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Pembroke Girls Basketball Team will be 'Shooting for a Cure' Jan. 25

By Billie Owens

Submitted photo and press release:

During the last six seasons, the Pembroke High School Girls’ Basketball Team has focused on winning—not just league games, but the battle against breast cancer. It’s a cause that is personal to the team and their school district because of the number of faculty and community members who have been affected by the disease.

Yet according to Senior Captain, Olivia Kohorst, this year’s fundraiser -- 7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 25, Pembroke vs. Oakfield-Alabama (at Pembroke) -- is particularly important as it marks the final season she will be able to play in the event.

“I was only in sixth grade when the first varsity team came up with the idea to host the first Shooting For A Cure! game in support of Toni Funke’s battle with breast cancer,” said senior Olivia Kohorst.

The team spent that inaugural season seeking support from the community and local businesses in hopes of funding research efforts at Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) in honor of Mrs. Funke.

“I remember being on the PYA team at the time with my friends. A lot of us went to that first game and I remember wearing pink and that the gym was really crowded! As a young kid, to see our community come together the way they did in support of Mrs. Funke made a lasting impression on me. I knew then that I wanted to be a part of that, part of something bigger than just me playing basketball with my friends,” Kohorst said.

“This fundraiser means more to our team every season.  It gives us an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others and it gives us greater purpose not only as student-athletes but as people. Cancer affects us all, my family included, and to be a part of a team that supports those fighting means more to me than I can express in words..

"Being a part of Shooting For A Cure! has affected me in such a positive way. Playing in this game was the highlight of each season I played basketball at Pembroke and I look forward to still being involved after I graduate.”

The 2017-2018 Shooting For A Cure! donors list numbers more than 70 merchants and individuals including ADPRO Sports, AdWorks, Batavia Country Club, Batavia’s Original Pizzeria, the Buffalo Bills, Buffalo Sabres, Buffalo Bandits, Buffalo Bisons, Courage of Carly Foundation, Chef’s, Dave & Adam’s Card World, DuPont, Insty-Prints, M&T Bank, Original Pizza Logs, Pembroke Youth Association, Terry Hills, Yancey’s Fancy and the YMCA to name a few.

Many of the product donations will become game night auction baskets and raffle prizes. Monies will also be raised from apparel sales and food sales with the generous support of local pizzerias and vending companies. Additionally, the Roswell Park Alliance Foundation has revamped their online platform and developed a Team Roswell site.

Direct online donations are now being accepted in support of Shooting For A Cure! at: http://give.roswellpark.org/goto/ShootingForACurePGBB.

The team hopes Shooting For A Cure! will continue its tradition of topping the previous years’ fundraising total.

“All of the money raised that evening goes directly to support cancer research at Roswell Park,” sophomore Mackenna Johnson said. “Playing basketball for Pembroke is not just about trying to win games, it’s about giving back to the community and showing our support for those in need.

"My oldest sister Breanna and her teammates started Shooting For A Cure! back in 2011 in support of Mrs. Funke, and what they started has become one of the largest Team Roswell fundraising events. Last season, we raised over $20,000 in one night, it was amazing! Our community is so supportive and we truly can’t thank all of the volunteers and donors enough for all that they do to support this game."

Roswell Park has officially sanctioned Shooting For A Cure! as a Team Cure fundraiser and as a valuable example of the way that young people can make a difference. “We continue to be impressed by the Pembroke Girls’ Basketball Team each and every season. They push themselves, not only on the court, but off the court as well, going above and beyond for the benefit of others.

It’s inspirational to have a group of teens who are so passionate about raising funds for cancer research at Roswell Park.These girls continue to demonstrate an incredible amount of compassion,” said Alex Hoaglund, Team Roswell special events coordinator. “This team is special and their community is remarkable.

"Although the players may change each season, Shooting For A Cure! has remained constant, with the girls leading the charge for six consecutive seasons. To think that they’ve has raised over $60,000 in six seasons with this game is a testament to the benevolence of the entire Pembroke community as well as this special team.”

