Photo: Wellsville’s Matt Ritter attempts a takedown of Dallas Brady during an exciting match at 160.
By CHRIS BROOKS, managing editor, wellsvillesports.com
WELLSVILLE — For the very last time this season, the Lions of Wellsville wrestled in front of their own crowd, and it was an exciting match to behold Thursday night in the Lion’s Den. Across the first six matches, both Avoca-Prattsburgh/Hammondsport and the host Lions created level playing ground, each collecting three victories.
The night would see the visitors claim a narrow 22-21 lead coming down the homestretch, but then the Lions would hit their stride.
Led by two outstanding performances from Matt Ritter and by Brayden Taggert later on in the match, Wellsville would feed off the momentum by scoring the matches last six wins to pull ahead of Avoca-Prattsburgh/Hammondsport for good, garnering a decision, two pinfalls and three forfeit victories to aid their regular season-closing 46-21 win.
Avoca-Prattsburgh/Hammondsport was the first to strike on back-to-back victories in the lightweight bouts, with Orion Davis claiming a 4-2 decision win over Wellsville’s Paul Giovanniello at 108 pounds, while Justin Wise garnered a pinfall win over Jensen Spicer at 116 pounds.
The Lions would follow up with three straight wins to take their first lead of the night, with David Clark grabbing the first on a 6-1 decision victory in his 124 pound bout.
Adam Iantorno (131 pounds) and Landon Stratton (138 pounds) followed up to continue the momentum shift behind wins of their own, with Iantorno racking up the points in a 13-5 decision, while Stratton claimed victory via pinfall. Avoca-Prattsburgh/Hammondsport would score their last two victories of the match to reclaim a 22-21 lead of Wellsville, with Chase Mummey (145 pounds) and Tristan Davis (152 pounds) each posting pinfall wins.
But the lead for the visitors would not hold for long, as the Lions assembled the strongest of finishes to close out their regular season on the mat, netting victories in each of the last six matches, with Matt Ritter’s 5-1 decision at 160 pounds starting it and an exciting pinfall win for Brayden Taggert helping end it at 285 pounds.
In the midst of their match-ending, go-ahead run, Xander Outman captured a pinfall win at 170 pounds to go with three forfeit wins from Jaxson Black (190 pounds), Gabe Black (215 pounds) and Easton Joyce (101 pounds).
The Lions will hit the road this weekend to partake in tournament action in Kenmore, beginning on Saturday.
Results (* indicates starting weight)
101 – Easton Joyce (WLSV) by for.
*108 – Orion Davis (APH) def. Paul Giovanniello (WLSV) by dec, 4-2.
116 – Justin Wise (APH) def. Jensen Spicer (WLSV) by pin.
124 – David Clark (WLSV) def. Hudson Cole (APH) by dec, 6-1.
131 – Adam Iantorno (WLSV) def. Devin Stamets (APH) by dec, 13-5.
138 – Landon Stratton (WLSV) def. Gus Oliver (APH) by pin.
145 – Chase Mummey (APH) def. Mason Edwards (WLSV) by pin.
152 – Tristan Davis (APH) def. Andrew Cox (WLSV) by pin.
160 – Matt Ritter (WLSV) def. Dallas Brady (APH) by dec, 5-1.
170 – Xander Outman (WLSV) def. Liam McLoud (APH) by pin.
190 – Jaxson Black (WLSV) by for.
215 – Gabe Black (WLSV) by for.
285 – Brayden Taggert (WLSV) def. Sonny Wilson (APH) by pin.
Bolivar-Richburg 48, Alfred-Almond 12
ALMOND — Aside from three double forfeits being shared in the first four matches on a Thursday night in Almond, the Wolverines of Bolivar-Richburg fortified their lead right from the start, as the team scored eight total victories against host Alfred-Almond — six of them in competition, all by pinfall to lock up a 48-12 victory over the Eagles.
With a Teegan Sibble forfeit win starting off the match for the Wolverines at 108 pounds, the victories on the mat soon followed to post more points on the board, as Gary McDowell (131 pounds), Cayden Gaines (138 pounds) and Trey Buchholz (145 pounds) recorded three straight pinfall wins to get the ball rolling. Buchholz was responsible for the quickest pin of the sequence, rolling up Alfred-Almond’s Cole Briggs with 12 seconds remaining in the opening period.
