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Coach Pero honored prior to Notre Dame girls basketball game

By Howard B. Owens

Former players, such as Laurie Call, above, and his son, Dave Pero Jr., paid tribute Friday night to Notre Dame girls head basketball Coach Dave Pero Sr. prior to the team's game against Holly.

Pero hasn't announced his retirement, but there's a suspicion that this will be his final season, so Pero Jr., wanted to have a ceremony to honor his father, whose teams have won four sectional titles and a state championship.

Pero said he hasn't decided whether to return next season. Right now, he's focused on getting his team through another postseason, which starts in a couple of weeks. "Whatever I decide, it will be best for everybody involved," he said.

Redband sets new school mark for single-game scoring as Batavia rolls over Irondequoit 71-49

By Howard B. Owens

A 10-2 team, a 9-1 team, expectations were high going into Friday night's matchup of Batavia and Irondequoit for an exciting game.

But fans got a different kind of thrill as the Blue Devil's leading scorer topped all of his previous bests and set a new school record with 51 points in the game as Batavia dusted Irondequoit 71-49.

The previous single-game scoring record for Batavia was set by Tom Hoitink at 45 in 1965.

Batavia led wire-to-wire, making the game a bit of a snoozer but for Redband's heroics.

Redband recorded a double-double, pulling down 14 rebounds to go with his 51 points. He was an astonishing 15-15 from the foul line and made six of his 12 three-point attempts. On field goals, he was 15-16. He also blocked a shot, had three steals and three assists.

No other Batavia player was in double digits in any other offensive or defensive category.

Jared Laskett hit three three-pointers to finish with nine points on the night. 

The win makes the Blue Devils 11-2 on the season.

Just in case this is his last season as head coach, Dave Pero to be honored before tomorrow's game

By Howard B. Owens

Notre Dame's Dave Pero will be honored before tomorrow night's girls basketball game against Holley.

Several former players will be on hand to speak and share their thoughts on how Pero helped influence them and shape their lives.

If this sounds like a swan song event for the Fighting Irish coach, it just might be. Then again, maybe not.

Pero hasn't announced any retirement plans but his son, Dave Pero Jr., is thinking that once the season is over, the elder Pero just might call it a career.

"It's not guaranteed he's going to resign, but if I had to put a dollar on it, I would say it's his last year," Pero Jr. said.

Given that hunch, the assistant coach wanted to be sure his father got a proper send-off. The Friday game seems like the best time to do it with only two home games left on the schedule -- a weekday game, which former players who are in college wouldn't be able to attend, and then senior night, and on that night a farewell to the coach would take the spotlight away from the players.

Pero became head coach at the start of the 2002-03 season. His teams have notched eight five league titles, a state title (in 2013) and sectional titles in 2003, 2006 (the team lost the state title game that year), 2007 and 2013.

A logical choice of successor for Pero Sr., is Pero Jr., who said he's obviously interested in the job, but that's a decision for the Notre Dame Board, not to mention his wife, who he would ask to bless any such assignment.

UPDATE: More on Pero's record:  He is currently 234-51, and 101-12 at home. His teams have a postseason record of 34-11.  

Batavia beats Lackawanna 73-32

By Howard B. Owens

With an offense that distributed the points a bit, the Batavia Blue Devils beat Lackawanna on Tuesday night in a non-league game, 73-32.

As usual, Jeff Redband led the team in scoring, this time with 20 points.  Mmalachi Chenault had 13, Jarred Lasket, 9, Ryan Hogan, 8 and James Schrider, 8.

Redband added eight rebounds and three assists and had a blocked shot. 

Batavia was 46.4 percent from the field and 81.2 percent on free throws.

Batavia is now 10-2 on the season.

Cougars roll to conference win over Jamestown-Olean

By Andrew Crofts

Tuesday night marked the fifth time this season that the Genesee Community College men's basketball team eclipsed the 100-point mark. The Cougars rolled to a 110-85 Western New York Athletic Conference (WNYAC) victory over visiting Jamestown Community College-Olean to improve to 3-2 in conference play, the first time GCC has been above .500 in WNYAC play this season.

