Notre Dame

Thursday, Batavia Kiwanis honored the top students at Notre Dame High School.

Top photo: The Top 10 -- Emily McCracken, Olivia Marchese, Janelle Fancher, Lindsey Bender, Lucas Hull, Dennis Bleier, Abigail Bleier [Valedictorian], Anna Spring, Natalie Moulton [Salutatorian], and Emily Vandenbosch.

Photos and info provided by Joseph Scanlan, Ed.D.

Theresa Kehl, ND Vocal, Instrumental and Drama Society director, with Anna Spring ’15, who earned the Instrumental Award, Lydia Moens ’15, who earned the Vocal Award, and Anna Warner ’15, who earned the Citizenship Award, and Kiwanis President Theresa Asmus.

Notre Dame High School held its 2015 commencement ceremony Saturday evening at the school.

Several students and supporters of the school received honors and awards during the ceremony.

The valedictorian was Abigail Bleier and the salutatorian was Natalie Moulton.

Anna Warner was named Woman of the Year and Joseph Falkowski III, Man of the Year.    

National Technical Honor Society Memberships went to Emma Francis and Emily Vandenbosch.

Special recognitions awards were:

• Msgr. Eugene F. Kolb Award for Outstanding Contributions to Catholic Education: Phil and Sally Bleier
• Msgr. David P. Herlihy Award for Outstanding Contributions to ND High School, Julie Mancuso and Jerry and Carm Reinhart

After the jump (click on the headline or the link below), more awards, more information on the special recognition awards and the concluding remarks by Dr. Joseph Scanlan, who officiated his final Notre Dame graduation with his retirement at the end of this school year.

John Fix hugs his son Dylan while Lorie Fix reacts to the moment.

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ND Class of 2015 “Top Ten” Academic Students

• Abigail Bleier – Valedictorian
• Natalie Moulton – Salutatorian
• Olivia Marchese
• Janelle Fancher
• Dennis Bleier
• Lucas Hull
• Anna Spring
• Emily McCracken
• Lindsey Bender
• Emily Vandenbosch 

National Honor Society members:

• Kristian Bank
• Lindsey Bender
• Abigail Bleier
• Dennis Bleier
• MaryBernadette Bochicchio
• Olivia Clark
• Audrey DiMatteo
• Joseph Falkowski III
• Janelle Fancher
• Kathleen Fischer
• Dylan Fix
• Rosemary Flumerfeldt
• Chase Hughes
• Lucas Hull
• Olivia Marchese
• Emily McCracken
• Paige Misiti
• Lydia Moens
• Natalie Moulton
• Taylor Perzia
• Marin Phillips-Reinhart
• Anna Spring
• Emily Vandenbosch
• Anna Warner

The 2015 Anima Christi (Spirit of Christ) awards:

• Abigail Bleier
• Dennis Bleier
• MaryBernadette Bochicchio
• Audrey DiMatteo
• Joseph Falkowski III
• Janelle Fancher
• Kathleen Fischer
• Dylan Fix
• Lucas Hull
• Emily McCracken
• Lydia Moens
• Natalie Moulton
• Caleb Nellis
• Patrick Spear
• Emily Vandenbosch
• Lana Votypka
• Anna Warner
• Joseph Zickl

Remarks delivered on the Special Recognition Awards:

This year it is our distinct privilege at Notre Dame High School to recognize two [2] individuals and two [2] couples for their meritorious dedication and service to Notre Dame High School  . . . and Catholic education in general. Their tireless "behind-the-scenes" efforts and positive contributions to the ND community serve as examples of “Leaders who Serve” to all of us at ND -- Board members, administration, faculty and staff, students, parents and alumni.

Msgr. Eugene F. Kolb Award for Outstanding Contributions to Catholic Education 

Our first award recipients will receive the Msgr. Eugene F. Kolb Award for Outstanding Contributions to Catholic Education. This year’s recipients have been staunch supporters of Catholic Education for many years in both word and action. 

No matter the venue -- whether it was supporting Catholic education at the former Holy Family Elementary School in Le Roy or here at Notre Dame High School -- this couple could always be counted on to volunteer at the drop of a hat to promote and foster Catholic education in the greater Genesee-Orleans County area.