For more information go to:  Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/PemGBBPinkGame/

                                              Twitter, https://twitter.com/pemgbb_pinkgame

                                              Pinterest, https://www.pinterest.com/shooting4acure/

                                              Team Roswell, http://give.roswellpark.org/goto/ShootingForACurePGBB

ABOUT PEMBROKE HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS’ VARSITY BASKETBALL TEAM: The Pembroke High School Girls’ Varsity Basketball Team is comprised of nine outstanding girls, ages 14 to 17. Their 2017-2018 captains are Olivia Kohorst, Sam Ianni, Mackenna Johnson, Mackenzie Jurek and Casey Wurtz. They are coached by Ron Funke. Team colors are green and black and their nickname is Dragons. The team began Shooting For A Cure! as an annual event in 2011, and they are committed to the hard work and dedication it will take to win the battle against breast cancer.

ABOUT ROSWELL PARK CANCER INSTITUTE: RPCI is among the first and only upstate New York facility to hold the National Cancer Institute designation of "comprehensive cancer center" and to serve as a member of the prestigious National Comprehensive Cancer Network. Many RPCI faculty serve on the NCCN panels that create the Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology™ — the internationally recognized standards for clinical policy in oncology, and the most comprehensive, most frequently updated clinical practice guidelines available in any area of medicine.

The RCPI campus spans 25 acres in downtown Buffalo and consists of 15 buildings with about 1.6 million square feet of space. A new hospital building, completed in 1998, houses a comprehensive diagnostic and treatment center. In addition, the Institute built a new medical research complex and renovated existing education and research space to support its future growth and expansion. www.roswellpark.org.

Le Roy falls by two to Avon, 49-47

By Howard B. Owens

Le Roy suffered its first loss of the boys basketball season, falling to Avon 49-47. 

For Le Roy, Reece Tresco 15 points and 14 rebounds, Cole Biggins 12 points and 4 assists,  andT.Y. Williams 11 points.

Connor Taylor scored 22 points, had five rebounds and six steals for Avon and Aaron Ghent added 13 points and 11 rebounds.

Men’s Basketball Team Splits at NCCC Tournament

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

The Genesee Community College men's basketball team improved its winning streak to five before having it snapped in Niagara County Community College's tournament Dec. 15-16.

The Cougars started with a 99-87 win over Onondaga Community College Dec. 15 with their fifth-consecutive win. Although it was not another 100-plus point win, the victory allowed the Cougars to average 102 points over the course of those five-consecutive wins.

Current National Junior College Athletic Association Region III Player of the Week Brian Fobbs was on fire in both games scoring 36 points in the win over the Lazers and 30 points in the 92-81 loss to Henry Ford College, Dec. 16. In addition, Fobbs posted team-highs in rebounds and earned double-double performances in each contest with 15 boards against the Lazers and 16 against Henry Ford. In the latter game, Fobbs also recorded a pair of bocks, assists and steals.

Rahmel Thompson finished second in scoring in both contests to Fobbs with 44 total points. Thompson recorded 27 in the win and 17 in the loss. Joining Thompson with 17 points in the Henry Ford contest was Jarett Haines, while Caylen Williams added 15 points and a team-high three assists against the Hawks.

In addition to Fobbs and Thompson, two other Cougars recorded double-digit scoring performances with Williams adding 10 and Jaheem Page scoring 11 in the win against the Lazers. Williams registered a team-high seven assists and three steals against Onondaga.

The Cougars hit the semester break with a 9-4 overall record and 4-1 conference record.

BHS girls basketball team wins close contest against rivals HFL 53-52

By Steve Ognibene

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In a close game last evening the Batavia girls basketball squad beat last season’s sectional champions Honeoye Falls Lima by a narrow 53-52 margin.

HFL came out of the gate up by four points after the first quarter 14-10 led by seniors Taryn Wilson and Paige Smith. Batavia was playing catchup through the first half and not making defensive plays, but sparked right near the end of the half to come within one point of HFL’s lead 26-25.

