The #7 seed, Elba, in Class D knocked off Andover-Whitesville, the #2 seed, 40-36 on Wednesday to advance in the sectional tournament.
The Lancers will contend for the Class D championship at Blue Cross Arena on Saturday. Game time is 4 p.m. against #1 seed Avoca-Prattsburg, who beat Hammondsport in their semifinal 90-60.
For Elba, Angelo Penna scored 12 points. Nickolas Scott scored 11 and Ashton Bezon scored 10.
The Elba Lancers, the #3 seed in Class D Girls Basketball, beat the #2 seed in a semifinal game on Wednesday, 55-47
Next up, #1 seed C.G. Finney on Saturday at 11 a.m. at Finger Lakes Community College. Finney scored 71 points against Genesee Valley-Belfast in its semifinal game.
For the Lancers, Sydney Reilly scored 18 points, Brea Smith scored 14, and Ava Buczek scored 13.
Pembroke beat East Rochester on Tuesday, 54-36, to advance to the Class C1 championship game on Saturday at 2 p.m. at Blue Cross Arena.
Tyson Totten scored 22 points for the Dragons. Avery Ferreira scored 17 points.
"One of the staples of our program has always been defense, and when you play games this late in the season against quality teams, sometimes that is what you have to hang your hat on, and that is precisely what we did tonight," said Coach Matt Shay. "I was very pleased with our effort tonight and how we battled on that end."
The #3 seed Dragons take on #1 seed Lyons on Saturday.
The Alexander Trojans, seeded #2 in Class C2 is heading to Blue Cross Arena on Saturday to via for a sectional championship after beating Bolivar-Richburg on Tuesday 52-49.
The rivalry was once among the most legendary in Section V - Caledonia-Mumford vs. the Oatkan Knights of Le Roy.
The rivalry waned when leagues were realigned a few years ago, and starting next season, the once fierce fighters on the field will be brothers on the gridiron.
Both school districts have approved, pending Section V approval, a merger of the two football programs. The merger will affect all levels of football in both communities.
The Knights are coming off a 2023 campaign in which the team won its record-setting 16th Section V title.
The Le Roy Central School District said in a statement on Tuesday evening:
Please know that this decision was made with the best interests of our students and our school district in mind and keeps the mission of our shared services committee central to our decision-making. The decision to merge football teams with the Caledonia-Mumford CSD reflects the collaborative spirit and commitment to providing exceptional opportunities for our student-athletes.
The statement acknowledged the rich football history in both communities and said the merger would strengthen football opportunities for all age groups and help both districts sustain 11 main football programs.
The district said there would be future announcements about the plan to carry out the merger, practice and game schedules and locations, and a selection of a head coach and additional coaching staff.
"The team name, mascot, and colors will also be determined by student-athletes in partnership with our athletic directors and coaching staff at a later date," the statement read.
It concluded, "We are excited about this merger and the future of the Caledonia-Mumford and Le Roy football program."
Over the past few seasons, Cal-Mum has been merged with Byron-Bergen for football and cheerleading. On Tuesday evening, Athletic Director Rich Hannan and Superintendent Pat McGee issued the following statement.
We are writing to update everyone on a developing situation with our football and fall cheer program here at Byron-Bergen. Last week we were made aware that Cal-Mum is exploring a new partnership for their football and fall cheer squad that does not include Byron-Bergen. While we did not initiate this change, we are already actively exploring possibilities for our student-athletes to continue competing in their chosen fall sports.
Photo of Ball Diamond courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery.
The horses lined up for the final time this winter at Batavia Downs on Monday (Feb. 26) and the card featured a $12,000 conditioned pace that was won by Ball Diamond (Keith Kash Jr.), who claimed her second win of the year.
Ball Diamond got away in the pocket behind Lanas Desire (Dave McNeight III) who paced to the half in :58.1. There, All About Lynx (James McNeight Jr.) was rolling on the outside and eventually drew even with the leader around the last turn, just before heading into the stretch. But both horses were soon to be passed by the tripped-out Ball Diamond, who found clear sailing by the pylons and bolted to the line, ahead by one-half length in 1:56.2.
