On Thursday, Nov. 9 the Batavia High School faculty, administration, and students are planning to celebrate and honor our Veterans in Genesee County.
We would like to invite our Genesee County Veterans to attend our ceremony to honor and thank you for your service to our country.
All veterans are asked to arrive at 8 a.m. at Batavia High School. The ceremony will begin at 8:15 a.m. in the Batavia High School Auditorium. There will be performances from our High School Band, orchestra, and Chorus, a student representative speaker, and a keynote speaker.
After the ceremony, we will be offering a reception for our veterans in the High School Library.
If you are interested in attending the Veteran’s Day Ceremony, RSVP the following information:
Name (Full Military Title)
Years of service
Military Branch
Please email or mail by Nov. 1.
Mail:
Collin Murtaug Batavia High School 260 State Street Batavia, NY 14020
Email: CMurtaugh@bataviacsd.org or JHaggett@bataviacsd.org.
If you have a picture of you in uniform, please send it in with a reservation. We will return the picture on Nov. 9 at the end of the ceremony. We hope you can join us!
Zailen Griffen inched the ball over the goalline for one of his three touchdowns while senior lineman Alex Merica begins the celebration. Photo by Howard Owens.
Heartbreaking is the best way to describe the Batavia Blue Devil's 26-20 loss to the Honeoye Falls/Lima Cougars in the Class B football semifinal on Friday night.
The boys' varsity squad was by no means guaranteed the win when the defense made a costly mistake late in the fourth quarter.
But the mistake gave the Cougars' offense new life after the defense had snuffed an apparent scoring drive in the red zone.
First-year head coach Alex Veltz took responsibility for the mental error, saying he hadn't properly prepared his team for a rare circumstance in a high school football game: a blocked field goal attempt.
The defense, apparently unaware that, unlike a point-after attempt, the ball is still live when the kick is blocked, didn't immediately scramble to obtain possession of the ball, and HFL lingered a couple of seconds, too. When a Batavia player did pick up the ball, he tossed it away, making it a fumble, and at least one HFL player had the situational awareness to pounce on it, giving the Cougars a new set of downs and another chance to score. That TD became the difference in an otherwise evenly-matched game.
The Blue Devils got the ball back with less than 1:30 left on the clock and couldn't mount a quick-strike drive.
"You don't see many high school field goals," Veltz said in an on-field interview with The Batavian after the game. "It's just not a situation you encounter very much. It was something we didn't prep for, so my message to the team was I took ownership of it because it was a situation we didn't prepare for, a blocked field goal, reacting to a live ball, knowing that is different and the guys weren't ready for it."
It was a big game for junior running back Zailen Griffen, who scored all three of Batavia's TDs on 20 carries for 160 yards.
Cole Grazioplene had three receptions for 25 yards, and one carry for 37 yards.
On defense, Maggio Buchholz had 13.5 tackles; Lakoda Mruczek, 8.5 tackles; and Carter Mullen, one interception.
Veltz took over a young team, and while he will lose three of his senior captains to graduation, he expects good things from the Blue Devils in 2024.
For more photos and to purchase prints, click here.
Bronx Bucholz with a pass attempt under pressure in the second half. Photo by Howard Owens
HFL QB Matthew Meacham under pressure in the second half. Photo by Howard Owens
Cole Grazioplene during the first half with one of his three receptions. Photo by Howard Owens
Zailen Griffin eludes his final obstacle on his way to a more than 50-yard TD run. It was a clear and open field after he broke the tackle attempt. Photo by Howard Owens
Photo by Howard Owens
Zailen Griffin Photo by Howard Owens
Bronx Buchholz on a QB keeper behind lineman Karvel Martino, who as a sophomore is 6' 2", 350 pounds. Photo by Howard Owens
The field goal attempt would be blocked and prove to be the decisive moment in the game. Photo by Howard Owens
Isabella Walsh: Section V Class A Player of the Year Isabella Walsh, #11 on the Batavia Blue Devils Girls Soccer team, loves playing defense. She always has.
"I've played defense since I was little," Walsh said. "I like the one-on-one battles and making big saves. I enjoy it."
She's also the team's primary direct-kick specialist (taking kicks following a penalty from outside the penalty box).