After the first half, Batavia needed a much stronger quarter and played better defense to take the lead 40-34 after three quarters. Batavia continued the streak to lead at one point by 10 points in the fourth but then got into foul trouble.

Taryn Wilson hit 13 out of 15 free throws, and with 9 seconds left on the clock, Kara Oatman who was 7 for 8 missed her eighth free throw and Batavia finished winning by one at regulation.

Junior Ryann Stefaniak led the team with 18 points, Sophmore Emma Krolczyk finished with 15 points and freshman Bryn Wormley tallied 11 points.  

HFL Senior Taryn Wilson scored 25 points, Paige Smith had 13 points and Kara Oatman finished with 8 points.

Batavia remains undefeated with a 5-0 record in class A2 and HFL drops to 2-4.

Next game for Batavia is home this Monday vs. Greece Athena.

For more game pictures to go: http://steveognibenephotography.zenfolio.com/p789755086

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Notre Dame comes from behind to beat Elba in overtime, 74-72

By Howard B. Owens

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Fans of the Notre Dame, Elba rivalry got their money's worth Friday night as the boys' basketball teams battled into overtime Friday night before the Fighting Irish came out on top 74-72.

The Lancers went into the final 15 seconds of regulation with a four-point lead but a three-point bucket by Andrew Moore (top photo) narrowed the lead to one. Elba failed to score on its possession and the Irish got the ball back with a little more than five seconds on the clock. Notre Dame's Gabe Macdonald was fouled as he drove in the lane toward the basket as time expired. He was also injured, so Zachary Cocking was called on to shoot his free throws. Cocking made the first to tie the score but missed the second (second from bottom photo) to send the game into overtime.

"They showed they have a lot of heart," said Head Coach Mike Rapone after the game. "They have a lot of courage. They didn’t give up. We not only played without (Ryan) Moffett (due to injury), but Nico (Zambito) had fouled out so the kids just circled the wagons and just keep battling. They hit some big shots and they never gave up."

Zambito was the game's top scorer with 26 points. He hit six three-pointers. Spencer Misiti had 14 points, with four three-pointers. Keith Szczepanski, Notre Dame's 6'7", 305-pound sophomore forward, scored 13 points, including four points in overtime.

For Elba, Colton Dillon scored 23 points. He hit five shots outside the arch. Collin O'Halloran scored 15, including a pair of threes. Grayson Huntington scored 11, including two threes. Jonathan Boyce added 10 points.

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Le Roy beats Keshequa 69-30

By Howard B. Owens

Le Roy's boys basketball team moved to 2-0 on the season with a 69-30 win over Keshequa (0-3).

Canyon Roster 18 points, Luke Stella 12 points 5 rebounds 3 assists, Reece Tresco and T.Y. Williams 10 points each; Keshequa Nathan Ellinsworth, and Brysin Mellin – 8 points each

Cougars Put Impressive Fourth Quarter Together at Jamestown

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

The Genesee Community College women's basketball team may have dropped its contest to Jamestown, but if the team can start its next contest the way it finished against the Jayhawks they would be a hard team to beat.

The Cougars finished the game with an 11-2 run in a 26-point fourth quarter and although the last quarter was exceptional it was the first quarter that decided the game and allowed Jamestown to win 82-64. Aside from the first quarter, the rest of the game was a two-possession one with Genesee playing the Jayhawks even in the second half at 38 points each.

Rosalyn Sealey led the offensive fourth-quarter surge with 11 of her team-high 18 points. The team's lone sophomore finished the contest shooting 50 percent from the field and 80 percent from the free-throw line and added a team-high four assists.

Two other Cougars had double-digit point performances with Titilopemi Olusola adding 12 points and Reika Murota with 11. The latter converted three threes to account for most of her point production, while the former had a team-high four blocks.

Estella Anderson recorded eight rebounds and Chevaneese Millington registered five steals.

