named region's boys cross country runner of the year

By Howard B. Owens
Dec 31, 2016, 4:53pm

Submitted by Peter Beuler from Oakfield-Alabama High School.

Junior Cole O'Donnell has been named the 2016 Genesee Region League Male Cross-Country Runner of the Year.

Cole is a two-time Genesee - Livingston League Cross-Country All-Star and a one-time Genesee Region League Track and Field All-Star. He helped lead his team to their fourth consecutive division championship and the program's first sectional championship since 2008 this fall.

At Sectionals, he finished fifth and came in 28th place out of 122 runners at the State Meet.

Batavia tops Notre Dame to take another Lions' title

By Howard B. Owens
Dec 30, 2016, 2:41pm

In a game that was never really close, the Batavia Blue Devils won the annual Lions Tournament at GCC, beating the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, 60-29.

Tee Sean Ayala scored 19, despite a cold hand in the first half. He hit four three-pointers over the course of the game.

Antwan Odom, the tournament MVP, scored 14. He hit three threes.

It was another big game for Notre Dame's Ryan Moffat, who hit three threes on his way to 15 points.

Mancuso Bowling Center hosts Liberty Partnership outing

By Mike Pettinella
Dec 29, 2016, 2:07pm

About 50 students from Batavia High School, Batavia Middle School, Byron-Bergen Central School, Albion Central School and Medina Central School took part in a recreational field trip this afternoon (Thursday) at Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia. They participated in the Liberty Partnership Program, which is coordinated by Genesee Community College in conjunction with the NYS Department of Education.

Mary Ann Bowman, program director, said the outing provided an opportunity to "keep the students connected" while school is in recess. The students bowled two or three games and enjoyed pizza and pop during their time at the East Main Street facility.

The Liberty Partnership Program, in its 28th year, provides service to students in public and non-public schools grades five through 12 in an effort to maximize high school graduation and to encourage them to pursue higher education or post-secondary vocational training.

The Program promotes collaboration between colleges and universities, community based organizations, school districts, parents, volunteers, businesses and industry in providing comprehensive services for students to enter the workforce prepared with the necessary skills to be successful.

Liberty Partnership provides the following services: Academic/Personal Advisement, Homework Assistance, Career Awareness, Cultural and Enrichment Activities, Family Casework, Mentoring, Home Visits, Parental Involvement, Service Learning Projects/Civic Duty, Preparedness and College Tours and Summer Programming.

Photos -- From the top: Batavia High School students; Novalee Pocock, B-B fifth-grader; Batavia Middle School students with caseworker Kristen Calarco-Gomez; Jayden Doyle, B-B eighth-grader.

Section V reverses decision on hockey players

By Howard B. Owens
Dec 28, 2016, 12:53pm

Press release from Notre Dame High School:

“After considering the information presented to the Section V Executive Committee at the administrative hearing held on Dec. 19, the Executive Committee has ruled that there has been no violation of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (“NYSPHSAA”) sport standard #24 -- RECRUITMENT AND UNDUE INFLUENCE by Notre Dame of Batavia High School.”

Notre Dame is relieved for these three students, their families, and our hockey coach, Mr. Marc Staley.

It was unfortunate that our students, families, and staff, had to face these unfounded allegations of wrongdoing. Whether in the classroom, on the ice, or through community service, Notre Dame remains committed to instilling in our students the faith, knowledge, and confidence they will need to succeed in an ever-changing world. We are thankful for the thoughtful deliberation and time the Section V Executive Committee gave Notre Dame in making this decision.

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