Tuesday Roundup: Lions build 1st quarter run, maintain lead to the end in 53-34 win over Rams; Wellsville grapplers fall over road at C-G in opener

Written By Chris Brooks

WELLSVILLE — The first eight minutes on any given night can quickly determine how a game will begin to take its shape. This past weekend against Fillmore for the IAABO Tournament title, the Lions of Wellsville saw themselves in a tight battle, having to climb out of an early hole to survive what was a back-and-forth duel to the end.

It was something that the team hoped to correct when they returned to the floor on Tuesday for their final home contest in 2021 against a Bath-Haverling team that has been known for their toughness, athleticism and pressure. Facing a team like the Rams, Wellsville would need as good of a start as any.

The Lions would accept the challenge. And then some.

The first quarter was the beginning of the end for their opposition, as Wellsville established a presence that overwhelmed the Rams all night long, starting in a first quarter that saw the defense hold them to just four points while capitalizing on 14 of their own back the other way to account for a double-digit lead that they never lost, as their brilliant, well-rounded effort led to a 53-34 win at the night’s conclusion to capture their third straight triumph.

“It was vital to get out to a great start, and it set the tone for the game,” said Lions coach Raymie Auman. “I don’t think we ever allowed them to ever gain any confidence, and at the beginning of each game, that is a very crucial moment. If you let a team have confidence, even after they lose it, they can always go back and say that they can do it. But fortunately, there was never a point in the game where we thought they were there.”

That 14-4 run the Lions (4-2) made right in the first eight minutes began with three straight possessions ending with turnovers for Bath-Haverling, as Wellsville cashed in on them with two Alex Perkins runs to the basket and a Cooper Brockway three-pointer to jump out on top.

With the run ending a short time later with a basket inside, Wellsville would begin another spurt — this one consisting of nine straight points on two more runs to the basket, and another outside shot to finish off the frame.

The Rams, in the second quarter, would manage to chip away at the Wellsville lead slowly, but in return, the Lions would counter the attempts with baskets of their own to keep their double digit lead in tact for much of the evening, including carrying a 12-point lead going into the break to build from.

“Fortunately for us, we were exposed some issues in the Fillmore game. That’s why you practice, but we came out here and worked on them, and we got better,” said Auman. “We had great gaps, great help defense, we didn’t allow anyone to cut in front of us, we kept them in front of us. I thought it was as well of a defensive effort that we can have. We’re going to be evolving on offense because we’re so inexperienced with guys not getting minutes from last year. We got to go deeper in our bench, which is crucial for our development. With those guys, it can help get us to where we feel comfortable to give guys breathers.”

The second half started nearly the same exact way as the Lions began the night — another scoreless run, as they race out of the gates to grow their advantage to as much as 16 at one point during the third quarter, scoring seven straight to start their engine. Bath-Haverling saw a couple of chances to cut the deficit back down once more, but the Lions defense remained stout in front of them to prevent more damage from falling through.

A case of building and maintaining their lead — an aspect that Auman and his team masterfully capitalized.

“That has to do with defense. It’s easy to make mistakes on offense, and the shots, you can shoot them a lot easier knowing your defense. You can be pretty confident going back down to get a stop,” he said. “I saw it in the guys, and people weren’t as tense. They played pretty loose on offense, and pretty hard on defense. Bath is a pretty good team, and they rebounded really well, and I thought we did good boxing out after giving them a few. But at the same time, we also kept them from gaining momentum as well.”

The Lions lead continued to grow, and then saw a third quarter close after a defiantly massive block from Aidan Riley stopped Keefer Calkins on the breakaway toward the basket, reaching over top with his right hand smack dab on the ball to prevent further play from developing.

The denied basket allowed the hosts to maintain a 43-27 lead going into the final eight minute period, where they held the Rams to just seven more points in homestretch, securing the ultimate victory in the end.

Auman applauded Riley on his late third quarter block.