Lady Irish beat Albion, 38-27

By Howard B. Owens

In girls basketball Tuesday, Notre Dame beat Albion 38-27. 

  • Morgan Rhodes 11 points 5 steals
  • Stevie Wilcox 10 points 5 rebounds
  • Callie McCulley 9 points 8 blocks
  • Margret Sutherland 6 points 8 rebounds

Lady Cougars Clipped by Vikings

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

The Genesee Community College women's basketball team trailed host Villa Maria by just a couple scores at the half, but the Vikings out-scored the Cougars by eight in the second half to take the contest 76-62 Dec. 2.

The Cougars continue to run into hot teams after losing their last start to Monroe, who left Batavia with an eight-game winning streak. The Vikings had won four of its last five before hosting Genesee.

The game started well for Genesee as the Cougars built a seven-point lead and had the edge for most of the first quarter. The Vikings responded and took a six-point lead into the break. The game's shooting percentages were similar except at the charity strip where the Cougars missed out on a dozen points.

TaLia Burgess led the team in scoring with 15, but Jasmine Holmes had the double-double with 10 points and 11 boards. Titilopemi Olusola was the third Cougar to reach double-digit points with 12.

Estella Anderson was solid under the boards with a team-high 14 rebounds, while Burgess added eight and Olusola five. Burgess also had a pair of blocks and Rosalyn Sealey recorded a team-high four assists.

Free Batavia Blue Devil Boys Basketball Saturday Program starts Nov. 4

By Billie Owens

The free instructional Batavia Blue Devil Boys Basketball Saturday Program for students in grades one through six will be held weekly at John Kennedy Elementary School Gymnasium from Nov. 4 through Dec. 9.

The program is open to boys who attend Batavia City Schools only. Participants are to enter and exit the gym by the rear of the school, which is located at 166 Vine St. in the City of Batavia.

Times are as follows:

GRADES 3-4:  9 -- 10:30 a.m.

GRADES 5-6:  10:30 a.m. -- noon

GRADES 1-2:  Noon to 1 p.m.

Although the cost of the Saturday program is free, there is a fee for those playing in the league that begins in January and runs through early March. This is a travel-friendly league, which competes against other towns including Attica, Alexander, Oakfield, Byron Bergen, Pembroke, Elba, and St. Joe's.

Practices will begin after Winter Recess and be held once or twice per week in the evening at various schools in Batavia. There will be an 8-10 game schedule and played on the weekends. Schedules will come out around the holidays.

The program will feature Coach Jim Fazio -- Batavia Jr. Blue Devil youth director, youth coaches, and current Blue Devil players. It will focus on the offensive and defensive fundamentals of the game including shooting, passing, dribbling, rebounding and ball handling, etc. There will be contests with full court and half-court games.

Contact Youth Director Jim Fazio 585-356-0901 with questions or concerns.    jfazio@gvboces.org

To get an application, email Fazio at his email address above.

Batavia City Schools are not responsible for injury that may happen during the program.

Challenger sports offer adaptive program for young people in 'success-oriented atmosphere'

By Billie Owens
 
Submitted photo and press release:
 
The month-long Challenger Tennis Program is in its third week. This collaborative community program offers children with disabilities, ages 5-21, a fun adaptive tennis program in a success-oriented atmosphere.
 
The first session was held Sept. 10. It's held for four consecutive Sundays from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at the Batavia High School tennis courts.
 
A "Tennis Carnival" is scheduled at the program's conclusion on Oct. 1.
 
Collaborative partners are the Batavia Youth Bureau, which is the lead facilitator of the program, Arc of Genesee Orleans, Genesee County YMCA and the U.S. Tennis Association Eastern/Western Region.
 
A total of 10 athletes are participating this year alongside volunteers from area high schools, Genesee Community College and the community. Volunteers attended training, facilitated by Shelley Falitico, director of Development at Arc Genesee Orleans, on disability awareness and sensitivity training.
 