These two contributions to Batavia's 14-win season are a big part of why she was named Section V Class A Player of the Year for Girls Soccer.
"I'm really honored to be singled out for this award," Walsh said. "There are so many great players on my team and the teams we compete against. To be a defensive player and to win this type of award is really a great recognition, but this is truly a team award because it's my teammates around me every day in practice and games that make me better and make me want to play harder for them and our team's success."
Batavia's head coach, Roger Hume, said Walsh, now a senior, is a four-year starter at center back, and he doesn't believe she's missed a start in her career.
"She's like the center of our entire defense at this point," Hume said. "She is gonna be a big loss for us."
On the field, Walsh directs the defense when the opposing team has a direct kick or corner kick, and that had a lot to do with Batavia's success in 2023.
"We were at the lowest goal-against total we've had in the last 15 years that I've been here," Hume said. "We had 12 goals against."
Roger Hume Photo by Howard Owens
Roger Hume: Section V Class A Girls Soccer Coach of the Year Fifteen years ago, Roger Hume took over a soccer team that needed new direction. That first year as coach was rough -- no league wins and only a 4-12-1 record on the year. The team scored only 12 goals and gave up 50.
In 2023, he coached the team to a 14-2-1 record, with a team that gave up only 12 goals and scored 73 (The team's previous record for fewest goals against was 17 in 2020 (when the team scored only 15 goals, and the highest goal total was 45 in 2022).
After such a successful season, Hume has been named the Section V Class A Girls Soccer Coach of the Year.
The award isn't just a credit to him, Hume said. It's the entire group of people involved in Batavia Girls Soccer.
"Well, for me, I think it's a combination of all the parents and players that have put the time in, and all of the volunteer coaches and assistant coaches I've had through the years," Hume said. "There's a multitude of parents that had their daughters come up through who helped me from modified all the way up to Varsity. It kind of justifies that we did all that hard work, you know, and it took a while. I mean, 15 years before we had the team -- this has been one of the best teams that we've had, you know, record-wise and group-wise and just the way they are a team together."
Hume now has 111 career wins as a varsity coach.
His soccer career started with his oldest daughter getting involved with soccer when she was four. She's now 32. He became a coach in Batavia Youth Soccer, became a board member, and after a few years, then Athletic Director Mike Bromley asked him if he would coach girls modified soccer for Batavia. After a few years, he moved up to junior varsity and then, 15 years ago, varsity.
The team's biggest improvements have come since the opening of the new Van Detta Stadium with the artificial turf on Woodward Field.
Playing on grass meant playing a slower game, but it also meant, despite all the hard work of the grounds crew, playing on a field that could be a bit uneven.
"When it gets into October, it's tough because it's raining out all the time or it's snowing out all the time," Hume said. "Being able to get on the turf as much as possible has helped to speed up our game a lot. We've really been able to ratchet up."
The proof is the past three years of play against a top Class A team, Pal-Mac. Two years ago, Batavia lost 6-1. Last year, 4-0. This year, in the Class A semifinal, 2-0. That's a measure of progress, even if the Blue Devils haven't yet cleared the hump of beating Pal-Mac.
And the progress doesn't seem to have peaked, Hume indicated.
"We have a great JV group that came up, and I had girls that were freshmen and sophomores that could have been on varsity and would have been on varsity previous years, like five, six years ago, but we didn't have the room for them," Hume said. "They would be playing and I don't want them to sit on the bench if there's no value to it at that point."
Hume acknowledged that as much as it might recognize the success of the program in 2023, it also recognizes the progress of the program.
"I think it is a recognition of what we can do and that we are competitive," Hume said. "We can compete now several teams in our group. Aquinas is in our group, and Pal-Mac is our Class A. Like I said, we did Class A for nine years, and we won four games all the time, or five games all the time, so, you know, I think we're proving we can compete."
Batavia Senior Cole Grazioplene on his way to the endzone in the opening quarter. Photo by Steve Ognibene
Coming in as the #3 seed, the Batavia Blue Devils dominated #2 seed Geneva in the Class B semifinals on Friday night, earning the right to play for a sectional seminfinal next week with a 44-6 win.
Cole Grazioplene had four receptions for 100 yards and two TDs, plus an 88-yard kick return score. He also scored on a two-point conversion.