“That was a really great block. I’m more of a discipline kind of coach where I kept saying no to myself the whole time it started to develop, but when it did happen, he made a really great play,” he said. “Aidan’s a baller, and he’s a heady kid that plays so hard, he won’t allow anything to slip through his grasp for free. That’s what I love most about him.”

Logan Dunbar provided another solid effort on the attack for the Lions, garnering a game-high 20 points to lead the way. Alex Perkins chipped in with 13 points of his own, while, Eli Schmidt had eight points to add.

Up next will be Wellsville’s final road game before the Christmas Break, as they get set to avenge an Opening Week loss to the hands of Allegany-Limestone with a 7:30 p.m. road trip to The Swamp planned for next Wednesday night. Auman says it will be a game that he hopes his group will have the chance to get back.

Even if it includes a week away from action.

“I like that we have a little bit of time to prepare, and add more stuff to our game plan,” the longtime Lions coach said. “The next few days of practice are going to be huge. If you’re going to be a team competing in Sectionals, and you have empty stretches in your schedule, there’s no time for rest. There’s plenty of time to allow yourself to get better. If we can do that, I’d like to go over there and get one back from Allegany-Limestone. That will be a very tough challenge, and I’m excited for it to be a fun game.”

Bath-Haverling 4 9 14 7 – 34

Wellsville 14 11 18 10 – 53

BATH-HAVERLING: DJ Smith 3 1-1 7, Austin Durand 1 0-0 3, Keefer Calkins 2 0-0 4, AJ Brotz 4 0-0 9, Cayden Minnich 0 2-4 2, Justin Yehl 1 1-6 3, Jacob Hagadone 1 0-0 2, Gavin Buckley 2 0-0 4. Totals: 14 4-11 34.

WELLSVILLE: Cody Costello 2 0-0 4, Alex Perkins 5 3-3 13, Cooper Brockway 2 0-0 6, Eli Schmidt 3 2-6 8, Dalton Ketchner 1 0-0 2, Logan Dunbar 7 5-8 20. Totals: 20 10-17 53.

3-point goals: B-H 2 (Durand, Brotz), Wellsville 3 (Brockway 2, Dunbar).
Total Fouls: B-H 13, Wellsville 14. Fouled out: None.

Fillmore 56, Belfast 44

FILLMORE — The years-old crosstown rivalry that Belfast and Fillmore have put together in recent years, have provided some exhilarating games to look back on. The two foes only meet one time this season, but like always, they always put together a local spectacle to put on display.

For much of the opening half, both squads battled. The Bulldogs gave the Eagles everything they could handle all the way into the break. Down by nine, the hosts in white and green widened that lead with the assistance of Zach Sisson, who rose to the occasion for his biggest game of the season, racking up a game-high 20 points including four of the team’s seven threes to fuel up what was a 56-44 win in The Rock on Tuesday.

“I’m proud of how our guys bounced back tonight,” said Eagles coach Randy Crouch. “It was a typical Belfast-Fillmore battle. There weren’t a lot of easy baskets, and it was pretty tight for most of the first half. Mitch (Ward) really carried us offensively early, and then Zach stepped up and hit some big baskets in the second half when we needed them. Carter (Sisson) continues to anchor us on both ends. We still need to clean up a lot of our execution if we want to compete with Avoca/Prattsburgh next week.”

From the start, it was Mitch Ward’s game to control, as he led the Eagles (4-1) offense with nine of the 12 points all from inside the arc to set up a 12-6 lead, while the defense buckled down on the opposite end of the floor to hold Belfast to just two field goals — both off the hand of Kadin Logue, to gain the upper hand to continue their march forward.


The Bulldogs (3-1) would chip away at their deficit, but the Eagles, and a balanced second quarter effort, were able to remain a step ahead going into the break with an nine-point lead. Upon returning to the court, Fillmore began to hit all strides with a near doubling-up of the third quarter, led by Zach Sisson’s 10-point frame that ultimately saw them drive away with the lead in hand for good.

Belfast was able to put together their strongest outing of offense in the final eight minute period, with Anthony Logue connecting with 10 of his team-high 18 points for the Bulldogs in the frame, but the deficit would prove to be too much to overcome in the end.