Ervin Mitchell led four Cougars in double figures with a game-high 35 points. Mitchell was 15-19 from the field in the game and scored 23 points in the first half alone.

Genesee raced out to a 15-point lead midway through the first but the Jaguars hung tough and got to within seven late in the period. The Cougars went into the half on a 7-2 run and led 55-43 at the break.

Naquil Jones scored 10 of his 16 points in the second half and Devante Carolina added nine in the frame, 18 overall, to help the Cougars put the game out of reach.

Genesee out-rebounded JCC-Olean 52-20 and shot better than 59-percent from the floor. Mitchell also grabbed 10 rebounds to record a double-double and Rahsaan Williams finished with a double-double as well with 12 rebounds and 10 points. Devante Carolina added 18 points and six rebounds; Jones led GCC in assists with six and Tre'Shaun Perry chipped in nine points and four assists.

Genesee (15-4, 3-2) will play its second of four scheduled games this week on Thursday at Niagara County Community College. Tip-off is set for 7:30pm.

(GCC's Ervin Mitchell (#0) and Naquil Jones (#12) celebrate after a Mitchell basket in the 2nd half of Tuesday night's game against JCC-Olean)

Knights bid retiring coaches a farewell at annual dinner

By Howard B. Owens

Jim Bonacquisti roasted retiring Le Roy football coaches Andrew Paladino and Brian Moran at the team's annual post-season dinner Sunday at the Stafford Fire Hall.

Paladino spent 30 years as the Oatkan Knights' defensive coordinator. Moran was the head coach for 26 seasons and retired with 203 wins, a state championship and 14 sectional titles.

The other coaches presented Paladino and Moran with rocking chairs.

JV Assistant Coach Jeff Condidorio was presented with a signed football by Moran. Condidorio is retiring after nearly 40 years with the football program.

Moran called each player to the podium and spoke briefly about their season and their career with the team. The seniors each received a miniature, mounted football helmet with their numbers on it. Here he's with QB Mike McMullen.

A slide show of more pictures will be posted later.

Bantam Empire Earns a Win in a Rough and Tumble Game Against Perinton

By Jill Franclemont
Batavia Ramparts (Bantam Empire) vs. Perinton Youth Hockey (Bantam 2)
 
Saturday, January 24, 8:10pm at Falletti Ice Rink in Batavia
 
Final score: 6-2 Batavia
 
Batavia Goals: Matt Saj, assist Aidan Franclemont; Tom Mellon, assist Shane McClurg; Nick Baumler; Matt Saj, assist Shane McClurg; Tom Mellon, assist Nathan Hamilton & James Reardon; Nick Baumler, assist James Reardon & Colin Hunt
 
Goalie: Mitchel Pangrazio
 
Team sponsor: Clark Patterson Lee - Design Professionals

Le Roy beats Warsaw in girls hoops, 47-32

By Howard B. Owens

A 15-point second quarter built on a foundation of pressure defense helped Le Roy pull away from Warsaw on Friday night in a girls hoops matchup.

The first quarter ended in a 9-9 tie, but a series of steals and pressured double-dribbles and travels gave the Knights extra scoring chances.

"That was probably the best defense we played all year," said Head Coach Brian Herdlein.

Herdlein added that his girls staying out of foul trouble also helped move the Knights to a 4-9 record.

The result was a 47-32 victory.

Erin Cappotelli and Kayla Heimlich scored 10 points each for Le Roy, Paige Biggins, nine, and Ava Vescovi, eight.

For Warsaw, Abbey Monahan had 10 points, Ashton Babbit had nine and Tammi Rutherford, six.

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Girls' Summer Softball League Registration Opens Soon!

