May 204 (Rochester Edition)

WNY Flash fight on
By Jeffrey Levine
When you draft, trade or acquire a
player in free agency you never know if
you’ve made the right decision until a
few years down the road. Although it’s a
sentiment that’s been reiterated by so many
columnists and pundits that it’s now passed
into the realm of cliché, there’s no denying that
the WNY Flash made a fantastic decision in picking up Vicky Losada this offseason.
In her first game in a Flash uniform, the FC
Barcelona captain made her mark just 15 minutes
into the match when she rifled a shot from 30 yards
out over the hands of former Flash netminder
Ashlyn Harris, now playing for the Washington
Spirit. When the Spirit equalized the score five minutes into the second half, it was Losada who
responded by connecting with Brittney Taylor off a
set-piece just four minutes later, targeting the center
back on the far post with pinpoint precision. Then, as
if to put an exclamation mark on her debut, Losada
scored again in the 67th minute, taking a pass from
fellow Spaniard Adriana Martin as she was making a
run into the box and easily finishing. Losada’s performance did not go unnoticed, garnering the 23year-old midfielder NWSL player of the week
honors.
Losada’s arrival and tour-de-force debut
also helped lessen the absence of some
familiar Flash faces from the
lineup. Goalkeeper Adriana
Franch tore her ACL in
March and last year’ s runner up for goalkeeper of
the year and rookie of the
year is now projected to
Date
Opponent
Time
miss the entire 2014
NWSL season. In her
place, Lydia Williams has
taken on the workload for
the team, starting all three games of the young season.
In addition to plugging a big hole in front of the net,
the Flash were a little thin up front without hometown
favorite and all-time leading goal scorer in international play Abby Wambach. The forward, who finished second in the NWSL for goals scored (11) and
assists (8), sustained a fractured left orbital bone in a
US Women’s National Team match against China on
April 10.
“Abby brings something that no other player on our
team or in this league has. Her size, her strength, her
aerial dominance, her leadership,” Carli Lloyd said of
her National Team and WNY Flash teammate. “Her
and I work really well off one another. With her back
in the lineup there’s a comfortableness between us. We
could probably play with our eyes shut and know
where the other is. It’ll be good to have her back and
it’ll take time. Some of us haven’t been playing with
the other players this preseason. We’ve come in late,
we’ve had some Barcelona girls come in late. It’s not
where you start, it’s where you finish. Slow and steady
wins the race.”
“Carli and Abby had great contribution [last season],” head coach Aaron Lines agree. “Those two
players were directly involved in 28 of our 36 goals.
Their contribution was enormous and a big reason we
were able to win regular season and host the championship game in our stadium. This year we need the
same contribution out of those players who should be
even more comfortable in their surroundings. We also
brought on a couple nice new additions.”
One of those new additions was Sonia Bermudez.
After a 43-minute rain delay during the home opener,
the Flash fought back from a 1-0 deficit against the
Portland Thorns to come up with a 1-1 draw against
the reigning NWSL Champions. Like her former FC
Sun. April 13
at Washington Spirit
4:00 p.m.
Sat. April 19
at Chicago Red Stars
6:00 p.m.
Sat. May 3
Portland Thorns FC
7:00 p.m.
Wed. May 7
FC Kansas City
7:00 p.m.
Sun. May 11
Sky Blue FC
3:00 p.m.
Sat. May 17
at Washington Spirit
6:30 p.m.
Wed. May 21
at Portland Thorns FC
10:00 p.m.
Sun. May 25
at Seattle Reign FC
7:00 p.m.
Sat. May 31
Houston Dash
7:00 p.m.
Wed. June 4
at FC Kansas City
7:00 p.m.
Sat. June 7
at Portland Thorns FC
10:00 p.m.
Wed. June 11
at Houston Dash
9:00 p.m.
Wed. June 18
Chicago Red Stars
7:00 p.m.
Sun. June 22
Seattle Reign FC
3:00 p.m.
Fri. June 27
Boston Breakers
7:30 p.m.
Wed. July 2
Seattle Reign FC
7:00 p.m.
Sat. July 5
at Houston Dash
9:00 p.m.
Sat. July 12
Washington Spirit
7:00 p.m.
Fri. July 18
FC Kansas City
7:30 p.m.
Fri. July 25
Boston Breakers
7:30 p.m.
Thurs. July 31
at Sky Blue FC
7:00 p.m.
Sun. Aug. 3
at Boston Breakers
6:30 p.m.
Wed. Aug. 13
Sky Blue FC
7:00 p.m
Sat. Aug. 16
at Chicago Red Stars
8:00 p.m.
All League games are streamed online. Go to www.wnyflash.com,
click on the NWSL logo for the links.
Barcelona teammate Losada, Bermudez scored in her
debut for the Flash, perfectly placing a 25-yard centered set piece into the upper 90, right over the outstretched arm of Nadine Angerer. The goal from the
newcomer was even more timely with the team once
again playing at less than full strength. Wambach
made her season debut after missing the first two
games of the season due to a fractured orbital bone
sustained in a US National Team match against China
on April 10 but Lloyd sat out, serving the first of a
two-game suspension handed out for use of excessive
force during the second game of the season against the
Chicago Red Stars.
Although the Flash have scored on two set pieces
throughout the season, they have counterproductively conceded three goals to the opposition. After a
somewhat deflating 1-0 loss to the Chicago Red Stars,
coach Lines was clearly disappointed in how these
crucial moments were handled by him and his team.
“(Set pieces are) something that we will be continuing to practice. Right now it just looks like I told
everyone to stand in the box and pick up a player,”
coach Lines said, eliciting laughter from the assembled
media. “Two goals in two games on set pieces.
Obviously we’re not happy with that.”
“It’s not easy [to defend a set piece],” Lloyd agreed.
“You’re worrying about the ball being put in. You’re
worrying about your mark. You’re worrying about
tons of other people crashing into the net. At the end
of the day it’s just a mindset.”
Despite what almost any club would consider a
good start, neither star midfielder or coach are satisfied with their level of play so far. Taking the long term
approach to the season, coach Lines perfectly summarized where the Flash go from here saying “we
embrace the work.” There’s no need to be concerned
with a team just a crossbar or two away from a perfect
season, but the idea of an already formidable team
working even harder should be a scary thought for the
rest of the NWSL.
May–June 2014
SPORTS & LEISURE MAGAZINE
Ralph’s Bills legacy
By Ed Kilgore
The first time I actually
had a conversation with
Ralph C. Wilson was on the
sidelines during warm-ups
for a Bills game at Baltimore
in October of 1975 when the
Colts were still there at
Memorial Stadium, which is
sort of ironic since Colts
owner Robert Irsay would
eventually sneak his Colts
out of town during the night
to
move
them
to
Indianapolis— something
Ralph Wilson would never
have seriously even contemplated.
It was a warm and sunny
day, and Ralph was in a great
mood because the Bills were
off to a 3-0 start. I was standing near the Bills bench
watching the Bills newly
acquired receiver John
Holland catching balls from
Joe Ferguson. Ralph walked
up to me and we started talking about Holland and several other things for at least
10-15 minutes as I recall.
Ralph was excited about
Holland and guess what?
Holland caught a couple TD
passes and the Bills won the
game 38-31 to improve to 40. Alas, the team faded down
the stretch and missed the
playoffs, but that conversation with the Bills only
owner means a lot more to
me now than the fact the
Bills didn’t reach the post
season.
I’m convinced many Bills
fans, even now that Ralph is
gone after a great run of 95
years, had no clue about
how deeply Ralph cared
about the Bills, his players,
Bills fans, and yes, Buffalo.
But wait? Didn’t Ralph live
in Detroit? No matter, and
Bills fans should count their
blessings that not only did
Wilson care about Buffalo,
he was smart enough to
ensure he would never have
to move the team even when
the temptation had to be
there.
Wilson was a smart businessman—yes, some say
cheap—but Irsay, and others
before and after him, ran
into debt problems not even
related to their football team,
and the quick fix if a new
stadium isn’t built quickly is
to jump at a big juicy offer to
move the team; to heck with
your fans and city.
Here’s a personal story
that proved beyond a doubt
to me just how much Ralph
cared about his Bills and
about winning. During the
late 70s, the Bills just couldn’t beat the hated Miami
Dolphins, but one afternoon
at then Rich Stadium they
had a great chance to get it
done. The Bills were moving
into field goal range, down
by a point late in the fourth
quarter, but on a fourth
down pass, Ferguson’s overthe-middle strike to Roland
Hooks was deemed incomplete because the officials
ruled that Hooks trapped the
ball. It was close, no question, but without the benefit
of instant replay then, the
Photo courtesy Ed Kilgore
Ralph Wilson and Ed Kilgore.
call stood and the game was
essentially over.
It wasn’t over for Ralph,
however.
I was in the end zone at
the tunnel entrance with my
Channel 2 photographer,
Harvey Marshall, and for
some reason we happened to
be the only news media folks
that noticed Ralph slip into
the officials’ dressing room
not far from the visitor’s
locker room. You can’t do
that. But Ralph did, so
Harvey and I waited for him
to emerge, and did he ever
emerge. Ralph was as angry
as I’ve ever seen him, but he
also knew I had the camera
rolling and he’d better be
careful. He said at least twice
he couldn’t say anything, but
I knew he really wanted to
vent, and ok, I took advantage of that a bit by suggesting it wasn’t a very good call.
His words are forever
etched in my memory.
“That’s RIGHT!! Did you see
that call?? That call was
incomprehensible!!
The
officials STOLE that game!!
Pete Rozelle (then NFL commissioner) can fine me, and I
won’t
pay the
fine!!”
B
y
t h a t
Photo courtesy Buffalo Bills
time,
Ralph Wilson was one of the original team ownothers
ers.
could
h e a r
tions about the future of the
Ralph yelling, but before
Bills. The reality was that
they could join the fun, the
Ralph just didn’t want the
Bills PR staff had hustled
focus to be on his death, and
Ralph into the elevator and
who could blame him? He
out of harm’s way. Years later
knew that anything he said
at a sports banquet I asked
about what happened then
Ralph if he ever paid the
would become THE story,
fine, and he laughed and said
taking away from the team
“it cost me 20 grand, but it
or even worse, becoming a
was worth every penny!”
distraction.
For weeks after that—we
But Ralph did have a plan,
of course ran Ralph’s outand now we know that by
burst several times on Ch2—
agreeing to a long term, virfans would tell me they were
tually unbreakable lease
blown away by how upset
with Erie County, he bought
Ralph was that his team lost.
Buffalo the necessary time to
Believe me, he was upset
ensure the team stays here
many times over the years,
for many years to come.
but we just didn’t usually see
Ralph used to say “I can’t tell
it.
the future,” and he was right
It’s a shame that in recent
about that. Even had he
years there was a growing
lived to be 105, the future of
perception that he just didn’t
the Bills in Buffalo would
care what happened after his
boil down to the same thing:
passing just because Ralph
can the Bills, and Buffalo,
didn’t want to answer quesand to some extent the tax-
Page 3
payers, afford to eventually
build a new stadium, or perhaps do a significant overhaul of Ralph Wilson
Stadium, something akin to
what happened in Green Bay
and Kansas City?
One big difference now
for any new owner of course
is that Wilson had no debt
and for that reason he could
afford to keep Bills ticket
prices at or near the bottom
of the NFL year after year.
Even though a new owner
will no doubt be a billionaire
or group of billionaires, they
will be businessmen who
finance many millions of
dollars in terms of both running the team and chipping
in to help build a new stadium.
Always the optimist, I
think there’s a great chance
the Bills can find a new
owner that promises to keep
the team in Buffalo—assuming the stadium problem is
addressed—but there is no
such thing in life as a “lock.”
Will Erie County taxpayers,
living in a relatively poor
area, want to chip in a bit?
It’s not a given at all, even
though even non-sports fans
will acknowledge the Bills
have been a unifying fabric
of our city for many years
now. The economic impact
of keeping—or for that matter losing—the Bills, can be
argued in many ways, but
the importance of having
this NFL gem for psychological reasons is not debatable.
We can thank Ralph C.
Wilson for holding that fact
dearly, and right to the end.
Page 4
SPORTS & LEISURE MAGAZINE
May–June 2014
The future starts this summer for the Sabres
By George Kuhn
With their NHL and franchise worst season now
behind them the Buffalo
Sabres have to build on the
positives. That means mining
the amateur draft on June 27
with the plethora of draft
picks acquired by trading veterans Thomas Vanek, Jason
Pominville, Ryan Miller, Steve
Ott and Matt Moulson. But
first the team needs to clear
deadwood from their roster to
make room for the new talent.
First on the list is Ville
Leino. With three years
remaining on his contract at
$5 million per year, Leino
accomplished a nearly impossible feat for an NHL forward
last year; he failed to score a
goal for an entire season.
While his on-ice effort seemed
adequate most of the time, he
simply had the madding habit
of not taking the puck to the
net. On the Sabres seasonending play in a shootout
attempt, he even failed to get a
shot on goal, which is a common problem for the high
school players featured during
the intermissions but isn’t
expected from an NHLer.
With his impending contract
buyout he is about to become
a very wealthy man.
