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Batavia Downs turns the corner on its 85th year as a harness racing venue, opening its third winter season

By Howard B. Owens
winter-opening-batavia-downs

Sub-freezing temps, a slight breeze, and a dusting of snow seemed to somehow add to the live racing ambience at Batavia Downs as the track opened on Monday for its third consecutive winter racing season.

Winter racing has its disadvantages and advantages, Don Hoover, director of live racing at Batavia Downs, told The Batavian prior to Monday's first post time at 3 p.m.

The obvious disadvantage is adverse weather.

"It has its own challenges because from time to time, you're on edge, whether you're going to have to cancel the races or not, depending on weather, and that's something that you need to do in a timely manner to avert having many of the people ship in and be caught in bad weather," Hoover said.

On the plus side, racing fans around the country have few other options if they want to play the ponies remotely.

"We have lost much less competition in the simulcast area," Hoover said. "Today, for example, only three or four tracks are racing nationwide, and that will afford us, hopefully, a very, very substantial handle. Last year, we went over half a million dollars three times, which was unheard of in the era since OTB has owned the racetrack."

While the winter racing crowd is small at the track — and cozy in the warm clubhouse with food and beverages available — winter racing, Hoover said, has helped lift the profile of Batavia Downs for race fans across the country. 

Hoover said there is also an advantage to winter racing for the horsemen. 

"Because it's a Western New York circuit where typically they race in Buffalo and Batavia, but with Buffalo being much closer to the lake than we are, Buffalo opted not to race in January and February a couple of years back," Hoover said. "In an agreement with the horsemen, we were able to pick up those dates. It keeps them where there's one month off out of 12. It keeps them from shipping to continue to ply their trade."

This year marks the 85th year since harness racing started at Batavia Downs, but since some seasons were missed over the decades, Hoover estimates its actually the 79th year of live racing at the track.

"As everyone's well aware, there have been many, many changes in the landscape of racing over the last 50 years," Hoover said. "We don't get as many on-track customers as we used to because of the availability of wagering from the comfort of your home, your phone, and even your car. There's also been a proliferation of casino gambling in the state, so the picture is different. But the good thing about it is that we still have racing purses that are such that people can make a good living."

There is still clearly an interest in live racing, which the total handle live racing generates proves, Hoover said.

"The one thing that we would like to see happen, and we hope it can happen, is to raise the on-track handle and the on-track attendance here at Batavia Downs," Hoover said. "They (the Western Regional OTB board) put money into racing. They renovated the clubhouse recently. Many tracks in the state don't even have an open clubhouse. So we try to draw people here, and that's one of our goals."

UPDATE: Don Hoover reports that the opening day of the 15-day winter meet was a success. He states,  "As compared to last year’s opening day we showed an increase in both live and total handle. The live handle was $7,330 yesterday as compared to $6,803 last year ( a 7.7% increase), and the total handle was $465,558 as compared to $390,922 ( a 19% increase) and was the 4th highest handle since WROTB acquired Batavia Downs."

Photos by Howard Owens

winter-opening-batavia-downs
winter-opening-batavia-downs
winter-opening-batavia-downs
winter-opening-batavia-downs

Girls Basketball: Everybody scores in Notre Dame win

By Howard B. Owens
notre dame girls basketball

Notre Dame improved to 5-2 Saturday afternoon in Girls Basketball with a 63-22 win over Wheatland Chili at home. 

Every Irish player contributed for a balanced win. 

Leading ND were the Falleti sisters, Sofia and Gianna, with 12 points each. Also contributing were Lucia Fiorentin with 11 points, Emma Fitch, 7, Riley Yunker, 7, Shirley Thompson, 6, Clairissa Milliman, 4, and Penny Jo Thompson, 4.

“Back-to-back games are very difficult, and I was happy that the girls could come out and have everyone contribute both on offense and defense,” said Coach Vinny Falleti.