By Jill Franclemont

          TONAWANDA VALLEY YOUNG LADIES FAST PITCH SOFTBALL

To parents and girls aged 7-16: 

We offer an instructional/recreational program that plays fast pitch softball.   We are based in Batavia but open to any young lady in and around Genesee County.  We teach the basics of pitching, hitting, and fielding and most of our coaches are parents themselves with many years of experience.  Sportsmanship and courtesy are our prime values as we try to teach self-esteem but also team play/spirit as our ladies come from many backgrounds.  Our home field is Lions Park located on Edward Street in Batavia across from the VFW Post.  Past participants have been  teams from Elba, Byron-Bergen, Pembroke, and Oakfield  as well as some ladies from Alexander, Stafford, and Leroy.

The majority of our games are played in Batavia with a few road games within 10-20 minutes of Batavia.  Our season begins on or about Memorial Day and usually is completed by mid-July.  Our age groups, 7-9 and 10-12, will begin after Memorial Day and our age group 13-16 on or about June 5.  If a young lady is 12 and in the 7th grade it is best that she play with our 13-15 age group, since this is the modified-level age group.  Many of the modified, JV, and even varsity softball plays at all our local schools have played in our league.   We are exploring a team of participants ages 16-19 with most games being played in Bergen.

If you would like to pursue registration, please call me at 585/344-0481.  We are currently registering last year’s participants and are taking new inquiries.  Open registration will be held at the Batavia City Centre FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27:  6:00 - 8:00 P.M. and SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28:  10:30 A.M. - 3:00 P.M.   However, you can apply at this time, saving you a trip to that registration.  We have no geographic limitations for participants.

Please do not hesitate to call me with any questions about our program.

Yours in softball,

John Arent, President & Commissioner

Boys Hoops: Batavia crushes Hornell 71-31

By Howard B. Owens

Jeff Redband scored 38 points to help the Batavia Blue Devils to a 71-31 victory over Hornell on Wednesday night.

Trevor Sherwood posted 10 points and led the team in assists with five.

The Blue Devils shot nearly 50 percent from the field and made 58 percent of its three point attempts.

Alexander wrestlers take third at Hilton tournament

By Howard B. Owens

Photo and article submitted by Andrea Aldinger.

After two days of solid wrestling, the Alexander Trojans took an impressive third-place finish with 196 points – while missing two of their better wrestlers – Dane Heberlein (113 lbs.) and Nick Gaiser (126 lbs.). Both competed in the prestigious Eastern States Tournament the weekend before, making the podium with a fourth-place and a sixth-place finish, respectively, at the Clayton Barnard Wrestling Tournament in Hilton over the weekend. Lyndonville grabbed second place with 233 points and the home team, Hilton, took first place easily with 330 points.

Genesee Region wrestlers really stepped it up with four Alexander Wrestlers in the finals – Nick Young (99 lbs.), Mitchell Gordon (120 lbs.), Dylan Raffell (138 lbs.) and Matty Gaiser (152 lbs.) -- and three from Byron-Bergen -- Alan White (126 lbs.), Hunter Taylor (145 lbs.), and Luke Thompson (195 lbs.). There were four Lyndonville wrestlers: Jeff Gress (106 lbs.), Garren Bayne (113 lbs.), Tom Follman (152 lbs.), and Dawson Joy (182 lbs.). Young, Raffell, Gaiser, White and Gress all took the Championship.

Leading up to the championship round there were some exciting matches. 

At 99 pounds, Nick Young (Alexander) upset Tyler Mitchell (Spencerport) with a 13 – 3 win. Tyler McCleod (Alexander) beat Steven Underhill (Byron Bergen) 8 – 5 for a fourth-place finish. Daylon Swearingen (126 lbs.) -- the lone Attica wrestler, beat Anthony Miraglia (Byron-Bergen) with a 7 – 4 decision for third place. Tristan Aldinger (132 lbs., Alexander) fought off Lyndonville’s Dustin Hinckley with a 3 – 1 decision to take third place. 