Tyler Myers was the Sabres
best defenseman last year but
when you’re the best defender
on the league’s worst team,
that doesn’t make someone
indispensable. With 2013
2015. On the positive
draftees
Rasmus
side there are four top
Ristalainen
and
players who have sepNikita Zadorov proarated
themselves
jecting as front line
from the pack and the
players and Bryan
Sabres will land one of
McCabe
looking
them. What Buffalo
solid in his NHL
needs is a gritty chardebut late last season,
acter player who can
the Sabres may have
score goals. Here are
locked up three of the
the choices:
top four roster spots
Aaron
Ekblad,
for defensemen. That
defense, is the projectleaves Myers and
ed number one pick
Christian Ehroff to
to
the
Florida
vie for the last spot in
Panthers. Florida is
the top four.
devoid of top young
While
Ehroff
prospects on defense
appeared disinterestso Ekblad fits their
ed in playing on a last
needs
perfectly.
place team, he is a
Playing for the Barrie
skilled player and
Colts in the Ontario
earns $4 million per
Hockey
League,
year. Since Myers
Ekblad is a mammoth
signed his $38.5 mil6-foot-4, 216 pounds
lion contract in 2012,
as a teenager with
which commits him
Photo by Billy Kimmerly/Kingston Frontenacs
good offensive skills
through 2018-19, he
Sam Bennett would be a good fit in Buffalo.
as shown by his 23
has been a tremengoals and 53 points in
dous
disappoint58 games this past season. He
two seasons. While the Sabres
ment. While Myers played
is a great passer who can quaryoung kiddie corps of
better last season, he has fallterback the power play, plays
defensemen will need veteran
en far off the performance and
the body and will probably
tutors, their development may
promise for the future followplay in the NHL next year as a
see Myers slide down the
ing his Calder Trophy rookie
teenager. Even so, with a rosdepth chart to the point where
season in 2011. Those comter filled with top-flight defenthe team doesn’t want to pay
parisons of his potential to
sive prospects the Sabres
$5 million.
Zdeno Chara look ludicrous
would likely pass on Ekblad at
With the number two overtoday. His contemporaries like
number one for a forward.
all selection in the amateur
Drew Doughty and Erik
At number two, center Sam
draft, the Sabres will acquire a
Karlsson have become truly
Bennett is exactly what the
potential impact player.
elite players, illustrating the
Sabres need. He is a gritty
Unfortunately this year’s draft
vast gulf between potential
physical high-energy, strong
does not feature projected
and accomplishment.
effort player. That sounds like
franchise players like Connor
Myers is scheduled to earn
another Zemgus Girgensons
McDavid and Zach Eichel in
$5 million each over the next
type and that would be outstanding for the Sabres and
their fan base. Playing for the
Kingston Frontenacs in the
Ontario Hockey League,
Bennett scored 36 goals and
55 assists for 91 points and
was a plus 34 in 57 games.
Described as the most complete player in this year’s draft,
Bennett potentially gives the
Sabres their future number
one center. The lack of a true
number one center has been a
team weakness for years. With
Girgensons as the number
two pivot, center should soon
become a team strength.
Bennett has a June birthday
so unlike most other players
born at the end of the year
that additional growth potential should work in his favor.
Also in Bennett’s favor is that
he has shown he can influence the outcome of games. In
the third period, he’s the one
on the ice creating the
chances that win games. At 6foot even and 178 pounds he
likely needs another season in
juniors to prepare for the
grind of an NHL season playing against men who are bigger and stronger than he is
now.
Sam Reinhart, center for
Kootenay of the Western
Hockey League is considered
the most NHL ready prospect.
Reinehart is regarded as the
best passer in the draft and
also a character player who
blends well with his teammates. The son of former
NHL player Paul Reinehart,
he displays high-end offensive
talent just like his father who
starred on the Kitchener
Rangers in an era when the
franchise also produced Paul
Coffey and Al McGinnis on
defense. He stands 6-foot-1
and weighs 186 pounds.
On the downside, Reinhart
is considered by some to be
already nearly at the top of his
potential meaning that he
may not improve as much as
Bennett is expected to. If so
then Reinhart projects as a
number two center.
At number four overall is
Leon Draisaitl, another center
from the WHL who has been
compared to Joe Thornton as
a creative play maker.
Standing 6-foot-1 and weighing 210 pounds, he is physically ready to play in the NHL
next year but probably needs
more seasoning. He finished
with 37-68-105 scoring totals
for an average offensive team
in Prince Albert.
The Sabres also hold the
Islanders number one pick
from the Thomas Vanek trade
but the Isles have the option
of surrendering this year’s
pick or deferring that pick to
the 2015 draft. The Sabres
lose if they get that 2014 pick
because the 2015 draft is
deeper with more high-end
talent. Whichever direction
that goes and whomever the
Sabres draft will help form the
foundation the team hopes to
build.
May–June 2014
SPORTS & LEISURE MAGAZINE
Bills’ defense in experienced hands with
Schwartz, Johnson and Pagac
By Charles Roberts
When Jim Schwartz
rolled into town in late
January to take over as the
new defensive coordinator
for the Buffalo Bills he
stressed the importance of
continuity for a unit that
now has its fourth head
man in as many years. He
also emphasized that he is
not Mike Pettine, who
accepted the head-coaching
position in Cleveland after
one season as defensive
coordinator in Buffalo.
“First of all, Mike and I
are
different
guys,”
Schwartz, who brings 20
years of NFL coaching
experience including eight
years as a defensive coordinator said. “…We’re going
to look very hard at ways
over the next few months to
keep continuity as much as
we can.”
“We are excited to add a
talented and accomplished
coordinator in Jim Schwartz
to our staff,” Bills head coach
Doug Marrone explained.
“Schwartz has led aggressive
and productive defensive
units throughout his time in
the NFL, and we feel our
defense will continue to
improve under his leadership.”
Schwartz most recently
served as head coach for the
Detroit Lions, guiding the
team in 2011 to a 10-6
Photo courtesy Buffalo Bills
Jim Schwartz brings plenty
of experience and tenacity
to the Bills.
record, which helped snap a
12-year postseason drought.
Prior to joining the Lions in
2009, he spent eight years as
defensive coordinator for the
Tennessee Titans.
Schwartz’s defensive units
in Tennessee finished inside
the top-10 in total defense
three times during his tenure.
His run-defense, meanwhile,
ranked among the league’s 10
best on five occasions during
that span.
Defensive backs coach
Donnie Henderson and assistant defensive backs coach
Samson Brown will remain
with the team, which should
help keep a bit of the continuity that Schwartz mentioned.
And
while
Schwartz gave a few hints
about the kind of defense
the Bills will be running in
2014, he fell short of getting into specifics, other
than he won’t be tied to
any one approach.
“You can’t put it in a
box,” Schwartz said. “It’ll
be opponent-specific and
multi-dimensional. We are
an attack scheme. It’s a
scheme built on the guys
up front getting after the
quarterback. As much as
you want to be multidimensional with personnel groups, this league
comes down to one-onone, and I think we have
some guys that can do that.
Whatever anybody wants to
tag the system as far as a
name, it won’t be us. We’re
just going to try to do whatever we can every week to do
the best to have the game
plan. I think the similarities
you’ll see is it will be as
aggressive as it can be and try
to be as physical as we can
be—and it will be an attack
style.”
In other words, if
Schwartz’s introductory press
conference was any indication, the Bills’ defense will
remain aggressive; a change
in culture instilled last year
under Pettine, whose unit
recorded a franchise-record
57 sacks and 23 interceptions.
The sideline will have a
few new faces, though. Less
than a week after Schwartz
joined the Bills, he brought in
Pepper Johnson and Fred
Pagac as defensive line coach
and linebackers coach,
respectively.
Johnson, who has been a
part of five Super Bowl-winning teams (two as a player
and three as a coach), spent
the last 14 years in a variety
of defensive coaching positions with the New England
Page 5
Patriots.
Pagac comes to the Bills
after spending the past eight
seasons with the Minnesota
Vikings, most recently serving as linebackers coach.
During
his
time
in
Minnesota, the Vikings’
defense finished the regular
season in the top-10 four
times,
including
three
straight years (2008 to 2010).
“Schematics
approach,
we’re already on the edge,”
Marrone said. “What you see
in every organization, you are
going to see change from year
to year. That was one of the
things that I was getting
ready to talk about, some of
the things we were going to
change in our defense to
make us better. I think that
Jim said it before; it’s our
responsibility as coaches to
put the players in the best situation possible, to make it as
easy for them with calls that
they can go out there and just
play. I think that’s what our
goal is, so they can just go out
and play. If we can make
something easy for them
where we can be more productive, then that’s what
we’re going to do.”
Bills add a pair of home-grown players
for depth, production
By Charles Roberts
Mike Williams and Corey Graham shouldn’t have any trouble finding the Ralph
Wilson Stadium facilities. Although the two
NFL veterans have taken up residence in
Chicago, Baltimore and Tampa Bay, collectively, each returned home for work this
spring after being acquired by the Buffalo
Bills.
Graham, the former Turner-Carroll High
School star, was a free-agent signee of the
Bills in March, and should give the team a bit
of depth at cornerback, a position in which
the team was thin in 2013. He spent the last
two seasons with the Baltimore Ravens after
a five-year career with the Chicago Bears, in
which he represented the NFC in the 2011
Pro Bowl.
Graham, 28, recorded 68 tackles (51
solo), along with four interceptions and 12
passes defensed—both career highs—in
2013 with the Ravens in 16 games, five of
which he started.
The 6-foot, 196-pound New Hampshire
product has played in 109 consecutive
games—the second-longest active streak
among NFL cornerbacks—and posted 227
tackles (177 solo), 10 interceptions and 32
passes defensed during that span. But
through it all, he’s finally where he wanted to
Photo by Phil Hoffmann
be all along.
World Champion cornerback Corey
“Always since I was a kid, it was a dream
Graham looks forward to taking his winfor me to play for the Bills,” Graham said
ning ways back to Buffalo.
when he signed in Buffalo. “…I was crushed
leaving the program for reasons both would
when I first came out and Buffalo didn’t
rather leave in the rearview.
show me any interest. They didn’t even send
“Mike Williams is a competitive, tough
a scout to look at me work out. From the
wide receiver who has the size and athletibeginning, I wanted to come to Buffalo. I was
cism to add competia Bills fan; that’s the
tion to our receiver
only team I really
position
group,”
cared about at the
Marrone said when
time, and that’s
the Bills announced
where I wanted to
the
trade
for
play. For them to
Williams.”We feel
come now, it was like
Mike is a player who
a dream come true.
has the ability to help
There was no way
our team improve.
that I was going to
With regard to our
let that opportunity
time at Syracuse, I
go by.”
feel that is in the past
The 26-year-old
for both of us. Today,
Williams,
meanMike has an opportuwhile, could potennity to get a fresh
tially jump in as the
start to his career
team’s top receiving
here in his homeoption.
The
town and regain his
Riverside
High
form as a productive
School and Syracuse
player in the National
University product
Football League.”
made
a
grand
“When you get a
entrance into the
lot
of bad attention or
league with the
Photo courtesy Tampa Bay Buccaneers
bad this or bad that,
Tampa
Bay
Returning to his hometown and reconit’s about: Are you
Buccaneers in 2010,
necting with his former coach, wide
going to let the bad
when he led all rookreceiver Mike Williams may make the
attack you? Are you
ie receivers in recepBucs regret their offseason trade with the
going
to
fall?”
tions (65), receiving
Bills.
Williams asked at his
yardage (964) and
introductory press conference with Buffalo
receiving touchdowns (11).
media. “Or are you going to get up and try
Williams’ arrival in Buffalo not only reconagain? That’s why I think a fresh start is
nects him with his hometown, but also with
needed.”
Bills head coach Doug Marrone, who he
briefly crossed paths with at Syracuse before
Page 6
FROM THE
SPORTS & LEISURE MAGAZINE
PUBLISHER
It is unimaginable to think
of Buffalo without the Bills
and almost as difficult to
think about an owner who
isn’t Ralph Wilson. Truly Mr.
Wilson’s death this March, at
the robust old age of 95, is the
end of an era. During his fiveplus decades of ownership,
Mr. Wilson saw his team
through two AFL championships, an unprecedented
four consecutive AFC championships and was enshrined
in Canton in2009.
While the future ownership of the team is being
decided, a new era has arrived
in Buffalo with the first draft
not under Mr. Wilson’s watch.
In a move sure to make waves
throughout the league, the
Bills traded up to take Sammy
Watkins, the consensus top
receiver and most dynamic
playmaker in the draft. The
Bills selected the Clemson
wideout
even
though
University of Buffalo standout
Khalil Mack was still on the
board.
Prior to the draft, the Bills
made some moves that
should pay off now and in the
future. With Mike Pettine
bolting for the Browns, Jim
Schwartz, former head coach
of the Lions, was brought in
as defensive coordinator. One
of his new weapons is cornerback Corey Graham who
returns home to Buffalo after
a successful stint with the
Ravens. Also coming back to
Buffalo is receiver Mike
Williams, who was picked up
in an offseason trade with the
Buccaneers.
Moving to the ice, the
Sabres are also counting
down the days until the NHL
entry draft at the end of June.
