Genesee Sun

BASEBALL: Avon loses lead in seventh

AVON—Despite holding an 8-6 lead heading into the top of the seventh inning, the Braves could not hold on, as the Cal-Mum Red Raiders scored five runs and held Avon in check in the bottom half Wednesday evening, defeating the Braves 11-8.

The Braves jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the third and starting pitcher, Connor O’Donoghue, held strong until the top of the fifth, where he gave up the lead by allowing six runs.

The Braves offense responded quickly with three runs in the bottom of the fifth.

Zach Rizzolo’s second double of the game scored O’Donoghue and Danny Welch and tied the game at six. Rizzolo would score after a Chase Coyne single up the middle to give the Braves the lead, 7-6, heading into the sixth inning.

O’Donoghue shut down the Red Raider bats in the top of the sixth, as they did not get a runner on base. However, after Avon added on one more in the bottom of the sixth, the Red Raiders bats would come alive when they needed it most, scoring five runs in the top of the seventh.

“I thought Connor O’Donoghue pitched a good game," Avon head coach Rob Fries said. "I thought we made some good plays until the end. We put pressure on ourselves and we didn’t make plays. I think we have enough talent, we are young, but when push comes to shove at times it seems we don’t want the ball hit to us, which needs to change.”

Avon is back at it tomorrow, on the road against Alexander. 

BOYS BASKETBALL: Avon pulls the upset

BLOOMFIELD—Zach Mouw’s three-point field goal at the top of the key with 4 seconds left propelled Avon to a 44-41 win over the Bombers, in a Section V Class C1 quarter-final matchup.

Mouw finished with 24 points and 8 rebounds in a game that featured an intense atmosphere and several lead changes.

“I was just confident, we work on shooting in practice all the time and that definitely helped,” Mouw said.

Although Bloomfield was held scoreless for the first seven minutes of the game, they had a 41-37 lead, with under a minute left.

“Both teams really played hard; it was hard to score," Avon head coach Rob Fries said. "I think both teams scouted each other real well, both teams knew what the other was going to do. They (Bloomfield) are big and physical and it’s tough to get in the lane. We missed some easy one we kind of shot ourselves in the foot there, but we survived and we move on."

Avon (13-7) will play Batavia-Notre Dame (19-0) Monday evening for a spot in the championship game at Blue Cross Arena on March 2^nd. 

CHEERLEADING: Avon prepares for nationals

AVON — The Avon Varsity Girls Cheerleading will be competing at Nationals in Ohio this weekend. They received first place in sectionals this season and have fundraised between $7000-8000 dollars, to be able to have this chance in Nationals.

Since New York State does not recognize cheerleading as a sport, in order to continue after sectionals this group of 16 girls needed to fundraise to pay their way there. The only other two teams in our area going to Nationals are the Bath and Warsaw , but they are in a different division then Avon. The Avon team will be competing in the Large Varsity Division, which is also the highest division.

“The biggest thing is the national score sheet is harder than the sectional score sheet,” said Ally Loomis, a captain for the Avon Braves Cheerleaders. “It requires more skill.”

Loomis and Sally Welch, both captains for the Avon Varsity Cheerleading team, needed to push their team in order to have enough in their routine for Nationals.

“We couldn’t ask for a more dedicated team.” Loomis said. “I think that we have put a lot of stress on the girls on our team because almost half of our team are freshmen. I think that it is hard to come up to a varsity level and handle the constant pushing that we (Loomis and Welch) and our coach put on them.”

“We had a plan to go to Nationals,” said coach Shaun Loomis, “but never did we expect to win sectionals. We definitely wanted to win, that’s what we were working for.”  

One of the teams they will be competing against in Nationals has been winning first and Grand Champion at this Nationals competition for the past few years; it will be a challenge for them to try to take over that title.

“This will be the last that we will do for this season,” said coach Loomis, “which is why I wanted to take them to Nationals. They are a very special group of girls who always give 100 percent, and they have the will to win.”

Coach Loomis has been coaching her daughter Ally and Sally for 10 years.

“I have had these girls since second grade, I have coached them for 10 years and that is why it is so important to take these girls to Nationals.”

Out of the 6 competitions they competed in this year, they took home first place in five of them.

“I think that Ally and I have been on a lot of teams together, but out of all of them this team is different.” said Sally Welch, “It’s very special. “

“You can tell right from the beginning of the season what your team is going to be capable of,” said Loomis, “and right from the beginning I knew this team was going to be special.”

The Avon Varsity Cheerleaders will compete this weekend in Ohio at Nationals. 

BOYS BASKETBALL: Avon advances with win

AVON —  In the first round of the Section V Class C1 sectional tournament, the Braves’ overall team effort led to a big 56-23 victory over the visiting Pembroke Dragons.

Senior Tyler Hite led the way for the Braves with 15 points, 8 rebounds and 2 blocks, while sophomore AJ Loughry pitched in 10 points and 6 rebounds. The Braves dominated the game from the start, as they pressed on defense and barely allowed any offensive rebounds.

