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Batavia HS

BHS to recognize Musicians of Note honorees at March 17 ceremony

By Press Release

Press release:'

Musicians of Note, a wall of fame to honor past Batavia High School graduates in music, will host its 4th annual ceremony on March 17 in the Batavia High School auditorium at 7 p.m.  Nominations were accepted until November when our committee followed through with selecting four talented and deserving recipients.  

Nominées will be recognized with a video presentation.  We will also have High School ensembles perform to celebrate those specific honorees.  A plaque featuring their accomplishments will be displayed on the new Musicians Of Note wall at the High School. 

The 2023 honorees include Diana Dipson, 1929; Gloria McLaughlin, Retired BCSD music teacher 1970-1989; Brian Isaac, 2001; Deanna Spiotta, 2005; and Melzie Case, 2012.  All five nominees have outstanding resumes.  Since Mark Hoerbelt was ill during the last Musician of Note 2022, we will be having a performance celebrating Mark’s acceptance into Musician of Note last year.

The Musician of Note committee looks forward to receiving nominations for the prestigious honor in the next six months.  You have until the end of October to nominate for the 2024 Musician of Note Ceremony. You may find the application for the Musician of Note on BCSD Website or email JHaggett@bataviacsd.org to have one emailed to you personally for future nominations.

Batavia falls short late in fourth quarter to Newark 60-55 in championship game

By Howard B. Owens

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

The Blue Devils lost 60-55.

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

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Photos by Steve Ognibene

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Batavia Boys paced themselves and secured finals appearance with 66-62 win

By Howard B. Owens

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

Scoring: 

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

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

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Photos by Steve Ognibene

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Challenging, difficult, technical: 'Les Mis' at BHS clears the hurdles for a 'well-rounded, beautiful show'

By Joanne Beck

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In his last year at Batavia High School, Paul Daniszewski — aka Jean Valjean — verbally painted an end to his senior year with sad hues washed in bright swaths of excitement about what’s ahead.

“It’s very bittersweet because it's like, yes, the final show, the final hurrah. But also, Oh God, the final show, the final hurrah. It's very much a sense of like going out with a bang and with a pop,” he said of this weekend’s production of “Les Misérables.”  

His future plans include being an acting major at Genesee Community College, transferring to a four-year college to continue that pursuit, and then “just see where the wind takes me” while hanging onto his vision of being a professional actor.

At present, he’s just trying to follow show Director Caryn Wood’s advice for all 36 cast members: take care of yourselves, eat, sleep, and get ready for some grueling run-throughs over the next two days.

After that, it’s showtime: Les Mis (that’s what everybody seems to call it) goes on at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday at Batavia High School, 260 State St., Batavia.

Most everyone has at least heard of Les Mis, even if not having seen it or read the book. Set in early 19th Century France, it is a story of Paul’s character Jean Valjean, a French peasant, and his desire for redemption after serving 19 years in jail for stealing — not a suitcase of cash or anything quite so tangibly valuable — but a loaf of bread for his sister’s starving child.

Priceless indeed. Yet he serves jail time and then decides to break parole and begin a new life with some inspiration from a bishop.

The 17-year-old actor auditioned for the role after some prodding from the show director.

“Miss Wood guided me on who I wanted to be,” Paul said. “Jean Valjean, he’s my guy. He is just an emotionally challenging character for me to portray because a lot of the characters that I've played in the past have been very upbeat, the first person I ever did was with Shrek, Lord Farquaad. And he's a very, flamboyant and very over the top … and the last one I did was Bill, and he was also very outgoing,” the actor said. “But Jean Valjean, he's so emotionally deep, that it was very hard for me for a while to embody that character. And show me the way essentially.”

Javert, the police inspector played by junior Peyton Woeller, seemed like an atypical character from what he’s usually played in shows, he said.

