Skip to main content

Sports

Byron-Bergen's Taylor running at UB

By Brian Hillabush

 Byron-Bergen graduate Gillian Taylor has competed in two cross country races this fall and should be primed for a big indoor track & field season at the University at Buffalo.

The sophomore ran a 21:40, for a 37th place finish, at the Tommy Evans Invite and took 63rd with a 22:06 at the UB Stampede Invite.

The Bulls scored 513 points and finished 17th at the 2008 NCAA Northeast Regional Championships at Van Cortlandt Park this past weekend, but Taylor did not compete in the race.

She was a member of UB's distance medley relay team during indoor last season, and finished 15th in the 800 m at the MAC Outdoor Championships last year.

Taylor was one of the most successful runners in area history at Byron-Bergen.

She received 14 varsity letters and was a team captain in cross country, indoor and outdoor track. She was named the teams' most valuable runner 12 times and holds the B-B records in the 1500 (4:50), 800 (2:20), 1000 (3:01) and was on the record holding 1600 relay squad.

She won 10 individual sectional titles and qualified for the state championships in outdoors five times, and indoors once.

Wade looks to lead Batavia girls to new level

By Brian Hillabush

 Mark Hamilton did a great job of getting the Batavia girls basketball program back to respectability.

When he stepped down, the school looked for a coach that can take the program to another level. Bill Wade appears to be that man.

Wade coached Byron-Bergen to the state finals in 1984, won a state title in 1999 with Notre Dame and then retired, spending four years as an assistant coach at SUNY Brockport. Wade's career record is 215-52.

He looks to help the squad improve on last year's 16-5 record and be competitive in the Class A sectionals.

The veteran coach has a pair of returning senior stars that are expected to lead a young team this season.

Jaycee Shirk showed marked improvement as last season went on and the 6-foot-1 forward/center is expected to be a force in the paint. Shirk teamed with Alyssa Tretter for that role and now will be handling those duties on her own.

Shirk averaged 12 points with eight rebounds and two blocks per game last season.

The other returning starter is senior guard Brittany Mazurkiewicz, who poured in 10 points with five assists and three steals per game.

Every other player on the roster is a junior.

Stacy Hein is expected to run the point with Brittany Wormley, Alicia Emminger and Michelle Jordan also expected to be key players for the Blue Devils.

Batavia earned a fourth-seed in the Class A playoffs last year, but were knocked out by No. 5 School of the Arts in the quarterfinals, 62-44. Shirk had nine points in that game and Mazurkiewicz had eight.

 

Brasky helps King's College get big upset

By Brian Hillabush

 Batavia graduate Adam Brasky and his King's College basketball team improved to 2-0 this past week with a huge upset victory.

King's shocked two-time defending MAC Commonwealth Conference champion Widener 80-67 in the championship game of the Ramada Inn Classic on Sunday.

Brasky had a key 3-pointer in the contest and finished the game with seven points, according to a story on D3hoops.com.

In the first half the teams went back and forth as the teams were tied 26-26 with 6:14 remaining on the clock. King’s would use back-to-back three-pointers by Mike Wagner to build a 32-26 advantage with 3:44 left. After Widener countered with a three-pointer by B.J. Smith, Adam Brasky answered for King’s with a trey of his own to give the Monarchs with a 35-29 advantage with 3:03 left.

Widener was ranked seventh in the Division III small school poll and 23rd in the nation.

Turnovers doom Le Roy, but not without a fight

By Brian Hillabush

 

With just four minutes left in the game, something clicked for the Le Roy football team. In a situation where the Oatkan Knights had turned the ball over six times and was trailing by 18 points, they didn't quit.

There was a sudden burst of momentum as the team that hadn't lost all season long wasn't about to take its first defeat lying down.

Le Roy came back and had a shot to win the game in the final minute, but turned the ball over a seventh time and walked off the field with a crushing 38-35 defeat against the most skilled team it has seen all year, Jamestown Southwestern.

The start to the game was strange as the teams took the field and there was a penalty on the kickoff, then had to wait four minutes to re-do the kick because of the television coverage.

But the Oatkan Knights received the ball on the kick and fumbled the ball away on their third play. Southwestern quickly scored as Levi Bursch scored on a 19-yard run.