No task was too big or too small for this couple to accomplish . . . whether it was serving as a members of the Holy Family School Home School Association and supporting fundraisers to promote Catholic Education at the Elementary level or serving as members of POND and/or the Chairperson of our ND Board of Trustees Technology Committee -- this year’s recipients have set the bar high – in keeping with our ND Mission statement of “developing leaders who serve” - when it comes to serving others. Staunch supporters of the Catholic education system, they have supported Catholic education by providing their children:  Abigail and Dennis – members of this year’s graduating class -- with the opportunity for a Catholic education throughout their formative years at Holy Family and at Notre Dame High School.

Please join me in recognizing this year's recipients of the prestigious Msgr. Eugene F. Kolb Award for Outstanding Contributions to Catholic Education  . . . Phil and Sally Bleier  . . . Congratulations, Phil and Sally.

Msgr. David P. Herlihy Award for Outstanding Contributions to ND High School

Our next recipients – one individual and one couple -- will be receiving the Msgr. David P. Herlihy Award for Outstanding Contributions to ND High School. They have also been individuals that could always be counted on to lend a hand if anyone needed help at ND! 

The first recipient of the Msgr. David P. Herlihy Award began her educational career as a student in the Syracuse City School District where she graduated from Henniger High School prior to receiving a degree in Travel and Tourism from Niagara University.

In keeping with our ND Mission Statement of “Developing Leaders who Serve” her never ending dedication to the students of ND has come in many forms. She was one of the initial founders of POND [Parents of Notre Dame] where she helped to organize our annual “welcome back” family picnic, and teacher appreciation day – which eventually turned into teacher appreciation week. She also ran the ND Book store for ten [10] years and worked many a Darien Lakes concert fundraiser in order to provide scholarships to deserving ND students.

No task was too big, or too small, for her to accomplish. She always approached any task at hand with a positive, "can do" attitude, and never once looked for individual recognition in the process. She truly serves our students as a role model and an example of the ideals which we expect all ND graduates to aspire to. 

Please join me in recognizing this year's recipient of the Msgr. David P. Herlihy Award for Outstanding Contributions to Notre Dame High School . . . A proud parent  along with her Board of Trustee husband Rick of 5 ND grads –[ Morgan ’01, Alexandra ‘03’ , Ricky ’05,  Patrick ‘08 , and Madelyn ‘14]  . . . Mrs. Julie Mancuso! Congratulations, Julie!

The next recipients of the Msgr. David P. Herlihy Award have contributed endless hours of dedicated service to ND  . . . most recently playing key roles in support of our current $5 million dollar Notre Dame “Faith in the Future” Capital Campaign as honorary Co-Chairpersons.

No task was too big or too small for this couple to tackle . . . this couple has always been the first to answer the call for assistance with a “can do” attitude whether at ND or in the Greater Batavia area. Collectively, they have served as advocates for ND’s original capital campaign in the early 2000’s for upgraded lab facilities and energy efficient windows as well as being generous benefactors and, as previously mentioned, Co-Chairs of our current capital campaign. 

Additional roles that these soon to be honorees have played currently include membership on the ND Board of Trustees, the UMMC Hospital Board as well as past membership on the Saint Jerome Guild and CASA Boards. 

Please join me in recognizing this year’s recipients of the Msgr. David P. Herlihy Award for Outstanding Contributions to ND High School. . . . The proud Grandparents of Class of 2015 member Marin Phillips-Reinhart  . . . Jerry and Carm Reinhart!  Congratulations, Jerry and Carm Reinhart!

Reverend David J. Scheider Alumni Award for Promoting the ND Image in the Community

This year's recipient of The Father David J. Scheider Alumni Award for Promoting the Image of ND in the Community -- a member of our 50 year anniversary class being honored at today’s graduation -- actively supported his Alma Mater until his untimely death on September 11, 2014.

Identified as a “die hard” Notre Damer, whose devotion to his Alma Mater was legendary, this year's award recipient never forgot his ND or Batavia roots and truly "bled blue and gold" as evidenced by the following memories shared by his sons Alex and Christopher:

His youngest son Alex remarked in a recent e-mail that “ND was more than just a high school to my father, it represented his family, his upbringing and much of his moral compass . . . My Dad always put his family and friends above his own desires, and that selflessness started at ND . . . ND and the education he earned [here] were more than just a platform for success , [rather] it was a launching pad for his philanthropic and selfless life of service to others."

His oldest son Chris remarked that there “were few things which his Dad spoke of with such fondness more than his Notre Dame experience. ND is firmly part of his heart and soul and forever will be there.”