QB Bronx Buchholz was 8-14 passing for 144 yards. He tossed three touchdowns and was picked off twice.
On defense, Mekhi Fortes had four tackles and two touchdowns. On offense, he had four receptions for 44 yards and TD.
Zailen Griffin rushed for 63 yards and a touchdown. Brock Warran also scored a TD on the ground.
Le Roy beat Penn Yan/Dundee, 33-22. Tony Piazza ran 20 times for 163 yards and three touchdowns. He had four tackles on defense and broke up two passes. Jackson Fix, seven rushes, 39 yards, a TD, plus two receptions for 46 yards and a TD. He also had seven tackles and a forced fumble. Tommy Condidorio was 4-9 passing for 68 yards and a TD.
Batavia players react at the end of time to Pal-Mac in their 2-0 loss on Saturday in the Class A Girls Soccer quarterfinal playoff game at Van Detta Stadium while Pal-Mac players celebrate their win. Photo by Howard Owens.
With only one loss, Batavia went into the postseason with one of its best -- perhaps its best -- seasons ever in Girls Soccer, as the #3 seed in Class A and hoping to advance.
The Blue Devils were 14-1-1 in the regular season, but Coach Roger Hume said he knew Palmyra-Macedon would be tough to beat, even though the Raiders finished up the regular season 10-5-1 and the #6 season in Class A.
The Blue Devils 2-0 on Saturday, then, was clearly disappointing to the Batavia squad.
Hume said he was proud of his team's effort and success over the course of the season.
"We had the best record in my 15 years (as head coach)," Hume said. "This group surprised me by how they weren't worried about anyone. One game at a time. They came back and won two games in OT to keep their undefeated record. We had five seniors who were all leaders with no drama. It was fun to come to practice. They have set the bar high, but last year the bar was set for this group, and they crushed it. Next year's group will be as strong, too."
Pal-Mac's forward, Lillian Boesel, scored both goals for the visiting team.
Batavia played hard through both halves of the match, firing 15 shots, but Pal-Mac keeper Marianna Hodgins came up with 10 saves against shots-on-goal.
The Blue Devils have had five chances to score on corner kicks.
The Raiders took 13 shots, with five on goal saved by Ava Higgins.
"We had enough to beat them," Hume said, "but they took advantage of their opportunities.
The Batavia soccer program -- boys and girls -- has been on the upswing since the move into Van Detta Stadium. The boys finished the season 8-7-1 with a first-round sectional loss to Pittsford Mendon, 9-1.
Girls Sectional Summary:
Class B: #8 Le Roy lost to #1 Haverling 1-0 in the quarterfinals.
Class C1: Oakfield-Alabama beat Letchworth in quarterfinals 3-0. The #3 seed will play #2 Williamsville on Tuesday at 5 p.m. at Cal-Mum.
Class C2: #12 Alexander lost to #5 Dundee/Bradford in the pre-quarterfinals 2-1. #4 Byron-Bergen beat #13 Bolivar-Richburg in the quarterfinals 9-0 and next face #1 seed Ganada on Tuesday at a time and location to be determined.
Class D: #10 Notre Dame beat #7 Mount Morris 6-2 in the pre-quarterfinals and lost 1-0 to Northstar Christian Academy in the quarterfinals.
Boys Sectional Summary:
Class B: #7 Le Roy lost to #2 Livona 1-0 in the quarterfinal after beating #10 Attica/Alexander in the pre-quarterfinal 4-0.
Class C: #13 Pembroke lost #4 Keshequa 8-0 in the pre-quarterfinals. #5 Pavilion/York lost on penalty kicks to Avon after a 2-2 tie in regulation time in the quarterfinals. In the quarterfinals, #2 Byron-Bergen beat #10 Holly 5-0. On Wednesday, the Bees face #3 Addison at 5 p.m. at Geneseo High School.
To view more photos from Batavia's game and to purchase prints, click here.