“Sometimes you worry about coming out a little flat,” Braves head coach Rob Fries said. “We have a lot of seniors, and they want to keep playing, so hopefully we’ll carry this over a little bit.”

Pembroke finishes the season 2-17, while Avon will move on to play at Bloomfield Friday night.

BOYS BASKETBALL: Mydnerse downs Avon in C1 final

This game coverage is brought to you courtesy of New Way Equipment Home and Pool Center in Avon, the law firm of Cannon and Van Allen, The Village Tavern and The Yard of Ale

At 3 p.m. the Avon Braves (14-7) will battle the Mynderse Blue Devils (15-5) for the class c1 championship. 

Starting lineups are as follows:

Avon-Zach Mouw, Tyler Hite, Zack Rizzolo, Jake Martinez, Galen Snyder.

Mynderse-Brandon Passalacqua, Jimmy Ricci, Jason Anderson, Connor Miller, Luke Ruddy.

Luke Ruddy nails a 3 pointer to open the scoring. 3-0 Mynderse after two minutes.

Luke Ruddy grabs an offensive rebound and is fouled. He converts one free throw. 4-0 Mynderse, 5:02 to play in the first.

Luke Ruddy hits another shot, followed by a Passalacqua layup. 8-0 Mynderse halfway through the first. Timeout Avon.

Zach Mouw fouled, he hits one from the line. 8-1

Passalacqua with layups the past 2 possessions, 12-1 Mynderse with 2:40 left in the first.

Galen Snyder converts a layup, 12-3.

Hite hits a jump shot, Avon has scored 4 unanswered. Passalacqua answers, 14-5 at the end of one. 

Hite hits a layup to open the second, but Jimmy Ricci responds with a 3, and Jason Anderson hits a layup. Ricci then steals it and goes the distance. 21-7 with a minute played in the second.

Ruddy hits a layup, then Mouw is fouled. He hits both free throws. 23-9 with 5:16 to play in the second.

Ruddy is fouled and hits one. 24-9.

Full Avon timeout after Anderson grabs an offensive rebound after a Hite block and nails a jumper. 26-9.

Rizzolo hits a layup after the timeout, 26-11 with 4:25 left in the second. Ricci responds with another 3, then Mike Torregiano lays one in. 29-13.

Ruddy hits another layup, 31-13. 3:30 left.

Anderson lays one in and is fouled. He converts the 3 point play.

 Ruddy hits another layup, then Snyder hits a 3. 36-16 with a minute to play in the half.

Rizzolo fouled on a 3 point attempt. He hits all 3 free throws. 36-19.

Ruddy hits one free throw, and Mouw misses a 3 at the buzzer. At the half, its Mynderse 37 to 19.

Luke Ruddy's 14 points lead all scorers. Passalacqua and Ricci both have 8, and for Avon, Rizzolo and Snyder each have 5.

Snyder starts the second half with a jumper in the corner, 37-21.

Passalacqua hits a shot. A minute gone in the half, 39-21.

Hite hits a jumper off the assist from Mouw. 39-23 with 2 minutes played.

Passalacqua hits a free throw then Ricci hits a jumper. 42-23 with 5:08 to play in the third quarter.

Mouw hits a pair of free throws, 42-25.

Ruddy and Hite trade baskets, 44-27 with 4:30 remaining in the quarter.

Ricci hits a 3 pointer, its 47-27 with 3:15 left in the quarter.

Connor Miller lays one in, 49-27 with 2:22 left. Avon timeout.

Rizzolo lays one in, and Miller answers. 51-29 with under a minute left in the third.

Miller tips another in, and at the end of the third, its Mynderse 53-29.

TJ Crye opens the final quarter with a 3 pointer, 53-32.

Jason Anderson fouled, he hits both. 55-32 with 6:38 to play.

Ruddy with another layup, 57-32.

Connor Miller hits one of two free throws, and Snyder responds with a 3 pointer. 58-35 with 5:18 left.

Anderson hits a free throw, and Mouw converts a 3. 59-38 with 4:34 left.

Passalacqua hits a running floater, 61-38 with 4 minutes left.

Crye hits another 3, its 61-41 with 2:40 left.

Torregiano lays one in, 61-43.

Miller converts one of two free throws, 62-4 with 1:42 to play here at Blue Cross Arena.

AJ Loughry lays one in, 62-45 with a minute left.

Fletcher Reese nails a 3 for Mynderse, 65-45. 

Mynderse captures the class c1 sectional title with a 65-45 win over the Avon Braves.

Luke Ruddy had a game high 18 points, Jimmy Ricci added 13 and for Avon, Galen Snyder had 10 points and Mouw and Hite each added 8.

CLICK THE LINK BELOW FOR THE VIDEO SEGMENT

BOYS BASKETBALL: Avon defeats Webster-Christian

AVON — The Avon Braves defeated the visiting Webster Christian Warriors, 53-36, Monday evening, in a non-league Section V basketball showdown.