Ball Diamond ($8.90) is owned by Bruce Soulsby and Dannie Hostetler and is trained by his driver Kash.
Kash accounted for three driving wins on Monday after also winning with So So Incredible (1:56.1, $5.40) and Long Legged John (1:57.3, $11.60), who he also owns and trains.
Monday's card concluded the 2024 winter racing meet at Batavia Downs. Live harness racing will resume at The Downs on Saturday (July 27) when the summer/fall meet kicks off.
BND United's first-ever Section V, Class B championship after three years as a unified program. Photo by Steve Ognibene
Batavia Notre Dame, a merged hockey team in its third year as a united unit, won its first Section V Class B championship Monday in dramatic fashion -- pulling out an overtime victory.
United struck first in the first period.
Brennen Pedersen came off the bench to keep the puck from crossing the blue line for offsides, taking a pass from Jameson Motyka and opening up the scoring for United 1-0 with seven minutes left in the opening period.
Nine minutes into the second period, Ivan Milovidov scored unassisted, which gave United a 2-0 lead.
Webster Thomas cut the lead by one goal, scoring with four minutes left in the period to make it 2-1.
In the third period, after two penalty kills, United maintained the lead with under four minutes left. Webster Thomas scored again to tie the game 2-2 and send it into overtime.
In overtime, each squad had opportunities until Joe DiRisio scored the game-winner on a rebound to give BND the Class B title.
BND United had 34 shots on goal. Rhys Tanner made 32 saves for United.
Section V awards were given to Joe DiRisio, named MVP, and Ivan Milovidov, player of the game.
United moves on to the Regional round versus Kenmore East at Noon on Saturday at RIT.
Coach Marc Staley said he told his team going into overtime to take a couple of deep breaths and go out and do what they've done all year, to trust the process.
"This game could have gone either way," Staley said. "I mean, their goalie made some great saves. Our goalie made some great saves. We ended up getting a loose puck in front of the net, and we banged it home. That's how it goes."
He added, "You know, you get a little luck when you need it. We got a little luck when we needed it."
DiRisio, who scored the winning goal, credited the win to the close bond between team members.
"We just stayed together, really, DiRisio said. "We're brothers. We're family. We love each other. And we knew we had to stay level for it. I feel like being level mentally is 80 percent of the game. It's just it's huge."
The win, making history for the program, was a magical moment, he said.
"Obviously, it's history. It's kind of a numbing feeling because you're just so excited; at least, I am. It's just, it's incredible. It really is."
Brian Cline continued his torrid bowling season last week by firing a 300 game and 770 series in the Mancuso Real Estate Doubles League at Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia.
The 45-year-old left-hander from Middleport spun games of 278, 192 and 300, raising his average to 239.
In December, he posted a perfect game in an 857 series in the Monday night league.
In other action around the Genesee Region USBC:
-- Tom Fluker of Batavia kept the hot hand in the StrikeForce Tuesday Doubles League at StrikeForce Lanes in Oakfield, starting with a 290 game on the way to a 751 series.
-- William Wood of Rochester started with a 276 game in a 765 series in the Thursday Owls League at Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen. His other games were 231 and 258.
-- Dean Cadieux Jr. of Oakfield led the way in the Sunday Rolloffs League at Medina Lanes with a 267 game and 774 series.
-- In the Wednesday Community League at Medina Lanes, Juliana Allis of Medina registered 267--701.
For a list of high scores for the week, click on the Pin Points tab at the top of the home page.
LEROYANS WIN NO-TAP DOUBLES
Le Roy residents Rob Panepento and Rick Howe teamed for a 1,649 series, with handicap, to capture the Genesee Region USBC No-Tap Doubles Tournament title last weekend at Legion Lanes in Le Roy.
The winners split $480 for their efforts.