Photos by Pete Welker.

notre dame girls basketball
notre dame girls basketball
notre dame girls basketball
notre dame girls basketball

Boys Basketball: Kendall tops Byron-Bergen by one point

By Staff Writer
byron bergen basketball

Kendall squeaked past Byron-Bergen on Friday 46-45 in Boys Basketball.

Cole DiQuattro scored 15 points for the Bees. Cody Carlson added 10.

For Kendall, Vincent D'Agostino scored 20 points.

Photos by Jennifer DiQuattro

byron bergen basketball
byron bergen basketball
byron bergen basketball
byron bergen basketball
byron bergen basketball
byron bergen basketball

Girls Basketball: Notre Dame ends undefeated run by Lyons

By Staff Writer
notre dame basketball

Notre Dame, now 4-2, beat the previously undefeated Lyons in Girls Basketball on Friday 69-63.

The Irish were led by sophomore Sofia Falleti, who scored a career-high 33 points and grabbed nine rebounds. She hit five three-pointers.

Gianna Falleti also contributed 11 points and three steals. 

Shirley Thompson, eighth grade, added 10 points and six rebounds.

For Lyons, Carmella Parker scored 19 points, Janiyah Bell 17, and Jayla Bell 16.\

“Our team played a phenomenal game against a talented and undefeated Class B school on our home court," said Coach Vinny Falleti. "This was a tremendous effort from our whole team tonight to take this win.”

Girls Basketball: Elba beats Lyndonville 57-37

By Staff Writer
Elba basketball

Elba beat Lyndonville on Friday in Girls Basketball 57 to 37.

Sydney Reily scored 19 points for the Lancers. Lydia Ross scored 15 points.

For Lyndonville, Addison Dillenbeck scored 21 points.

Photos by Debra Reilly.

Elba basketball
Elba basketball

Boys Basketball: Alexander tops Pembroke 61-51

By Staff Writer
alexander pembroke basketball
alexander pembroke basketball

Alexander hit nine three-point shots on the way to a 61-51 win over Pembroke in Boys Basketball on Friday.

Trojans stats:

  • Kingston Woods, 15 points
  • Mason Snyder, 15 points
  • Dylan Pohl, 12 points
  • Damien Hale, 11 points

Dragons stats:

  • Josh vonKramer, 16 points
  • Jayden Bridge, 14 points
  • Nolan Peterson, 11 points
  • Caleb Felski, seven assists
Photos by Melissa Brooks.
alexander pembroke basketball
alexander pembroke basketball

Elmira Impact to face Hershey Cubs in Batavia for New Year’s weekend showdown

By Press Release

Press Release:

The Elmira Impact are set to kick off the new year with a special two-game series against the Hershey Cubs at Dave McCarthy Memorial Arena on January 4 and 5.

The matchups are as follows:

Elite Division

  • Jan. 4 at 8:25 p.m.
  • Jan. 5 at 5:55 p.m.

Premier Division

  • Jan. 4 at 5:40 p.m.
  • Jan. 5 at 1:35 p.m.

Children 12 and under receive free admission. Tickets can be purchased at elmiraimpact.com/tickets.

Get ready for an action-packed weekend of hockey as the Impact take on their rivals to start the new year.

Le Roy captures Pete Arras crown in Lions tournament at GCC

By Staff Writer
LeRoy wins large school Lions Tournament at GCC.  Photo by Steve Ognibene
LeRoy wins large school Lions Tournament at GCC.  Photo by Steve Ognibene

Le Roy scored 53 points and held Batavia to 46 points to win the large school division championship of the Peter Arras Memorial Basketball Tournament at GCC on Monday night.

The Oatkan Knights surged with five minutes left in the game, when they were trailing 44-37, going on a 16-2 scoring run.

The tournament is sponsored by the Batavia Lions Club.

Jean Agosto and Jake Higgins each scored 17 points for the Oatkan Knights. For each, 10 of those points came in the last five minutes. Adam Woodworth scored 11 points.

For Batavia, Carter Mullins scored 16 points and Casey Mazur scored eight.

Jake Higgins was selected tournament MVP, and Jean Agosto and Adam Woodworth made the all-tourney team.