“But there's just something about him, I felt like he would be a fun character to play, especially because he contrasts a lot of other characters I've played before, because, like, this is the main antagonistic role. And normally I'm not a main antagonistic role, like last time in Mamma Mia. I was Harry, who was just one of the dads. So it was really fun. It was a change, which drew me to him,” Peyton said. “I actually was not all that familiar. When I've always heard of it, I never got around to watching it. But once we learned that, that was the show we were doing, I watched the Netflix one. And then I ended up watching a bunch of different stage productions on YouTube. But now I'm very familiar with the show. It’s a show based on hope for tomorrow. That's the main message behind it. It's got all of these different intertwining characters, and all of these different relationships that blend together and create just a wonderful, wonderful, complex story. And there's so many different aspects that all get thrown together in different areas. And it's just so beautifully written with the music as well.”

It’s fair to say that Javert is no nice guy. He refuses to let Jean Valjean escape justice and pursues him during most of the play. Meanwhile, Valjean and a host of characters are swept into a revolutionary period in France, where a group of young idealists attempts to overthrow the government at a street barricade in Paris.

After Valjean is humbled by compassion from a bishop, he resolves to redeem himself and turn his life around to live for God. Just where does Fantine, Abi Hoerbelt’s character, come into the story? Fantine has a young daughter named Cosette, who is later adopted by a central character.

Abi has been involved in theater since fifth grade, making this her 15th show — and last one in her high school career. Uncertain yet where she will go after graduation this year,  the senior plans to pursue theater and English education to become a teacher.

So, out of 15 shows, which one has been a favorite?

“I would by far say that this show is my favorite show I've been in. I've been in shows since I was about seven. But this is probably the biggest role I've played. And also, I just, I love the music, and I love the community and family we've built with the cast,” she said. “So I've been in shows all four years of high school, and they were all amazing. I love them, but this one was probably my favorite. I think it kind of has something to do with it being my last show. I'm really savoring it.”

Fantine is an impoverished factory worker who loses her job and has to turn to less ideal work so that she can pay a couple to continue caring for her daughter. Aside from absorbing the role of a strong character, Abi has also enjoyed building relationships with fellow cast members. The experience makes for a reluctant curtain call.

“It's really sad. As I said, I've been in the shows all four years of high school. So this coming to an end is really, like, heartbreaking, but I know that I will come back and see the shows, and I'll be doing more shows in my future,” she said.

Director Caryn Wood felt good about this choice of show, as if the students were “eager to take on a challenge.” They have put their “heart and soul” into preparations, and all have been researching their roles, watching the show, and reading reference materials “to build their characters,” she said.

“To begin with, Les Mis is difficult content, the music itself is difficult, it's challenging. The only difference between the full adult version or the standard Broadway version and the student version is that they've abridged some of it, they've shortened some of the songs for length, for time. But otherwise, all of the language is the same. Some of the keys have been adjusted for younger voices, but it's very much the same,” she said. “So that one is right off the bat, it's hard material. But then technically, I mean, there's a ton to incorporate: microphones, gunfire for the battle scenes, you know, there's just a lot to fully, in order to fully embody the tone of the show, you have to really support that you want it to visually be pleasing and to the level that it should be.

“You know, there's a standard, and we have to try to live up to it. People have expectations, and we want to reach those and hopefully exceed those expectations,” Wood said. “So just the show itself is challenging, and lots of costumes, lots of technical needs, lots of lighting design, in order to bring a well-rounded and beautiful show altogether.”

Tickets are $10 in advance and available online or $12 for adults and $10 for students/seniors at the door.  

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Batavia wins quarterfinal 79-42

By Howard B. Owens

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No. 1 seed Batavia advanced to the quarterfinal of the Section V Class B1 tournament on Saturday with a dominating win over Livonia, 79-42

Ja'vin McFollins hit five three-pointers en route to a 26-point game. Sawyer Siverling scored 15 points and Carter McFollins scored 12 points.

Photos by Kristin Smith.

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Livonia ends Batavia Girls sectional run 66-28

By Howard B. Owens

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Batavia's short playoff run in Girls Basketball came to an end Friday night with a loss to Livonia, 66-28.

Anna Varland scored nine points and Adyson O'Donnell scored eight points.