Finishing behind Sisson for Fillmore was Ward, who recorded 19 points in all. Carter Sisson and Brent Zubikowski added in five points each. On the flip side, Kadin Logue finished with 10 points to help Belfast on the scoring front. Matt Weaver had six of his own to pitch in. The Bulldogs are back on the floor this Friday at home, as they host Andover/Whitesville in a 7:30 p.m. battle.

Fillmore will now gear up for a colossal Class D showdown back inside The Rock next week, as they prepare to square off with last season’s defending Class D2 champion Avoca/Prattsburgh in a 7:30 p.m. tip-off, next Tuesday night.

Belfast 6 11 10 17 – 44

Fillmore 12 14 19 11 – 56


BELFAST: Kadin Logue 5 0-2 10, Justin Hill 1 0-0 2, Max Miller 2 0-0 4, Matt Cater 1 0-0 2, Anthony Logue 5 6-10 18, Matt Weaver 2 1-5 6, Connor Stork 1 0-2 2. Totals: 17 7-19 44.
FILLMORE: Carter Sisson 2 0-0 5, Eben Schilke 1 0-0 3, Brent Zubikowski 2 1-1 5, Luke Colombo 0 0-2 0, Mitch Ward 8 2-4 19, Zach Sisson 7 2-4 20, Johnny Mills 1 2-2 4. Totals: 21 7-13 56.

3-point goals: Belfast 3 (A. Logue 2, Weaver), Fillmore 7 (Z. Sisson 4, C. Sisson, Schilke, Ward).
Total Fouls: Belfast 14, Fillmore 17. Fouled out: None.

Houghton Academy 39, Hinsdale 16

HOUGHTON — With the Lady Panthers gathering up a victory to begin the night at Houghton Academy, the boys team would follow up with one of their own in similar fashion, as they used a scoreless first quarter to set the tone right away against the visiting Bobcats, rolling toward a 39-16 victory to perform the Tuesday night sweep on their home floor.

The Panthers (2-2) picked up their first home win of the season in style by starting out strong against Hinsdale, building up an 8-0 run to put toward a second quarter crescendo of offense in the second to conclude the first half on the strongest of notes — picking up a 15-5 run later on to pull away permanently without ever looking back.

James Adenuga was a big reason behind their successful evening on offense, as he launched an all-out aerial attack from downtown with three of the team’s five three-pointers, putting them toward a game-high 15 point performance. Not far behind was Malachi DeGolyer, who added in 13 points of his own. Hugo Huang had five points to chip in.

For Hinsdale (0-3), Ethan Cashimere and Henry Schwartz each recorded six points to pave the way. The Bobcats are back on the floor tonight, facing host Franklinville in tournament action back over the road beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Houghton Academy will welcome in New Life for their second visit on Thursday in a 6:45 p.m. contest.

Hinsdale 0 5 6 5 – 16

Houghton Academy 8 15 10 6 – 39

HINSDALE: Noah Bowser 1 0-0 3, Ethan Cashimere 1 3-6 6, Henry Schwartz 1 4-6 6, Cody Barton 0 1-2 1. Totals: 16.
HOUGHTON ACADEMY: Hugo Huang 2 0-0 5, Chris Habecker 0 3-4 3, Malachi DeGolyer 6 0-0 13, James Adenuga 4 4-6 15, Jack Prentice 0 1-2 1, Gavin Martino 1 0-0 2. Totals: 13 - 39.

3-point goals: Hinsdale 2 (Bowser, Cashimere), HA 5 (Adenuga 3, Huang, DeGolyer).
Total Fouls: Hinsdale 9, HA 14. Fouled out: None.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Houghton Academy 28, Hinsdale 8

HOUGHTON — After garnering a first quarter lead, the Lady Panthers of Houghton Academy buckled down and delivered a big first half-ending punch with a scoreless second quarter run over visiting Hinsdale, as they used it to pull away toward a 28-8 home win on Tuesday.