For more information about the tournament and other GRUSBC news, go to www.bowlgr.com.
KING & QUEEN SET FOR SATURDAY
The annual King & Queen Mixed Doubles Handicap Tournament is scheduled for this Saturday, with squads at noon and 2 p.m., at Mancuso Bowling Center.
First place is guaranteed at $500. Entry fee is $50 per team. To enter, call 716-474-7960 or 585-343-1319.
In a charity hockey game on Sunday at the David M. McCarthy Memorial Ice Arena, Batavia PD beat the City Fire Department pretty handily, 11-3, but more importantly, 598 people attended, and the event raised $2,660 for the David M. McCarthy Memorial Foundation.
The Genesee Amateur Hockey Association hosted 37 registered youngsters as well as five “walk-ins” at the David McCarthy Memorial Ice Arena on Evans Street on Saturday for a Try Hockey For Free Event as part of “USA Hockey Week Across America,” which was celebrated at 285 ice areas across the entire United States.
Starting at 10:40 a.m. and going until noon, local youth, ages 4 to 9, were welcomed at the rink to experience getting on the ice, learning how to “skate”, getting up after falling, basic skills with a hockey stick and shooting punks into a hockey net (all by being guided by the head coach and on-ice helpers). This year, the youngsters had the experience of shooting on actual goalies.
“We welcomed families to McCarthy Ice Rink from Batavia, Buffalo, Byron, Corfu, LeRoy, Nunda, East Bethany, Alexander, Byron, Brockport, Albion, Wyoming, Rochester, and Elba to try our great sport of ice hockey,” said Sharon Gray, coordinator of the “Try Hockey for Free” event.“Our goal is for these families to enjoy watching their kids learn new skills with big smiles on their faces and for the youngsters the on-ice experience.”
The head coaches for today’s event were Tim Sprague and Dan Calkins – both with more than 30 years plus starting out as GAHA players, high school players and GAHA coaches over the years. Most of the on-ice helpers were from this year’s Batavia-Notre Dame United high school team along with their coaches – Marc Staley and John Kirkwood.
The youngsters were excited to be coached, aided and skating with these local athletes. Also on the ice were coaches and players from the GAHA organization. The beginning of the event featured the playing of the National Anthem, and the little people stood so proudly alongside the BND players!
The event is hosted by Try Hockey for Free Coordinators, Sharon and Bob Gray, and the GAHA Beginner Player Coordinator, Marcia Barnes, on behalf of the Genesee Amateur Hockey Association, which provided the ice, and the McCarthy rink staff, Katie Murray (general manager), Matt Gray (rink operating manager), and their staff.
It is the team’s goal to provide the hockey experience to area youngsters free of charge and encourage them in October to become a player in the GAHA Beginner Program, which starts the first week of October.The Beginner Program consists of two sessions (October to December and January to March) with a total of 15 on-ice hours per session.
The skates used by the youngsters were provided “free of charge” by the McCarthy Rink Management Group.
USA Hockey’s Try Hockey program, with the support of the National Hockey League and NHL member clubs, among others, is designed to provide youth hockey associations with a national platform for introducing children to the sport, free of charge.Pure Hockey (sponsor of USA Hockey) provided free USA Try Hockey jerseys to each child.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS:THE NEXT THFF EVENT WILL BE THE FIRST SATURDAY OF NOVEMBER 2024!!!
Casper Stewart did something on Saturday that nobody else in Batavia High School history has ever done before -- win a state championship.
He was crowned the Division II 145-pound champ after beating Kieran Cullen (Greenville, Section II) 4-2 in the finals.
His path to victory included a preliminary win over Turner Sochia (Gouverneur, Section X), a quarterfinals win over Colton Havens (Canisteo-Greenwood, Section V), and a semifinal win over Riley Monica (South Jefferson, Section III).
He finishes the season with a 52-3 record and a career record of 279-20. He was a six-time state qualifier, finishing third in 2020, 4th in 2022, and third in 2023.