Also in Girls Basketball:

  • Notre Dame beat York, 69-46. Amelia McCulley scored 36 points. Emma Sisson scored 14 points.
  • Hornell beat Le Roy, 70-40. Lindsey Steffenilla scored 14 points and had 10 rebounds. Kenna MacKenzie scored 12 points.

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Photos by Steve Ognibene

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Batavia Indoor Track qualifies several to participate in State meet

By Howard B. Owens

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Members of Batavia's Indoor Track and Field teams were able to advance on Thursday in the State Qualifier Meet at Nazareth College.

Cole Grazioplene won the 600m with a time of 1:23.96.  This time broke his own school record and was in one of the best races of the day. 

Nate Canale qualified for the State Championship meet in the 1000m by finishing 3rd in 2:38.78. 

Sheldon Siverling and Parker Kleinbach are going to represent Bataivia in the Shot Put and the Weight Throw respectively. Sheldon threw 50'-3" in the Shot Put for his first career throw over 50' and Parker threw 58'-9.75 to finish 2nd in the Weight Throw.  Batavia has had an athlete qualify for States in the Throws in every season since 2008, a 15-plus year run of success. 

The boys 4x400 Relay qualified for States by winning in a blistering fast time of 3:30.23.  The team members who ran the relay are Fabian Vazquez, Parris Price, Ryan Dillon, and Cole Grazioplene.  

The boys 4x800 relay finished 3rd with a time of 8:20.63, which is the second fastest time in team history. Relay members included Cody Harloff, Donavin Solis, Noah Pickard, and Nate Canale.

For the girls the 4x400 Relay team finished in 2nd place with a time of 4:15.03.  Relay members included Jadyn Boyce, Abby Moore, Nicole Doeringer, and Campbell Riley. 

Ava Wierda finished 5th in the Weight Throw with a distance of 39'-10.25". 

Mallory Boyce earned a 7th-place finish in the 1500m with a time of 5:18.34.

"Batavia has had an athlete compete at the New York State Indoor Track Championships every year for over 30 years," Coach Nicholas Burk said. "This is an incredible streak of success and a testament to the quality of athletes we've been blessed to coach as part of our program during that span.  We will have nine boys attending the state meet next week and look to have multiple athletes return with state medals."

Top photo: 4x4 team anchor Cole Grazioplene crossing the line for the boys race setting a new school record of 3:30:23

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Photos by Steve Ognibene

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Parker Kleinbach taking 2nd place in weight throw

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Cole Grazioplene winning the boys 600m

Batavia Winter Guard team takes flight at 23rd annual competition

By Howard B. Owens

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Batavia's Winter Guard team performed a show called "Safe Flight" at the 23rd Fantastic Vision Winter Guard Competition in the school's auditorium on Saturday night.

"The show takes you through a tumultuous flight from take-off to the landing," said the show's director, Jane Haggett. "Our 19 guards all performed well.  It was a beautiful culmination of a well-planned event."

Photos by Howard Owens

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Batavia Indoor Track Team makes a clean sweep for sectional titles

By Howard B. Owens

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For the 17th time, the Batavia Girls Indoor Track Team won a sectional title on Saturday.

The boys picked up their 11th sectional trophy.

The boys won with 148 points, beating out Uprep's 84 points.  The girls found Brockport a touch opponent and closed out the victory on the final event, posting a winning score of 111.5 points to Brockport's 109 points.

"The girls from Brockport were very tough and are well coached and never quit throughout the entire competition," Coach Nicholas Burk said.

