By Mike Wertman<br><a href="mailto:mike.wertman@journal-register.com">E-mail Mike</a>
Co-champions a year ago, Medina High School begins defense of that Niagara-Orleans League title by visiting rival Albion at 7 p.m. Wednesday.
N-O competition gets under way at 7 p.m. Friday with Akron at Newfane, Roy-Hart at Barker and Wilson at CSAT.
Medina shared the N-O championship with Akron last year as the Mustangs and Tigers split a pair of meetings to finish deadlocked at 13-1.
The Mustangs will prep for the league opener by facing East Aurora in the Cataract Classic at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Niagara Falls High School.
Senior Levi Pace (6-7), a three-time first team N-O All-League honoree, leads the way for Medina. He averaged 17.8 points, 10.4 rebounds and 4.9 blocks a year ago.
The Mustangs also return varsity experience in the senior quartet of Adam Hellwig (6-6), Demetrius Thompson, Anthony Session and Travis Bloom. Junior Willie Jakes has also seen starting action in the Mustangs two non-league games to date.
Senior Russell Craft (6-4), a second team All-League selection last year, heads a veteran starting quartet for Albion which also includes Justin Swanger, Matt Monacelli and Brad Rush, all seniors.
The Purple Eagles, who went 7-7 in N-O action a year ago, also return seniors Kenny Boyer, Hank Dragon and Jacob Liddle.
“The Albion game concerns me,” Medina coach Tom Forrestel said. “They’ve got a good group back and will be a real good challenge for us. The league looks to be tough again as Wilson and Akron both return key players and Newfane is always tough.”
Akron, which did lose three-time first team All-League honoree JC Tretter to graduation, is led by the senior brother duo of Trevor Short, a first team All-League selection and Alex Short a second team pick.
Senior Ethan Baker, a three-time first Team-All-League honoree, and junior Brennan Moxham, a second team All-League honoree, lead the way for Wilson which finished in the runner-up spot at 10-4. Baker averaged 17.5 points and Moxham 13.2.
The Lakemen also return experience in seniors Collin Okoniewski and John Vincent.
“The team has lofty goals this year and is looking forward to the challenge of trying to reach them,” said coach Brett Sippel.
Newfane, which lost its starting quintet to graduation led by second team All-league honoree Adam Bailey, nonetheless returns a solid group of five junior veterans. That quintet, which saw considerable action a year ago, for coach Scott Fuller includes Dan Hambruch, Steve Kneeland, Rohn Piece, Nate Sherman and Drew McCullough.
Roy-Hart, which lost starters Corey Callaghan and Rich Francisconi to graduation, also returns a good veteran group including seniors Jeff Swick, Tim Mullen and Ryan Scrinzi along with juniors Mike Porter, Tim Parks and Brendan Conley.
Barker, whose key graduation losses include first team All-League honoree Ray Paul and Greg Brown, is led by the veteran quintet of seniors Cody Blackley, Ryan Lamb and Ethan Dewart along with juniors Xavier Mann and Robert Adams.