The Trojans got the ball back on an interception, then gave it back to Le Roy when they fumbled it.

The Oatkan Knights marched right back down the field and was knocking on the end zone door when the ball popped out again, giving Southwestern the ball at their own 20-yard line.

Zack Sopak lofted up a 54-yard pass to Will Sleggs and the Trojans were deep in Le Roy territory. Bursch capped off the drive with a 2-yard dive into the end zone.

Le Roy marched on the next drive, with the highlight being a 35-yard pass to Quentin Humphrey. This time,  the turnover directly resulted in points for Southwestern.

Travis Fenstermaker was trying to get the ball to Mike Humphrey for a touchdown, but Bursch stepped in front and snagged the pass. He took it 97 yards to the house, giving Southwestern a 21-0 advantage.

The Oatkan Knights again were moving the ball as a Fenstermaker pass to Andrew Alexander was a big gainer, especially when you add the face mask penalty.

But, Alexander wound up coughing up the ball inside the red zone.

Southwestern punted and Le Roy finally got on the scoreboard just seconds before the first half ended. Alexander hauled in a pass by Fenstermaker and rumbled 63 yards for the TD.

After making a stop and punting the ball away at the start of the second half, the Oatkan Knights got a turnover when Southwestern fumbled. That led to a 13-yard touchdown pass to Mike Humphrey. The extra point attempt failed and Le Roy trailed 21-13.

After a big kick return by Tanner Delahoy, Southwestern didn't take long to make it a two-score game as Sopak hooked up with Will Sleggs on a 29-yard scoring pass.

Le Roy got some major help on the next drive. On a fourth-and-2, Fenstermaker tossed a first down pass to Alexander, but there was a face mask and late hit penalty issued on the play.

The Oatkan Knights faced another fourth down later in the drive and Fenstermaker ended up tossing a 6-yard touchdown pass to Mike Humphrey on the fourth-and-1.

The next 10 points came by the Trojans, seeming to put the game away.

Bursch caught a 3-yard touchdown pass and Dan Imfeld nailed a 28-yard field goal, giving Southwestern a 38-20 lead with just 6:49 left on the clock.

The game appeared to be over. But it wasn't.

Fenstermaker - who ends his high school career with a 20-2 record - capped off a three minute long drive with a 1-yard TD run.

The Oatkan Knights recovered the onside kick and it started to look like something special was going to happen.

But, Mike Humphrey fumbled the ball away after catching a short pass. Again, the game looked to be over - that is, until the Trojans fumbled while trying to run time off the clock. Le Roy recovered with 1:28 left in the game.

Humphrey immediately caught a 42-yard touchdown pass and the impossible, now seemed possible. The Oatkan Knights were only trailing 38-35 and when they recovered the second onside kick, looked like they were going to win the game.

Fenstermaker threw a pass to Mike Humphrey and Le Roy had the ball at the Southwestern 22-yard line and just over 30 seconds to work with.

But the Southwestern defensive backs had the Le Roy receivers covered, forcing Fenstermaker to scramble. He was hit by Eric Mazgaj and the ball popped out, with the Trojans recovering and ending Le Roy's season.

Fenstermaker went 21-of-37 for 283 yards and four touchdowns, with Humphrey hauling in 14 passes for 136 yards and three scores. Alexander rushed the ball 19 times for 61 yards and caught two passes for 91 yards and a score.

Southwestern improves to 11-0 and moves on to the state semifinals next weekend at PAETEC Park.

 

UPDATE: More photos from Pete Karl.

Roller coaster ride for Le Roy fans

By JIM NIGRO

 

The LeRoy fans who braved the dismal weather for today’s Western Regional football matchup with Southwestern were treated to an emotional roller coaster ride.

As the rain began to intensify, so too did LeRoy’s turnover problems. Turnovers - in the form of a fumble and interception - on their first two possessions proved frustrating. A sustained drive on LeRoy’s third possession had the Oatkan Knighs faithful cheering. Then, just as suddenly, the LeRoy crowd was silenced as the ball was fumbled away near the Southwestern goal line. LeRoy turned the ball over twice more in the first half, both times after moving the ball deep into Southwestern territory. To compound the problem, the Trojans capitalized on LeRoy’s miscues.