His early years in education were spent right in our own backyard at the former St. Mary’s Elementary School here in Batavia.  . . Upon graduation from ND in 1965 -- where he was a stellar student-athlete and Student Council President as a senior - he went on to St. John Fisher College where he would graduate with a degree in Political Science in 1969.

Banking and the world of finance were in his blood. . .  It didn’t take him long to successfully rise through the banking ranks throughout his professional career, eventually securing the position of CEO of Hudson City Bankcorp -- one of America’s nationally renowned leading lending agencies based in Paramus, NJ.

It was at Hudson City where he drew national attention as Mad Money’s George Bailey “National Banker of the Year” while helping Hudson City earn the Forbes Magazine Best Managed Bank Award in the U.S. in 2007, the same year that he was recognized by St. John Fisher College with the Bittner School of Business Excellence in Management Award. 

Notre Dame High School owes a deep debt of gratitude to this year’s recipient, his lovely wife, Kris, and the Hermance Family Foundation for their ongoing track record of “paying it forward” by providing financial assistance to countless ND families in need of tuition assistance, in turn, making the ND experience a reality for these families over the last eleven [11] years here at ND. 

Please join me in recognizing the 2015 recipient of the Reverend David J. Scheider Alumni Award for Promoting the Image of ND in the Community. . A 2010 Notre Dame High School Distinguished Alumni Award recipient and a dear friend and member of the ND Class of 1965 . . . Mr. Ronald E. Hermance Jr.! 

Accepting this prestigious award tonight on behalf of Ron and the Hermance Family Foundation will be Ron’s wife and Batavia native, Kris Brown Hermance, and Ron and Kris’ daughter, Emily. . .Congratulations!

Dr. Joseph Scanlan's concluding remarks:

I would  . . . in conclusion . . .  like to thank all of the parents, grandparents and extended family members of this year’s graduating class . . .  as well as the members of the ND faculty and staff and student body, and alumni from the ND Class of 1965. . . who have joined us today, for the support that you have given this year’s graduates – and Notre Dame High School – during their four years as students here.

This year’s class has left its mark on ND – academically, athletically and from a “service to others” perspective. To date, the Class of 2015’s collective membership has earned academic scholarships in excess of $4.5 MILLION DOLLARS for their future collegiate careers!!! 100% of the Class of 2015 will be college bound in the Fall of 2015.

In keeping with our ND Mission statement of “Developing Leaders Who Serve," the Graduating Class of 2015 has volunteered 2,300 community service hours to help others in need.

Members of this class have earned NYS Scholar-Athlete status 57 times over their varsity student-athlete careers, as well as having garnered 21 GR league championships, 12 Section V championships and 2 NYSPHSAA State Championships – One in Softball [2012] and the other in Girls Basketball [2013].

The Class of 2015 has played a key role in the ongoing notoriety that Notre Dame High School has gained in Western New York as a result the annual Buffalo Business First report on Secondary Schools. During their freshmen, sophomore and junior years, this year’s graduates have contributed to the following milestones:

• The # 1 ranked Private Catholic Co-Educational HS for the 7th consecutive year in a row in Western New York [as well as achieving];
• The #1 Academic High School in Genesee, Wyoming and Orleans Counties for the 7th consecutive year;
• A “Top 15%” ranking in all 135 secondary schools in WNY – both  for the 7^th consecutive year.

Our prediction is that the Class of 2015 will have had a great deal to do with the continuation of these accolades at ND when Buffalo Business First releases their 2015 rankings on Friday, June 12.

Continue to spread the word – Notre Dame High School is alive and well and here to stay!

To our newest alumni – members of the Class of 2015 – Congratulations on a job well done! Good luck to you in your future. Stay true to Our Lady and the ideals you’ve learned at ND! 

With this word of congratulations, so ends our 61st annual graduation ceremony at ND. Thank you for coming and for your ongoing support of Notre Dame High School!

Press release:

John Borrelli, Board of Trustees president, announced that Mr. Wade Bianco has been named the new principal of Notre Dame High School of Batavia effective July 1, 2015. After an extensive search process that included several committees of highly respected faculty, administration, staff, students, parents, board members and community members; three rounds of highly qualified candidate interviews, Mr. Wade Bianco emerged as the overwhelming choice to lead Notre Dame High School.