Ava Varland. Photo by Howard Owens
Ella Shamp Photo by Howard Owens
Jaimin Macdonald Photo by Howard Owens
Ella Shamp Photo by Howard Owens
Adyson O'Donnell with a shot on goal in the first half. Photo by Howard Owens
Isabella Walsh with a pass downfield during second half. the Photo by Howard Owens
Cassie Ernst, a senior at Batavia High School, works on a ceiling tile as part of Make A Difference Day Friday at GO Art! in Batavia. Photo by Joanne Beck
Painting ceiling tiles wouldn’t typically seem like a fun thing to do, but for a group of Batavia High School seniors, they didn’t mind it doing it all morning Friday, they said.
Full disclosure: these weren’t just any ceiling tiles; they were going to replace some that had gotten damaged in the GO Art! kitchen, and since they didn’t match the other ones already in there, it was decided that they could look different.
And that’s when the fun began.
“We’re painting ceiling tiles for the kitchen in a monster theme,”student Prudence Favaloro said, showing the piece that she and fellow senior Joshua Budzinack had created. “I really like doing art; it’s one of my biggest passions. I want to minor in art in college.”
The 17-year-old and 13 of her peers chose GO ART! as the place they wanted to go to for Make A Difference Day. In its 24th year, this is a day when the Batavia seniors spend time earning community service hours while also helping out a local nonprofit organization with tasks, such as gardening, cleaning, office work, and various other types of odd jobs.
Kids visited All Babies Cherished, ARC, Batavia Cemeteries, Batavia Community Garden, Batavia Peace Garden, Crossroads House, First United Methodist Church, Genesee Cancer Assistance, Genesee County Park, Genesee County Youth Bureau, Habitat for Humanity, Holland Land Office Museum, Mercy Flight, The Manor House and YMCA.
Given the nature of GO Art!, jobs have been a bit more creative, but helpful all the same, Executive Director Gregory Hallock said.
“They have been coming every year since I've been here. And for us, it’s a godsend. Because we get, what is it? This is Make a Difference Day, and then we have the United Way's Day of Caring. And so those are two times a year where we really try to do some major projects, because all the workers, all my staff have 24/7 jobs … and this gives us a chance to catch up on a lot of stuff, and the kids like painting,” Hallock said while standing in the kitchen at the Bank and East Main Street site.
“They had been doing this room now since 2021, I think, so they've been painting this room and adding, they were doing the ceiling tiles for today. Some kids come here because they like to do art, and we're an art center. But that's not usually the projects we have, we do more of the arts administration. So that's where we decided one year to let them have at this kitchen. So they've been doing monsters for years.”
There were other chores, including more utilitarian painting of walls to be able to mount paintings on later and building tabletops, volunteer Ed Griffin said.He led a group of four kids with those tasks up in the attic.
Everyone arrived at 9 a.m. ready for the day, and time seemed to go very quickly, Favaloro said.
“It seems we were just getting started, and the next thing you knew, it was 11, and then it was 12:30, where did that time go?” she said. “I enjoyed it.”
There were ceiling tiles drying on the gallery room stage, filled with cartoon monster images and bright colors, while the students and art teachers Nikki Greenbaum and Mandi Antonucci took a lunch break.
Meanwhile, Hallock pointed around the kitchen to prior handiwork kids had done, demonstrating how each year’s contribution has incrementally carved out a culinary art gallery.
“It's incredible,” he said. “We depend on this. We look forward to this every year to get stuff done.”
Each site had one or more chaperones to supervise, and work with the students, said Lisa Robinson, who accompanied another group of 14 to the state School for the Blind.
Student Madison Hughes chose the school to visit because she “just wanted to see some different people” and admittedly, wasn’t in the mood for any yard work. Students there were placed in classrooms and offices to either be directly with the school’s students or staff in need of office assistance.
It’s the second year for Robinson to go to the Richmond Avenue site, she said.
“I think from the kids’ perspective, it's great for them to see other opportunities and things that are going on within Batavia that they might not have had the opportunity to do before,” she said. “And then as far as coming here, I think it's great for the students that are here as well as our students. They have some interaction and they get to see how the school operates and just a different aspect of what that looks like.”
