Tuesday Roundup: C-G hangs tough with unbeaten Wolverines, hand B-R 1st loss of season after back-and-forth battle to finish in 55-51 win; Wellsville, GV/Belfast boys highlight volleyball triumphs
PHOTOS AND STORY by CHRIS BROOKS, managing editor, wellsvillesports.com
CANISTEO — Moving into the holiday break, the Bolivar-Richburg Wolverines have been on an absolute roll.
They are winners of seven straight to open the new campaign, featuring highlight wins over North Collins and Portville to win the ACE Tournament, a defensive victory over Cuba-Rushford at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland and more recent, an 84-point performance over Bath-Haverling in a Barkley Showcase rematch.
The fire they’ve been able to build remained hot going into Christmas and into the New Year. Upon their return to action on Tuesday, the gauntlet continued.
Next in line was perhaps the fiercest and toughest competition the Wolverines have faced thus far this season — the red hot Canisteo-Greenwood Chargers, winners of seven of their first eight games themselves.
From start to finish, leads, shifts of momentum, defensive prowess, every single facet of the game was exchanged between the longtime hyphenated rivals. It was a high-wire act until the end, especially in a tight close-quarters fourth quarter where the Wolverines held a lead just past the midway mark.
But just as quick, the Chargers galloped right back and delivered a swift response to jump back out front.
Then it became a survival of the fittest in the waning stages. After a series of fouls and some big defense, Canisteo-Greenwood had what it took to declare victory, as they won the back-and-forth battle with Bolivar-Richburg at the foul line to further lock down the victory while handing the Wolverines their first loss in the same swing by a 55-51 count in the Canisteo Valley.
“We played decently, but the offense struggled a bit. We have guys that just don’t quit, and they worked their butts off from start to finish,” Wolverines coach Justin Thomas said. “We had chances to swing it in our favor, but that’s a very good, high quality Canisteo-Greenwood team they have over there. Brad Hoyt’s been doing this forever, and he has them running in all gears. We absolutely knew this was going to be a dogfight, and it certainly lived up to that potential. We had chances down the stretch in the second half, things were clicking more, but we gambled more on defense and it didn’t pay off. We had a tough time putting it away, and we had a tough time getting behind them.”
Right off the hop, Aydin Sisson allowed the Wolverines (7-1) to claim an early lead with all 10 of the team’s points across the first 5:30 of the contest, six of them of back-to-back triples from deep to kickstart the tires on the offense after the Chargers responded to Sisson’s game-opening basket immediately following the tip at center court with five consecutive points.
Just as Bolivar-Richburg began to pick up steam, the momentum was shortly killed off by Canisteo-Greenwood with a long three off the hand of Carson Chaffee, who tied the game at 12 with the quarter’s final shot that fell through the twine with less than a minute left on the board.
The basket generated even more offense for the Chargers to operate with, as they began the second quarter with six straight points to continue a 9-0 run of Bolivar-Richburg behind some great ball movement down low that opened the floor for great looks along the way. Not long after, the Wolverines navigated their way onto the board with the aid of Sisson, who completed a three-point play to trim their deficit down to five approaching the five-minute mark.
The propulsion that the Chargers built at the start of the quarter would remain in their favor for the time ahead, as they extended their advantage to as large as eight, courtesy of big help down low from Chaffee and Sage Klees, branching their lead to seven right before Landon Barkley helped knock the deficit back down to four with his first of three triples for the Wolverines downtown to close out the half at the last second.
Barkley’s basket would assist in building a momentum shift for the Wolverines in the third quarter, as the visitors in black and red assembled a 19-point frame of their offense — their largest of the game, tying the game at 40 heading into the last eight minutes of play.
From the beginning to end in the fourth quarter, it was anyone’s game.
Led by an enormous 18-point second half engineered by Barkley, the Wolverines were able to keep the pressure pinned up against Canisteo-Greenwood with three minutes left to go, as they went on top by a 50-47 count to assume command. But a short time later, the Chargers responded in a big way with the next four points to reclaim the 51-50 lead, ultimately holding onto it for good through multiple game-ending sequences at the charity stripe.
Aydin Sisson led all Bolivar-Richburg with his team-leading 25 points. Barkley followed with 21 points of his own, while Reiss Gaines and Waide Karnuth rounded off with three and two points, respectively.