Jessica Prentice had an excellent night from the field for the Lady Panthers (4-1) to help pace their offense, scoring a perfect 5-for-5 from the charity stripe to put with five shots inside, totaling a game-high 15 points. Maddy Paschalis added in six points of her own, while Jessica Adenuga had five to go with nine rebounds.

Hinsdale (0-5) was led by Hannah Sutton, who had four points. Marissa Adams and Mikayla Miller each had a two-point basket to contribute for the Lady Bobcats, who now head into the Christmas Break, as they take on Andover/Whitesville in their return to action on January 4 at 6 p.m. in Whitesville.

Houghton Academy will go for their fifth win in their first six games come Thursday, when they host a 5 p.m. battle back on their home floor against New Life.

Hinsdale 2 0 6 0 – 8

Houghton Academy 6 11 11 0 – 28

HINSDALE: Marissa Adams 1 0-0 2, Hannah Sutton 2 0-0 4, Mikayla Miller 1 0-0 2, Kyla Jozwiak 0 0-2 0. Totals: 4 0-2 8.
HOUGHTON ACADEMY: Anna Huizenga 1 0-0 2, Maddy Paschalis 3 0-0 6, Jessica Prentice 5 5-5 15, Jessica Adenuga 2 1-2 5. Totals: 11 6-8 28.
Total Fouls: Hinsdale 9, HA 1. Fouled out: None.

Hornell 60, Canisteo-Greenwood 49

CANISTEO — The umbrellas were opened up when it began raining in Canisteo on Tuesday. The occasion? — The three-point game came to life. But for one team, it was used to their fullest of advantages.

That being the Lady Red Raiders of Hornell, as they created a monsoon from three-point range all game long, launching 11 of them altogether against the host Lady Redskins to help formulate a fourth quarter run that saw them pull away for good in a 60-49 road win.

Right from the get-go, the Lady Redskins (3-2) could not find to the three-point game in the opening half, with Jordyn Dyring leading the way with five of her six triples coming in the first 16 minutes, three in the opening quarter alone to jumpstart a 15-11 lead. The Lady Red Raiders would continue to find their groove in the second, extending their lead by holding Canisteo-Greenwood to their smallest offensive stand of seven points to take a 27-18 lead at the break.

But the hosts in white and red, behind the guidance of Lillian Mullen, started the second half on the strongest of notes to slim Hornell’s lead down to as little as a single point, recording eight of her team-high 20 points from within the team’s 21-13 third quarter run to bounce back within striking distance.

In the fourth quarter however, the Lady Red Raiders found a way to break away from Canisteo-Greenwood’s grasp, as they kicked into gear a 20-10 run to the finish line, taking the first of two meetings this season.

Finishing behind Mullen in the scorebook was Bailey Mullen, who added in 12 points of her own. Peyton Peters had eight points to chip in. Brooke Byrd led the glass game with 16 boards.

Canisteo-Greenwood will return to their home floor Friday night with another 6 p.m. tip-off slated against Avoca/Prattsburgh.

Hornell 15 12 13 20 – 60

Canisteo-Greenwood 11 7 21 10 – 49


HORNELL: Ayla Prior 0 1-4 1, Jordyn Dyring 6 2-4 20, Lillian Hoyt 4 0-0 9, Jane Spitulnik 6 3-5 19, Selena Maldonado 2 0-0 4, Madelyn Moore 3 1-3 7. Totals: 21 7-16 60.
CANISTEO-GREENWOOD: Bailey Mullen 4 2-4 12, Kennedy Richardson 2 0-0 4, Lillian Mullen 8 3-4 20, Peyton Peters 3 2-4 8, Brooke Byrd 2 1-2 5. Totals: 21 7-13 49.

3-point goals: Hornell 11 (Dyring 6, Spitulnik 4, Hoyt), C-G 5 (B. Mullen 2, Byrd 2, L. Mullen).
Total Fouls: Hornell 16, C-G 16. Fouled out: None.