His 279 wins is fourth all-time in career wins in New York State, and his 202 career pins rank him first all-time in the state and #4 nationally.
He is committed to wresting at Army West Point, a Division I program.
The Byron-Bergen Bees advanced on Saturday in the Section V Class C2 tournament with a 69-37 quarterfinal win over Eugenio Maria de Houstos.
Braedyn Chambry scored 26 points for the Bees. Brendan Pimm scored 15, and Brody Baubie and Colin Martin scored nine each.
Byron-Bergen is the #1 seed in Class C2 and will face the #4 seed, York, on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at Cal-Mum.
Also in Boys Basketball:
Also in Class C2, Alexander beat Cuba-Rushford 71-44. Alexander is the #2 seed, led by first-year coach Jalen Smith. Alexander plays a semifinal game against Bolivar-Richburg at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday at Letchworth.
In Class C1, Pembroke beat Warsaw 69-52. Tyson Totten scored 40 points and had 10 rebounds. Pembroke Plays East Rochester in the semifinal on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at Pittsford Sutherland.
In Class C3, Notre Dame beat C.G. Finney 87-73. Notre Dame's semifinal is against Filmore at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday at Letchworth.
In Class D, Elba beat Jasper-Troupsburg 53-44. Elba plays Andover-Whitesville on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at Wayland-Cohocton.
In Class B2, Le Roy beat Attica, 64-49. Merritt Holly, 26 points and 17 rebounds, Matthew Hockey, 18 points, and Jake Higgins, 11 points. Le Roy, at #5, plays #1 seed Avon at 6 p.m. on Monday at Haverling.
Elba beat Notre Dame on Friday in the Class D Girls Basketball Quarterfinal, 55-47.
Sydney Reilly and Lydia Ross both scored 20 points for the Lancers.
Emma Sisson scored 20 points for Notre Dame, and she had 12 rebounds. Lucia Fiorentino contributed 12 points and 5 rebounds. Sofia Falleti had 7 points and 14 rebounds.
"We had a tremendous season with many accomplishments," said Notre Dame Coach Vinny Falleti. "With two seniors and underclassmen, this team came together and worked so hard this season. Even though it wasn’t the ending we had hoped for, I am so proud of this team. Irish Proud!”
Elba plays in the Class D semifinal on Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Mount Morris against Avoca-Pratssburgh.
Photo of Flyhawk El Fuerte courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery.
The finals of the Western New York Trackmaster Series for trotters were held at Batavia Downs on Thursday (Feb. 22) and in the main event, Flyhawk El Fuerte pulled off the upset in the $20,000 TM79 division.
P C Foreign Affair (Jim Morrill Jr.) grabbed the lead from post eight and maintained a gapped advantage through quarters of :28.4, :58.4 and 1:28.4 while Flyhawk El Fuerte (John Cummings Jr.) kept close in the pocket. With no serious threat coming from behind, the top two trotters traversed the last turn, where Cummings tipped Flyhawk El Fuerte and went on the attack. As they entered the stretch, Flyhawk El Fuerte had a full head of steam and blew past P C Foreign Affair to win by 2-½ lengths in a season's best 1:58.3.
Flyhawk El Fuerte ($12.20) is owned by Kathleen Pratt and Andrea Lehmann and is trained by Joe Skowyra, who sent two winners postward on Thursday.
There were also two division finals for the TM74 class.
The $15,000 group was bested by Classic Sunny (2:00.1, $3.70), who was one of two winning drives for Kevin Cummings. Classic Sunny is owned by Anthony Alessi and Fred Yellen and trained Scott Bompczyk.
The $8,000 split was won by Finnick Odair (2:01.4, $3.70) who was driven by Brett Beckwith for owner/trainer Rose Russo.
There was also a trio of Open events on Thursday’s card that highlighted the best horses on the grounds.