With the trades of recent veterans Thomas Vanek, Ryan
Miller, Steve Ott, and Matt
Moulson among others, the
Sabres are stacked with draft
picks, including the second
and 31 overall. Although this
class is perceived to lack a
Sidney Crosby or Jonathan
Toews franchise-changing
player, there are some good
prospects at the top whom
the Sabres can develop and
integrate into their emerging
young core.
With the Stanley Cup final
soon upon us, it’ll be hard to
share your attention with all
the other great spring sports
that are already well underway this season. On the pitch
the WNY Flash look to
avenge their championship
game loss from last season
and on the diamond the
Bisons and Red Wings both
sit well above .500. Moving to
Lake Erie, the Buffalo Harbor
Sailing Club shows us the
best way to enjoy the water
this season. And finally, the
greens are not frozen nor
soaked anymore and it’s time
for golf! This edition features
our Annual Golf Directory. If
you notice any errors or
omissions, please let us know.
See you soon with our
Summer edition, which features our Annual Summer
Fun Guide.
Sports & Leisure Magazine
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Publisher & Editor Marian Giallombardo
Associate Editor Jeffrey Levine
Feature Writers Paul Adamo, Robert Caico, Rick Davenport, Mike Dyer, Mike Fox, Paul
Gotham, Ivan the Impaler, Joe Kirchmyer, George Kuhn, Jeffrey Levine, Christopher Fee,
Adam McGill, Brian Michalek, Ron Montesano, Len Mytko, Dave Ricci, Charles Roberts,
Dave Sully, John Williams, Mark Zarbo, Rick Zurak (golf editor)
Chief Photographer Jeff Barnes
Staff Photographers Ryan Bartholomew, Bob Conlon, Nick LoVerde, Joe Valenti, Mike
Majewski, Holly Malinowski
Cover photos Ralph Wilson courtesy Buffalo Bills, Jennie Fitch courtesy Jenniefitch.com,
Amer Abdallah by Jason Stoos
Advisory Board Phil Haberstro, Adam Lingner, Denny Lynch
Contributing Writers Diana Augspurger, Kevin Bonk, Pam Borges, Todd Etshman, Jack
Godzuk, Holly Malinowski, Arun Morace, Laura Redding, Alex Rubin
Layout & Cover Scott Appleby, Graphic artist Liz Seivert
Copy Editors and Office Assistants Len Mytko, Justin Vernold, John Williams
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part without the express written consent of the publisher is strictly prohibited. ©1997 2014 Sports & Leisure Inc.Facebook: Sports and Leisure Magazine and Hugesportz.com
May–June 2014
May–June 2014
SPORTS & LEISURE MAGAZINE
Teacher by day, hockey player by night
By Alex Rubin
Imagine being nine years
old and finding out that
your favorite teacher plays
professional hockey when
she’s not at school. Not
only that, but she plays
against the very same
Olympians who brought
home a gold medal from
the Olympics just a few
months ago. Well if your
teacher happens to be
Shannon Moulson, that’s
not too difficult to imagine.
By day Moulson teaches
at an elementary school,
specializing in French and
physical education. By
night she plays defense for
the Toronto Furies of the
Canadian Women’s Hockey
League (CWHL), where
she lines up against many
of the best players in the
world.
So what’s it like for students when they find out
their teacher is a professional athlete? Moulson
says her kids are generally
surprised, but it allows her
to create a connection with
her students.
“They’re shocked (when
they find out I play hockey),” Moulson said. “It’s
funny, because when I tell
them I play hockey, it’s like
‘wow, I thought you were
older…’ No kid thinks that
their teacher has a real life
outside of school. It’s pretty
funny.”
Because Moulson teaches
at the elementary level,
some of her younger students are not quite old
enough to be big hockey
fans. This was the case during the Olympics for the
USA-Canada Women’s gold
medal game. At the time of
the game, Moulson was
working with kindergartners and she gathered them
all around the computer to
watch the overtime period
in the eventual 3-2 Canada
win. When Canada scored
the game-winning goal
Moulson said she jumped
up and cheered before
noticing her students were
not doing the same. She said
they started cheering only
after she explained what the
goal meant for Canada.
If Shannon’s last name
sounds familiar, it’s because
her older brother, Matt,
came to the Sabres in a trade
with the Islanders earlier
this year before getting
shipped out at the deadline.
Growing up with a big
brother who was bound for
the NHL, Moulson started
playing hockey at the tender
age of four. But before she
even played her first organized game, she was trying
on Matt’s equipment and
tle, and you
have to be
ready to battle
hard.”
This level of
competitiveness and work
ethic
comes
from all of the
street-ball and
“hog” she, Matt
and younger
brother Chris
would
play.
Even
as
a
teenager, and
into their 20s,
the three of
them
would
compete hard
against
each
other,
and
Shannon says
they made sure
to not take it
Photo by Brandon Taylor, CWHL
easy on her.
This love for
Former Niagara Purple Eagle standout
Shannon Moulson has come home to
physical activity
roost as a member of the Toronto Furies
and the leaderof the Canadian Women’s Hockey
ship qualities
League.
instilled
by
hockey is what
Shannon strives to give to
pretending to play. Moulson
her students.
credits her father, Scott,
As a teacher Moulson
with giving her the push to
sees first-hand how much
join an organized league.
technology students are
“(My dad) always wanted
using. While being comfortto play hockey growing up,
able with new technology is
but he never really had the
important for today’s youth,
chance because his dad wasshe says she doesn’t want to
n’t really into it,” Moulson
see technology take over
said. “(Hockey) was somechildren’s lives to the point
thing he loved growing up,
that they are not active.
so he ended seeing if we
“Getting more exercise,
would like it, and we loved
and taking care of their
it.”
body and mental health,
As Moulson continued to
that’s really something I
play hockey, she began setwant to be a huge role
ting goals for her career.
model and advocate for,”
One was to play hockey at
Moulson said. “These days,
the collegiate level and the
we’re trying to incorporate
other was to play for the
more technology into the
Canadian National Olympic
classroom at schools, but
team. She accomplished her
I’m scared that the physical
first goal by playing four
and the mental part of it is,
years at Niagara University,
not necessarily disappearwhere she was the team caping, but I want to make sure
tain her junior and senior
that’s something we never
seasons. Her second goal of
get away from, because it’s
playing in the Olympics has
so important to be active.”
not yet come to fruition, but
After her playing days are
Moulson says she loves the
over, Moulson says she
competition of facing many
wants to keep hockey in her
Olympians in the CWHL.
life, possibly by coaching.
“My all-time goal was to
The lessons hockey has
make the Olympic team,
taught her about hard work
but I didn’t quite work as
and leadership, will certainhard as my brother, so I didly help her along that path.
n’t fulfill that dream,”
“I’ve always been the type
Moulson said. “But I’m
of person that likes to be a
playing right now with the
leader. There are so many
Olympians and even that
people that just don’t know
alone is an accomplishhow to work with other
ment.”
people and don’t know how
“When the Olympians
to respect a leader,”
are here (in the CWHL) you
Moulson said, while laughhave to be ready to go,”
ing at her strong words.
Moulson added. “They don’t
“But just being able to work
let up, and you forget how
with someone and be deterstrong they are in their skatmined to complete someing, shooting and everything is definitely what I’ve
thing; they’re just strong.
taken from hockey.”
You have to be ready to bat-
Page 7
The forgotten position:
Defenseman in the offensive zone
By Mark Zarbo
A topic not
often addressed
by most teams is
a defenseman’s
positioning in
the
offensive
z o n e .
Defenseman can
be an integral
part of offensive
schemes
if
taught correctly.
This article is about the
proper use of the blue line
by defenseman when their
team has full control of the
puck.
The ability of defenseman
to use the blue line can take
a lot of pressure off the forwards and open up space
down low. The problem is
most young defenseman
have never been taught how
to properly do this. When I
watch young defenseman
they always seemed to be
positioned 10 to 12 feet
inside the blue line or, even
more common, are “offensive defensemen” who consistently try to sneak down
into the slot. Now does that
mean defenseman should
never be gapped up 10 to 12
feet inside the offensive blue
line or never try to sneak
into the slot for an opportunity? No, certainly not. The
problem arises when that is
all the defensemen do during offensive zone play.
As coaches
we need to first
teach
our
defenseman
how to properly use the blue
line
to
its
fullest advantage. The offensive zone is the
blue line down
to the end
boards
but
many defensemen shorten
this zone by standing 10 to
12 feet inside the blue line,
thinking they are in a better
position to get a pass. By
standing 10 to 12 feet inside
the blue line they have now
taken that space away from
their forwards; making it
easier for the other team to
defend. As a defenseman,
when your team has full
control of the puck, you
should be positioned right
on the blue line. This
spreads out the offensive
zone making you an option
for your forwards to relieve
pressure down low.
The second biggest mistake I see made by young
defenseman is when they do
get the puck back at the
point; they always feel the
need to skate straight in to
take their shot. As a
defenseman you have to
realize that every step forward you take with the
puck from the blue line is
one fewer step the opposing
winger needs to take to
block your shot or hit you.
Essentially you are taking
away your own time and
space to get a shot off. As a
defenseman you want to not
skate straight into the zone
but skate lateral across the
blue line, also known as
“skate the blue line.” By
skating the blue line you are
still keeping the offensive
zone spread out and you are
forcing the other team’s
winger to go a longer distance to attack you, giving
yourself the greatest chance
to get a quality shot off.
The key to skating the
blue line is not just staying
on the blue line but when
you get the puck accelerating to the middle of the rink
as fast as you can. By accelerating to the middle of the
rink you can gain an open
shooting lane or force the
opposing winger to overcompensate for your speed
by moving out of position,
leaving open lanes to the
net behind him for your forwards. Again the key is as
soon as you get the puck to
accelerate to the middle of
the rink. You might only
take two or three steps or
you might skate 10 to 15
steps across. It all depends
on the situation and what is
given.
continued on page 15
Page 8
SPORTS & LEISURE MAGAZINE
Fantasy baseball
COLLECTINGMEMORIES
By Mike Fox
It’s still early in the 2014
baseball season, and most
fantasy owners are still finetuning
their
rosters,
whether because of early
injuries, slow starts, or just
some bad luck of the draw
in their drafts. Try filling
those holes with the following players. None are likely
to rank No.1 at their position at season’s end, but all
have the talent to potentially exceed their current perceived market value.
Catcher – Cincinnati’s
Devin Mesoraco was considered a top-20 prospect
entering the 2012 season
after a strong 2011 AAA
season that saw him smack
36 doubles and 15 homers
with a .371 OBP and .484
SLG percentage. That luster
wore off quickly during
2012 and 2013, as Mesoraco
struggled so mightily after
being promoted to the
majors that he went undrafted in many fantasy leagues
this year. That’s changing
quickly after a sizzling 2014
start. Granted, he probably
won’t finish the season with
the .500 batting average he
was sporting in April, but he
should continue to provide
enough pop to make him a
viable fantasy starter.
Others to consider:
Josmil Pinto (MIN), Miguel
Montero (AZ).
First base – All sports
fans know the Chicago Cubs
haven’t won a World Series
in over a century, but there
are some glimmers of hope
for the future. Anthony
Rizzo’s .233 batting average
in 2013 has kept him off
many fantasy wish lists, but
he hit 40 doubles and 23
homers last year at the age
of 23. His career .303 minor
league batting average over
six seasons suggests a spike
in average is coming. His
.336 average over his last
163 AAA games screams it.
Others:
Jose
Abreu
(CSX), Chris Colabello
(MIN), Justin Morneau
(COL).
Second base – Robbie
Cano was the only 2B to hit
more homers than Jedd
Gyorko’s 23 in 2013, but
Gyorko’s current owners
may be souring after he was
Photo courtesy MLB Pressbox
Jedd Gyorko has already
proven he can hit baseballs
hard in the majors, but can
he hit them often enough to
help his fantasy owners?
batting only .152 after his
first 20 games of 2014. He
had 30 homers in less than
500 at-bats in his final
minor-league season and
those 23 homers last year
also came in less than 500
ABs, so clearly the guy has
some pop. Steal him now if
you can, and you’ll be smiling in September.
Others: Anthony Rendon
(WAS), Chase Utley (PHI).
Third base – Nolan
Arenado became the first
rookie NL 3B to win a Gold
Glove, but his .267-10-52
batting line and mediocre
minor league track record
made him little more than a
late-round roster filler in
most 2014 drafts. He now
has a job in most fantasy
leagues, partly because of
his four homers in 22
games, and partly because of
a rash of early injuries
among upper-echelon 3Bs.
Arenado’s prowess with the
leather will ensure him
plenty of at-bats with the
Rockies, and at age 23 his
power is still developing. He
only drew one base on balls
in those first 22 games, so
some growing pains are still
inevitable, but don’t be surprised when Arenado at
least doubles up on his
rookie home run production.
Others: Kris Bryant
(CHI), Todd Frazier (CIN)
Shortstop – Any list of
2013 disappointments has
to include Chicago’s Starlin
Castro. The two-time NL
May–June 2014
All-Star gave his fantasy
owners the 10 homers they
expected, but digressed in
every other major scoring
category, including a .245
batting average after carrying a career .297 average
into the season. Even more
disturbing was a dramatic
drop in stolen base attempts
that resulted in only nine
successful tries after consecutive 20+ SB seasons. His
batting average is back
around .300 to begin 2014,
but he attempted only one
(ONE?) stolen base in his
first 19 games. Teammate
Emilio Bonifacio stole nine
bases over the same time
frame, so clearly the Cubs
haven’t completely abandoned the running game.