Individual winners:
  • Parker Kleinbach - Weight Throw 59' - 2"
  • Cooper Konieczny - Pole Vault  13' - 0"
  • Fabian Vazquez - 55 Hurdles 8.05
  • Sheldon Siverling - Shot Put  48'-9.5"
  • Abby Moore - Triple Jump  34- 0.25"
  • Girls 4x800 Relay - Mallory Boyce, Nicole Doeringer, Melanie Quinones, Izzy Scott  10:28.55
  • Girls 4x400 Relay - Jadyn Boyce, Campbell Riley, Kylee Brennan, Ava Anderson  4:20.28

"We had Contributions from across the board - Throws, Hurdles, Jumps, Sprints, Distance," Burk said. "We were able to get over 70 athletes qualified for this meet which helped us to have the depth to finish strong in the relays.  The girls team was up by .5 points going into the relays and needed to outscore a very tough Brockport team in the relays to secure the championship.  Girls who were on their third events came through big time by winning the 4x8 and 4x4 and placing 4th in the 4x2 to score 24 points to close out the meet.  The boys team had a phenomenal day and found ways to score in every event except one (55m).  They also finished off the strong meet, scoring in all three relays too.  Our success was a direct reflection of the commitment of our athletes and the work our coaches put in to prepare for this meet.  The Blue Devil athletes displayed extreme toughness in this meet and collectively left it all on the track."

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Photos by Steve Ognibene

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Senior Fabian Vazquez placed 2nd in boys triple jump

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Senior Sydney Konieczny 55 meter hurdles

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Senior boys Noah Pickard and Gavin Fowler 3200 run

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Sophmore Ava Anderon Long Jump

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Sophmore Sheldon Silverling Class A2 Shot Put Champion

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Senior Abby Moore on the last lap of the girls 4x200 meter relay help the girls clinch their 17th track title

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Head Coach Nick Burk embraces Fabian Vazquez after the boys won their 11th indoor track title

Batavia picks up big win over Greece Athena 96-91

By Howard B. Owens

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Greece Athena, a top-seeded Section V Class A team, was upset by Class B Batavia on Wednesday, 96-91.

It was only the third loss of the year for the Trojans and the Blue Devils improved to 14-4.

Scoring for Batavia:

  • Ja'vin McFollins, 30 points, hitting eight three-point buckets
  • Sawyer Siverling, 18 points, four three-pointers
  • Carter McFollins 18 points
  • Cam McClinic. 13 points and 8-8 from the foul line down the stretch
  • Rashawd Christie, 12 points, with eight points in the final four minutes.

"I don’t think I’ve ever won a game where both teams scored in the 90s," said Coach Buddy Brasky. "They are a very talented offensive team   We matched them shot for shot   Ja'vin caught fire early, so they face-guarded him in the 2nd half. That opened up Carter’s penetration. He was able to get into the lane, finish, dump to Rashawd or pitch to Sawyer."

Girls Basketball:

  • Alexander beat Oakfield-Alabama, 48-45. For the Trojans, Alyssa Kramer scored 16 points, Riely Powell, nine, and Emily Pietrzykowski, eight. For the Hornets, Emma Wray, 16, and MaKena Reding, 15.
  • Byron-Bergen beat Wheatland, 58-25. MacKenzie Senf scored 11 points, Zoey Shepherd, 10, and Kendall Phillips, nine.
  • Pavilion beat Cal-Mum 49-45. Karlee Zinkievich scored 34 points. Lauren Kingsley, seven.
  • Pembroke beat Holley, 41-35. Elle Peterson scored 18 for Pembroke. Isabel Breeden scored eight.
  • Le Roy lost to Geneseo, 42-41. Kenna MacKenzie scored 15 points. Abby Allen, 12, Corina Dunn, 10.
  • Notre Dame beat Lyondonville, 65-39. Amelia McCulley scored 28 points, Avelin Tomidy, 19, and Emma Sisson, 10.

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Photos by Steve Ognibene

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Batavia Boys improve to 8-2 with 88-39 win vs.Greece Olympia

By Howard B. Owens

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Five of Batavia's players hit double-digits in scoring as the Blue Devils beat Greece Olympia 88-39 on Friday.

Carter McFollins scored 16 points, Carter Mullen 14, Sawyer Siverling 13, Ja'vin McFollins 12, and Aiden Bellavia 11. Adding on, Rashaad Christie scored eight points and Mike McKenzie scored six.

Batavia improves to 8-2 on the season.