A few other notable matches were Chris McDonald (138 lbs., Lyndonville) pinned Jack Borelli (Greece) in :38 seconds to take third place. At 152 pounds, Alexander’s Alex Hadsall had a close win 11 – 9 vs. Will Thompson (Byron-Bergen). Danny Komitch (Byron-Bergen) had an impressive win over Devon Joy (Lyndonville) with a 4 – 3 decision getting a third-place finish. Derrick Busch (Alexander) won by decision over John Kil (Brighton) to take finish third.

Nationall-ranked Monroe sweeps Genesee

By Andrew Crofts

In a battle of nationally-ranked teams, the No. 10 Monroe Community College men's basketball team outlasted No. 16 Genesee Community College on Saturday afternoon, 68-66.

The Cougars jumped in front early, scoring the first seven points of the game. Freshman Joshua Doughty was responsible for five of the seven, connecting on a 3-point basket and adding a layup.

Monroe quickly closed the gap and held the lead late in the first half before GCC ended the frame on a 7-2 run to take a 35-32 advantage into the break.

The Tribunes began the second half on a 6-2 stretch and took back the lead, not allowing it back to Genesee the remainder of the afternoon.

The Cougars were able tie the game at 51 apiece with just under eight-minutes to play, but MCC responded by going on a 9-0 run to regain momentum.

Down six with under two-minutes to play, Doughty got GCC back to within three after connecting on his second 3-point basket of the afternoon and after a defensive stop, Ervin Mitchell hit one of two free-throws to make it a 66-64 game with under a minute to go. The Cougars again came away with a defensive hold and Didier Antoine notched the game at 66 apiece with a layup with 19-seconds on the clock.

After an MCC timeout, the Tribunes looked to Anthony Hemmingway who connected on a jumper with 2.3 seconds left to put MCC in front 68-66. A last second look for GCC was unsuccessful, and Monroe sent Genesee to its second Western New York Athletic Conference (WNYAC) loss of the season.

Naquil Jones scored a team-high 14 points for GCC, Mitchell added 13 points and six boards, Antoine finished with 11 points and seven rebounds and Doughty added nine points and eight rebounds.

Genesee falls to 1-2 in conference play and 13-4 overall on the season. The Cougars will return to action on the road on Jan. 22 at Erie Community College. Start time is set for 7:30 p.m.

 

The No. 6 Monroe Community College women's basketball team was too much for Genesee to handle on Saturday afternoon as the Tribunes powered their way to a 96-36 Western New York Athletic Conference (WNYAC) win at GCC.

The Cougars were led in scoring by Breana Gleaton who finished with seven points. Shanell Glover and Thais Matté each added six and Glover also grabbed six rebounds.

Monroe was successful on half of its shots from the field in the game and was plus-22 in rebounding.

GCC committed 26 turnovers and shot just better than 21-percent from the floor.

Genesee (0-3, 9-7) has now lost three straight and the Cougars will take the floor again on Jan. 22 at Erie Community College. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

Tiara Filbert crafts first millennial career for Lady Devils

By Howard B. Owens

With a free throw in the second quarter against Greece-Arcadia, junior guard Tiara Filbert became -- school officials believe -- the first person wearing Lady Devils' blue to score 1,000 career points.

After Filbert hit her shot, play was stopped briefly as fans held up placards stamped "1000" and Filbert's teammates rushed to congratulate her. Her mother then came down from the stands (top photo) and Filbert ran over to her and they embraced.  

Head Coach Marty Hein then presented Filbert with a commemorative plaque. 

Filbert is a special player, Hein said.

"For me, as a coach, to be a part of something like this, with somebody who works so hard at her game, at her craft, is just outstanding," Hein said.

As near as school officials can figure out from available records, Filbert is the first girls player to reach the millennial mark.

Filbert, Hein said, has the heart of a champion.

"The only person who can beat Tiara Filbert is Tiara Filbert," Hein said.

Filbert finished the night with 13 points and 16 rebounds. Batavia won 48-27.

Filbert came into the game needing five points to reach 1,000. Here she scores points three and four.

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No. 16 Cougars pull away from Thudnerwolves; Slow start sinks women

By Andrew Crofts

The 16th ranked GCC men's basketball team shot better than 56-percent to drop visiting Niagara County Community College on Thursday night and improve to 1-1 in Western New York Athletic Conference (WNYAC) play.