“We are excited to welcome Wade to our administrative team. His experience in education is extensive and includes instructional leadership at the high school level. He comes with a wealth of knowledge not only in academics, but also in co-curricular activities and athletics,” Borrelli stated. “Wade is a creative and effective communicator and listener and is a very insightful and knowledgeable leader. His high expectations and genuine caring for students, staff, and families will serve the Notre Dame community well,” added Borrelli.

Mr. Bianco demonstrated the attributes the Notre Dame High School family sought for its Catholic co-educational school including outstanding leadership abilities with a dedication to the concept and practice of positive school culture and core values. His understanding of the value parents as partners bring to the educational experience, expertise as an instructional leader and deep understanding of the current standards and assessment processes made him the clear choice for the position.

Wade is replacing long-time, beloved Principal Dr. Joe Scanlan, who is retiring at the end of this school year after 43 years in education, which includes 15 years at Byron-Bergen, 17 years at York and the last 11 years serving at his alma mater as principal of Notre Dame High School.

Opportunities for faculty, staff, parents and members of the community to meet and welcome Mr. Wade Bianco to the Notre Dame family will be announced in the near future. 

Batavia beat Notre Dame 3-2 in the championship game of the Rotary Tournament.

Batavia scored the winning run on a 2-out Quentin Weis single. Pitchers Greg Mruzek and Tyler Prospero both went the distance. 

Photos are from one inning of the Batavia vs. Oakfield-Alabama game and the championship game.

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Notre Dame's Anna Warner, a multiple Section V title holder in cross-country, signed a letter of intent to attend Mercyhurst University, an NCAA Division I school in Erie, Pa.

Her athletic honors include:

• Outdoor Track and Field Genesee Region [GR] All Star       2011-2015
• Cross-country Genesee Region [GR] All Star                 2010-2015
• Cross-country Genesee Region [GR] Division III Champion  2012 and 2014
• Cross-country Team Section V Champions                    2010 and 2012
• Cross-country Individual Section V Champion                2011 and 2014
• Cross-country Section V NYSPHSAA All Star                2010-2015
• Cross-country All Greater Rochester [AGR] Honorable Mention – 2013
• Track and Field All Greater Rochester [AGR] Honorable Mention -- 2013 
• Cross-country All Greater Rochester [AGR] – First Team -- 2014
• Cross-country All Section V Recognition – 2^nd Team [Class D -- 2011 and 2014]

She also excelled in academics at Notre Dame, said Principal Joseph Scanlan.

"Anna is the classic example of hard work paying off," Scanlan said. "Anna is the epitome of a student-athlete."

Pictured are Judy Warner, Anna Warner, Coach Eric Geitner, Principal Joseph Scanlan and Athletic Director Mike Rapone.

Notre Dame High School hosted its annual spring concert at the school Thursday night with jazz ensemble and concert choir performing such pieces as the "Overture of the Magic Flute," highlights from "Harry Potter," Disney movie tunes and a portion of Pachelbel's "Canon in D." Theresa Kehl is conductor of both the ensemble and the choir.

Notre Dame came from behind to beat Lyndonville 4-3 at Dwyer Stadium on Thursday.

Top photo: CJ Souzzi is out at home trying to score the team's fifth run after Larry Infantino had crossed the plate a moment before on Peter Madafferi's double.

Here's Coach Mike Rapone's game summary:

Tyler Prospero pitched six strong, scoreless innings to pick up the win in relief of starter Casey Midwick who left with tightness in his pitching arm as ND rallied to win 4-3. Prospero's line was 6 innings, 2 hits, 0 runs, 6K and no walks. Lyndonville's had a 3-run first on a Brandon Schoolcraft RBI double and Eric Nease's 2-run triple. The Irish responded with two first inning runs on Mike Falitico's RBI groundout and Michael Muehlig's 2-out RBI single. They tied it in the fifth when Cal Tygart tripled to deep center and scored on another Mike Falitico RBI groundout. The winning run was scored by Larry Infantino, who walked, moved to second on CJ Suozzi's single and scored on Peter Madafferi's RBI double.

Press release:

Wednesday, March 25, was the Virtual Business Trade Fair at Genesee Community College. Nine high schools from the G.L.O.W. region competed with 11 businesses created entirely from scratch by students. At Notre Dame, this year-long project is incorporated into the college credit course Principles of Business or BUS 101 through collaboration with GCC’s Accelerated College Enrollment Program (ACE).