The Chargers were energized by Carson Chaffee’s 25-point performance, while JJ Reese and Thomas Sirianni both recorded 13, and 11 points.
Up next is a trip to Cuba-Rushford for the Wolverines, as they meet their longtime Allegany County rival Rebels in the Wighthouse on Thursday for their first meeting since their trip to Cleveland a few weeks ago. Tip-off is slated for a 7:30 p.m. start.
Bolivar-Richburg 12 9 19 11 – 51
Canisteo-Greenwood 12 13 15 15 – 55
BOLIVAR-RICHBURG: Aydin Sisson 10 2-3 25, Landon Barkley 8 2-2 21, Waide Karnuth 1 0-2 2, Reiss Gaines 1 1-3 3. Totals: 20 5-10 51.
CANISTEO-GREENWOOD: Thomas Sirianni 4 2-4 11, Carson Chaffee 10 4-5 25, JJ Reese 6 1-3 13, Sage Klees 2 0-0 4, Cole Chaffee 1 0-2 2. Totals: 23 7-14 55.
3-point goals: B-R 6 (Sisson 3, Barkley 3), C-G 2 (Sirianni, Ca. Chaffee).
Total Fouls: B-R 13, C-G 9. Fouled out: None.
Friendship/Scio 33, Hinsdale 25
HINSDALE — After a first half battle that saw Hinsdale capitalize on both ends of the floor against visiting Friendship/Scio, halftime came into effect. In the locker room, a message was delivered by Friendship/Scio head coach Dillon McFall to his team: Respond.
In their first game of the new calendar year, Friendship/Scio went on to do just that. And then some, as they provided a response of massive grandeur against the Bobcats in the shape of a third quarter run that saw them reclaim the lead, using it to record an even stronger finish to ignite their 33-25 victory over the road on Tuesday.
“First half, we were not very good offensively or defensively. But we challenged the boys in the second half and they came out and responded,” said Friendship/Scio coach Dillon McFall. “I have to give them a lot of credit with the way they responded. In the past, they had a hard time handling adversity and coming out on top when things haven’t gone their way. Tonight was a big step for us in the right direction. Connor (Blouvet) came away with 16 big points, and helped us out big on offense. That’s a career-high for him and he’s only a sophomore.”
Across the first half, both teams combined to record 25 points, with Hinsdale (3-3) maintaining control of the advantage on the board after both frames of play, garnering the one-point advantage after the first quarter before using a 9-3 upper hand in the second quarter to provide a big extension going into the locker room.
Trailing by seven going into the next half of play, Friendship/Scio (3-7) performed a complete flip of the script. Beginning in the third quarter, they would seize all control with a 14-4 jaunt of the Bobcats, led by the efforts of Connor Blouvet, who erupted from three-point range by scoring four of the team’s five three-pointers from downtown to help aid his game-high 16-point performance.
The victory for Friendship/Scio was finished off after they took a 23-20 lead into the fourth quarter, doubling up the Bobcats with a 10-5 run to end the night on a positive note. Following behind Blouvet was Jerome Harmon, who had six points to go with his 14 boards. Deacon Brown had four points.
Hinsdale was paced by Robert Childs, who recorded a team-high 11 points. Henry Schwartz had seven points. The Bobcats hit the road this Friday night for a 7:30 p.m. visit to West Valley.
Friendship/Scio will look to continue their winning ways on Thursday with a 7:30 p.m. visit to Andover/Whitesville, in Whitesville.
Friendship/Scio 6 3 14 10 – 33
Hinsdale 7 9 4 5 – 25
FRIENDSHIP/SCIO: Aiden Golden 1 0-0 2, Jerome Harmon 2 2-2 6, Connor Blouvet 5 2-6 16, Jerimiah Brown 1 0-0 2, Matt Donohue 1 0-0 3, Deacon Brown 2 0-2 4. Totals: 12 4-10 33.
HINSDALE: Brad Bergstrom 0 0-2 0, Henry Schwartz 2 1-4 7, Cody Barton 1 2-4 4, Hunter Oliver 0 1-2 1, Tyler Richards 1 0-0 2, Robert Childs 5 0-0 11. Totals: 9 4-10 25.
3-point goals: F/S 5 (Blouvet 4, Donohue), Hinsdale 3 (Schwartz 2, Childs).
Total Fouls: F/S 11, Hinsdale 14. Fouled out: Schwartz (HIN).