The Cougars and Thunderwolves went back-and-forth in the first half with neither team holding a lead higher than four. Ervin Mitchell scored 12 of his game-high 26 points in the opening half and was the only scorer to reach double figures during the first 20-minutes. Both teams went into the break tied at 40 apiece.

Trailing 59-58 midway through the second, Genesee went on an 8-0 run to take the lead and the Cougars did not trail again. GCC led by as much as 17 and went on to win, 98-84.

Naquil Jones finished with 25 points, seven rebounds and three assists, Jason Perry Murray recorded a double-double with 15 points and 11 boards, Joshua Doughty added 16 points and eight assists and Mitchell also grabbed six rebounds.

Genesee (13-3, 1-1) snaps a two-game losing streak with the win and the Cougars will return to action at home on Saturday at 3 p.m. against No. 10 Monroe Community College.

(Naquil Jones (white) eyes up his defender in Thursday night’s win over Niagara County CC. Jones finished with 25 points and seven rebounds for the #16 Cougars)

 

 

The Genesee Community College women's basketball team started off 6-31 in the first half of Thursday night's Western New York Athletic Conference (WNYAC) showdown with No. 20 Niagara County Community College, and fell to 0-2 in conference play after a 68-49 loss to the visiting Thunderwolves.

The Cougars gave up a 12-0 run early in the opening period to fall behind 22-8 and managed only 18 total points in the first half.

Terra Clanton led GCC with 10 points, all 10 of which came in the second half. Breana Gleaton finished with 10 rebounds and eight points, Hillary Rivera added nine points and six boards and Tekia Gary grabbed six rebounds and finished with four points.

Genesee (9-6, 0-2) connected on just two of 16 three point attempts on the night and committed 17 turnovers in the loss. The Cougars will return to action at home on Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. against No. 6 Monroe Community College.

Athletes looking to improve performance can get an edge at new facility in Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

Getting young athletes ready to compete at a higher level is one of the primary missions of Athletes Edge, a new training facility on East Main Street, co-owned and operated by Ben Buchholz.

Buchholz is a coach with Batavia High's football and baseball programs and he said what he's seeing today is local schools squaring off against Monroe County schools, and those athletes have taken on more challenging training routines during the off-season.

It's no longer enough just to show up on the first day of practice and expect to be ready to go. Young athletes need to train during the off-season.

"We're falling behind what we have to do to help us get better in every aspect of sports," Buchholz said. "We need to do more off-season stuff and this gives kids a chance to really get in here and do it. Now a lot of kids are doing a lot more off-season work and it shows in season. To compete, you've got to do it because everybody else is doing it."

The Blue Devils' deep run in post-season football is an example of how good off-season training can pay off, Buchholz said.

When you walk into Athletes Edge, if you're expecting a gym, you'll be struck by what you don't see. There are no weight benches, universal machines, dumbbells or barbells.

Modern athlete training is no longer about just pushing around heavy slabs of cast iron.

It's about speed, agility and stamina, and that's where Buchholz puts the emphasis.

The training tools at Athletes Edge involve boxes and stretch bands, but much of what is taught and trained is about body weight.

Plyometric workouts, which involve body weight and explosive movements, are a big part now of even the most elite athlete's daily routine.

"It's getting away from lifting huge heavy weights and getting into more athletic movement with strength," Buchholz said.

The facility's batting cage and pitcher's mound might leave the impression on a visitor that there is an emphasis at Athletes Edge on baseball, and that wouldn't be an incorrect perception, but the facility and training is open to all athletes and all sports. Notre Dame hockey, for example, is considering a team training session, Buchholz said.

Le Roy and Alexander's baseball teams have both already been in for a session since the business opened a month ago.

There's training available, also, for younger athletes. Athletes Edge is sponsoring travel baseball teams for youths from 8 and under to 12 years old.

Buchholz also hosts group events, such as birthday parties for youths. Those events might involve activities such as dodgeball or kickball or other activities.