The tennis players begin each session with a warm up and do some stretching exercises. They rotate through adapted tennis activity stations, addressing skills such as balance, hand-eye coordination, team work, speed and agility, accuracy and movements forward, backward and side-to-side.
 
The Oct. 1 "Tennis Carnival" will offer the participating athletes an opportunity to earn "Challenger Cash" at each station and buy prizes such as tennis racquets, tennis balls, board games, candy, kites, movie DVDs, books and more.
 
The next Challenger sport to be offered will be basketball, beginning in November. Community members interested in volunteering, including college and high school students looking for community service hours, are welcome to donate their time for a Challenger sport. It's a great experience for all involved!
 
For more information, to register or to volunteer, call the YMCA at 344-1664.

Sign-ups open for girls basketball camp at Notre Dame

By Howard B. Owens

The Lil Irish Fall Ball Camp for grades 2-8 starts Oct. 8 at Notre Dame High School,

The four-week camp for young basketball players will be coached by Tom McCulley, Notre Dame's girls' varsity coach, JV coach Otis Thomas, and St. Joe's sixth-grade coach Kati Sisson.

The cost is $30 per person or $50 for a family. A T-shirt is included in the cost.

The sessions are Sundays, with second through fifth grade from 2 to 3 p.m. and sixth through eighth grade from 3 to 4 p.m.

The camp includes fundamental instruction, individual practice, and teamwork.

Download Sign Up Form.

Buddy Brasky announces fall basketball mini-camp

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

Batavia varsity basketball Coach Buddy Brasky will hold a Basketball Mini-Camp at the Batavia High School gym this fall. This Mini-Camp is for boys in grades 8-12.

The camp will start Thursday, Oct. 5 and run from 7 to 9 p.m. on the following dates: Oct. 5, 12, 16, 19, 23, 26, 30, and Nov. 2.

This program is for the experienced and serious player only!!!  The program will emphasize offensive skill development. Cost for the program is $95.    For more information call Buddy Brasky at 585-356-4050 or email mbrasky@bataviacsd.org   

** PLAYER MUST BRING THEIR OWN BASKETBALL

Alumni basketball game planned at Notre Dame in November to honor the late David Swinton and Christina Volpe

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The families of David Swinton and Christina Volpe are proud to announce "Play It Forward," a basketball event and fundraiser to be held at 6 p.m. on Nov. 4 in the Notre Dame High School gym at 73 Union St. in Batavia.

Join us in celebrating these recently deceased Batavians for their achievements in sports and their impact on local youth.  

Members of the school alumni and staff, as well as former teammates of Christina, will play to raise funds for local charities.  

One-hundred percent of all money raised will be donated to local causes. 

The evening will begin with a welcome and greetings from Wade Bianco, principal of Notre Dame High School, and Mike Rapone, the school's Athletic director. The event will feature basket raffles, and food and beverages will be available for purchase.  

The event will center on an alumni game, which we are certain all will enjoy.

Alumni of all ages and skill levels are welcome to participate. The more the merrier, with family fun being the entire measure of success. We are planning a co-ed pickup style game, with a running clock, in which players can sub in and out as freely as necessary.

We will have officials, but we hope to see a premium of offense, and  minimum defense!

In October 2015, Christina Volpe died suddenly at St. Francis Hospital in Greenville, S.C. A graduate of Notre Dame High School and Roberts Wesleyan College, Chrissy was an outstanding player in volleyball and basketball. Many of her records set at Notre Dame are still unbroken.

Throughout her educational career, she was a source of motivation for teammates and aspiring athletes.

In November 2016, David Swinton passed away tragically while enjoying the great outdoors, one of his many passions. As a beloved and respected teacher, Dave worked with students at Genesee Valley BOCES in crisis intervention. He coached varsity soccer and softball at Notre Dame, as well as modified basketball.  

His kindness and good humor were major keys to his success.

The community is invited to come for an evening of sport and camaraderie as we remember the lives of these two people who eagerly played it forward.  