To view or purchase photos, click here.

 Photo by Steve Ognibene
 Photo by Steve Ognibene
 Photo by Steve Ognibene
 Photo by Steve Ognibene
 Photo by Steve Ognibene
 Photo by Steve Ognibene
 Photo by Steve Ognibene
 Photo by Steve Ognibene
 Photo by Steve Ognibene
 Photo by Steve Ognibene
 Photo by Steve Ognibene
 Photo by Steve Ognibene
 Photo by Steve Ognibene
 Photo by Steve Ognibene
 Photo by Steve Ognibene
 Photo by Steve Ognibene
 Photo by Steve Ognibene
 Photo by Steve Ognibene

Alexander tops Notre Dame 58-50 in small school Lions tournament

By Steve Ognibene
Alexander wins small school Lions Tournament at GCC.  Photo by Steve Ognibene
Alexander wins small school Lions Tournament at GCC.  Photo by Steve Ognibene

Alexander won the Pete Arras crown in the small school division at GCC on Monday night, beating Notre Dame 58-50. 

The Trojans led at the half 24-16, but the Fighting Irish pulled even three times in the fourth quarter. Alexander hits some key baskets in the final three minutes to seal the victory.

Kingston Woods was selected tournament MVP. 

When Notre Dame challenged in the second half, Alexander coach Justin Smith remained confident in his team.

"Our second half is normally our worst, to be honest, but I felt that they were going to get on a run, and I knew that we just had to settle down," Smith said. "Our offense was going to be there. We just had to be more disciplined on defense. Once we did that, I knew the game would swing our way."

To view or purchase photos, click here.

 Photo by Steve Ognibene
 Photo by Steve Ognibene
 Photo by Steve Ognibene
 Photo by Steve Ognibene
 Photo by Steve Ognibene
 Photo by Steve Ognibene
 Photo by Steve Ognibene
 Photo by Steve Ognibene
 Photo by Steve Ognibene
 Photo by Steve Ognibene
 Photo by Steve Ognibene
 Photo by Steve Ognibene
 Photo by Steve Ognibene
 Photo by Steve Ognibene

Girls Basketball: O-A tops Notre Dame 51-48

By Staff Writer
notre dame basketball

Oakfield-Alabama beat Notre Dame in Girls basketball on Monday 51-48.

Sofia Falleti scored 18 points for the Irish. Gianna Falleti scored nine and Lucia Fiorentino scored seven ad had nine rebounds.

There were no stats submitted for O-A.

Photos by Pete Welker.

notre dame basketball
notre dame basketball
notre dame basketball

O-A falls to York in first-round game of Cal-Mum Tournament

By Staff Writer

 

oakfield-alabama basketball

York held Oakfield-Alabama scoreless in the third quarter on Friday of the first round of the Cal-Mum Tournament, which helped York lockdown a 42-28 win.

The Hornets trailed by only five points after the first half, down 23-18.

Tessa Rodwell led York with 17 points, nine rebounds, and four steals.

For O-A, Allie Williams had 10 points, while Alea Groff scored six.

Photos by Kristin Smith.

oakfield-alabama basketball
oakfield-alabama basketball
oakfield-alabama basketball
oakfield-alabama basketball
oakfield-alabama basketball
oakfield-alabama basketball
oakfield-alabama basketball
oakfield-alabama basketball
oakfield-alabama basketball

Batavia beats Attica to open Lions tournament 88-55

By Staff Writer
batavia lions club tournament

The Blue Devils dominated on Friday in the big school division of the Peter Arras Memorial Basketball Tournament at GCC, beating Attica 89-55.

Gavin White led the way with 16 points. Casey Mazur and Adrian Martinez each scored 14. Carter Mullin, Aiden Kopper, Aaden Calletto each scored eight, and Grady Hemer and Justin Smith each scored seven.

For Attica, Blake Kines scored 15, and Justin Stockweather scored 14.