Alfred-Almond would trim down their deficit with back-to-back forfeit wins from Riley McMichael (152 pounds) and Kanye Cumberbatch (160 pounds). But the two wins would be all the Eagles would receive, as Bolivar-Richburg assumed total control once again for the remainder of the match by scoring wins in the last four matches.
Garnering the wins for the Wolverines were a forfeit triumph from Tavyn MacDonell (170 pounds), and then three straight pinfall wins beginning at 190 pounds from Zach Mitchell, who pinned Johnathan Yezarski in 50 seconds — the quickest pin out of all six matches. Caden Allen (215 pounds) and Aiden Smith (285 pounds) rounded off the wins with pinfall wins at 1:50 and 3:09, respectively.
Bolivar-Richburg now hits the road this weekend for invitational action at Avoca-Prattsburgh, beginning Saturday morning.
Results (* indicates starting weight)
*101 – Double for.
108 – Teegan Sibble (B-R) by for.
116 – Double for.
124 – Double for.
131 – Gary McDowell (B-R) def. Peyton Barnes (A-A) by pin, 3:50.
138 – Cayden Gaines (B-R) def. Zavier Rao (A-A) by pin, 2:34.
145 – Trey Buchholz (B-R) def. Cole Briggs (A-A) by pin, 1:48.
152 – Riley McMichael (A-A) by for.
160 – Kanye Cumberbatch (A-A) by for.
170 – Tavyn MacDonell (B-R) by for.
190 – Zach Mitchell (B-R) def. Johnathan Yezarski (A-A) by pin, :50.
215 – Caden Allen (B-R) def. Garrett Freeland (A-A) by pin, 1:50.
285 – Aiden Smith (B-R) def. Cohen Cumberbatch (A-A) by pin, 3:09.
Thursday Roundup: Haverling launches 10 triples, turn 2nd half tide to cruise past Lions with 58-41 win; Giardini captains thrilling OT win for B-R girls with career night over And/Whi
BATH — The Lions of Wellsville have now entered their final five-game stretch before the end of the regular season’s line.
Four of those games will see them hit the road, as they prepare to face the likes of Bath-Haverling, Bolivar-Richburg, Fillmore, Corning and longtime archrival Hornell head on to close the book shut their latest installment before turning the page towards the next chapter — Sectionals.
The Rams were up first to battle it out with Wellsville on their home floor Thursday night, while the Lions looked to build off the momentum they were granted after this past Saturday’s win over Greece Odyssey on Hall of Fame weekend.
If there was ever a time to hit the gas pedal straight down to the floor, this was it.
In the early stages of the battle, the Lions started their game strong with the advantage to hold against Bath-Haverling. But the Rams went on to suddenly flip a switch and produce a massive run in the middle of the second quarter. One that would give them the lead and hold it permanently going forward, as they used a powerful second half stand to further cement an eventual 58-41 home win.
In the midst of an early exchange across the first quarter, the Lions (6-10) would jump out to the game’s first lead behind six consecutive points out of the gate. But the hot start was quickly cooled off by the Rams, as the pace transformed into a teeter-totter trading of points – a constant that allowed Wellsville to remain in front with a narrow 14-13 lead.
In the mid-section of the second quarter, a complete flip of the script took shape for the hosts in white and blue, as they capsized the game on its head with an 8-0 run that propelled them out front. Despite some added pressure from the Lions in efforts of taking the advantage back before halftime, the Rams did everything in their power to outlast it and remain on top when the buzzer sounded, as they carried a 26-24 lead into the break.
The two-point lead would then blossom into bigger things for the Rams across the second half, as they went on to provide a 32-17 outscoring through the next two quarters combined to maintain their view at the top of the mountain, including a giant 18-9 fourth quarter finish to put the game away for good.
Bath-Haverling used a strong three-point game to their fullest of advantages covering all four quarters of play, as the team launched 10 in all against Wellsville. One of the big contributors in that department: Jake Hagadone and his game-high 25 points for the Rams, posting 14 of those points in the second half.
Leading the Lions was JJ Howard, as he finished with a team-leading 16 points. Trenton and Alex Green each had six points, while Aiden Cowburn and Cooper Brockway both had five. Karson Grover rounded off the scoring with three points.
Wellsville will now break for a full week away from action, as they mark their return back over the road next Friday night with a 7:30 p.m. visit to Bolivar-Richburg.
Wellsville 14 10 8 9 – 41
Bath-Haverling 13 13 14 18 – 58
WELLSVILLE: Aiden Cowburn 1 2-2 5, Karson Grover 1 1-2 3, Cooper Brockway 2 0-0 5, JJ Howard 6 4-9 16, Trenton Green 2 1-2 6, Alex Green 2 2-2 6. Totals: 14 10-17 41.