Prudence Favaloro and Joshua Budzinack with their monster "claws." Photo by Joanne Beck
Submitted Photo
Submitted Photo
Special Education Assistant Amy Gromlovits works with BHS student Madison Hughes at the state School for the Blind. Photo by Joanne Beck
BHS senior Michael Nardone takes a break after cutting paper for flip charts that he and another student put together for Make A Difference Day at the state School for the Blind. Photo by Joanne Beck
BHS students at the state School for the Blind. Submitted Photo
With its 14th win of the season, and no defeats, The Batavia Blue Devils Girls Soccer team clinched the Monroe League Division 4 crown.
Batavia beat division rival Greece Olympia 6-1.
With one regular season game left, the Blue Devils are ranked #1 in Class A at 14-0-1 with 4.367 seeding points and Aquinas trailing at 13-1-2 and 4.188 seeding points.
Batavia's final game is Friday at home against Greece Athena (Class AA, 8-5-0).
On Wednesday, Batavia Sophomore Ella Shamp started the scoring 11 minutes into the game off a pass from Ella Radley. Anna Varland added a penalty kick goal three minutes later, and Ella Shamp added another goal in the first half off an assist from Anna Varland.
Batavia added three more goals in the second half by Ella Radley, Ady O’Donnell, and Anna Varland, with assists from Jaimin MacDonald, Anna Varland, and Isabella Walsh.
"The team is peaking at the right time and is really having fun," said Head Coach Roger Hume."They just want to play and play hard.
The Batavia Boys Varsity Soccer team tied Greece Olympia 2-2 in overtime on Tuesday evening.
In this divisional matchup, Troy Hawley (#1) put Batavia ahead early in the game, assisted by Quintin Cummings (#4).
Olympia equalized and then went up 2-1. With 4 minutes left in regulation time, Owen Halpin (#11) headed the ball in the net off Finn Halpin's (#2) corner kick.
Since neither team scored in OT, the game ended in a 2-2 tie.
Batavia’s record improved to 8 wins, 6 losses, and 1 tie with one game left in the season.
Behind a hat trick by Ella Shamp, the Batavia Blue Devils won their 13th game of the season in Girls Soccer, beating Livonia on Monday 5-0.
Lilly Mileham and Ady O'Donnell (assisted by Ava Darling) scored Batavia's other two goals.
Shamp's goals were assisted by Kylee Brennan and Anna Varland (twice).
Coach Roger Hume said, "Junior Goalie Ava Higgins had another strong night in net after coming off a fantastic effort against Le Roy on Saturday night. Ava’s five GA accomplished so far this season is the lowest I have seen in my 15 years as BHS Varsity Girls Soccer Coach. This team continues to surprise me. The team's day off of school seemed to show up in a very lackluster warmup, but after 20 minutes of even play the team really started to control play by tying multiple passes together. Our pressure on the ball and our switching of the fields allowed us to take advantage of the space behind the back line.
Batavia is 13-0-1 on the season and plays Greece Olympia next.
The Batavia Blue Devils and Le Roy Oatkan Knights capped Soccer Saturday with a Girls Soccer game that ended with a 3-2 OT win for Batavia.
The boys lost their OT game to Wilson/Early College 3-2.
"It was a wonderful night for our boys and girls senior soccer players," said Roger Hume, head coach for Batavia. "Le Roy didn’t make it an easy win."
In the nightcap, Batavia started the scoring early in the first half with a breakaway run and finish by Ella Shamp, with an assist from Jaimin MacDonals.
Le Roy scored the next two goals, leaving it senior Ella Radley to tie up the game with two minutes left.
Batavia came out strong in OT, and senior Anna Varland finished the game with a goal five minutes into the first OT.
"Batavia did a fantastic job coming back from two goals to one to make this its 12th win of the season," Hume said.
The Blue Devils remain undefeated.
The Batavian did not receive scoring stats from Le Roy. Le Roy is 9-4-1 on the year.
The girls' next game is Monday away at Livonia.
In the boys' game, goals were scored by Quintin Cummings, assisted by Troy Hawley, and Troy Hawley, assisted by Rylan Bohn.
Batavia’s record is now 8 wins and 5 losses on the season.
To view more photos or purchase prints, click here.
The Blue Devils improved to 8-4 with a 2-0 win over Eastridge on Friday in Boys Soccer.
Head Coach Graham Halpin said it was a physical and spirited performance by Batavia.
Quintin Cummings, assisted by Owen Halpin, scored a first-half goal. The second goal for Batavia came in the second half when Ryan Bohn scored with a header off a corner kick by Finn Halpin.
