By Mike Wertman<br><a href="mailto:mike.wertman@journal-register.com">E-mail Mike</a>
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.