This makes Castro’s exclusion all the more puzzling,
but speed rarely disappears
at age 24, so there’s still
hope he’ll regain the confidence of the Chicago coaching staff.
Others: Dee Gordon
(LAD), Alexei Ramirez
(CSX).
Outfield – This alwaysdeep position is a great place
to go searching for fantasy
bargains, as low-priced help
can usually be acquired, no
matter what your team’s particular needs may be. If it’s
power you need, a whopping 33 outfielders had 20+
homers last year, and 29 had
at least 70 RBI. Speed? There
were also 29 outfielders who
stole at least 20 bases. Only
your personal budget stands
in the way. On the cheap,
Eric Young Jr., Billy
Hamilton and the aforementioned Bonifacio offer stolen
bases, albeit little else.
Melky Cabrera still carries
that PED stigma, but he can
still hit and offers moderate
power and speed. Aiming a
bit higher, Nelson Cruz
could improve on his .26627-76 line from 2013, now
that he’s playing full time
with Baltimore. Will Venable
posted an almost invisible
20-20 season with San
Diego, and has room for
improvement. And if you
want to go all-in on an outfielder, Giancarlo Stanton’s
first 40-homer season is
coming, maybe as soon as
this season.
D
espite his problems, A-Rod is one
of my favorites.
I’ll miss seeing him swinging a bat in 2014. The 38year-old New York Yankees
third baseman will miss the
season because of suspension
by Major League
Baseball.
His
chances of being a
Hall of Famer are
all but gone.
Charged with
using illegal performance-enhancing
drugs,
Rodriguez went from
being called A-Rod to
A-Fraud, or for those
even more critical, ARoid. But it is impossible to dismiss his
654 home runs, 1,969
RBI, .299 lifetime average, three MVPs, and 12-years
as an All-Star.
As I did for Barry Bonds
and Roger Clemens, I will
vote for Rodriguez as a Hall of
Famer when he is eligible. I’ll
remember he batted .358 in
1996 as a 20-year-old, long
before he was connected with
drugs.
A-Rod joins a long list of
great players who tried a little
too hard to improve. The Hall
of Fame is filled right now
with cheaters and ballplayers
who did things wrong.
For starters, both Fergie
Jenkins and Orlando Cepeda
spent time in jail before giving
their Hall of Fame speeches.
Don Sutton, winner of 324
games, was nicknamed Black
and Decker because he was
found defacing baseballs and
using illegal substances on his
palm.
How about the legendary
Whitey Ford? The southpaw
WITH
was called “Slick” when he
cut baseballs with a ring?
Ford was a 25-game winner
for the 1961 Yankees.
Ty Cobb and Tris Speaker
were known as big-time gam-
blers
in the 1920s. They were
charged with game-fixing
allegations. Former Brooklyn
Dodgers and New York Giants
manager Leo Durocher was
banned a year by Major
League Baseball for his association with gamblers.
More recently, Gaylord
Perry was accused of using
the illegal spitball although he
won Cy Young awards in both
the American and the
National League. George
Brett, a .390 hitter in 1980,
was found to be using too
much pine tar on his bat. Don
Drysdale threw too close to
the chins of many batters.
Juan Marichal nearly took
John Roseboro’s head off with
a wild swing. Of course
Robbie Alomar was known
for spitting at an umpire.
Enos Slaughter was a racist
and tried to lead a rebellion
against Jackie Robinson back
in 1947. I have always suspected Nolan Ryan of taking
MIKEDYER
something since he got better
after he passed the age of 40.
Getting back to Rodriguez,
we have the youngest player
to hit 500 home runs and
then he went on to become
the youngest to
reach his 600th homer.
Only Barry Bonds,
Hank
Aaron,
Babe Ruth
and Willie
Mays have
hit
more
home runs
than A-Rod.
Rodriguez
has cracked
the game’s
most grand
slam home
runs (24) and
we’ll recall a
2007 season
that included
54 homers and
156 RBI with a .314 average
for the Yankees.
So it will be a season in
which No. 13 won’t be
strolling to the plate in those
great pinstripes.
And what of the baseball
cards for A-Rod? They will
decrease in value. His 1994
Upper Deck SP card will fall a
lot. It was $150 a few years
ago. His 1994 Upper Deck
card has dipped from $30 to
$10.
Next edition I’ll take a long
look at the 2014 Topps
Baseball series, which was
released early this spring.
Columnist Mike Dyer, a
Cheektowaga resident, has
been a member of the Baseball
Writers Association of America
since 1973 and has voted for
the Hall of Fame since 1983. He
is the author of two sports
books and spent 47 years writing sports for New York newspapers.
coring was at a premium
when the Americans faced
Russia again in the goldmedal game during the
Paralympic Sled Hockey. Joshua
Sweeney unknotted the tie at the
25 minute mark and the red,
white and blue held on to bring
home the gold. Congratulations
to all the paralympians who represent our country at the highest
level of international competition. We’re proud of your hard
work, dedication and athleticism.
S
Photo courtesy Page Family
May–June 2014
SPORTS & LEISURE MAGAZINE
Andrew Nicholson: WNY to NBA
By Holly Malinowski
Even if you don’t live in Orlando, the
name Andrew Nicholson is familiar to
basketball fans in Western New Yorkers
and Southern Ontario. Nicholson, a
native of Mississauga, Ontario, played
four years at St. Bonaventure, becoming
the Bonnie’s second-leading all-time scorer and helped lead them to their first
Atlantic 10 championship and NCAA
tournament berth during his senior season. Finishing what was an exceptional
college career, Nicholson was rewarded
for his hard work and effort in the 2012
NBA Draft when he was selected as the
19th pick of the first round by the
Orlando Magic.
This year Nicholson played in 76
games, starting five, and showed his versatility under the rim and in the front
court. Nicholson had been working on
his outside game, but stated that he
“prefers (to) play under the basket.” He
averaged 5.7 points and 3.4 rebounds per
game.
“Andrew had good looks at the bucket
with a good looking jump shot, Magic
head coach Andrew Jacque Vaughn said
about his sophomore player. “Overall, he’s
trying to compete for his teammates.”
In that spirit, Nicholson recently
returned to the Reilly Center to see his
No.44 jersey retired. “It was an honor to
be recognized,” Nichols said of the experience. He is the ninth Bonnie to receive
such an honor.
With the Magic missing the playoffs,
Nicholson is already hard at work preparing for next season and improve his craft.
After two full seasons, the 6-foot-9 power
forward has said that he’s starting to enjoy
Orlando and everyone in Western New
York and Southern Ontario hopes that he
is as successful there as he was here.
Chris Bostick (Rochester,
Aquinas Institute) and
Patrick Urckfitz (Penfield,
Monroe
Community
College) are among the more
than 70 former players from
the New York Collegiate
Baseball League who have
opened the season on professional rosters including ten
at the Major League level.
Both Bostick (2011) and
Urckfitz (2008) wore the
pinstripes of the Webster
Yankees.
Taken in the 44th round
of the 2011 MLB draft,
Bostick enters his fourth
year of pro ball. The 2011
NYCBL Player of the Year
earned Midwest League
Player of the Week last summer for the Class A Beloit
Snappers of the Oakland A’s
organization. The middle
infielder finished 2013 with
15 home runs, 89 RBI and 25
stolen bases – to finish top
five in those categories
among Oakland’s farm system. He earned a spot in the
Top 20 prospects of the
organization.
The A’s sent Bostick and
National experts join local sport conference
Community Sports Report
Performax Sports is
brining the highest level
of sport training theory
and technique to Western
New York. Area coaches
and athletes will be gathered together June 13-15
at the Northeastern Sport
& Human Performance
Conference held at the
University of Buffalo and
the Northtown Center.
The event brings national
leaders in their fields into
a multidisciplinary conPhoto courtesy Jenniefitch.com
versation bridging the gap
Jennie Fitch is one of many esteemed atletes and trainers coming
between science and sport
to WNY in June.
performance and tactical
The conference format has
Neurologic Institute will
duty. The conference is geared
Pre-Conference
Activities
update coaches on concustowards coaches, strength
which provide support for
sions and traumatic brain
professionals, physical theracoaches, a General Assembly
injuries, while area experts
pists, athletic trainers, athletic
featuring
presentations,
John Opfer, Ben Woods and
directors, physical education
Performance Tracks in softRandy Mearns will add disprofessionals, personal trainball, hockey, lacrosse, football
cussion on athletic develop.
ers, first responders and relatand tactical fitness along with
Attendees will learn cutting
ed disciplines. The conference
High Performance Camps for
edge theory and technique for
also provides Performance
athletes.
speed development, contraCamps for softball, hockey,
Conference Director, Frank
lateral training, pre-hab techfootball, lacrosse and tactical
Albert explains, “the confernique,
functional
biofitness.
mechanics, ground force
ence is designed to teach and
The presenters include
application, group training,
inspire with a combination of
Boyd Epley, the most decorattactical fitness, injury prevenlectures, hands-on experied strength coach in history
tion, nutrition, recovery, new
ences and onsite camps
and softball sensation Jennie
technologies and more. The
employing the principles and
Finch. Meghan Agosta, threetopics give trainers, coaches
innovations presented in the
times gold medal winner with
and administrators a competigeneral assembly”
Team Canada’s Women’s
tive edge in sport performMore information can be
Hockey Team will present as
ance, personal training and
found at SPORTANDHUMANwill Tony Greco, Canada’s
preparing first responders.
PERFORMANCE.COM.
most popular trainer. Dent
Photo by Fernando Medina/courtesy of Orlando Magic
Ever since his days at St. Bonaventure,
Andrew Nicholson has played tough and
efficient basketball.
Local NYCBL
alums
continue to
find their
ways in the
pro ranks
By Paul Gotham
Page 9
Photo courtesy MCC
Before starting to work his
way through the Houston
Astro’s system, Patrick
Urckfitz took the mound for
Monroe Community College
and the Webster Yankees.
another player to Texas during the off-season in
exchange for a pair of major
leaguers. He starts 2014 with
the Myrtle Beach Pelicans of
the Class A-Advanced
Carolina League.
“It was my pleasure to
coach him,” former Webster
and current Monroe CC
coach Dave Brust said. “He is
a gentleman, and he competes at a level that everyone
hooked their wagons to.”
Bostick hit .413 for the
Webster nine, which reached
the NYCBL Championship.
He collected 17 extra-base
hits, including five home
runs and 32 RBI. He is hitting .297 with a home run
and five RBI in his last 10
games for the Pelicans.
Urckfitz opens his seventh
season in the Houston
Astros system with the
Double-A Corpus Christi
Hooks of the Texas League.
The Penfield High grad
compiled a record of 6-3
with seven saves and an
ERA of 2.94 in 50 minor
league appearances a year
ago. This included ten
games with the Triple-A
Oklahoma City Redhawks
of the Pacific Coast League.
He was named pitcher of
the month in 2008 with the
Lexington Legends of the
South Atlantic League.
Urckfitz pitched in the
prestigious Arizona Fall
League in 2011 and earned
a spot in the Rising Stars
Game. He has made three
appearances in relief thus
far this season without
allowing an earned run.
“He is a lefty who can
throw in the 90s,” Brust said
of Urckfitz. “There is always
room on professional rosters
for a guy like Urckfitz.”
Urckfitz fanned 25 in 14.2
innings of work for the 2008
Webster Yankees. Opposing
batters hit .207 against the
lefty.
Cory
Brownsten
(Lockport, N.Y./Pitt) also
played in the NYCBL with
Webster. The 15th round
draft pick of the Atlanta
Braves in the 2010 draft was
recently released after four
years in the minors.
Brownsten and Urckfitz
played together at Monroe
Community College.
Major Leaguers Tim
Hudson, Hunter Pence and
Caleb Thielbar are just a few
who spent a summer playing
in the NYCBL.
The NYCBL opens play on
June 1.
First Niagara Center hosts
the NCAA Tournament
By Paul Gotham
Shabazz Napier and the
UConn Huskies started their
championship run at the
First Niagara Center. Buffalo
proved itself worthy of a
championship.
Hosting its fifth regional in
arena history, Buffalo, along
with the Metro Atlantic
Athletic
Conference
(MAAC), Canisius College
and Niagara University had
the highest overall sales in
both attendance and percentage of capacity among host
sites for rounds two and three
of March Madness. Two of
the three two-game sessions
consisted of sellouts while
the second session Thursday
night finished 554 tickets
shorts of a sellout.
“We’ve been here to
Buffalo before, and we’ve got
great confidence in the
MAAC, Canisius, Niagara
and the First Niagara
Center,” NCAA director of
men’s basketball championships Ron English said.
“They do a great job.”
Hosting the event represents a time-tested process.
“I would never tell anyone
it’s an easy lift,” Canisius
director of athletics and tournament co-director Bill
Maher explained. “There is a
lot of planning and coordination that goes into it.
Fortunately, we have a good
road map.”
From ticket prices to hotel
and visitor readiness, to
restaurants and transportation schedules, the committee made sure no detail was
overlooked. As Maher states,
it is all worth the time and
effort.