At half time I spoke with LeRoyan John Arneth, a long time Oatkan Knight supporter. “You can’t beat a good team with that many turnovers in one half. Period.” He went on to specify the need to control the ball, particularly at this stage of the season. “This time of year all the pretenders have gone home. Good teams will capitalize on your mistakes.” Southwestern fit’s the latter category well as they turned three LeRoy turnovers - two fumbles and an interception - into scores. “Right now they are not beating us so much as we are beating ourselves. But they are playing a mistake free game”, Arneth concluded.

Two former Oatkan Knights, John Piazza and Kevin Pike were on hand to root for LeRoy. When I asked Piazza, a former LeRoy linebacker in bygone years, what he thought of LeRoy’s chances, he said, “You’ve got two great teams on the field. LeRoy’s got a lot of heart. They’re hanging in there. Hopefully the momentum will swing our way.” It takes one to know one. Once a Knight, always a Knight. Or so it seemed. Though it took some time in coming, John Piazza’s words would be prophetic. In the meantime, LeRoy capitalized on a Southwestern fumble. Travis Fenstermaker put the ball in the air and Mike Humphrey made a remarkable catch in the end zone to put renewed life into the LeRoy crowd. Just as quick as their hopes soared, they came plummeting back to earth Soutwestern returned the ensuing kickoff for considerable yardage and the very next play scored on a pass play of their own. But the LeRoy faithful would not be deterred. “LeRoy has some amazing athletes on the field”, said Kevin Pike. ”It’s a great atmosphere here at UB. We’ll have a better second half.”

Trailing by eighteen points with four minutes left, the Oatkan Knights kicked the roller coaster into high gear - and on an uphill ride. In the time remaining, LeRoy brought the fans to their feet, scoring two touchdowns, both conversions - one for two points and two successful onside kicks.

Then, just as quickly, despite all the last minute gut checking, time ran out on a great season, with a seventh turnover.

 

Watch Derek Wolfley's college debut live

By Brian Hillabush

The Iona College basketball team is playing right now (7:30 p.m.) and the game is being broadcast on the Internet here.

This is where you can watch Attica grad, and one of the best players in the history of the Genesee Region League make his Division I college debut.

The Blue Devils' all-time leading scorer, Derek Wolfley, is a freshman on the squad. Enjoy the game. 

 

 

 

 (UPDATE: Derek did not get in the game. The Gaels are playing in a tournament next weekend, so hopefully he will get a chance to make his college debut then.)

Le Roy vs. Jamestown Southwestern

By Brian Hillabush

 Le Roy (10-0) vs. Jamestown Southwestern (10-0)

10 a.m. Saturday, at University at Buffalo

The Le Roy football team has cruised to big wins for most of the season, and then ran into its biggest challenge of the season in the Section 5 Class C finals last week in Oakfield-Alabama.

This might be an even bigger challenge as Southwestern is traditionally a very strong Class B team that has moved down to Class C this season.

The Oatkan Knights do have experience with Class B schools, beating Batavia 27-13 and Hornell 41-19.

But Southwestern has had a bigger year than either Batavia or Hornell. The Trojans are undefeated, the second-ranked team in the state (Le Roy is No. 1), has a strong defense and an amazing offense.

While we all know about Le Roy's big wins, Southwestern has many of its own, including a 44-2 win over Westfield/Ripley, 28-0 victory over Allegany-Limeston and a 42-6 win over Falconer.  Falconer beat Le Roy the last time the Far West Regionals were played in Buffalo in 2006.

Westfield's last victory came in the Section 6 Class C championships with a huge defensive effort, beating Silver Creek 21-0.

The Oatkan Knights will have their hands full with the Trojan offense.

Coach Jay Sirianni is an offensive-minded coach and has the ultimate weapon in quarterback Zack Sopak. Sopak is one of three rushers that are over 600 yards rushing, but also has the ability to throw the ball.

Running backs Levi Bursch and John Mistretta are both at about the same number of yards as the quarterback.

The offense will keep the defense guessing.

“Our line does different things on different plays and they do a great job up front and it just opens holes for our backs,” Sopak told The Buffalo News after winning the sectional title, the second for the program. 

2004 is the only other time Southwestern has won a sectional championship, playing Hornell in the Class B Far West Regionals. You can find a complete history of the Far West Regionals in this complete  look at the history of the game.