Also, in Boys Basketball on Friday:

In Girls Basketball:

  • Elba beat Kendall, 47-12. Sydney Reilly scored 17 points and had 12 rebounds. Haille Scouten scored five points and had 15 rebounds, Kennedy Augello scored nine points and had four assists.
  • Notre Dame beat Alexander, 48-28. Amelia McCulley scored 26 points. 
  • Byron-Bergen beat Attica, 52-25
  • Oakfield-Alabama beat Lyndonville, 49-40
  • Arcadia beat Batavia 44-34
  • Geneseo beat Le Roy, 50-37
  • Wheatland beat Pembroke, 38-36

Blue Devils' next game is away at Livonia High School Tuesday, at 7 p.m.

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Photos by Steve Ognibene

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Blue Devils held Arcadia scoreless in third quarter on way to a 66-40 win

By Steve Ognibene

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Batavia Blue Devils beat Greece Arcadia on Wednesday in Rochester and picked up a win, 66-40.

In the opening quarter, Aiden Bellavia scored eight points, and Ja'Vin McFollins scored five to help push Batavia out in front early.

Second-quarter defensive mishaps by Batavia along with some turnovers helped Arcadia regain the lead, making it 24-23 at the half.

In the third quarter, Carter McFollins scored six points and Mikey McKenzie hit two threes to get Batavia off to a rolling start.

"The third quarter was the key to the game," said Head Coach Buddy Brasky. "We came out of halftime and really increased the ball pressure.  That led to them turning the ball over, which led to us getting out on the fast break. Once we got rolling, we started hitting a few threes, and it was game over."

Batavia added points from Sawyer Silverling, Rashad Christie and Bellavia to give the Blue Devils 25 points in the quarter while holding Greece scoreless, which gave them a 48-24 lead after three.

Blue Devils' scoring leaders were Mikey McKenzie, and Aiden Bellavia, who both tallied 16 points.  Carter McFollins scored 8, Sawyer Silverling 7 

Batavia's record improves to 5-2

The team's next game is at home against Southwestern Central at 3 p.m. on Saturday.

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Photos by Steve Ognibene

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Rotary Tournament Pavilion defeats Batavia 49-35

By Howard B. Owens

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Pavilion improved to 6-1 on the season with a 49-35 win over Batavia in a first-round game of the 33rd Annual Batavia Rotary Club Basketball Tournament.

Karlee Zinkievich scored 22 points for the Gophers. Lauren Kingsley scored 17.

For Batavia, Anna Varland and Jaimin Macdonald scored 11 points each.

It was the eighth loss for the Blue Devils this season.

Pavilion faces Notre Dame in the tournament's championship game on Thursday at GCC at 7:45 p.m.

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Photo by Steve Ognibene

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Batavia beats Roy-Hart in Lions Tournament

By Howard B. Owens

The Batavia Blue Devils beat Roy-Hart 77-41 at GCC on Tuesday to win their open-round game in the annual Lions Tournament.

Ja'vin McFollins scored 17 points, Rasheed Christie, 16, and Sawyer Siverling, 13.

Batavia will play Le Roy for the large school crown on Thursday at 8 p.m.  Notre Dame and Oakfield-Alabama will face off for the small school trophy at 6:30 p.m.  Both games are being played at GCC.

Boys Basketball: Batavia falls to Sutherland 60-58

By Howard B. Owens

Batavia played another close game in Boys Basketball but, this time, came up just shy of a win, losing to Sutherland 60-58.

For Batavia, Sayer Siverling scored 16 points. Rasheed Christie, Estavon Lovett, Mickey McKenzie, and Carter McFollins each scored seven points.  Ja'Vin McFollins scored six, and Aiden Bellevia scored five.

Coach who rebuilt winning tradition for Batavia football steps down after 11 seasons

By Howard B. Owens

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Six sectional titles and two state semifinals isn't a bad legacy for most coaches who have been leading varsity football squads for a lot longer than Brennan Briggs coached in Batavia.

Briggs accomplished that feat -- along with a career record of 88-25 -- over 11 seasons. 