“It’s great to have it for our
community, which loves
these bigger events,” Maher
explained. “This is our
opportunity to be able to
attract one of these and put
on a great show.”
The MAAC along with its
members know and understand the importance of putting on such an event.
“We’ve been involved a
long time in hosting NCAA
championships with basketball being our premier sport,”
MAAC commissioner Rich
Ensor commented. “It just
reinforces our brand that
we’ve built around college
basketball as our sport of
emphasis. This just lets us
reemphasize that. It is important to us.”
As Maher explains the
event is an opportunity for
Canisius to give back to its
fans. “It provided our fans
and our supporters access to
tickets. That’s one of the real
reasons we did it. It gave
access to tickets, and we
reward our fans.”
The event provided a significant economic impact for
local merchants and restaurants. No one knows this better than Pearl Street Grill
general manager Bill Casale
whose company has a simple
motto for events like these:
“Make the big days bigger.”
“I’ve been a part of it for
three,” Casale said of his
experience with previous
NCAA Tournaments. “By far
these are the busiest weeks
ever in the history of our
company.”
When First Niagara Center
hosted the event in 2010,
Pearl Street served 8,000 customers on the first day alone.
“That’s a flood of people.
We actually see them coming
down the road from the
arena. It looks like a massive
tidal wave.”
The
2014
NCAA
Tournament also provided a
gauge for the HarborCenter,
the mixed-use hockey and
entertainment center that
will open in the fall of 2014
adjacent to the First Niagara
Center in Buffalo’s waterfront
Canalside District.
“All of the traffic that came
to town with fans, and teams,
officials and with media from
all of these markets, it is just
one example of the type of
event that is going to make
Canalside a true destination
as everything around us
begins to build up,”
HarborCenter spokesman
Don Heins said. “It’s going to
attract more people down to
the area that’s going to make
this a place that people come
and enjoy and get something
that they just can’t experience
anywhere else.”
The First Niagara Center
has hosted opening rounds of
the NCAA Men’s Basketball
Tournament in 2000, 2004,
2007 and 2010 along with
the NCAA Men’s Hockey
Frozen Four in 2003. A total
of 53 cities bid to host the
2014 event. Buffalo was one
of 25 cities awarded the
opportunity.
Milwaukee,
Orlando,
Raleigh, San Antonio, San
Diego, St. Louis and Spokane
also hosted second and third
round games.
Before UConn could cut
down the nets in North Texas
after beating Kentucky, the
Huskies first had to come
through Western New York
and win in the First Niagara
Center.
Page 10
SPORTS & LEISURE MAGAZINE
Red wings right-hander for real
May–June 2014
Makarov to the rescue
By Christopher Fee
By Todd Etshman
have some ups
and downs, some
Heading into
bumps in the
the 2014 season,
road but I’m not
there is a lot of
trying to change
reasons
that
too much of anyRochester
Red
thing,”
Meyer
Wings fans should
said about pitchbe excited. Hopes
ing in Triple-A
are high coming
for the first time
off of their first
in his career.
playoff appearance
“Just keep worksince 2006 and
ing on my fastMinnesota Twins
ball command.
top
pitching
I’m just trying to
prospect
Alex
control the count
Meyer starting the
instead of letting
year in Rochester
the hitters take
raises expectations
control.”
that much more.
To say that
Meyer, a 6-footMeyer has been
9, 225 pound right
Photo by Joe Territo/RedWingsBaseball.com
successful with
handed
power
Fans of the the Minnesota Twins should be
excited for Alex Meyer. In just five games with
that
strategy
pitcher has been
Rochester he has a sparkling 2.7 ERA to go
would be an
turning
heads
along with 35 strikeouts, almost 1 1/3 per inning.
understatement.
since he was a senThrough his first
ior in high school
five starts he is 1-0 with a
tem for long though and
where he went 8-0 with 108
2.70 ERA with 35 strikeouts
was traded to the Twins in
strikeouts and a 0.95 ERA
in 26.2 innings pitched. On
exchange for centerfielder
in 51 innings. After three
April 23 and 28 Meyer
Denard Span late 2012.
years at the University of
struck out 11 batters in
In 2013 Twins fans were
Kentucky, Meyer was draftboth of his starts turning a
expecting to see a lot out of
ed by the Washington
lot of heads not only in
Meyer,
unfortunately
Nationals with the 23rd
Rochester, but also with the
injuries caused him to just
overall pick in the 2011
Twins.
make 13 starts for the
draft.
While it’s an extremely
Double-A affiliate New
The start of his career was
small sample size, it’s easy
Britain Rock Cats. After perno different than in high
to see the potential in the
forming well in the Arizona
school and college. In his
Twins top pitching prospect
Fall League as well as spring
first full professional season
and with the Red Wings
training, Meyer was going
Meyer finished with a 2.86
winning 13 games in April,
to get the opportunity to
ERA and struck out 139 batthe most since 2007, there’s
start in Rochester, his first
ters in just 129 innings
a lot of reasons to be excited
time in Triple-A.
pitched. He would not
about baseball in Rochester.
“I’m sure it’s going to
remain in the Nationals sys-
margin for error gets smalltell the media what his
er at every level. I have to
goalies need to work on to
Undrafted rookie Andrey
use my size and athleticism
get better and what they’ve
Makarov is the first goaland be in position.”
done wrong when things
tender to win a playoff game
Janosz said Knapp’s frusaren’t going well. For
for the Rochester Americans
trating season wasn’t all his
Makarov that means worksince the Amerks reunited
fault since the Amerks had a
ing on becoming more funwith the Sabres.
weak and decimated
The 21 year-old
lineup for the games
Russian spent the
Knapp played in.
bulk of the season in
Both Lieuwen and
the ECHL with the
Hackett played reaFort Wayne Komets
sonably well in the
but
came
to
NHL but suffered the
Rochester
with
same fate in Buffalo as
Connor Knapp late
their predecessors:
in the season to
injuries that necessireplace
Nathan
tated the callups of
Lieuwen and Matt
Knapp and Makarov
Hackett who were
before the Sabres’ seasummoned
to
son mercifully ended.
Buffalo to replace the
Lieuwen’s play was
injured
Jhonas
just an extension of
Enroth and Michal
the success he had all
Neuvirth.
year in Rochester.
Without
their
Coach Janosz said he
starting goalies misswas
“definitely
ing the playoffs sudpleased” with the
denly looked like a
improvement of the
real possibility for a
22-year-old in his two
team that had been
years with the organiin contention all seaPhoto by Jeff Barnes
zation.”
son but the unflapMatt Hackett, nephew of former NHL
“It’s a steady propable rookie backgoaltender Jeff Hackett, made his Sabres
gression
with him. He
stopped the team to
debut on March 20 against the Oilers,
utilizes his size, he
a strong finish (in
stopping 35 of 36 shots in a 2-1 victory.
works hard and he’s a
between recalls to
quick learner,” Janosz said
damentally sound. “He
Buffalo), leading to a playoff
of the Amerks number one
tracks the puck well but he’s
berth against the Chicago
goalie for the bulk of the
not a true butterfly goalie,”
Wolves.
year.”
Janosz said. “He has to try
“He’s been one of the
Hackett didn’t look out of
to get set more and play at
biggest points for the turnplace in the NHL either. The
the top of the crease. He’s
around of our team,” head
24 year-old played in the
not as big as other guys so
coach
Chadd
Cassidy
Calder Cup finals with
he has to be well positioned
explained. “He exudes conHouston in 2011 and made
if he wants to continue to
fidence. We don’t have to
popular Amerks’ goalie
play well here and advance
worry about if we make a
David Leggio expendable
to the next level.”
mistake it’ll end up in back
when the Sabres acquired
Makarov’s backup in the
of our net. He’s a confident
him from the Minnesota
playoffs is area native
kid. I think he thrives on
Wild
last
year.
Connor Knapp, a sixth
the big moments.”
“Matt had a slow start to the
round Buffalo selection in
Eighth-year goaltending
season and I didn’t expect
the 2009 entry draft. Knapp
coach Bob Janosz had his
that,” Janosz said. “It’s a
says his season has been “a
work cut out for him in
mental thing with him. He
roller coaster of emotions”
prepping two new goalies
got frustrated and couldn’t
going on to characterize it
for the postseason.
battle through it.” As Janosz
as “interesting; fun at times,
Of all the netminders he’s
explained, a goalie needs to
frustrating at other times.”
seen in his tenure, he says
worry about the next shot
Playing for three ECHL
few are as calm under presnot what’s happening within
teams, the Amerks and the
sure as Makarov. “He loves
the organization or who
Sabres in a single season
the game. He loves the presmight be going to Buffalo to
meant the 24 year-old
sure and he doesn’t get ratreplace Ryan Miller.
Knapp had to learn from
tled. He can give up a goal
Janosz said Lieuwen and
different coaches, learn difand forget about it. But as
Makarov will be back in the
ferent styles and definitely
loose as he is, he is well preorganization next year
learn a lot of names.
pared. He watches a lot of
while the Sabres will have to
“I think I’m better for it,”
video to see what the other
decide about Hackett and
the second year pro said.
team is doing,”
Knapp.
“Consistency is the biggest
Janosz gives praise when
thing for me because the
it’s due but he isn’t afraid to
May–June 2014
SPORTS & LEISURE MAGAZINE
Page 11
Page 12
SPORTS & LEISURE MAGAZINE
May–June 2014
TALES FROM WNY WRESTLING: THE POWER COUPLE AND THE OVW CHAMPION
By Ivan the Impaler
Pepper Parks &
Cherry Bomb
Triple H & Stephanie
M c M a h o n .
Chris Candido & Tammy
Sytch. Eddie Gilbert &
Missy
Hyatt.
Randy
Savage & Miss Elizabeth.
These have been the
Great Power Couples in Pro
Wrestling, with influence
extending beyond the
ring. But who is the
local candidate for the Most
Influential Power Couple
in
WNY/Southern
Ontario
Wrestling
(MIPCWNYSOW)?
We vote for Pepper Parks
and Cherry Bomb. They’re
both wrasslers, and darned
good ones. Both hail from
this region (Pepper from
Buffalo,
Cherry
from
Toronto) and competed in
Japan. Both appeared on
ROH TV and in CZW in the
past 12 months. And
they’re both married — to
each other.
Pepper ranked #275 in
the uber-prestigious Pro
Wrestling Illustrated Top
500. He held the Heartland
Wrestling
and
NWA
National titles, and competed on WWE television.
Ms. Bomb ranked #28 in
the PWI Top 50 Women
Wrestlers; she held titles in
Photo courtesy CZW
Cherry Bomb and Pepper Parks.
Great Candian Wrestling
and Classic Championship
while also appearing in
TNA.
How many couples can
claim they’re in BOTH lists
for PWI? Anyone?
We spoke with Pepper
recently about the pros and
cons of two wrestlers living
under the same roof.
“(A big advantage) is living the same lifestyle,”
Parks tells us. ”We’re traveling together, training
together
and
dieting
together. We motivate each
other. When you’re so
involved in a certain
lifestyle, it’s important to
have a strong support sys-
Photo OVWrestling.com
tem.”
One
Jamin Olivencia
difference in
their training
ly),” says Parks. ”But it’s
regimens? Pepper says that
nerve wracking and I get
Cherry “doesn’t have to
worried for her safety.
work on her chest.”
When a 6-foot-5-inchThe major disadvantage
es, 300-pound man picks
to both being in wrestling?
her
up
“One day, we might
and powerbombs her down
have suplex each other,”
on the mat, I definitely feel
notes Parks.
differently than I would
Not many can say that
with any other tag team
their tag team partner is
partner.”
their spouse. Cherry and
And who says wrestlers
Pepper can, as they teamed
are insensitive?
together twice in intergender tag matches in Combat
Zone Wrestling. “Teaming
with Cherry is a lot of fun
and I enjoy it; we have
Ohio Valley Wrestling
good chemistry (obvioushas not only been one of
the major independent
groups for over 16 years,
it was also the developmental territory for WWE and
TNA. Throughout the
changes, Buffalo native
Jamin Olivencia was a constant in OVW. He recently
held their Heavyweight
Title and is on the fast track
to make it to the next level.
He began locally with
Empire State Wrestling and
Neo
Spirit
Pro
in
Ontario.
Jamin
then went to England,
working
for
Ultimate
Wrestling Alliance. This led
him to the world of “holiday
camps.”
As
he
describes, “You go to different theme parks and perform there… It was
crazy; we’d do two to three
shows a night, and up to 17
Jamin Olivencia
Eriez Speedway offers
a fan friendly schedule
for 2014
Photo courtesy ErieZ
BRP Big Blocks mix it up at Eriez.
Community Sports Report
Coming off a successful
2013, Eriez Speedway, the
3/8 mile clay track located
at 9821 Sampson Road in
Erie, P.A. (just three miles
off I-90 exit 29) is poised for
an even better 2014.
Promoters Bobby and Kathy
Rohrer have put together an
ambitious array of events,
which started on May 4.
For the next month the
track will host actionpacked classes on Sunday at
6:30, topped by the premier
Super Late Models, where
the top drivers in the region
will test their mettle. The
6:30 starting time is a
departure from the usual
5:30 starting time used in
2013.