Le Roy's offense has been spectacular all season long and will be battling a very good defense, which has not given up more than 14 points in a game this season.

Linebacker Ryan Buzzetto leads the defense with 83 tackles.

Class C offensive Player of the Year Travis Fenstermaker leads the Le Roy offense with 1,234 passing yards with 20 touchdowns and just three interceptions, with most of those passes going to Mike Humphrey, who has caught 49 balls for 747 yards and 12 scores.

Andrew Alexander will also get plenty of opportunities to run the ball, having picked up 1,466 yards and 14 touchdowns on 188 carries.

Le Roy has 14 sectional championships, and one state title. That lone championship came in 1995. 

 

Batavia Daily News sports, Thursday

By Brian Hillabush

The Daily News reports Batavia freshman Catherine McAllister has qualified for the finals in two events at the Section 5 Girls Swimming Championships at Webster Aquatic Center.

She qualified third in Class B in the 100 backstroke in the prelims Wednesday with a time of 1:02.66, just shy of the state qualifying time of 1:02.00.  That time broke Kathy Hancock's 23-year old school record time of 1:03.91.

McAllister also qualified third in the 200 IM, with a time of 2:17.95. McAllister, Taylor Henry, Sarah DiBacco and Alayna Miodozeniec qualfied sixth in the 400 freestyle and 200 medley relays.

Henry qualified 11th in  he 100 backstroke and DiBacco will be in the consolation finals of the 500 freestyle.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Daily News Sportswriter Alana Stage wrote a nice feature on the Casper boys on the Le Roy football team. Stage talked with the three boys (Jordan, Jon and Josh) and their mother, Crystal, in the piece.

Jordan and Josh are twins and both lineman for the Oatkan Knights and Jon is a fullback.

Stage writes about Crystal's initial feelings about not wanting her kids to play football, the injuries suffered by Josh and Jordan.

For more information on Le Roy's Far West Regional game on Saturday and video interviews with Jordan, Travis Fenstermaker and coach Brian Moran, check back to The Batavian this evening.

We encourage you to pick up a copy of the Daily News at your local newsstand. Or, better yet, subscribe at BataviaNews.com.

Swimming records

By Brian Hillabush

Area swimmers have done well in the past, and the Genesee Region League holds some Section 5 records.

The boys have done well in Class C and D in the past.

Byron-Bergen's Luke Fink set the record for the 200 freestyle (1:44.11)  and 500 freestyle (4:43.71) in 1998.

Notre Dame's Chris Norton holds the 100 butterfly record (:52.58) for Class D, which he set in 2004. Oakfield-Alabama/Avon is listed as the record holder in the 200 medley relay (1:44.64), set in 1993. Did these two schools swim together back then?

Batavia's Bethany Brown holds the record in the 100 breaststroke (1:08.23) and 200 freestyle (2:01.11) in Class C for the girls.

 (area coaches interested in getting coverage on The Batavian should e-mail brian (at) thebatavian (dot) com)

GR looking to get on top in sectionals

By Brian Hillabush

The Genesee Region League has some quality basketball, but typically stuggles in the sectional playoffs (with the exception of Notre Dame in Class D).

There is proof of that when you look at the results from last season, when Elba was the only team to make the finals where they lost to Fillmore 53-43.

Batavia also made the finals in Class A, playing in the Monroe County League during the season.

As teams have started practice this week, we are looking at a season in which the GR has the potential to make some noise down the road.

Oakfield-Alabama and Pembroke are expected to be two of the favorites, but are going to have some tough teams to battle in the larger of the C classes, including East Rochester, Gananda, Avon and Cal-Mum.

Alexander and Kendall are improved programs that are going to look to surprise people during the regular season, but have to deal with Perry and Lyons (which is usually stronger in basketball than football) in the lower C bracket.

Elba and Notre Dame have a very memorable game in Class DD last year and are amongst the favorites again this year. But Genesee Valley and Arkport have had solid teams in the past.

There is obviously a long way to go and this should be a great year for GR boys hoops, but it is interesting to see how the classifications break down and imagine the league bringing home a couple of championships.

Interview with former Batavia Muckdog's player

By Howard B. Owens

The blog Future Redbirds landed an interview with Chris Swauger, an integral member of the Batavia Muckdog's 2008 championship season.