In reality, Briggs won six sectional titles over nine seasons because the football program he inherited in 2012 was in shambles.  After years of posting losing records, the Blue Devils needed a coach who could restore player development, discipline, vision, and a relentless drive to win.  It took a couple of seasons for Briggs to fully instill a new system and new attitude in Batavia.  Once he did, the Blue Devils were consistently formidable opponents year after year, game after game.

In 2014, the Blue Devils won the school's first football sectional title since 1991.

"As a fellow BHS grad like Brennan, I know the pride that existed in Blue Devil football when I was a BHS student, and over his successful coaching tenure, Brennan re-instilled that great pride and tradition for all of us Batavians," Superintendent Jason Smith said.

But the effort it takes to consistently win in varsity-level football takes its toll. The coaching doesn't just happen between the lines on Friday nights or during afternoon workouts. There are scouting trips, hours of film review, team meetings, meetings with coaches, meetings with players and parents, and nights just thinking about the next game. Planning and preparation are hard work.  And it is year-round work.

"Brennan is the kind of coach who would never be out-coached," Athletic Director Mike Bromley said. "But that kind of work wears you down."

That's why Briggs is stepping down as head coach of the Batavia football team, and it's what Briggs said in his resignation letter:

It has been an unbelievable journey, but It's time for me to focus on the things I lost sight of over the years, and that's being a good husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and friend. I've been caught up in the ‘process’ for so long, and it is affecting the people who I love the most. In this position, if you’re doing it right, the hours are endless, late nights are a regular, and stress is the norm. Everyone talks about balance. Balance has never been a strength of mine. I’m all in or I’m out. Balance is great, but when you want to be on top, there’s no such thing as balance, and that’s part of why I need to step down. My family needs me to be all in with them, for the long haul. Unfortunately, with my family health history, I believe if I continue down this path, I won’t be around for the ones who need me the most when they need me the most.

It's that all-in character about Briggs that both Smith and Bromley mentioned in discussing the coach's decision to step away from football.

"I have known Brennan and his family over the course of my life through a family friendship, and actually taught Brennan swimming in the Red Cross backyard swimming program in the 80s and early 90s," Smith said. "He is a class act all around -- a humble and confident leader, and I congratulate him personally and professionally on his success.  His wife Justine and children are certainly more than deserving of having their husband and father around more in their lives, and I wish them great happiness."

Bromley said he and Briggs have been discussing the coach's eventual resignation for a couple of years and what a hard decision it was to make, but, in the end, Briggs put his health and his family first.

"He is doing the right thing," Bromley said.

Briggs -- who had himself been a football and hockey star for Batavia --  joined Batavia's football program right out of college, first as a modified coach, then he spent two seasons as JV coach (going undefeated his second year).  He will continue on as a hockey coach, Bromley said. He also remains in his teaching position at Batavia Middle School.

Briggs will continue to have a positive impact on academics and athletics in the Batavia City School District, Bromley said.

"Anything Brennan wants to do, he’s going to be successful at because of his high energy, his work ethic, his character, and people feed off of those things," Bromley said.

Because Briggs built such a robust program, Bromley isn't worried about maintaining the high standards Briggs set.  All of the coaches at all levels of the program are invested in the system and understand it, so whoever steps into the head coach role next, while he might have his own ideas to impart, will find the scaffolding already in place that can build championship teams, he said.

In the near term, the JV team has had three consecutive undefeated seasons, and the modified team lost only one game this past season.

"Brennan has put a program in place that can be sustainable," Bromley said.

Van Detta has been regularly filled to capacity on Friday nights for the past couple of seasons. Bromley doesn't expect that community spirit to fade now that Batavia has a winning program in place.

Bromley hopes to have the new coach hired by the end of January.

Smith said Briggs represented Batavia well as head football coach, and he and the Board of Education are grateful for the positive impact he had on the community as head football coach.

"His program, coaching staff, and student-athletes under his leadership took great pride in representing all of us at BCSD," Smith said. "All the wins and titles weren't too bad either!  On and off the field, Brennan demonstrated commitment, a second-to-none work ethic, and a passion for all that is Batavia."