This is the first year Notre Dame participated in the event, but that did not stop the eight-member team from receiving multiple recognitions at the fair. Their teacher, Lindsay Warner, says the team has shown incredible commitment to the project since it began in September.

“They have had a contagious enthusiasm for this project that propelled them to a well-deserved victory!” Warner said.

This course is driven by student-centered projects. Each member has developed public speaking, problem-solving, and communication skills. They have learned to work together and value input of others, even if it is different from their own. They have learned that hard work pays in the end and that learning can be valuable and even fun. There are no tests and no quizzes but Drew Morabito, senior and chief financial officer, wants to clear up any confusion, saying “I have never worked harder in any class.”

Students learn because they want to succeed and suceed they did. 

Notre Dame placed in four out of five judged categories at the trade fair. The Cupcakery -- a small bake shop specializing in upscale cupcakes -- received First Place for Salesmanship and Number of Transactions. They also placed 2nd for Transaction Dollar Amount and tied with T&T from Pavilion High School for Best Booth Design.

The teams will also be judged on 20+ page business plans submitted at the event as well as product catalogs and Web sites with results expected in the next few weeks.

Notre Dame’s Bus 101 class and Cupcakery business owners are: Lindsey Bender -- chief marketing officer; Dylan Fix -- financial executive; Joseph Falkowski III -- human resource manager; Chase Hughes -- financial executive; Drew Morabito -- chief financial officer; Caleb Nellis -- human resource executive; Taylor Perzia -- chief executive officer; and Joseph Zickl -- marketing and sales executive.

ND currently offers Economics, Introduction to Careers, Personal Money Management, Accounting 1, and Accounting 101 in addition to Principles of Business. Business-minded students can graduate Notre Dame with 12 college credits, equivalent to one semester of college.

Anyone interested in learning more about this program and the other opportunities Notre Dame is providing its students should contact the school or visit during the upcoming Open House, April 19, from 2 - 4 p.m.

Total # of Deposits:
The Cupcakery                  Notre Dame                       256
Vision Vacations               Dansville                              155
Able Sports                         Elba                                        114
Oatkan Outdoors             Le Roy                                    114

Total Amount of Deposits:
Vision Vacations               Dansville                              $378,009.35
The Cupcakery                  Notre Dame                       $330,624.33
Road Trip                             Attica                                    $187,953

Booth Design:
The Cupcakery                  Notre Dame                       770
T & T Services                    Pavilion                                                770
Elite Feet                             Way-Co                                                743
Sugar Shack                        Batavia                                 730

Salesmanship:
The Cupcakery                  Notre Dame                       427
T & T Services                    Pavilion                                                407
Vision Vacations               Dansville                              395

Photos by Tom Rivers, Orleans Hub.

Batavia and Notre Dame will meet in the mock trials finals tomorrow after securing victories in the semifinals Monday evening in the Orleans County Courthouse.

Batavia went 2-0, 113 points to 110 points, against Attica. Notre Dame was 1-1, but with 109 points to 106 points against Avon.

In the top photo, Dylan Beckman serves as an attorney for the team from Batavia and questions a witness.

Amanda Conrad, a witness for Attica, responds to questioning from Becca Canale, an attorney for Batavia.

Becca Canale was one of the attorneys for Batavia. She presents her closing argument to Chad Murray, the judge for the competition.

Madhu Vihani, a lawyer for the Attica team, presents documents to the team from Batavia.

Nic Culver, of Medina, a freshman at Notre Dame, was a witness for his team.

For much of the first half of Saturday's Section V Class D1 championship game at Blue Cross Arena, Josh Johnson was the wheel that kept Notre Dame's offense rolling.

But wheels have cogs and cogs sometimes break.

The broken cog Saturday was Johnson's hip, which the senior guard hurt late in the half.

Who knows how the game might have turned out if Johnson had been healthy and rolling at full speed through an entire 32 minutes.

A slowed Johnson didn't exactly curb the Fighting Irish offense. The game did move at a different pace, but Notre Dame still held a lead with a minute to play.

The 51-48 on the tote board above the court glowed, but that's only three points. There's little margin for error with a one-basket lead in a championship game.

The errors came in pairs Saturday. Six times, when a single charity point would have made it a two-possession game, Notre Dame shooters missed free throws.

Johnson missed four of them.