Here's what Chris says about finally winning it all:

Winning the NYPL championship was by far the best experience I’ve had in 18 years playing baseball. In little league, high school, and college I was fortunate to play for many championships however my teams never could win one. Being so close so many times makes finally winning a championship that much sweeter. This team (Batavia) was as close as any I have ever been on which is strange considering the nature of professional baseball. It was a pleasure coming to the field everyday and working and playing with the players and coaches on the Muckdogs. Since I was a kid, I dreamed of dog-piling on the mound and celebrating in the locker room like you see on TV. To be a part of something like that was almost surreal and it is a memory I will cherish for the rest of my life.

Prattsburgh's Burke elected to HOF

By Brian Hillabush

Notre Dame boys basketball coach Mike Rapone and Prattsburgh coach Jim Burke have had some great battles over the years. Burke won a regular season contest between the two squads last season, making Rapone wait another game before getting his 500th career victory as a boys basketball coach.

Rapone beat Burke to the 500-win plateau as Burke is still sitting at 499 career victories heading into this season. But Burke beat Rapone to the Section 5 Hall of Fame and will be inducted on Saturday at the Clarion Riverside Hotel in Rochester.

Burke's daughter, Jamie, will also be inducted at the ceremony as well as NBA coach Jeff Van Gundy, who is a Brockport native.

Here is the description given on Burke at the Section 5 Web site.

.. This coaching icon has been a model of success in both boy’s and girl’s basketball. Jim has amassed 676 wins (499 boys, 177 girls) and has directed Prattsbugh Central to 6 Boys and 4 Girls Section V titles. His 1991 Boys team netted the NY State championship with an unblemished 29-0 record. He was honored by the Rochester D&C in 1991 as their AGR “Coach of the Year.” Coach Burke is also a member of the New York State Basketball Coaches and Wayland-Cohocton Halls of Fame.

Rough start at Iona for Wolfley

By Brian Hillabush

 Attica's Derek Wolfley dominated Genesee Region League competition last season and finished as the school's all-time leading scorer with 1,474 points. He also had 932 career rebounds.

He landed a Division I basketball scholarship at Iona College and the Gaels open up the season on Friday with a home game against Hampton University.

Wolfley's college career is getting off to a tough start after the 6-foot-7, 230-pound forward has been fighting mono. Here is what coach Kevin Willard said in his blog about Wolfley.

"Derek has had the toughest time adjusting because he is just getting over mono and is trying to get back into shape. He had the worst first practice of any freshman I have ever seen – even worse than Rashon Dwight last year. But he has come back strong and is starting to play very well. He is a great passer and has a very good 17 foot jump shot. Derek’s new best friend is Khyl Farrison our strength coach. I feel bad for Derek."

Iona went 2-28 last season, but signed eight talented freshman for this season.

Here is some video of Wolfley playing at Attica.

Genesee Community College Men's Basketball Season Update

By Terry George

 

Men’s Basketball Program Overview
The Genesee Community College Cougars competes at the NJCAA Division II level. The Cougars are also a part of Region III and the Western New York Athletic Conference. The team has a strong history of success as the Cougars have won eight conference, two regional and two district titles. The team turned in back to back appearances at the national tournament in 2002 and 2003. Many players have gone on to play at the NCAA and NAIA Division I, Division II and Division III levels.
2007-2008 Season Recap
The men's basketball team finished their 2007-2008 season with a 13-16 record, which included an 8-6 conference record. The team opened up the season winning their tip-off tournament, by routing CCRI in the finals.With two conference wins against Mercyhurst NE and MCC late in the season, the team entered the Region III tournament as the No. 5 seed and had to play Alfred State on the road in the first round. The team defeated Alfred State, earning a spot in the Regional Semi-Finals, where they eventually bowed out to the Region III champions, Erie CC.
 
2008- 2009 Season Preview
 
With only one returning starter, Reid Houston (Rochester, NY), the Cougars are looking for big-time play from the group their freshman and a transfer. Curtis Jackson (Brooklyn, NY), a transfer from Jamestown Community College, will be looked upon to lead this talented group of Cougars. The 2008-2009 edition of the Genesee Cougars will depend on several freshman in order to regain past success. Freshman Jordan Henry (Toronto, ON), Zedrick Wilson (Rochester, NY), Gregory Tucker (Buffalo, NY), Justin Nickson (Rochester, NY) and Laiquan Lyons (Brooklyn, NY) are all expected to have an immediate impact this season. We are very optimistic about this upcoming season and expecting great success!!