"Whatever parents want to do, we set it up and just roll with it," Buchholz said.

Athletes Edge is located at 214 E. Main St., Suite #3, Batavia. The phone number is (585) 356-5995. The business is co-owned by Sam Antinore.

Photos: Batavia beats Notre Dame in hockey, 4-2

By Howard B. Owens

In the second meeting of the year, with another to come, Batavia beat Notre Dame at Falleti Ice Arena, 4-2.

The win evens the season series at 1-1 and improves the Ice Devils record to 4-4-1.

Aaron Feary scored two goals; Cameron Ells had one and two assists for Batavia/Alexander, with Bryce Polito getting an empty-net goal in the closing seconds of the game.

Reid Rademacker gave Notre Dame an early 1-0 lead and Devin Grimshaw scored with eight seconds left.

James Cryer had 15 saves for Batavia and Ethan Conrad had 25 for the Fighting Irish.

The Irish are now 4-8 on the season.

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Batavia Bantam Empire Triumphs Over Monroe County - North (2)

By Jill Franclemont
Batavia Ramparts (Bantam Empire) vs. Monroe County Youth Hockey - North (Bantam 2)
 
Saturday, January 10, 8:10pm at Falletti Ice Rink in Batavia
 
Final score: 4-1 Batavia
 
Batavia Goals: James Reardon, assist Eve Murray & Matt Saj; Tom Mellon, assist Scott Tanner; Scott Tanner, assist Nate Hamilton & Issak Ward; Matt Saj, assist James Reardon & Nick Baumler
 
Goalie: Chris Klein
 
Team sponsor: Clark Patterson Lee - Design Professionals

Batavia wins defensive battle to wrest Rotary trophy from Notre Dame

By Howard B. Owens

In an effort to defeat Batavia's anticipated press in the Rotary Tournament championship game Thursday night, Dave Pero gave his girls a great plan -- quick passes down court to open shooters.

The Fighting Irish got a lot of open shot opportunities in the first half of the game. The part of the plan that didn't work is that too few baskets went through the hoop.

In the end, the Blue Devils prevailed in the defensive battle of rivals, 41-33.

"A game like this is great for us come sectional time," said Notre Dame Head Coach Dave Pero. "We're not going to see a team in our sectional bracket that presses like Batavia, so it's a great lesson we learned tonight of how to handle it."

Pero thought his team handled it pretty well, even mounting a bit of a comeback in the 4th quarter that had to make Batavia supporters a little nervous, but Batavia answered and held off the Fighting Irish charge to avenge defeats in the previous two Rotary tournaments.

"These guys hate me at practice, as hard as we run, but there's a reason," said Marty Hein, Batavia's head coach. "In the second half, and we don't turn the ball over any worse than we do in first half, but we seem to force more in the second half than anybody else. I think that gives us an edge."

Hein tightened his defense during half time, putting more pressure on Notre Dame at half court, which took away passing lanes and made it harder for offensive players to get behind his defenders. It created more turnovers.

Pero said his team was ready and primed for this game, but Batavia just did a little bit better.

"We had a great practice yesterday, perhaps one of the best practices we've had," Pero said. "Did we do a lot with the basketball? We did a little bit. We did a lot of talking. The girls were upbeat. They were responsive. When we got to the locker room upstairs, they were focused. When you get girls that are focused, a team like that, I don't care if they're boys or girls, win or lose, that's when you've got to give them credit for the way they prepared. They were awesome. They were ready for what they were going to give us, we just fell short. Next week is another week."

Hein said he and his team thought they were going to do a lot better.

"We're a little down, because we thought we should play better, myself included, but that's just a credit to them and their coach," Hein said.

Tiara Filbert, Batavia, was tournament MVP and scored 22 points Thursday. No other Blue Devil got into double figures. Essence Williams scored eight.

Shea Norton led Notre Dame with 10 points. Taylor DiMartino and Emma Francis each had eight.