In the $15,000 Handicap for fillies and mares, Shecouldbegood N (Kyle Swift) made a first over move at three-quarters trying to reel in the frontrunning Ball Diamond (Keith Kash Jr.). Still trailing by 1-½ lengths at the head of the stretch, Shecouldbegood N paced furiously to the wire and won by one-quarter length in 1:56.3.
It was the 40th career win for Shecouldbegood N ($9.60) who is owned by Michael Milazzo and trained by Candace Bandstatter, who also had two winners on Thursday.
The $14,000 Handicap for male pacers went to Primo Uomo (Brett Beckwith) who led at every station before holding off a late-closing Optical Illusion N (Jim McNeight Jr.) to win by one-half length in 1:54.2, which was a new seasonal mark.
The heavily backed Primo Uomo ($2.60) is owned by Chris and Dale Lawton and trained by David Dewhurst.
Beckwith had a driving hat trick during the card.
Finally in the $15,000 Handicap trot, E Street (Jim Morrill Jr.) was never challenged as he led from gate to wire to score an easy 1-¼ length upset victory in 1:58, which was also a new seasonal mark.
It was the second straight win for E Street ($20.80) and owner Elite Harness Racing. Rachelle Mungillo trains the winner.
Morrill ended the day with two driving wins.
Driver Dave McNeight III tied Beckwith with three wins on the day, however all three of his provided huge payoffs. “Triple Sticks” won with Magical Mistress (1:55.4, $24.40), Mayweather Hanover (1:56.2, $37.40) and VJ Panderosa (1:56.4, $47.60).
There was also an instant jackpot in the day’s final event when the 1-2-9-3-4 pentafecta combination returned $5,524.10 for a 20-cent wager.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Monday (Feb. 26), which is the last day of live racing for the winter meet. Post time will be at 3 p.m.
Free full past performance programs for every live card of racing at Batavia can always be downloaded at the Downs’ website (bataviadownsgaming.com) under the “Live Racing” tab and all the racing action can be viewed as it happens for free at the Batavia Downs Live Facebook page.
From (left to right): Abigail Russel, Harrison McPhee, Charlotte Saraceni, Morgan Kidder, Devin Bubel Submitted photo.
Press Release:
Members of the Alexander Varsity Riflery Team, sponsored by the Glenn S. Loomis American Legion Post 332 Batavia, competed at the 2024 CMP 3PAR Championships held at the American Legion Post 787 in Cicero on Feb. 18.
The team was led by Devin Bubel, placing 21st overall with a score of 502, followed by Morgan Kidder (35th) with a score of 464.
8th graders, Morgan Kidder and Harrison McPhee were awarded medals in age group 3. McPhee placed 3rd in the kneeling position, while Kidder placed 2nd in prone, kneeling, and overall.
Rounding out the team were Charlotte Saraceni and Abigail Russel, placing 38th and 42nd, respectively.
While the American Legion season has ended, Bubel, Kidder, and Alexander teammate Katelyn Green will be competing in the NYS High School Championships being held in Orchard Park on March 2.
Photo of Harrison McPhee and Morgan Kidder Submitted photo.
Caitlin Ryan going to the hoop, Ryan scored 20 points in the Hornets win. Photo by Steve Ognibene
Oakfield-Alabama, coming in as the #3 seed, beat #14 seed Geneseo to open Class C1 sectional play on Tuesday 67-53.
Ryan Caitlin scored 20 points to lead the Hornets. Alea Groff scored 19, and Jess Sosnowski scored nine.
The Hornets jumped to a 22-11 lead in the first quarter and led at the half 38-22. Then Geneseo pulled to within five points in the third quarter but O-A held tight in the final quarter for the win.
Pembroke beat Red Creek, 56-40. Seneca Calderon scored 15 points and had five rebounds. Elle Peterson scored 11 points. Peyton Liss and Reagan Schneider each scored eight points.
Byron-Bergen beat Holley 50-27
Pavilion beat South Seneca 51-47
In Boys Basketball: Batavia lost to Geneva 55-40. Casey Mazur scored 13 points, and Carter Mullen scored nine points.