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Friendship/Scio 51, Alfred-Almond 32
ALMOND — The Friendship/Scio ladies were able to construct not one, but two phenomenal starts of basketball in their welcome back to the hardwood on Tuesday. Although host Alfred-Almond was able to climb back to within reach to close out the first half, the visitors in black and gold had other plans in store for the next frame of action.
Leading by 10 on the Lady Eagles, Friendship/Scio went on to take matters into their own hands once and for all, as they pushed the pedal to the metal behind strong nights from Emily Lamberson and Nevaeh Ross to fuel their 51-32 road win — their sixth win in their first seven games, to pick up right where they left off before the holiday break.
Almost immediately, Friendship/Scio (6-1) wasted no time striking while the iron was hot with a rapid first quarter barrage that saw them provide their strongest frame of attack in the game, accounting for a 20-6 run of Alfred-Almond to carry forward. The Lady Eagles would respond with a big 10-point second quarter to climb back within reach of their opposition, as they trailed 26-16 going into the break.
But upon their return to the hardwood for the second half, Friendship/Scio made sure they kept the lead in their favor for the rest of the way, flooring it towards victory with a 17-6 third quarter run to insurmountably extend their lead. Behind the two strong starts for the visitors were Emily Lamberson and Nevaeh Ross, as the two Friendship/Scio scorers combined to record 30 of the team’s 51 points.
Lamberson led all scorers on the floor with a game-high 16 points, including three triples. Ross followed with 14 points to pair with 10 steals to complete a double-double performance, while Morghyn Ross nearly completed a triple-double herself, finishing with 10 points, 10 steals and nine rebounds. Avery Lamberson chipped in with six steals to continue fueling the special teams cause.
Alfred-Almond was led by Maeve Turner’s team-high 10 points.
Friendship/Scio is right back at it tonight with another road trip, visiting Andover/Whitesville for a 7:30 p.m. contest in Andover.
Friendship/Scio 20 6 17 8 – 51
Alfred-Almond 6 10 6 10 – 32
FRIENDSHIP/SCIO: Grace Drumm 2 0-0 4, Emily Lamberson 6 1-2 16, Nevaeh Ross 7 0-2 14, Avery Lamberson 1 0-2 2, Sophie Bolzan 2 0-0 4, Morghyn Ross 4 2-5 10, Emma Bolzan 0 1-2 1. Totals: 22 4-15 51.
ALFRED-ALMOND: Noelle Emerson 3 0-0 6, Kaylianna Clark 3 0-2 6, Kylie McMichael 1 0-0 2, Maeve Turner 4 2-2 10, Olivia Flaitz 3 0-0 6, Paige Marlatt 0 2-3 2. Totals: 14 4-7 32.
3-point goals: F/S 3 (E. Lamberson).
Total Fouls: F/S 7, A-A 13. Fouled out: None.
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Wellsville 3, Fillmore 1
WELLSVILLE — A victory across extra serves was awarded to both Fillmore and Wellsville to begin their return to action on Tuesday, with the Eagles breaking the ice first before the Lions responded with one of their own to tie the match up at one.
At most, four sets were needed to finish the battle. For Wellsville, that’s all they would need, as their 27-25 second set win over Fillmore helped provide a massive spark of energy to keep the electricity harnessed in their favor to collect three straight wins to close out the night in the Lion’s Den, posting the 25-27, 27-25, 25-15, 25-17 win.
A strong night of offense helped pave the way towards victory for Wellsville (5-2), with Brody Heaney piloting the attack with his 14 game-high kills, pairing them with two aces and two blocks. Xavier Scott was not far behind, as he collected 10 kills of his own to pair with seven aces and four blocks at the net. Lucius Griggs provided nine team-leading aces from the back line to couple with eight more kills and two assists.
For Fillmore (4-3), Skylar Freeman scored 22 assists to go with four aces. Anderson Wiltsey chipped in with 21 more helpers of his own to go with an ace, while Reid Cockle pitched in 12 assists, seven big blocks and two aces from the service line to round off the scoring for the Eagles, who now travel to Allegany-Limestone for a 6 p.m. first serve on Friday.
Wellsville will look to add one more building block before this weekend’s Midseason Tournament at Genesee Valley, as they prepare to host red hot Arkport/Canaseraga on Thursday in a 6 p.m. contest.