BOYS VOLLEYBALL

Cuba-Rushford 3, Arkport/Canaseraga 2

CUBA — After a first-set clincher for the host Rebels of Cuba-Rushford, they would get caught in a back-and-forth firefight all the way to the finish. For the next four sets on Tuesday in the Wighthouse, some of the most competitive volleyball the season has seen thus far, with no score eclipsing two points.

After pushing visiting Arkport/Canaseraga to the brink entering the fourth set, the Wolves found a way to push back by extending play to a fifth set after a marathon. Once more, the Rebels and Wolves tangled in their last brawl to the finish, and in the end, the Rebels were able to shake off the heartbreaker by taking the two-point edge and the five-set win to remain undefeated (25-11, 23-25, 25-23, 31-33, 17-15).

“Obviously, it was a very hard-fought match by both teams,” said Rebels coach Nick Perillo. “Arkport does a very good job of covering the floor, and they made it very difficult for us to hit on them. Then on top of that, they have multiple guys who can hit, which really tested our blocking game. I think at times, we had chances to put it away earlier, but ended up putting ourselves in the tough spots to get back out of. In the end, the boys found a way to win.”

Jarrett Campbell led the way for Cuba-Rushford (4-0) with a team-leading seven kills to go with seven aces and five blocks, while Logan Lewis added in three kills, three aces, three assists and two blocks to help further the Rebels cause, as they finished the night after falling behind Arkport/Canaseraga by an 11-4 count, scoring 13 of the last 17 points to do so to preserve their perfect start.

The Rebels will go for five straight wins when they hit the road next Tuesday night, visiting Fillmore in a 6 p.m. first serve.

WRESTLING

Canisteo-Greenwood 50, Wellsville 18

CANISTEO — The Canisteo-Greenwood Redskins dominated the mat all night long on Tuesday. Out of all 13 matches that took place, the hosts were able to garner nine of them, the majority of which all come with multiple pinfall victories under 60 seconds, as they went on to score a big 50-18 home win over visiting Wellsville.


Despite the loss, the Lions were able to garner the remaining four victories on the mat, three of them coming from the heavyweight division. Starting at 189 pounds, John Layfield picked up the first by a 7-1 decision over Canisteo-Greenwood’s Jacob Evingham. In the next match, Noah Black went the distance with Trevor Mochol at 215 pounds, finding his way toward an 11-9 win in sudden victory.

Rounding off was Evin Rought, who found a way to pin Loren Brown at 285 pounds to take the win. In the lightweights, Jayden Acker rounded off Wellsville’s wins with a 3:21 pinfall win at 110 pounds over Mathias Sharp.

The Lions will open up their home slate of matches beginning next Tuesday night against Arkport/Canaseraga at 6:15 p.m.

Results

102 – Cael Stewart (C-G) def. Blake Geffers (WLSV) by pin, :39.

110 – Jayden Acker (WLSV) def. Mathias Sharp (C-G) by pin, 3:21.

118 – Austin Hall (C-G) def. Haydyn Cunningham (WLSV) by pin, :12.

126 – Xavier DeJesus-Remchuk (C-G) def. Adam Iantorno (WLSV) by pin, :36.

132 – Gavin Bob (C-G) def. Brayden Riley (WLSV) by pin, :25.

138 – Colton Havens (C-G) def. Noah Joslyn (WLSV) by pin, :28.

145 – Beau Zeh (C-G) def. Cole Hadfield (WLSV) by pin, 2:59.

152 – Lucas Mason (C-G) def. Xander Outman (WLSV) by major dec, 14-4.

160 – Luke Kilmer (C-G) def. Evin Bucholz (WLSV) by pin, :40.

172 – Braidon Woodward (C-G) def. Shane Davidson (WLSV) by major dec, 14-2.

189 – John Layfield (WLSV) def. Jacob Evingham (C-G) by dec, 7-1.

215 – Noah Black (WLSV) def. Trevor Mochol (C-G) by sudden victory, 11-9.

285 – Evin Rought (WLSV) def. Loren Brown (C-G) by pin, 2:57.

Chris Brooks
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