The first two after a backcourt foul, which sent Johnson trotting down the court, nodding at his teammates with knowing smile that seemed to say, "I've got this."

Only Johnson didn't have it. Neither shot fell. The Notre Dame bench, so animated for most of the half, was quiet, unmoved, sitting like parishioners in a church pew waiting for the collection plate.

Notre Dame's six foul shots were the gifts every team gets as the clock winds down in close games. They're donations you have to accept to win. Every coach, player and fan knows it.

Johnson would later let his frustration show with the slam of a fist into the seat of a folding chair. 

Only Johnson knows if his hip injury affected his foul shooting. It's hardly inconceivable that it did. The change in the release of a shooter by only a fraction inch is the difference between a brick and a swish. A twinge of pain in a leg pushing up could unbalance the stroke.

That isn't an excuse. Just a thought.

The reality is, Genesee Valley's Dan George, who hadn't scored through the prior 31 minutes of play, suddenly became a factor in the final 60 seconds.

He hit two three-pointers, the second 20-footer coming with about five seconds left on the clock to tie the score.

Head Coach Mike Rapone threw his arms out wide as if to say, "how did that happen?"

After the game, Rapone explained what happened. Notre Dame's coverage broke down.

"We were supposed to be man-to-man coming out of the last time out and four of us were and one of us wasn't and that's the guy who got left open," Rapone said.

With three seconds left, the Irish huddled for one last time.

The ensuing inbound pass went to Caleb Nellis at half court. He turned, leaped and released. The form was good. The heave was long. The ball left his hands before the buzzer. It hit the backboard in the square above the rim and for smallest split of a second there was hope, but this was no Christian Laettner moment.

"I've got to be honest, I knew we were in trouble when the game went into overtime," Rapone said. "The emotional swings, with kids it's tough. Our kids felt like they had the game won and now you've got to go overtime and by that time, Josh was no factor on offense, so I knew we weren't going to score a lot of points in overtime."

After those final four minutes in which the Irish scored just once, Notre Dame was left with slumped shoulders and blue jerseys pulled up to cover faces as Genesee Valley players leaped into group embrace to celebrate their 57-53 victory.

Johnson, who seemed unstoppable in the first half, finished with 22 points and Rapone admitted, the "what if" question was inescapable.

"You'd like to dream what could have happened if he didn't get hurt because it really didn't look like they had an answer for him in the first half," Rapone said.

To be sure, Genesee Valley is a good team, led by a quick and potent guard, Tyler Zlomek, MVP of the tournament, who scored 24 points and forced man-to-man coverage while the Irish used a zone to impede the rest of Genesee Valley's offense

They also had to deal with 6' 6" junior Carter Schneider.

An athletic center, Schneider battled under the boards and kept his team fired up, though he hardly embarrassed Nellis, who had 11 rebounds and a couple of key put-back baskets in the second half.

"I'm not taking anything away from them, but I still say the game was there for us to take," Rapone said.

The Irish were helped a lot by the play of Casey Midwich, who showed a good deal of leadership when Johnson was out of the game for a few minutes in the third quarter and finished with nine points.

Nellis had seven points, Tyler Prospero five and John Sutherland and Luca Zambito each scored four.

Johnson also had 10 rebounds for a double-double and Sutherland had eight.

"The game was there for us to take and we didn't grab it and we have to accept that fact," Rapone said.

Dan George with the three-point shot that tied the score in the final seconds of regulation time.

Johnson made All-Tournament team, with gifts from Section V including a plaque and medal on a ribbon.

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Genesee County will have four teams playing for Section V championships in their respective classes this weekend.

Elba's Lady Lancers plays Jasper-Troupsburg for the Class D1 crown at Letchworth at 8 p.m., Friday. Elba beat Arkport last night 68-36.

Byron-Bergen's Lady Bees take on Mynderse at 1 p.m., Saturday, at Rush Henrietta after winning last night 42-38 over Gananda.

The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame take on Genesee Valley in the boys Class D1 championship at 7:15 p.m., Saturday, at Blue Cross Arena. Notre Dame beat Mt. Morris 62-45 to advance. Head Coach Mike Rapone asked that fans be advised that officials are going to clear out the stands at Blue Cross Arena following the completion of the 4:15 p.m. game Saturday. Doors will open for the 7:15 game at 6:45 p.m.

The Batavia Blue Devils go for the Class A2 title at 5 p.m., Sunday, against School of the Arts at Blue Cross Arena. (Click here for coverage of their semi-final game). 