Arkport/Canaseraga 3, Cuba-Rushford 0
CUBA — It remained close all throughout the night in the Wighthouse on Tuesday. Momentum was built right after the opening set, a set that was captured by visiting Arkport/Canaseraga, as they held it completely intact against host Cuba-Rushford to pick up a straight-set decision to remain hot entering the new calendar year, scoring the 25-20, 25-18, 25-17 win.
The Rebels (2-5) saw Anderson Siegel keep the ball off the floor as much as he could to lead the defensive efforts, as he posted a team-leading nine digs to pair with his four kills on offense and two aces from the back line. Adding more help along the way was Ethan Cole, who pitched in with four assists and three kills of his own.
Arkport/Canaseraga was headed by Aydan Button, who recorded five assists, two kills, two blocks and one ace.
Coming up on Thursday, Cuba-Rushford will look to bring it back into the win column with a 6 p.m. visit from Friendship/Scio.
Genesee Valley/Belfast 3, Friendship/Scio 1
SCIO — Between Genesee Valley/Belfast and host Friendship/Scio, the battle in progress was there for the taking. After a resilient start for the hosts off the bat, the momentum was theirs to control.
But the tables were turned from the second set onwards on Tuesday in both teams’ return to action, as Genesee Valley/Belfast tilted the balance of power just enough in their favor to possess the winning edge at the end of the night, claiming wins in the last three sets to retrieve the 21-25, 25-20, 25-21, 25-9 four-set decision.
Pacing the offensive front for Genesee Valley/Belfast (3-5) was Brayden Cooper, who had a monstrous night from all angles on the floor behind an effort that saw him record 10 service points from the back line, 10 blocks and a pair of aces. Sean Mahon followed suit with seven kills, two aces and a pair of blocks to further the cause.
On the other side of the net, Eli Wade led Friendship/Scio (1-6) with 10 service points, including an ace, to go with four kills, two assists and a block.
Both teams are back on the road Thursday night in a pair of 6 p.m. battles, as Genesee Valley/Belfast heads out to Bolivar-Richburg, while Friendship/Scio pays a visit to Cuba-Rushford.
Allegany-Limestone 3, Bolivar-Richburg 0
RICHBURG — Undefeated Allegany-Limestone went straight back to the grindstone in their return to action Tuesday night on the road. With a visit to Bolivar-Richburg in store, the Gators picked up where they left off from last year and recorded their seventh straight win, as they propelled their way past the Wolverines in straight sets with a 25-12, 25-6, 25-8 win.
Charging the Wolverines (0-7) on the attack was Dustin Murray and his three assists, two aces and two blocks. Levi Williams chipped in with two aces of his own to pair with two more kills and a block.
Allegany-Limestone was paced by a strong night of service from Tommy DePuy, who recorded 14 service points to couple with eight aces. AJ Riordan and Josh Nolder each had five kills.
Bolivar-Richburg is back on the floor Thursday night for a 6 p.m. visit from Genesee Valley/Belfast.
SWIMMING
Olean 102, Wellsville 79
WELLSVILLE — Although the Lions of Wellsville were able to record six first place finishes in their long-awaited return to the pool on Tuesday, the visiting Olean Huskies were able to score six wins of their own along with a flurry of secondary finishes to propel their way forward and towards victory to spoil Wellsville’s return with a 102-79 win.
Of their five individual victories in the meet, Tyler Rahr led the Lions (5-2) with two — one in each half of action, with his first coming off a fine performance off the Diving board (176.18) and then down the homestretch, with a 100 backstroke victory (1:13.35). Ben Jordan (200 free, 2:00.14), Ethan Crandell (100 free, 57.17) and Eli Brophy (100 breaststroke, 1:15.69) all notched first place finishes to add alongside their lone relay win coming at the very beginning of the night — in the 200 medley (2:03.05).
Wellsville also garnered multiple secondary finishes along the way with Jordan claiming second in the 100 butterfly to add to his resume. Crandell and Brophy followed up with a second place 50 freestyle and third place 100 butterfly finish, respectively. Other secondary finishes for the Lions include Sean Driscoll (third, 200 individual medley), Brayden Ketchner (second, 500 freestyle) and Landon Cinque (third, 500 freestyle).
The Lions also scored a second place finish in the 200 freestyle relay, and a second and third place finish in the 400 freestyle relay to close out the meet.
Up next for Wellsville is a visit to Genesee Valley/Belfast, as they prepare for a 5:30 p.m. first swim on Thursday.