Fastrak Late Models,
Limited Late models, EMods, Street Stocks and
Challengers will complete
the card. Along with the
weekly shows, a number of
special events will be highlighted. On June 1, the Dick
Litz Memorial Super Late
Models will vie for $2,900
to win. On June 22, A
Fastrak touring event will
make an appearance, with
$1,200 on the line. Perhaps
the premier event of the season will be a visit by the
fledgling NDRL (National
Dirt Racing League) for the
Super Late Models and will
pay $10,000 to win. Plans
are also being formulated
for the second annual
September Sweep Weekend,
offering extra distance races
and generous payouts.
For information on admission prices, a complete schedule, and more information,
call the Speedway at 814 8255661 or log on to www.eriezspeedway.com.
a week.”
Back in 2005, OVW was
the developmental territory
for WWE. Jamin didn’t wait
for an invitation to go
there; he decided that nothing happens if you don’t
make it happen. “I knew I
had to get there, I just didn’t know how,” he recalls.
“I saved up money from
England; when I came
back, I thought about OVW
and kind of got up and
went. I took all my (stuff),
packed up and moved to
Louisville...”
He more than paid his
dues over the nine-year
period. While many walked
away if they didn’t get the
call to WWE (or TNA,
which used OVW as developmental until recently),
he persevered. To Jamin,
getting frustrated “sets you
up for failure; the way I
always took care of
that is knowing it’s
really just a matter of
patience and maturing as a
human being...”
Olivencia grabbed the
big prize by beating Doug
Williams to become the
OVW Heavyweight Champ
on April 10, 2013. He went
on
to
have
the
longest
championship
reign in the history of the
promotion. The title was
vacated after a 241-day
reign for three days in
December (politics); Jamin
recaptured it with a win
over
Johnny
Spade.
Olivencia
kept
the
belt until a loss to Marcus
Anthony on Jan. 4, 2014. In
sum, he was the only man
holding the title over a 272day span.
Jamin wrestled on WWE
TV over the years, competing a few months ago when
he lost to Ryback on
Smackdown. He ranked
#142 in last year’s PWI 500,
and people are finally
noticing.
“I had conversations
with both WWE and TNA,”
he noted. “A major thing
is what direction (character) they want to do with
me.” The resiliency Jamin
showed throughout his
career resonates to this day
when he concludes, “I real-
ly feel it’s just a matter of
time and patience.”
And if nothing else, he’s
proven he has patience.
UPCOMING
EVENTS
Tue. May 6 - WWE
Smackdown Taping - First
Niagara Center - Buffalo,
NY - 7: p.m. - Follow the
Buzzards to FNC!
Sat. May 10 - Upstate Pro
Wrestling - Eagle’s Club,
Buffalo Rd. - Gates, NY - 6
p.m. Scheduled to appear:
Jeff Jarrett.
Sat. May 10 - ROH - Ted
Reeve Arena - Toronto,
ONT, Canada - 7:30 p.m.
Several New Japan stars
will be there.
Sat. May 17 - Empire
State Wrestling - Keenan
Center - Lockport, NY - 7
p.m. Scheduled to appear:
Carlito and Colt Cabana.
Fri - Sun. June 6 -8 Niagara Falls ComicCon Niagara
Falls,
ONT,
Canada. Scheduled to
appear:
Ric
Flair,
Demolition and The Killer
Bees.
Sat. June 7 - Kayfabe
Dojo Wrestling - Pineapple
Jack’s, Spencerport Rd. Rochester, NY - 4 p.m.
Sat. June 14 - WWE One Ontario Centre Hamilton, ONT, Canada 7:30 p.m.
Sat. June 21 - ESW - St.
Johnsburg Fire Hall, Ward
Rd. - N. Tonawanda, NY - 6
p.m.
Sun. July 6 - WWE Ricoh Colesium - Toronto,
ONT, Canada - 5 p.m.
FARE YE WELL 2013
Shawn
“Soundcheck
Sully” Sullivan, Bill Moody
(Paul Bearer), Bill Smithson
(Moondog Spike), Reid
Fliehr (Flair), Cyclon
Negro, Matt Bourne (Doink
the Clown), Jackie Fargo,
Newton
Tattrie(Geto
Mongol), Corey Machlin,
Frank Stewart (Dutch
Savage),
Gene
Petit
(Cousin Luke), Hector
Garza.
May–June 2014
SPORTS & LEISURE MAGAZINE
Billy Baron beyond expectations
By Paul Gotham
Billy
Barron
proved himself worthy of all the preseason notoriety. Not
that it should have
been something that
anyone would have
questioned.
While the Golden
Griffins guard may
have only played
two seasons with the
Blue and Gold he
made up for lost
time when it came to
accumulating hardware.
The season started
with Sporting News,
Lindy’s Sports and
USA Today all tabbing Baron as Metro
Atlantic
Athletic
Conference (MAAC)
pre-season player of
the year. He earned a
spot on the Bob
Cousy Award watch
list as the top point
guard in the country.
Photo courtesy of Canisius/Tom Wolf Imaging
CollegeInsider.com
Billy Baron made his presence felt not only across the MAAC
named Baron to the
but all of Division I with a blazing 24.1 points per game average.
Lute Olson preseason
All-America Team,
and Western New
Rose said by phone. “Any
size. He’s got deep shootYork media heralded the
time you’re basically puting ability. He’s got playGolden Griffin as the Big
ting up 23 and a half, five
making ability. He is a
4’s top player.
and five, not too many
competitor. Those are
By season’s end, Baron
people in the country, if
qualities every NBA team
earned an Associated
any, can boast that
would value and will do
Press
All-America
because nobody else can.
their research and see,”
Honorable Mention selecHe’s been lights out from
current Marist coach and
tion. He made good on
three.”
former NBA executive Jeff
the pre-season nods and
Baron netted 30 or
Bower said after Baron
garnered the 2014 Pepsi
more points in eight
scored 38 in a 78-65
MAAC Player of the Year.
games this season. At
Canisius win. “When it’s
He claimed Second Team
times, Billy and the Griffs
all said and done, I would
Eastern College Athletic
looked like a team of desexpect him to be rated or
Conference All-Star and
tiny. He hit a pair of
ranked ahead of a lot of
became the first Canisius
buzzer beaters—one to
guys. I think he’s the type
Golden Griffin named a
beat Elon in regulation at
of kid who helps your
finalist for the Cousy
the NIT Pre-Season Tipoff
team, and who’s going to
Award.
Tournament and in douhave the poise to compete
The senior point guard
ble overtime to beat Rider.
and help a team.”
ranked fourth in the
The native of East
First-year Siena coach
nation netting 24.1 points
Greenwich, Rhode Island
Jimmy Patsos didn’t beat
a game and finished the
ended his Canisius career
around the bush in his
season as the only
ranked 11th all-time in
assessment.
Division I men’s hooper to
scoring (1,405 points),
“Baron has a chance to
average 20 or more
fourth in career scoring
play in the NBA,” Patsos
points, five assists and 4.5
average (20.7 points per
commented after a 93-78
rebounds a game.
game), fourth in career
Griffs victory on Dec. 8.
But Baron would have
three-pointers
made
“I think Billy Baron could
traded all those awards
(173), first in free-throw
be a backup point guard
for a chance to lead the
percentage (85.9 percent)
in the NBA. He really
Griffs to the NCAA
and ninth in assists (351).
knows how to play.”
Tournament.
Prior to Baron’s arrival,
Patsos spent 13 seasons
“From the first time I
Canisius hadn’t enjoyed a
as
an
assistant
at
stepped in here I said
winning season since
Maryland
where
he
‘we’re going to the NCAA
2000-01.
Last
year,
coached current and forTournament.’” Baron statBaron’s first at Canisius,
mer NBA players Steve
ed during a February
the Golden Griffins finBlake, Juan Dixon and
interview. “We got a lot of
ished 20-14 and 11-7.
Steve Francis.
pieces.”
This year the Griffs went
Former NBA player and
Baron and Canisius fell
21-13 and 14-6.
current ESPN analyst
short losing to Iona 75-72
Along with Baron, the
Jalen Rose chose Billy
in the MAAC semi-finals.
Griffs will lose three other
Baron during a fantasy
Baron now turns his
seniors: Jordan Heath,
draft on ESPN’s College
attention to the NBA, a
Chris Manhertz and Chris
GameDay.
spot several people think
Perez.
“As a senior, he defihe can achieve.
nitely led this squad,”
“He’s got skills. He’s got
Page 13
Local boxing happenings
By Bob Caico
108 lb Thomas
Blumenfield
,
The finals of the
Albany City Boxing
Golden
Gloves
– Albany
championships for
114 lb Mike
New York State
Parilla,
Rinaldi
were held Saturday,
Boxing – Syracuse
April 26 at the Tralf
123 lb Samuel
in
downtown
Rodriguez, ROC
Buffalo. The subBoxing
–
novice (0-2 fights),
Rochester.
novice (less than
132 lb Sequan
11 fights) boxers
Felton, St. Martin’s
became
State
Photo by Bob Caico
– Rochester
champions in their
Ben Serrano (right) of West Side Boxing
141 lb Akmed
weight classes. The
scored the split decision and sub-novice
Aliyev,
NWBCC –
open champions
title at the Golden Gloves tournament ovre
Buffalo
will now head to
Alex Castellano of Victory Gym.
152
lb
Luis
Las Vegas to repreVargas, Rinaldi’s Boxing –
sent Buffalo to vie for
Watertown
Boxing
–
Syracuse
national titles. The tournaWatertown
165 lb Wilmont Wood,
ment, resurrected in Buffalo
152 lb Jarred Nosewicz,
St. Martin’s Boxing –
by Niagara District Vice
Ultimate
Athletics
–
Rochester
President Don Patterson
Syracuse
178 lb Lawrence King,
and sponsored by Joe
165 lb Yenser Perez,
ROC Boxing – Rochester
Carubba
of
Carubba
Rinaldi Boxing – Syracuse
201 lb Yusef A Jami,
Collision, has grown every
178 lb Curtis Chaplan,
Ultimate
Athletics
–
year and this addition may
Ultimate
Athletics
–
Syracuse
have been the best yet.
Syracuse
201 + Drew Grazadei,
201+ Winsom Robinson,
NWBCC-Buffalo
St
John’
s
Boxing
–
Buffalo
2014 New
York State
Champions
Sub-Novice
123 lb female, Hannah
Kruger, UB Boxing – Buffalo
141 lb female, Valerie
Aspaas, Victory Gym –
Buffalo
123 lb Benjamin Serrano,
Westside Boxing – Buffalo
132 lb William Russell,
Rinaldi Boxing – Syracuse
141 lb Tyrell Taylor,
Novice
132 lb Paul Manley, Team
Percision -Adrirondacks
141 lb Elijah Johnson,
Faith & Hope Boxing –
Syracuse
152 lb Derrell Boyd,
Albany City Boxing –
Albany
165 lb Connor Smith, UB
Boxing – Buffalo
201 lb Joe Taylor, WNY
MMA – Lockport
Open
Masters (over 35 years old)
201 + Brad Stahlman –
Salamanca
••••••••
The Eastern Regionals for
the Junior Olympics were
held in NYC from April 26
to 27. Three Niagara
District representatives won
silver
medals;
Dustin
Hopkins and Marcus Floyd
of the Buffalo PAL and
Niasheem Williams of
Rochester’s St. Martin’s
made it to the finals.
Amer Abdallah against the world
Community Sports Report
United States Light
Heavyweight Kickboxing
Champion Amer Abdallah
(14-0) has finally received
the news he’s been awaiting
his entire career. Last
month
the
World
Kickboxing Association
informed the Western New
York native that he is currently the No.5 ranked
kickboxer in the world and
with a win on June 7 he
will be placed as the
mandatory challenger for
the world title. “This has
been a lifelong dream of
mine and it’s now within
arms reach.” Abdallah stated.
His next challenge will be
the biggest fight of his
career against European
champion James Wallis of
the United Kingdom, who
also holds the International
Kickboxing Federation’s
world title. “This will be the
biggest fight of Amer’s
career in terms of importance and the opposition”
stated
Team
Abdallah
Manager Ahmed Imamovic.
“He started his training
camp in Las Vegas with Jeff
Mayweather at the infamous
Mayweather Boxing Club
and is finishing it here in
WNY with Corey Webster
of WNY MMA and Greg
Jones of Lockport Athletic
Photo courtesy Lace Up Promotions
Amer Abdallah trains at the Mayweather Boxing Club in Las
Vegas Nevada with trainer Jeff Mayweather.
& Fitness. Rest assured,
he’ll be ready.”
Abdallah
recently
returned from an international press tour promoting
the fight in the Middle East.
“I was humbled at the
amount of international
press we received, and
everywhere I went was
proud to say I’m from a
small town in WNY called
Lockport.” Abdallah added.
Also on the star-studded
lineup are local Golden
Gloves champion Joe “Son
of a Legend” Taylor who
will look to continue his
impressive undefeated winning streak as well as heavyweight powerhouse Ed
Rodgers who will make his
debut. Lightweight champion and undefeated Luay
“The Arabian Nightmare”
Ashkar and local favorite
Eric Plumeri are also scheduled with exciting bouts.
The
event
dubbed
“International Warfare” will
be held at the Kenan Arena
in Lockport, with tickets
a v a i l a b l e
throughTicketfly.com or
locally at the Lockport
Athletic & Fitness club
(716.439.5232).