It was a nifty little move under the basket, a no-look reverse layup from Byron-Bergen's Abbie Kelley. The kind of play good players make.

In this case, it couldn't have come at a more opportune time. Head Coach Rick Krzewinski said it was perhaps the difference maker in the game.

The Lady Bees got to that point by allowing Notre Dame to go on an 11-0 run at the start of the third quarter to erase a 10-point lead for Byron-Bergen in the Section V Class C1 playoff game.

The reverse of fortunes had a familiar ring to the Bees, who lost a home game earlier this season to the Fighting Irish after blowing a first-half lead.

Krzewinski told his players in the locker room at the half, "looks familiar doesn't it?"

One of his girls said, "don't even talk about it."

"Oh, we're going to talk about it," Krzewinski told his team, "because we're not going to let happen what happened last time."

The Bees apparently got the message, and Kelley's nifty basket provided the spark they needed to beat back Notre Dame's momentum.

"Players make plays and that was the perfect time for it," Krzewinski said. "We got our composure back, I thought, and started hitting some shots."

That basket and a three possession change of defense to a 2-3 zone, seemed to break the rhythm of the Irish girls.

Kelley, who has 393 points on the year, did more to carry her team than drop that one score. She was the game's leading scorer with 23. Nobody else on her team was in double digits.

"Today was Bergen's day," said Irish Head Coach Dave Pero. "In the fourth quarter, Abbie Kelley took the game over. We missed way too many free throws. We probably missed 14 free throws (10, actually) and in sectional play, in any game, you can't miss 14 free throws and think you're going to struggle to win. Sometimes you'll get lucky, but the luck of the Irish wasn't with us today."

B-B's diamond defense held Notre Dame's top two scorers to totals a shave below their season PPG averages. Becca Krenzer had 12 points and Shea Norton, 11.

Emma Francis didn't hit a single three and was held to seven points for the game.

"We had the shots we wanted," Pero said. "You have days when they're not going to go in and today was one of those days. But we fought to get back in third quarter and I don't know if we ran out of gas a little bit, we might have, but I've got to take my hat off to Bergen. They played a great basketball game. They played for 32 minutes and that's why they're moving on and we're not."

The Bees had 13 days off before the game and Krzewinski said the team used that time to work on the diamond defense thinking it would be effective against Notre Dame.

"We were hoping maybe we could force some turnovers, worst case maybe slow them down," Krzewinski said. "I thought the girls worked it well and the message was, it will work if you move and they moved. We got out of it what I wanted."

It's been 2008 since Byron-Bergen beat Notre Dame in a girls basketball game, and the Irish seem to be a chief rival for just about every team they play.  The win certainly made Bees fans happy, who whooped it up in the closing seconds of the game.

"Yeah, everybody wants to beat Notre Dame, obviously,"  Krzewinski said. "Year in and year out they're a team that everybody wants to beat and to be able to do this in a sectional game just makes it really sweet. I'm so proud of the way they (his team) played and hung in there and did this. I don't even know what to say."

Next up for Byron-Bergen, the #3 seed in the tournament, is #2 seed Gananda (16-3) at 6 p.m., Tuesday, at a location to be determined.

Pembroke, also a C1 team, lost today to East Rochester.

Oakfield-Alabama and Alexander also lost playoff games today, leaving Byron-Bergen, Batavia and Elba as the three Genesee County girls basketball teams still alive in the postseason. All three have games scheduled for Tuesday.

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Dr. Joe Scanlan, a man with the steady, gentle temperament of a parish priest, is stepping away from a job he loves in a few months.

Appropriately enough, for the past 11 years, Scanlan has been principal of Notre Dame High School, the private Catholic school on Union Street in Batavia.

"It takes a lot of energy to do this job," Scanlan said. "I pretty much do everything here except business. And you wouldn't want me to be the business manager. Tommy Rapone does a nice job. In addition to being principal, you're talking admissions, recruitment, pubic relations, newsletter and all the rest of the stuff. It's time to give somebody else a chance."

Scanlan's tenure at Notre Dame caps a 47-year career in education, which includes 15 at Byron-Bergen as a history teacher, assistant principal and principal, and 11 years as principal at York Central School.

Scanlan has found it particularly rewarding to shepherd area teens through their preparatory education at his own alma mater.