Halpin highlighted The defensive line of Trevor Tryon, Will Fulton, Brandon Currier, Trey Tryon, and Darius Wahl, as well as goalkeeper Ben Stone for the shutout of Eastridge.
For the second year on Tuesday, Batavia High School's volleyball teams, varsity and JV, hosted a "pink game" to raise money in support of Genesee Cancer Assistance.
The teams raised $2,200.
Statement provided by Sarah Gahagan:
Nick Grasso graciously accepted this donation on behalf of Genesee Cancer Assistance. He reminded all spectators of how important it is to help out locally whenever possible. He reminded the spectators how expensive travel, treatment and other things people battling this disease need on a daily basis and how grateful our local recipients are to have events like this in their honor.
We would like to thank all of our local sponsors for donating baskets to support our team.
The Batavia boys soccer team picked up its sixth win of the season, against four losses, by beating Attica 2-1 on Saturday.
"It was a contentious game in which Attica gained a 1-0 lead early on before Troy Hawley eventually equalized on an assist by Owen Halpin," said Head Coach Graham Halpin.
Hunter Mileham's game-winning goal in the second half was assisted by Owen Halpin..
The defensive line and goalkeeper Ben Stone were instrumental in containing Attica's offense, along with notable contributions from Noah Whitcombe, Finn Halpin, Patrick Suozzi, and Eli Michalak, said Coach Halpin.
After a long reception early in the third quarter, Vertus Charter was threatening to score near the goal line when Batavia's Mekhi Fortes grabbed QB Malachi Jones, knocking the ball loose, allowing Maggio Buchholz to recover the fumble. Photo by Howard Owens.
With an aggressive Blue Devils defense harassing Vertus QB Malachi Jones all night, forcing turnovers and lost yardage, Batavia was able to securing a convincing win over Vertus Charter 37-16.
Bronx Bucholz was 11-16 passing for 139 yards and two touchdowns.
Cole Grazioplene had two receptions for 18 yards, and 22 yards on one carry, with two TDs and a defensive interception.
Zailen Griffin had 10 carries for 89 yards.
Carter Mullen had four receptions for 44 yards and touchdown.
Mekhi Fortes, who was also a dominant presence on defense, had three receptions for 43 yards and ran for a touchdown.
The Blue Devils are now 2-2 on the season.
This is exclusive game coverage by The Batavian. You can help support The Batavian's coverage of the community by joining Early Access Pass.
To view more photos for purchase prints, click here.
Flushed from the pocket, QB Malachi Jones spikes the ball to prevent a sack by Mekhi Fortes in the first quarter. Photo by Howard Owens
Zailen Griffin sprints away from a defender in the second quarter. Photo by Howard Owens.
Mekhi Fortes with the ball over the endzone in the second quarter. Photo by Howard Owens
Zailen Griffin Photo by Howard Owens
Mekhi Fortes with the stiff arm in the second-quarter. Photo by Howard Owens
A defensive stop in the second quarter left Vertus inside the one-yard line. Photo by Howard Owens.
Leading to a touchdown on a fumble recovery. Photo Howard Owens.
DaShaun Wright and teammates celebrate his fumble recovery in the endzone for a touchdown. Photo by Howard Owens.
Maggio Buchholz with the reception on the PAT. Photo by Howard Owens.
Cole Grazioplene with a third-quarter interception. Photo by Howard Owens.
Offensive lineman Karvel Martino with a block. Photo by Howard Owens.
Monroe handed Batavia a second straight loss on Friday night at Van Detta Stadium, and at 40-0, it's the largest deficit suffered by the Blue Devils in more than a decade.
No stats are available for the game.
Batavia will play charter school Vertus next Friday at home at 7 p.m.
The Batavia Boys Varsity Soccer team beat Attica 3-0 on Saturday afternoon.
An all-around strong performance by Batavia was highlighted with goals by Rylan Bohn, assisted by Finn Halpin, and a penalty kick converted by Hunter Mileham, as well as an own goal by Attica.
The relentless defensive line and goalkeeper Ben Stone all contributed to the shutout.
Batavia’s record improved to 3 wins and one loss on the season.