More information on the
event can be found at laceuppromotions.com or on facebook at the Lace Up
Promotions page.
Page 14
SPORTS & LEISURE MAGAZINE
May–June 2014
New York’s backyard wilderness
DOCTARI’SFISHING FORUM
Kevin Bonk
Fishing spring
fling in full
swing
As the world rapidly
develops around us it’s
becoming harder to
find space to breathe.
However, for those
who find spending
time in nature a liberating experience, New
York State Forests have
plenty of space to offer.
While being one of the
most populated states
in the country, 63 percent of New York’s land
is covered by forests.
Though much of this
wooded terrain is privately owned, three
million acres are public
land set aside for the
enjoyment of all state
residents. Thousands
of those public acres
are found right here in
Western New York’s State
Forests.
New York’s present-day
landscape looks much different than it did a century ago.
During the late 1800s the
state’s forests were clear cut of
vegetation for raw materials
and open farm land. These
unchecked practices depleted
forest coverage to just 26 percent of the state’s land mass.
With the rapidly reducing
forests and economic downturn of the Great Depression,
effectively managing the
state’s forests became a priority. As part of President
Franklin Roosevelt’s “New
Deal” many unemployed
workers were given jobs
replanting the tracts of barren
land. Legislation was also
implemented to regulate
lumber harvesting to protect
the delicate ecosystem.
Conifer trees were first planted to reintroduce vegetation
to the stripped ground eventually allowing for native
hardwoods to return. A
majority of the state forests
are replanted new growth
forests and to this day many
straight rows of the
Depression era planted pine
trees can still be distinctively
seen.
The rebirth of forested
areas in the state has helped
all residents of New York.
More forests mean more oxygen and less pollution in the
air, a bigger habitat for
wildlife and an ecosystem
that provides clean water and
stable land to prevent flooding. As a positive impact to
the economy, billions of dollars and thousands of jobs are
dependent
on
forests.
Recreationally, state forests
provide freedom for residents
of the state to enjoy an
unhindered wilderness.
While most state forests
are undeveloped there is
much enjoyment to find in
these secluded retreats from
everyday life. The highest
concentration of state forests
can be found in the Southern
Tier counties just a short
drive away from Buffalo and
Rochester’s
metropolitan
areas.
Due to the management
and conservation practices
put in place by the
Department
of
groomed trails.
When New York’s
hunting seasons begin
many local hunters and
trappers are attracted to
state forests for the
excellent cover they
provide game animals
and accessibility for
those that do not own
their own hunting
grounds. With most
state forests being
logged at some point in
their history logging
roads provide a route for
hunters deep into heavily forested areas. Due to
the selective logging of
Cold Creek State Forest,
Top Photo by Elisa M. Shaw/bottom by Jennifer Miller
Top: Jon Shaw and his son Siah walking along the
Diamond Notch Carriage Trail in Lanesville, in New York’s
Catskill Mountains.
Bottom: Brian Carpenter, sitting atop one of these lovely
formations at The “Thunder Rocks” area at Allegany State
Park.
E n v i r o n m e n t a l
Conservation, many outdoor
activities are thriving on state
forests. The forests’ wildlife
habitat is greatly promoted
allowing opportunities for
viewing of grouse, turkey,
deer, fox and other mammals.
Keeney Swamp State Forest
located
in
northern
Alleghany County comprises
part of the Keeney Swamp
Bird Conservation Area. The
diverse habitat and land management practices allows for
a variety of songbirds and
waterfowl to be viewed year
round in the state forest confines.
Whether you’re following
your compass or a wellmarked trail, exploring state
forests can be done with
many modes of transportation. Thousands of miles of
hiking, horseback, mountain
biking, cross-country skiing
and snowshoeing trails run
through state forests. The
nation’s longest national scenic trail, the North Country
Trail, can be found running
through Bush Hill State
Forest
in
Cattaraugus
County. Many stone wells
dug by workers to water the
newly planted trees as well as
the foundations of old farm
houses predating state ownership can be found throughout the forest contrasting the
tall reaching hardwoods.
Horseback riders will find
hitching rails, picnic tables,
and grills along the several
miles of horse trail at Elkdale
State Forest in Cattaraugus
County. During the winter
months, state forests are a
perfect location for challenging snowshoeing and crosscountry skiing on un-
on the Alleghany/Wyoming
County line, native plant life
is flourishing to provide good
cover for turkey and whitetail
deer. Forests are dotted with
many ponds and flowing
streams that make it perfect
for fishing. Native species
and state sponsored stocked
streams are found on many
state lands. Palmer’s Pond
State Forest in Alleghany
County has a large pond with
a picnic and camping area
that’s makes for a perfect day
of fishing and picnicking
away from civilization.
If you left your picnic blanket at home several state
forests are complete with
developed picnic and camping areas to step up camp.
Chautauqua Gorge State
Forest’s established day use
area has several pavilions,
picnic tables and fire rings for
picnickers to enjoy. A short
trail nearby provides an overlook into the gorge. Camping
is permitted in all state
forests, established sites are
on a first come basis and
primitive sites may be setup
anywhere 150 feet away from
roads, bodies of water, or
trail. State forests have limited facilities so be sure to practice carry in carry out.
From having a picnic to
wandering the abundant
acres of woods, New York
State Forests are a paradise
for outdoor lovers. With
numerous state forests just
around the corner each has it
own distinctive attractions
but all provide an opportunity for enjoying the outdoors.
For a complete list of forests
nearby visit the DEC’s website
http://www.dec.ny.gov.
WITH
RICHDAVENPORT
The winter of 2014 has
finally loosened its icy grip,
and most area streams and
waterways are now ice-free
and open for fishing business. Lake Erie still holds
more ice than ice boom
removal would allow, but
lakes like Chautauqua and
Honeoye, and all major
streams favor the long rods
and casting for scaly quarry.
Inland Trout
April 1 marked the opening of NYS inland trout season, and despite the prolonged cold and ice holding
in March, NYS DEC fisheries were able to stock the
many area streams on time.
This year’s stock showed
larger than past year’s fish, a
result of new fish food and
changes to feeding schedules
at our state hatcheries. Cold
and rain into April could
prolong the spring trout fun,
as water temperatures should
remain low well into May.
Fly fishers see good action
with gold-ribbed hare’s ear
nymphs and emerger patterns, with action lasting
throughout the day when
light levels are low. Some
great streams to find trout
action include the upper
Cattaraugus Creek, the
Oatka in Warsaw, East Koy
and Wiscoy Creeks, just to
list a few.
Great Lakes Trout
Many anglers favor pursuit of large lake-run steelhead, and this year the run
appeared to get to a late start,
due to ice and cold water
conditions. Casters working
the piers at Olcott Harbor see
browns and rainbows, with a
mix of coho salmon as well,
moving in and around the
mouth of 18-Mile Creek in
search of forage. Lower
Niagara River anglers have
all trout within casting distance of shore, while boaters
work kwikfish on three-way
rigs to put fish on the line.
With the ice boom not slated
for removal until May,
boaters should be aware of
the occasional ice floe coming down from the falls.
Casting spoons in blue and
silver and orange and silver
get most mention with live
bait such as large emerald
shiners and even night
crawlers drawing impressive
strikes.
Panfish
With ice out comes the
crappie runs, and lake temperatures are starting to
Photo by Dave Brant
This fifteen inch brown trout was caught by Jacob Brant, age 5,
while fishing Feathers Creek in Allegany County with his Father.
reach that magic 42 degree
mark when crappie go
bananas. Small minnows
presented under floats work
well for schooling crappie in
and around emerging weed
beds. With the colder than
normal water temps, expect
weed cover to increase more
slowly than the past couple
years, potentially extending
the crappie fun well into
June. Chautauqua Lake
starts seeing pre-spawn fish
heading into the canals that
line the lake, and open water
spots like Lakewood, Grass
Island and Bemus Bay all
now open for business, just
beware of floating debris if
you plan to venture out in a
boat. Other popular crappie
fisheries include Findley
Lake, Cassadaga Lake, Bear
Lake, Erie Barge Canal and
Buffalo River. Although fish
can be caught throughout
the day, sometimes this time
of year the best bite is at
night. Dress accordingly, as
weather patterns could be
volatile, and colder than normal waters means for a cooling of the winds whipped
across the surface.
New Fishing License
Structure
Starting this past Feb. 1,
the NYS DEC implemented a
new license structure and
fees for anglers to know
about. Cost of a season-long
NYS resident fishing license
dropped from $29 to $25,
and now rather than expiring
on Sept. 30, regardless of
when purchased, anglers will
get a full year from date of
purchase to enjoy that
license. Although problems
with the new system are still
being worked out, impacting
license selling agents, anglers
can purchase their license
on-line and print it out at
home, or, if you have no
printer available, write down
the confirmation number
and this serves as your
license as well. State officials
are optimistic that technical
challenges will be worked
out soon.
Upcoming Events
Several annual fishing
clinics geared at teaching
families the ins and outs of
angling are upcoming. Check
out any one of these free events:
East Aurora Fish & Game
Teach Me to Fish (106
Luther Road, East Aurora),
June 7, 2014, 10 a.m. - 1
p.m. For info contact Dave
Barus, or Dave Smyczynski
at 716.949.9483.
Erie
County
Federation/NYS DEC Teach
Me to Fish (Ellicott Creek
Park), June 14, 2014,
9:30a.m. - 1 p.m. For info
contact Dave Barus. To register contact Mike Todd at
716.851.7010 (NYS DEC).
Erie
County
Federation/NYS DEC Teach
Me to Fish (Chestnut Ridge
Park, Shelter #10), June 28,
2014, 9:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Contact 716.652.4180 to
register.
Remember, take a kid fishing, and give the gift that
lasts a lifetime.
Rich Davenport is cofounder
of
WeLoveOutdoors.com, an avid
Outdoorsman and member of
the NYSOWA. His works are
also published in NY Outdoor
News, Walleye.com and the
Buffalo News. Rich is also the
Recording Secretary for the
Erie County Federation of
Sportsmen’s Clubs, Secretary of
the Western NY Environmental
Federation, member of the Erie
County Fisheries Advisory
Board and is the Co-Chairman
and Region 9 Rep NYSCC Big
Game Committee. Email
[email protected].
May–June 2014
SPORTS & LEISURE MAGAZINE
The Kentucky Derby:
Roses and possibly a repeat
By Jeffrey Levine
race of the year together. “It
one for the ages.
was definitely a party
After the storybook finAmong tech gurus there
atmosphere, with the ladies
ish, all people can talk
is a heated debate about
dressed in their best Derby
about now is whether
which internet browser is
hats,” Todd Haight, general
Sherman and his trusty
truly the fastest. In the
manager of racing at Batavia
mount
can
win
at
world of horse racing, howDowns, recalled. “It was
Preakness, the second jewel
ever, the answer is clear;
basically standing room in
of the Triple Crown. Since
Chrome. Or should we say
both 34-Rush Sports
California Chrome.
Bar and Grandstands
On Mon. May 3,
Bar
and
Grille.
California Chrome
[Everywhere
you
captured the first
looked you saw] cusjewel in thoroughtomers enjoying all the
bred racing’s Triple
Derby Gala.”
Crown as he outIt may have been the
paced the field by 1
festive atmosphere or it
3/4 lengths during
may have been the
the 140th running
Derby Day Trifecta of
of the Kentucky
food, $5 gaming free
Derby at Churchill
play and $2 wager on
Downs
in
the Derby, but overall
Louisville, K.Y. It’s
Photo by Paul White
participation was up 30
rare
that
the
Foiled Again, the richest standardbred
percent from last year.
favorite goes on to
pacer of all-time winning the $50,000
In fact, the Derby gathwin the sport’s
Robert J. Kane Memorial pace, Batavia
ering was so successful
biggest race, but
Downs signature race last October.
that Batavia Downs is
California Chorme
offering the same deal
did so convincingfor Preakness. If California
the turn of the last century
ly, running the best speed
Chrome covers the 9.5 fur46 horses have won two of
figures leading up to the
loughs faster than the other
the three Triple Crown
race and possessing a high
three-year-olds, you can be
races, with 21 winning at
turn of foot that allows him
sure that there will be an
the Derby and Preakness
to accelerate away from his
equally boisterous party for
only to come up short at
rivals like no one else can.
the Belmont Stakes on June
Belmont Stakes. Although
Although the Run for the
7.
there are several theories as
Roses had plenty of storyAlthough the Triple
to why the feat has proven
lines—Rosie Napravnick
Crown comes and goes as
so elusive in the interceding
trying to be the first female
fast as a thoroughbred flash
years, logistics play an
jockey to win the Derby,
in five weeks, there is live
undeniably large part. Many
brothers Jose and Irad Ortiz
harness racing at Batavia
horses who do not win the
making their Derby debuts
Downs from July 23 until
Derby sit out Preakness so
together—it was perhaps
Dec. 6. “At a half-mile racethey’re fresh for the Belmont
the narrative of Art
track like Batavia Downs
Stakes while others who
Sherman who most captiracing fans are so close to
were not able to race at the
vated viewers. At age 77
the action they can almost
Derby enter Preakness hopSherman became the oldest
touch the horses as they
ing to steal a race from horstrainer to win on the holwhiz by at over 30 miles per
es with legs that may not be
lowed track, replacing
hour,” Haight explained.
as fresh. The last horse to
Charlie Whittingham who
Combine that with great
claim the Triple Crown was
won the 1989 Derby with
food as well as video gamAffirmed in 1978.