"I love it here, especially the kids," Scanlan said. "It's a great group of kids here. There's great kids in every school, so it's not just Notre Dame, but the students here are special group. They're pretty gritty. They're competitive, but they're respectful."

There are 170 students in grades 9-12 at Notre Dame. When the seniors graduate this spring, it will be Scanlan's final graduation with the school, it will also be the 50th anniversary year of his own class's graduation.

It's tradition for classes to be invited back for the graduation ceremony on their 50th anniversary, so Scanlan is hoping he'll see a lot of his former classmates.

Scanlan said the school board already has a number of qualified candidates who have expressed interest in the job.

There is also a $5 million capital campaign under way at the school, so the next principal will have plenty to do from the first day on the job.

As for Scanlan's own plans he says, "right now the plan is to have no plan."

He has a son and granddaughter living in Cleveland and more time to travel will mean more time with his family.

He plans to continue living in Le Roy.

The Notre Dame girls basketball team won its first Section V Class C1 playoff game of 2015 with a rout over Williamson, 55-29.

The Fighting Irish took a commanding 31-4 lead into the half.

Shea Norton (#44) hit three threes and had 17 points on the night. Becca Krenzer had 12 and Emma Francis had 11, including a trio of threes.

For Williamson, Kiki Hall had 11 and Maddie Thornson finished with 10.

Next up for Notre Dame (16-4), Byron-Bergen (16-3), at 2 p.m., Saturday at Byron-Bergen.

In their third matchup of the season today at Falleti Ice Arena, Batavia and Notre Dame battled for three periods in a physical, fast-paced game that ended 2-1 with the Ice Devils on top.

Forget the cold, the snow, the wind, just show up at Batavia Downs for Notre Dame's annual Trip Night, say organizers.

There's no weather cancellation here.

Festivities start at 6 and go to 10 p.m.

Photo submitted by Anita Strollo.

Press release from the American Red Cross:

At a very young age, Matthew Kota, of Byron, knew exactly what he wanted to be when he grew up — a doctor. But sadly, his dreams were cut short. In memory of Matthew and his 24th birthday, the Batavia community and surrounding areas are encouraged to give the gift of life and donate blood at a special American Red Cross blood drive on Saturday, Feb. 7, at Notre Dame High School in Batavia.

The recent winter weather and widespread flu have impacted the ability of some eligible, healthy donors to give blood. Dozens of blood drives have been cancelled and thousands of donations have gone uncollected because of the storms. Despite the weather, hospital patients still need blood.

“Matthew never waited for anything to happen, he made things happen,” said Jason Kota, Matthew’s father. “He was truly one of a kind and I’ve yet to meet anyone else on this earth like him.”

Matthew enjoyed the outdoors and had a smile that would light up a room, but it was his humanitarian spirit that friends and family say was contagious. Matthew had a desire to help people, and that’s one of the reasons why he became a blood donor and also volunteered with the Red Cross. He had hoped to join the Gallon Donor Club and even though he did not achieve that goal, his family and friends are now carrying out his wishes by holding blood drives in his memory.

“Matthew was our son, a friend, leader and now our Angel,” Jason Kota said.
 
Matthew, the eldest of four children, was just 17 years old when he passed away in 2008 from complications of brain surgery. Matthew had a large arterio-venous malformation or AVM. A vein in his head was significantly larger than it should have been. Doctors believe AVM is congenital and dates to birth.

Matthew’s family and friends say hosting this blood drive is a unique way to memorialize what Matthew stood for — helping others. They are now giving back by turning their heartbreak into hope for other families in need. Matthew’s younger brother, Sean, graduated from Notre Dame High School.

Donate Blood in Memory of Matthew Kota
Saturday, Feb. 7
9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Notre Dame High School
73 Union St.
Batavia

To make an appointment to donate, download the Blood Donor App, call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org

All presenting donors will receive a $5 Dunkin' Donuts card as part of the “Dunkin’ Donors Make a Difference” campaign.
The Red Cross urges healthy, eligible donors to make an appointment to give blood or platelets to help hospital patients and maintain a stable blood supply. Blood donors of all types are needed, particularly O negative, A negative and B negative and platelet donors. One blood donation can help save up to three lives.
 
How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org <http://www.redcrossblood.org> or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
 
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission.

For more information, please visit redcross.org <http://www.redcross.org> or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross <http://www.twitter.com/redcross>.

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.

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.  

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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