The Braves dominated early, going into halftime ahead, 27-13, behind strong defense that forced turnovers that led to high-percentage baskets. On his 18^th birthday, Braves senior guard Zack Mouw led the way with 22 points, 4 rebounds and 3 steals.

“It was definitely exciting,” Mouw said. “We’ve been working really hard towards sectionals. And we have the regular season finale Thursday.”

Braves head coach Rob Fries knows the importance of winning games late in the season that spur momentum into sectionals.

“We play in a real tough league, so going outside the league really helps us,” Fries said. “But I thought our guys played really well, I was pleased.”

Avon (10-7) wraps up its regular season at home Thursday night against LeRoy, while Webster Christian (9-7) will host Rochester Early College International tomorrow evening, for its season finale.

BOYS BASKETBALL: Semi-final scorefeed Avon

This game coverage is brought to you courtesy of New Way Equipment Home and Pool Center in Avon, the lawirm of Cannon and Van Allen, The Village Tavern and The Yard of Ale

Halfway through the first, the Irish lead 10-6. Tommy Prospero is the high scorer with 7 points. Jake Martinez is leading the way for Avon with 4 points.

Zach Mouw's 3 points and 2 assists are keeping the Braves in the game as they trail Batavia-Notre Dame 13-16 after one.

With three minutes played in the second quarter, Avon leads 18-16. Mouw's 6 points lead the way for the Braves, but Tommy Prospero remains the high scorer with 7.

The Irish storm back to take a 23-22 lead, but Mouw's 8 points lead all scorers.

With a minute left to play in the half, the Irish lead 29-24 in what has been a very balanced game. 

Jake Martinez steals the ball just before half time to prevent an Irish basket and keep the score 29-26, as the Irish lead. Mouw leads all scorers with 10 points and 3 assists. Tommy Prospero and Tim McCulley lead the way for the Irish with 7 and 6 points respectively, including a couple clutch 3-pointers.

Mouw hits a 3 to open the second half and tie the game, but Tommy Prospero answers with a 3 of his own. 

Mouw hits a 3, then steals the ball and goes coast to coast for 2. Batavia Notre Dame leads 39-37 3 minutes into the 3rd quarter.

Zach Mouw hits another jumper and has 10 points in the third quarter and 20 overal. Game tied at 39.

A defensive stalemate for most of the quarter, but Tim McCulley hits a 3 to put the Irish in the lead, 44-41. 1 minute to play in the 3rd.

At the end of 3, Batavia Notre Dame leads 47-43. Tommy Prospero hit a 3 just before the end of the quarter to stretch the lead. Mouw leads all scorers with 22. McCulley is the top man for the Irish with 18.

The teams trade baskets to open the half, then Galen Snyder completes the three point play. Game tied at 49 with 7 minutes to play.

Tyler Hite hits a pair of free throws to make it a 58-54 Avon lead with 3 to play.

Hite hits two more free throws and has 9 points. Avon leads 60-54 with just over 2 minutes left.

Hite blocks a shot to keep Avon in the lead, 60-58. 4 seconds to play.

Avon pulled off the major upset Monday evening in Caledonia, knocking off the number one seed and previously undefeated Batavia Notre Dame Fighting Irish. The game was extremely close and balanced throughout, and played with as much intensity as would be expected from a semi-final match. The Braves improve to 14-7 on the season and will play Mynderse Saturday evening at Blue Cross Arena for the Section V Class C1 championship.

Zach Mouw led the way for the Braves with 22 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists, and Tyler Hite and Zack Rizzolo each added 9 points for Avon. Hite also added 3 blocks, including a crucial, game-altering block with 5 seconds to play, keeping the Braves in the lead.

Tim McCulley led the way for the Irish in the losing effort with 22 points, while Tommy Prospero added 15.

Tyler Hite on his late, game-changing block: "I just timed it perfectly. And it helped to have the defense step up behind me."

Zach Mouw on going to the championship Saturday at Blue Cross Arena: "It feels amazing. We're ready."

Braves head coach Rob Fries on his team: "I'm really proud of my guys. We've kind of done this all year where we've had the lead and struggled holding on to it. We made some big buckets down the stretch and Zach Mouw really carried us for 3 quarters of the game. I was proud of our bigs and their put-backs and the energy of the bench guys."

"We got to about 3 minutes, and I could see it on their faces, that they were believing they could win. And up until then, I'm not sure they thought they could. And I'm just really proud of the guys."

Boys Basketball: Avon picks up the W

PAVILION — The visiting Avon Braves exploded in the third quarter to overtake the Pavilion Golden Gophers, 52-37, in a Section V basketball matchup, Tuesday evening.

After going into halftime with a 25-18 lead, the Braves notched 20 points in the third quarter, as they excelled in forcing turnovers and playing a strong team game.

“We wanted to do better on [defensive rebounding] because we felt we gave up way too many offensive boards and I think that was key, Avon forward Tyler Hite said. “That’s how we gained such a large lead. We just kept going and outlasted them.”

Avon (9-6) plays at first place Cal-Mum Friday evening, while Pavilion (3-10) will visit Geneseo.