BATH-HAVERLING: Ezra Hoad 2 0-0 5, Austin Durand 5 0-0 13, Maclain Wright 1 0-0 3, Michael Binkowski 2 0-0 6, Jake Hagadone 7 8-8 25, Gavin Price 3 0-0 6. Totals: 20 8-8 58.
3-point goals: Wellsville 3 (Cowburn, Brockway, T. Green), B-H 10 (Hagadone 3, Durand 3, Binkowski 2, Hoad, Wright).
Total Fouls: Wellsville 14, B-H 13. Fouled out: None.
Mount Morris 64, Hinsdale 37
HINSDALE — The Mount Morris Blue Devils were able to finish off a complete sweep of their two-game set with the Hinsdale Bobcats on Thursday, as they traveled over the road and took care of business with a strong first half that they never looked back from, securing what was a 64-37 victory at the end of the night.
Statistics and a complete box score were not made available to report upon publication.
Hinsdale (4-4) will look to rebound in their return to the hardwood coming up on Wednesday, as they host the Panthers of Houghton Academy at 7:30 p.m.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Bolivar-Richburg 39, Andover/Whitesville 37 (F-OT)
BOLIVAR — Excitement permeated the air over the summit and into Bolivar, Thursday night. It was a dead heat across the board between Andover/Whitesville and the host Lady Wolverines of Bolivar-Richburg, where no quarter was decided by more than two points.
As a result, the two teams would force their way into an extra four minute session to close out the night after a score in the waning seconds from Andover/Whitesville allowed them to tie the game at 33. Across overtime, the close quarters pace remained firmly intact, with the visitors in black springing out to a four-point lead.
It was held for the majority of the fifth frame, but with under a minute to go and the pressure mounting, the Lady Wolverines needed to shell out a response.
They looked to her all game to lead the offense, and in overtime, it was no different. Raegan Giardini played hero for the Lady Wolverines.
The Bolivar-Richburg senior was simply lights out, as she took matters into her own hands to win the game for the Lady Wolverines, scoring all six points in the extra session — including a go-ahead jumper with under 30 seconds remaining to finish off what was a 6-0 game-ending run of Andover/Whitesville to lock down a 39-37 victory in thrilling fashion.
“Raegan really pulled through for us,” Lady Wolverines coach Hadley Ferris said. “She made the shots when it mattered most, and because of it, she had the best night of her career. I am so proud of her. Nadia (Baldwin) also had some great baskets that allowed us to stay in it, and on defense, the girls really gave it their all. Hopefully we can keep this energy going into next week.”
All game long, Andover/Whitesville and Bolivar-Richburg locked horns, trading advantages across each of the four quarters before the late stage fireworks began to settle in. The Lady Wolverines (4-8) were able to capture a two-point lead and hold it until the last minute when Andover/Whitesville provided a massive response from the hand of Olivia Waters, who tied the game at 33 with four seconds remaining on a lay-in on the post to force overtime.
In the next session of play, the momentum allowed the visitors to build a run that saw them net six unanswered points, with a Stella Bledsoe inside score and a pair of shots at the line by Graci Lewis-Ellison allowing their lead to grow to four going down the home stretch. With 50 seconds remaining, something had to give for the Lady Wolverines.
That was exactly the moment in time Giardini served up a game-changing dish of victory, as she scored all six points for the Lady Wolverines, with the first coming from straight downtown to trim the deficit to one before her inside basket allowed them to snag the lead away from Andover/Whitesville (3-10) for good.
Giardini would add one more point from the charity stripe to ensure the win, finishing the night with a career-high 20 points.
Nadia Baldwin would follow behind Giardini for the Lady Wolverines, as she posted eight points. Rylee Whiting and Carmen Crowley each had four points. For Andover/Whitesville, Grace Fry led all scorers with her team-high 11 points. Stella Bledsoe had 10 points, while Waters finished with eight in total.
Both teams will hop back onto the court Monday night over the road, as Bolivar-Richburg now visits the Lion’s Den over the summit at 7:30 p.m. in Wellsville, while Andover/Whitesville heads to the east to battle Avoca-Prattsburgh in a 7:15 p.m. tip-off.