(Filbert and Norton in the top photo)

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Genesee County football players honored in All-State awards

By Howard B. Owens

The following players were honored for their 2014 season in the New York Sportswriters Association All-State awards.

  • Dom Mogavero, linebacker, Batavia, First Team, Class B
  • Tom Kelso, linebacker, LeRoy First Team Class C.
  • Greg Mruczek, quarterback, Batavia, Second Team, Class B
  • Mike McMullen, quarterback, Le Roy, Second Team, Class C
  • Steele Truax, linebacker, Elba/Byron-Bergen, Second Team, Class C
  • Honorable mentions in Class D: Josh Johnson, Notre Dame; Tyler Laird, Alexander; Zach Shivlock, Alexander; Allen Chatt, Oakfield-Alabama

UPDATED to include Tom Kelso. who was inadvertantly left out of the original post. Apologies to the Kelso family.

Batavia and Notre Dame advance to finals in Rotary Tournament at GCC

By Howard B. Owens

Outside the GCC gym last night, the weather was pretty sloppy, but not as sloppy as the basketball game going on inside.

In the second game of the annual Rotary tournament, matching Notre Dame and Alexander, there were turnovers and missed shots and refs who were seemingly calling an inordinate number of traveling penalties and questionable jump balls. 

The final score was 37-22.

"It's was a sloppy game," said Dave Pero, Fighting Irish head coach. "What more can I tell you. It was just a sloppy game."

Pero knows he'll need a better performance out of his girls Thrusday night when they take on the Lady Blue Devils in the tournament championship.

Batavia beat Midlakes 55-32 in the tournament opener.

Notre Dame has taken the previous two Rotary Tournament finals against Batavia, and both coaches said they're ready to lock horns again.

"They'll throw out all the stops and we'll be ready and they'll be ready and it should be fun," Pero said. "I like our chances, but we can't play like we did tonight. But Thursday's another night."

Give the Lady Trojans credit, they pushed hard on defense and even with a team of girls with perhaps an average height of maybe about 5' 4", they managed to pull down quite a few rebounds against a team with three starters over six foot.  In the first half, nearly every trip down the court resulted in numerous second and third chance tries at baskets.  

Unfortunately for Alexander, nothing fell.

"It'ss been like that all year," said Alexander's head coach, Marcia Hirsch. "Our defense has been so good, but we just haven't been able to score."

The loss puts the Lady Trojans, who've managed as many as 50 points just twice this season, at 4-4.

Alexander applied pressure to Notre Dame at half court with some success, but on those rare possessions that resulted in a basket for the Trojans, they used a full court press and Notre Dame seemed out of rhythm all night.

That's pretty much the kind of defense the Irish will see when they meet Batavia in the championship game.

Head Coach Marty Hein said the Blue Devils will use pressure and the team's deep bench to compensate for Notre Dame's height advantage.

“We talked about trying to make that our identity,” Hein said. “We’re not a big team but we’ve got depth this year, so we run, run, run and press. We’re doing it for 32 minutes if we have to do it for 32 minutes.”

Both Alexander and Notre Dame suffered key injuries that disrupted their offenses.  Brett Stephens suffered an ankle injury crumpled to the court in the second quarter. A possession or two later, Emily McCracken fell down in the same exact spot.  Both are being evaluated and are considered day-to-day.

For Batavia, Essence Williams notched a double-double with a game-high 15 points and 11 rebounds, Tiara Filbert added 14 points, eight rebounds, six assists and five steals. Sam Cecere, recently returned from an injury, scored nine points and added seven rebounds.

Shea Norton and Rebecca Krenzer led the Notre Dame attack, both with double-doubles. Norton had 14 points and 17 rebounds along with four blocks and four assists. Krenzer scored 12 points and grabbed 13 rebounds.

For Alexander, Sydney Breton had seven points and five rebounds. Jayna Wright scored four points and had five rebounds, while Karli Phillips grabbed five rebounds.

Both Pero and Hein expect a tough, competitive game Thursday night in the final at GCC.

"It should be fun," Pero said.

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