Photos by Jennifer DiQuattro.

batavia lions club tournament
batavia lions club tournament
batavia lions club tournament
batavia lions club tournament
batavia lions club tournament
batavia lions club tournament

Le Roy beats Roy-Hart 67-40 in Lions tournament first round

By Staff Writer
le roy lions tournament

In the big school division of the Peter Arras Memorial Basketball Tournament on Friday at GCC, Le Roy beat Roy-Hart 67-40.

Jean Agosto scored 16 points for the Knights. Matthew Hockey scored 12 and Adam Woodworth scored 10.

Photos by Kristin Smith.

le roy lions tournament
le roy lions tournament
le roy lions tournament
le roy lions tournament
le roy lions tournament
le roy lions tournament
le roy lions tournament

Notre Dame picks up 66-61 win in first round of Lions tournament

By Staff Writer

 

notre dame lions tournament

Notre Dame beat Eugenio Maria de Hostas 66-61 in the small school division of the Peter Arras Memorial Basketball Tournament at Genesee Community College on Friday.

Makyell Walker scored 29 points for the Fighting Irish. Aiden Bellevia scored 12, and TJ Cephus and Evan Fitzpatrick scored eight each.

Seth Peterson scored 22 points for EMH.

Photos by Jennifer DiQuattro.

notre dame lions tournament
notre dame lions tournament
notre dame lions tournament
notre dame lions tournament
notre dame lions tournament

Alexander advances in Peter Arras tournament

By Staff Writer
Elba vs Alexander Lions Tournament

Alexander beat Elba 68-32 in the first round of the Peter Arras Memorial Basketball Tournament in the small school division at Genesee Community College on Friday.

The final score: 68-32.

Kingston Woods scored 16 points for the Trojans, and Dylan Pohl scored 14.

Nicholas Scott and Ryan Marsceill each scored 10 for the Lancers.

Photos by Debra Reilly.

Elba vs Alexander Lions Tournament
Elba vs Alexander Lions Tournament
Elba vs Alexander Lions Tournament
Elba vs Alexander Lions Tournament

Girls Basketball: Byron-Bergen beats Pembroke in OT

By Staff Writer

Byron-Bergen beat Pembroke High School in overtime on Monday in Girls Basketball 44-41.

Pembroke stats:

  • Seneca Calderon, 16 pts, nine rebounds, four steals, three assists.
  • Peyton Liss, seven pts, six reb, three blocks
  • Morgan Coniber, five pts, five reb, three blocks

Byron-Bergen:

  • Janessa Amesbury, 21 points
  • Riley Shallenberger, 10 points
  • Simone Scharvogel, eight points

M-W-F basketball players cut down nets in final act in old YMCA gym

By Howard B. Owens
ymca basketball net cutdown

For decades -- there is no record we know of for when the games started -- local basketball aficiandos have met every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday in the gym at the YMCA to play hoops.

It is almost certainly the longest-running, ongoing pick-up basketball game in Batavia.

Joe Perzia, the longest-tenured regular player, has been hitting the court at the Y since the early 1990s.

Mike Roth, in his 70s, is the oldest active member, but on any given morning, there can be players in their young 20s trying to block out or drive on guys twice or even three times their age, and the matchups aren't always as uneven as they might sound.

The games are always spirited and intense but always friendly.  

Players start showing up on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 6 a.m., with games usually starting by 6:30 a.m.  In that time, they might fit in as many as three games before players start heading off to work.

On Monday, the current group of regulars played their last games at the old Y.  On Jan. 2 (which is actually a Tuesday, in a slight break with tradition), they will play their first games at the new Healthy Living Center.

To commemorate the last games in the old gym, in the manner of a celebration after a big championship win, the players cut down the nets in the old gym.

Submitted photos.

ymca basketball net cutdown
ymca basketball net cutdown
ymca basketball net cutdown
ymca basketball net cutdown
ymca basketball net cutdown
ymca basketball net cutdown
ymca basketball net cutdown
ymca basketball net cutdown
ymca basketball net cutdown
ymca basketball net cutdown

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