ND, Pembroke represent area well at Cross Country States

By Eric Geitner

The fantastic season of the Notre Dame Boys Cross Country Team wrapped up with a third place finish at the New York State Cross Country Championships at Sunken Meadow State Park in Long Island.  Beaver River was the winning team with 57 points and Barker squeaked ahead of ND by one point.  Junior Kevin Pawlak was the top Irish harrier, finishing in 18th place in 18:05.  Freshman Quin O'Connor, ND's #1 man, was injured on the first downhill of the race after the mile mark, but fought through the final two miles to finish in 24th place in 18:15 (it was discovered yesterday that he fractured his heel in the race.  He will be back on his feet in late December).  Senior Eric Shormann had another great race and finished 40th, with Seniors Matt Jackson 44th, and Taylor Alexander 55th.  Junior Nate Flumerfeldt came in 71st and Freshman Marshall Argenta was 109th. 

The Pembroke team ran to a seventh place finish with 156 points.  Newark Valley won a one point decision with 62.  Colin Bartholomew taking 24th place.  Matt Seward was 48th, Adam Mahaney 69th, Kyle Mauer 70th, Mark Riegel 91st, Ben Farley 103rd, and Ethan Burns 108th. 

Other area racers included:  Class C Girls: Kristina Martin of Holley placed 21st, Katie Piechowiak of Attica placed 60th.  Class D Girls:  Kim Mills of Oakfield placed 7th, Liz Valento of Pavilion placed 10th.  Class B Girls:  Angela Jarvela of Batavia finished in 23rd place.  Class C Boys:  Frank Johnson of Letchworth placed 14th, Jaked Krautweist of Leroy placed 34th and Jack Bennett of LeRoy placed 51st.  Class D Boys:  Kevin Grazioplene placed 8th, Justin Richardson of Pavilion placed 17th, and Craig Cicero of Perry finished 25th.

Congrats to all the Cross Country runners from the area on a great season!

 

Hometown Hoops for Hope game is Nov. 29

By Brian Hillabush

Notre Dame and Batavia High alums will be getting together to play some basketball and raise money for a good cause on Saturday, November 29 at Notre Dame.

The Hometown Hoops for Hope game will feature Batavia and Notre Dame grads battling each other on the court.

The game is going to be held to raise money for the Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation, which is set up in honor of Michael Napoleone, who passed away from Burkitt's Lymphoma/Leukemia.

Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. and admission is just $2 at the door.

Le Roy tops in the state

By Brian Hillabush

With Le Roy's big 27-17 win over Oakfield-Alabama Friday night, and losses by Bishop Ludden and Dobbs Ferry, the Oatkan Knights will be moving up to No. 1 in the state rankings for Class C.

Le Roy will be playing No. 2 ranked Jamestown Southwestern at 10 a.m. Saturday at the University at Buffalo.

Elba/Byron-Bergen Pool Play

By Brian Hillabush

I haven't been getting results from Elba/Byron-Bergen's football squad since the Pool Play started, but I did find a story on the semifinals win over Bolivar-Richburg on Saturday.

Elba/B-B did lose in the finals, but had a successful run, winning three games in a row before this.

(Updated to fix my mistake)

D'Errico and Penn St. keep winning

By Brian Hillabush

Byron-Bergen product Alyssa D'Errico and her Penn St. volleyball squad just keep on winning.

The Nittany Lions have won 52 consecutive matches and are the defending national champions.

D'Errico is featured in a preview of the Ohio St. match, which was won by her squad. While a senior at Byron-Bergen, she received a phone call from coach Russ Rose after the last loss by Penn St. in the Big 10.

"It's kind of devastating to hear because you know the tradition to be the top team in Big Ten and play like you expect to win and play to win," D'Errico said of the phone conversation with Rose back in 2006. "It's kind of a mindset we have that we have to keep the tradition alive of not losing to [Big Ten] teams."

The Nittany Lions have a tough weekend coming up, playing games at No. 17 Illinois and No. 18 Purdue.

Authentically Local