Andover/Whitesville 7 6 10 10 4 – 37
Bolivar-Richburg 9 4 12 8 6 – 39
ANDOVER/WHITESVILLE: Stella Bledsoe 5 0-0 10, Graci Lewis-Ellison 3 0-0 6, Grace Fry 4 3-6 11, Makaila Brewster 0 1-2 1, Lilly Harrington 1 0-0 2, Olivia Waters 3 2-2 8, Katrina Lewis 0 1-1 1. Totals: 16 7-11 37.
BOLIVAR-RICHBURG: Nadia Baldwin 3 0-0 8, Raegan Giardini 7 4-6 20, Sydney Faulkner 1 1-2 3, Rylee Whiting 2 0-0 4, Carmen Crowley 2 0-2 4. Totals: 15 5-10 39.
3-point goals: B-R 4 (Baldwin 2, Giardini 2).
Total Fouls: A/W 12, B-R 15. Fouled out: Giardini (B-R).
Fillmore 77, Geneseo 23
GENESEO — There were no signs of slowing down in sight for Fillmore on Thursday.
Behind the guidance of a red hot Amelia Rose in their latest road trip away from home and up to the north in Geneseo, the Lady Eagles and their clamorous first half of play resonated across all fronts against the host Lady Blue Devils, allowing them to set an immediate tone to deliver what was a 77-23 road win — their 11th on the season.
“The girls came out with a greater sense of energy and effort tonight compared to our game on Monday,” said Lady Eagles coach Tom Parks. “We moved the ball well, we found the open player and shot it at a pretty high percentage. Amelia Rose has played extremely well in our last several games and that continued tonight. Outside of Amelia, we got great contributions up and down the lineup. When the scoring can come from anywhere like it did tonight, it makes us that much stronger.”
All the Lady Eagles (11-1) needed was the opening eight minutes to come out firing on all cylinders against Geneseo, as a multitude of Lady Eagles all delivered contributions towards a 21-4 first quarter run that saw them set the tone immediately, garnering a lead they would never relinquish across all four quarters of play.
The dynamic duo of Amelia Rose and Hope Russell played a big role behind the success of the Lady Eagles on the attack, with Rose leading the charge behind her game-high 21 points — 12 of those points stemming off four long triples from the parking lot. Russell would follow behind with 17 points of her own, all from inside the arc.
Preslee Miller chipped in to further Fillmore’s cause on the offense, scoring nine points, while Mattie McCumiskey and Emalyn Mucher each had eight.
Up next, the Lady Eagles are back home to The Rock on Monday with a 7:30 p.m. tip-off slated against Arkport-Canaseraga.
Fillmore 21 21 16 19 – 77
Geneseo 4 6 12 1 – 23
FILLMORE: Hope Russell 8 1-1 17, Grace Russell 1 1-2 4, Rachel Hatch 3 0-0 6, Amelia Rose 8 1-2 21, Kylee Ellsworth 2 0-0 4, Mattie McCumiskey 3 2-2 8, Preslee Miller 3 3-3 9, Emalyn Mucher 3 0-0 8. Totals: 31 8-10 77.
GENESEO: Maggie Driscoll 0 1-2 1, Liliana Pritchard 1 0-0 3, Emily Lamb 1 1-2 3, Caroline Capel 0 1-2 1, Lillian McBride 1 0-0 2, Sierra Whitney 2 0-0 4, Olivia Bucci 4 1-1 9. Totals: 9 4-7 23.
3-point goals: Fillmore 7 (Rose 4, Mucher 2, G. Russell), Geneseo 1 (Pritchard).
Total Fouls: Fillmore 8, Geneseo 12. Fouled out: None.
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Allegany-Limestone 3, Bolivar-Richburg 0
ALLEGANY — With three games remaining after their latest battle with Bolivar-Richburg, the Allegany-Limestone Gators continued to close in on their path towards clinching the County’s top seed for the playoffs ahead, as they maintained the momentum they have held all season long to record a straight-set, 25-10, 25-7, 25-17 sweep in the Swamp over the visiting Wolverines on Thursday.
The Gators, winners of 13 consecutive decisions, were paced by an outstanding offensive presence put on by Josh Nolder, who delivered the best of both worlds on the floor with his 12 kills and 11 digs on defense to keep the ball in the air. Following behind was AJ Riordan and his 10 kills, while setter CJ Ellison handed out 26 assists.
Statistics for the Wolverines (0-13) were not made available to report upon publication.
Bolivar-Richburg will return to action back home tonight, hosting the Fillmore Eagles in a 6 p.m. first serve.