Photo: Previously unpublished file photo of Brennan Briggs during football practice in 2013. Photo by Howard Owens.

Batavia beats Eastridge in OT, 52-49

By Howard B. Owens

Six makes in six tries from the free-throw line by Cam McClinic in overtime, along with two field goals by Aiden Bellavia, helped lift the Blue Devils over Eastridge on Friday to give Batavia its second win of the season in Boys Basketball.

In all, McClinic was 12-12 on free throws in the game.  He scored 16 points.

Bellavia scored 11, and Ja'Vin McFollins scored 10. He hit two three-point goals and Sawyer Siverling also hit a pair.

Batavia won 52-49.

Cordell Young scored 33 points for Eastridge.

United bounces back from two goal deficit to win 6-3 over Greece Storm

By Steve Ognibene

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Story based on submission by BND  

BND started slow, but gained stream as the game went on exploding for six goals in 30 minutes to completely erase a 2–0 deficit after the first period.

"This was the first time all season we were trailing at the end of the first period, and we were down by two," said Head Coach Marc Staley. "But the kids did a really nice job gathering themselves and starting fresh in the second period.”

United scored four goals in the first eight minutes of the second period to go from down by two, two up by two.

“Executing on the power play like we did there in a second period gave us a huge boost," Staley said. "We are going to be a difficult team to beat if teams are going to take penalties against us.”

The Storm were called for three penalties in the early portion of the 2nd period, and BND capitalized on all three.  

Senior Cooper Hamilton scored on the power play only 29 seconds into the period, followed by another power-play goal from sophomore Brady Johnson.  A mere five minutes later, Junior forward Joe DiRisio buried a rebound and made it three power-play goals on three chances.

“Specialty teams are huge in hockey nowadays," Staley said. "We converted three of our four chances on the power play, and we killed off all five of the penalties called against us. I thought the kids did a great job executing in the big moments.”

Junior goaltender Frankie Falleti made 21 stops on 24 shots against. Also scoring for BND was sophomore Ivan Milovidov, sophomore Jameson Motyka, and sophomore Brady Carney, who registered his first ever Varsity goal. 

Senior, Ronin Hofmaster linished with three assists on the evening.

Junior, Defensman, O’Rian Lama chipped in two assists as well.

United out shot the Storm during the game 37 to 25.

“Greece has an excellent program and they are a huge school district," Staley said.  "All four of their high schools combine to create one varsity team. I’m really proud of our kids for going into their home barn and coming away with a victory. This is the bounce back we needed after the loss to McQuaid, and hopefully this gives us some nice momentum heading into “The McCarthy” this weekend”

BND United will be hosting the annual David McCarthy Christmas Tournament on Friday and Saturday.  Iroquois/Alden (4-1) will face off against Niagara/Wheatfield (5-0) at 6 p.m. on Friday evening. Following this game BND (4-1) will take on WFL Geneva (0-3) at 8 p.m.  The consolation game will take place at noon on Saturday, with the championship game scheduled to face off at 3 p.m.

United won the Tournament last year fending off a tough Webster Schroeder squad 5-4.  

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Photos by Steve Ognibene

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Batavia tops Odyssey 76-38 in opener

By Steve Ognibene

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Batavia opened up the basketball season on the road against Greece Odyssey and doubled their opponent's score 76-38.

Sawyer Siverling scored 19 points, hitting five three-point shots. Ja'vin McFollins scored 17 points and three a tres of threes. Aiden Bellavia scored 11 points, Carter McFollins, 9 points and Justin Smith, 8 points.

Batavia held Odyssey to 12 points in the first half and maintained a 20-plus point lead from the second quarter to the final buzzer.

Batavia plays Eastridge at home, next Friday at 7:15 p.m.

Photos by Steve Ognibene

To view or purchase photos, click here.

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Blue Devils pick up hoops win 76-38

By Howard B. Owens

Batavia High beat Greece Odessey in Boys Basketball on Friday night, 76-38.

Sawyer Siverling scored 19 point, hitting five three-point shots. Ja'vin McFollins scored 17 points and three a tres of threes.

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