Please call to get your name on the list to play in the Alumni Game. 

"It is when you give of yourself that you truly give." (Kahlil Gibran)

Contacts:

  • Mike Rapone, ND Athletic Director  

           michael.rapone@ndhsbatavia.com

           MVolpe4@Rochester.rr.com      

           (585) 343 278, ext. 115

  • Margaret and John Volpe   

           585-813-1110

  • Jane Swinton  

           585-548-2898

Men's basketball league wraps up inaugural season with championship game

By Howard B. Owens

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The champions of the inaugural season of the Lady Irish Men's Basketball League is 585 Showtime after the squad beat Hickory 70-58 at Notre Dame High School yesterday.

Members of 585 Showtime: Jalen Smith, Justin Washington, Ballard Maye, Dashawn Suber, Tajzay Powell, David Andrews, Chezeray Rolle, Adam Brasky and Ryan Hogan.

Smith led all scorers with 36 points.

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Hickory undefeated as Lady Irish Summer Men's League hits final weeks of season

By Howard B. Owens
After week 7, Lady Irish Summer Men's league standings:
 
Hickory 5-0
Monstars 4-1
585 Showtime 4-1
DA Unit 4-2
To much Sauce 3-3
Blue Devils 2-4
J's 4 Days 1-4
Trigger Happy 1-4
Waka Flaka Flames 1-4
 
Week 7 Big Games:
 
Hickory 5-0 vs 585 Showtime 4-1 @ 1pm
Waka Flaka Flames 1-4 vs Trigger Happy 1-4 @ 2pm all games are at Notre Dame.
 
The top 8 teams will make the league tournament Aug. 20th.

Photos: Batavia basketball camp

By Howard B. Owens

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The region's most dedicated basketball players are in the midst of a six-week basketball camp conducted by Batavia's Head Coach Buddy Brasky and his staff. Today, varsity level players were working at Batavia Middle School and the JV players were at Batavia High School.

There are players participating from every high school in Genesee County, as well as players from Wyoming County and Buffalo.

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Batavia's Ayala steps up a division and does well in national basketball championship

By Howard B. Owens

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Batavia High School's Tee Sean Ayala, one of the Blue Devils' stars on the court, posted some big games in the national AAU D1 championships in Florida this week.

Playing in the senior division, though he's coming into his junior year, Ayala scored in double digits in four of the six games he played in as his team, the Rap Stars, went 4-3, made the Elight Eight, and finished sixth in the tournament.

(Ayala, back row, far right, in uniform.)

REMINDER: Batavia Jr. Blue Devil Basketball Camp to be held at John Kennedy School Gym Aug. 14-18

By Billie Owens

The Batavia Jr. Blue Devil Summer Basketball Camp will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 14-18 at the John Kennedy School gymnasium.

The camp is open to boys and girls entering grades 3 through 8 in the fall. Cost is $65 and includes a camp T-shirt.

Campers are asked to bring their own basketball and put their name on it.

The camp will feature Coach Jim Fazio, the Batavia Jr. Blue Devil youth director, and youth coaches and current and former Blue Devil players.

The focus will be on the offensive fundamentals of the game, including shooting, passing, dribbling, and ball handling, with a major emphasis on shooting. There will be daily contests with full court and half court games.

Please note that Batavia City School District is not responsbile for any injury that may happen during camp.

Checks should be made payable to:  Batavia Boys Basketball Boosters; mail to Jim Fazio, 5190 Ellicott Street Road, Batavia, NY 14020.

To contact Coach Fazio, call 356-0901 or email  jfazio@gvboces.org

With payment, please provide the following information and include a parent's or guardian's signature:

  • Camper's name
  • Address
  • City
  • Age
  • Grade child will enter in the fall
  • School
  • Phone number
  • Medical concerns
  • T-shirt size (specify youth -- small through extra large, or adult -- small through extra large)

John Kennedy School is located at 166 Vine St. in the City of Batavia.

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