ALBION — Racing out to a 15 point first quarter lead, Medina went on to open defense of its Niagara-Orleans League title Wednesday by posting a 57-40 victory over rival Albion.
Levi Pace spearheaded the Medina attack with game high totals of 19 points, 18 rebounds and nine blocks. Demetrius Thompson added 10 points and Adam Hellwig nine for the Mustangs.
Justin Swanger and Russell Craft each netted 11 for Albion.
Setting the tone for the evening Medina used a lightning quick, harassing, ball hawking defensive effort in the opening half to jump out to commanding leads of 20-5 after one quarter and 32-11 at the break.
“They played well. To hold Albion to just four baskets in the first half really speaks well of the defensive effort,” Medina coach Tom Forrestel. “We played a zone which we don’t usually do but we wanted to mix things up and the guys did a real good job with it. Our quickness and length really were key. I was very pleased with the effort.”
Dominating inside, the Mustangs got four rebound baskets from Pace, including three in a row at one stretch, and two lay-ups and a short jumper from Thompson to grab the 20-5 first quarter lead.
Two second quarter baskets each by Pace and Anthony Session helped boost the Medina lead to 21 at 32-11 at the break as the Mustangs defense controlled the tempo.
“We played with real good intensity,” Forrestel said.
“Their quickness was definitely a key and we didn’t box out well,” Albion coach Charlie Croff said. “One of the things we stressed we needed to do was rebound and we didn’t do a good job of that.”
The Mustangs maintained a commanding 22 point, 44-22, advantage at the three-quarter mark as Hellwig netted six in the third period.
Now at 2-2 overall Medina next hosts CSAT at 7 p.m. Friday.
Albion, which is now 1-1 overall this season, visits Roy-Hart at that same time.
Holley 46, Oakfield-Alabama 41
HOLLEY — Rebounding from a 17-5 first quarter deficit, Holley came rallying back to defeat Oakfield-Alabama 46-41 in a Genesee Region League game.
Brian Mitchell scored 14 of his game high 17 points in the second half to lead the Hawks rally.
Chad Barhydt added 14 rebounds and 12 points, Guy Hills 10 points and Eddie Bower 10 rebounds as the Hawks improve to 3-1.
AJ Kellenbeck had 16 for Oakfield-Alabama which led 27-19 at the half.
Holley used a 12-4 third quarter scoring burst to get back in the game.
The Hawks next visit Byron-Bergen Friday.
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Grapplers seek titles
Nearly three dozen local wrestlers are set to compete for sectional titles and a spot in the state championships this weekend.
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Lady Tigers down Eagles
Coming from behind with a big third period scoring surge, Lyndonville bested Kendall 41-34 Thursday in a Genesee Region League game.
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Lancers Rally past Tigers
Unable to keep the momentum from a big first quarter, Lyndonville dropped a 85-63 decision to Elba Wednesday in a Genesee Region League game.
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Eagles romp past Tigers
Leading from wire to wire, Kendall rolled to an 83-44 Senior Night victory over Lyndonville Monday in a Genesee Region League game.
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Rams top Purple Eagles
Building up a 30-16 half-time advantage, Roy-Hart went on to defeat Albion 54-36 Tuesday in a Niagara-Orleans League game.
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Roy-Hart upended
Avenging an early season road loss, Albion knocked Roy-Hart from the ranks of the unbeaten by a 43-33 margin Tuesday to throw the Niagara-Orleans League title race into a dead heat.
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Holley cagers top Lyndonville
Moving on top to stay with an 11-2 run to close the first half, Holley went on to defeat Lyndonville 68-58 Thursday in a Genesee Region League game.
Sage Hodge scored a game high 23 points while Camron Quaranto netted 17 and Kyle Bell 16 to lead the way for Holley. -
Medina matmen top Albion
Jumping out to a big early lead, Medina went on to defeat Albion, 41-36, Wednesday in a Niagara-Orleans League match.
In Genesee Region League action, Lyndonville got a late pin to nip host Byron-Bergen 45-41.
In other N-O action, front-running Newfane improved to 5-0 by defeating rival Wilson (2-2) 60-17 and Barker (1-3) downed Akron (0-5) 43-36. -
Wilson bests Medina in N-O clash
Moving on top to stay with a big second quarter, defending champion Wilson went on to defeat host Medina 41-34 Friday in a Niagara-Orleans League contest.
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Tigers nip Mustangs
A touchdown with just over a minute to go earned Akron a narrow 20-14 victory over Medina Friday in an interdivisional game at Vets Park.
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