SundaySilence at age 76.
ing and you have an enterBack home in Buffalo,
Sherman has been close to
tainment destination that
longtime lovers of the sport
greatness before—having
can feel like Derby Day
and first-time watchers
previously been the exercise
every day.
alike gathered at Batavia
rider for 1955 Derby winner
Downs to watch the biggest
Swaps—but this victory was
Defenseman
The second point to make
about defenseman skating
the blue line is always skate
forward with the puck on
your forehand. I constantly
see defenseman on their
strong-side get a pass at the
point and skate backwards
across the blue-line dragging the puck. Unless you
are only taking one step and
then shooting, you should
always skate the blue-line
forward for a few reasons.
One, when you drag the
puck backwards across the
blue line you are turning
your back to your partner
and are limiting your vision
of the weak-side. When you
skate forward across the
blue line you are able to see
the whole zone. It is easier
to pass to your partner if
needed and you have the
ability to see the weak side
of the ice better. Players also
tend to keep their heads up
more skating forward across
the blue line versus backwards, where most drag the
from page 7
puck with their head down.
The other important
point to emphasize is keeping the puck on your forehand. This is very important
because now you make
yourself a dual threat to
pass or shoot. By accelerating across the blue line with
your head up and the puck
on your forehand you are
able to read the full situation. If you have gained a
shooting lane now all you
have to do is a slight pivot
around the puck and you
can let a shot go. If the
opposing team is able to get
in your shot lane you still
have the ability to pass
quickly to your partner or
one of your forwards. Either
way you are able to see the
whole ice and make a quick
decision to pass or shoot.
The biggest part of the
game where this ability to
skate the blue line can be
easily seen is on the powerplay. A quarterbacking
defenseman’s ability to gain
the middle of the rink can
open up many options for
himself or his teammates.
Either way working the
blue-line in the offensive
zone is a very underrated
skill. Defensemen need to
be taught and practice these
skills to not only make
themselves more successful
in offensive situations but
make the overall team more
successful. Teams with
properly trained defenseman are able to spread the
offense out taking pressure
off the forwards down low.
Once your defenseman
understand how to properly
use the blue line to its
fullest advantage the next
step is teaching your forwards how to take advantage of the defenseman’s
ability to open up space.
For more information, visit
www.markzarbohockey.com,
e
m
a
i
l
([email protected]) or
call 716.208.3724.
Page 15
Page 16
SPORTS & LEISURE MAGAZINE
May–June 2014
Section V basketball season wrap-up
By Paul ‘Mr. NFL’ Adamo
As we look back at the
month of March and the
basketball “Madness” that
mesmerizes the nation
during the NCAA tournament another event, “High
School February Frenzy,”
took place with the Section
V high school sectional
tournament leading into
the state championships,
held annually in Troy and
Glen Falls, N.Y. In Section
V, ten boys and girls sectional champions were
crowned in new classifications created this year, as
another student enrollment based reclassification
eliminated the Class AAA,
resulting in more schools
now in Class AA. The ten
new classes this year were
Class AA, A1, A2, B1, B2,
C1, C2, C3, D1 and D2.
State qualifier games decided the Class B, C and D sectional champions who
advanced
to
represent
Section V in the NYSPHSAA
five classifications of Class
AA, A, B, C and D. The
championships games were
decided on Feb. 28 through
March 2 at the Blue Cross
Arena at the War Memorial
Arena known as the “Big
House” and various high
school locations. The state
finals were held the weekend of March 14 - 16.
The annual sectional
awards
lunch
and
announcement of the bracket seeding were held on Feb.
13 - 14 at the RIT Inn &
Conference Center. The
coaches of the year were
also recognized in each classification. The only undefeated boys teams in Section
V this winter was ClydeSavannah (18-0), the No. 1
seed in Class C2 and
Livonia (17-0) in B1. Other
No. 1 seeds were Greece
Athena (17-1) AA; East
High (13-4) A1; Geneva
(16-2) A2; Wellsville (16-2)
B2; Bloomfield (16-2) C1;
Perry (17-1) C3; Batavia
Notre Dame (15-3) D1; and
Scio (14-4) D2. The girls top
seeds: Penfield (Class AA);
Palmyra-Macedon (Class
B1); Bishop Kearney (B2);
Avon (C1); Lyons (C2);
Keshequa (C3); Romulus
(D1); and Lima Christian
(D2). Romulus (20-0), the
Finger Lakes West champion, was the only remaining
unbeaten area squad for the
lady cagers in Section V.
Also in the large-school
classes, Pittsford Sutherland
(19-1) was No. 1 in Class A1
and
East
Irondequoit
Eastridge (13-5) earned its
first top seed in school history in Class A2.
The sectional champions
in the 20 classes had many
familiar teams and a few
programs winning titles
after long droughts.
Girls
Class AA - Gates Chili
Class A1 - Pittsford
Sutherland
Class A2 - Wayne
Class B1 - Waterloo
Class B2 - Bishop Kearney
Class C1 - Avon
Photo courtesy Hetzke Family
Penfield senior forward
Margot Hetzke, one of the
top players in Section V.
Class C2 - Lyons
Class C3 - Keshequa
Class D1 - Romulus
Class D2 – Prattsburg
Boys
Class AA – Greece Athena
Class A1 - East
Class A2 - Geneva
Class B1 - Charlotte
Class B2 – Leadership
Academy
Class C1 - Bloomfield
Class C2 – ClydeSavannah
Class C3 - Perry
Class D1 – Batavia Notre
Dame
Class D2 – Houghton
In the boys Class AA sectional tournament Greece
Athena proved its No. 1 seed
and cruised to the title,
defeating Bishop Kearney,
Webster Schroeder and
Fairport for a trip to the
Western Regional where
they lost to Section VI
(Buffalo) Jamestown at
Buffalo State. That is backto-back sectional wins for
coach Johnson’s team. The
Trojans were favored to win
and advance to the NYSHSAA semi-final. The girls
Class AA bracket played out
much differently as Cierra
Dillard lead the No. 4 seed
Gates-Chili to the title. The
Spartans upset the tournament
favorite,
No.1
Penfield, in the semis and
then dominated secondseeded Rush-Henrietta in
the final. Dillard’s 26 points
led Gates Chili to the 54-40
win over R-H giving Gates
Chili its third Section V title
in the past four seasons. The
senior star guard outplayed
Penfield’s Margot Hetzke in
the tournament and may
have clinched the voting for
All-Greater Rochester Player
of the Year. She’s averaging
over 26 points per game.
Gates Chili had lost 58-30
to R-H on Dec. 28 when
Dillard scored all but four of
her team’s points. Dillard
helped lead the Spartans
over Section VI Jamestown
in the NYSPHSAA Western
Regional but couldn’t overcome Ossining in the semifinals.
In Class B the meeting of
two defending girls state
champions was won by
Bishop Kearney (Class C
last year) as they dominated
Batavia Notre Dame (Class
D last year) 55 – 31. This
year both teams were moved
up by Section V’s NonPublic and Charter School
Committee to Class B2
because of complaints from
Section V public schools
concerning their competitive playing level, a charge
usually used against private
schools that are too successful in a given classification.
Kearney’s only losses were
to Syracuse-area Class AA
schools in mid-December.
The Clyde-Savannah boys,
Class C2, were one of the
three remaining undefeated
teams in the state and won
their Class C qualifier game
against Bloomfield. East
won a fourth sectional in the
last seven years and the
Bloomfield boys broke a 36
year sectional drought. The
small school winners in
Class C and D, for me,
always evoke comparisons
to
Hickory
High
of
“Hoosiers” fame. The Class
D2, Houghton Panthers, a
private school with an
enrollment of 81 students
had their own version of
Coach Norman Dale’s team
as Coach Phil Merrill’s team
celebrated their first title in
school history.
The Western Regional’s,
state quarterfinals, versus
Section VI (Buffalo) proved
a reversal of fortune as the
boy’s went 1-4 and the lady
cagers 4-1. East High, the
only boy’s winner went on
to advance to the state Class
A state final, where they
were dominated by Section
II Scotia-Glenville 66-44.
Three girl’s teams were outstanding. Sutherland, Class
A and Romulus, Class D
returned to Rochester as
NYSPHSAA champions and
Bishop Kearney lost in the
title game as they played
without their injured star
forward Emmanuella Edoka,
who suffered a knee injury
in the semi-finals.
I have many times
thought that the number of
classifications Section V
uses for its sectional tournament tends to water down
the competition and take
away from the accomplishment of winning a sectional
title. Why not simply stay
with the five state classifications? But now, after many
years of watching Section V
teams and players celebrating at the “Big House and
school gyms across Section
V, I realize the high school
athletes who have the
opportunity to compete in
Section V for a sectional
championship
during
“February Frenzy” are not
only making lifelong basketball memories but “life
memories.”
Experiences
that should be available to
as many high school athletes
as Section V can schedule
games. Another successful
season of Section V high
school basketball is in the
record books with two more
state championships for
Section V.
Top 2013-14 Section V
Basketball Players
Margot Hetzke, Penfield,
Forward – All time leading
scorer in Patriot history and
three-time
AGR
pick.
Headed to Siena on a basketball scholarship.
Emmitt Holt, Webster
Schroeder, Forward - The 6foot-6 forward/center is a
third-year starter. Canisius
College is recruiting him
along with other DI schools
in New York.
Cierra Dillard, Gates
Chili, Forward – During the
regular season averaged
27.4 ppg and is the latest
2,000 career scorer in the
Section V record books. A
three time AGR player this
season.
Lucy Covley, Penfield,
Guard – Long range threepoint specialist who shoots
over 40 percent from the
arc. Mid-major colleges have
shown interest for her college plans.
Jay Sarkis, Greece Athena,
Guard – Fourth year varsity
player, 2013 AGR and
Monroe County Division III
Player of the Year. Helped
lead Greece Athena to the
Section V Class AA2 title.
Kam DiSanto, ClydeSavannah, Forward – 1,000
point scorer and returning
All Finger Lakes hoopster.
Senior captain of the undefeated (18-0) Golden Eagles.
Zac DiSalvo, Greece
Athena Guard - First-team
Monroe County all-star
guard in 2013 and long
range three-point shooter.
Teams with Jay Sarkis for
this season’s best backcourt
tandem in Section V.
Monroe claims Region 3 title
By Paul Gotham
Dec. 15. CCRI
advanced to last
year’s District 2
For the second year
Championship.
in a row Monroe
Niagara has not
Community College
won a regional title
claimed the NJCAA
since 1979.
Region 3 Division II
The Mercyhurst
championship.
NE Saints (17-7/4Tournament MVP
6) rode a ten-game
Tashawn Desir scored
win streak into the
18 as Monroe downed
national poll. The
the
Genesee
Saints entered at
Community College
No. 19 on Dec. 3
Cougars 79-74.
and reached No. 4
Desir, along with
in early January.
Anthony Hemingway,
Soutiri Sapnas (23
led a balanced Monroe
ppg) and Damon
attack all season conJones (18.3 ppg)
sisting of nine players
were two of four
logging double-digit
Saints in double
minutes, five of whom
figures.
net seven or more
Ervin Mitchell
points a game. Desir,
Photo courtesy MCC
(23.7 points/8.5
the lone holdover
In addition to being named the tournarebounds)
and
from last year’s team
ment MVP, Tashawn Desir score 18 en
Naquil Jones (22
that finished fifth
route to helping the Tribunes capture the
p o i n t s / 6 . 3
nationally,
scored
NJCAA Region 3 Division II title.
rebounds) paced
nearly a dozen a game
the
Genesee
while handing out 4.4
Community
College
titles in 2011 and 2012.
assists and getting 2.1
Cougars (20-7/5-4). GCC
Current St. John’s Red
steals. Hemingway, an athstrung together 14 straight
Storm member God’s Gift
letic defender, scored eight
triumphs, including wins
Achiuwa led the 2010-11
a game and grabbed three
over CCRI and Community
Erie squad that finished 28rebounds.
College of Beaver County
4 and fourth in the country.
Monroe swept the reguin the Cougar Holiday
Niagara
County
lar-season series against
Classic to crack the rankCommunity College was
both league contenders, the
ings at No. 18. GCC took
nationally ranked seven of
Niagara
County
consecutive titles in 2002
eight weeks this season.
Community
College
and 2003.
The Thunderwolves won
Thunderwolves (21-5/5-4)
Tyreek Jewell, who
their first seven and
and Erie Community
reached the 1,000-point
cracked the rankings at
College Kats (15-9/6-4).
plateau for the Jamestown
No.10 on Dec. 3. One week
Under Jerry Burns, the
Community
College
and three victories later
Tribunes continued to
Jayhawks (7-15/0-8), was
Niagara County peaked at
make their mark on the
named Region 3 Player of
No. 5. The Thunderwolves
defensive end of the floor.
the Year and earned Second
eventually took 13 straight
The Tribs limited oppoTeam All-American honors.
to open the campaign.
nents to 65 a game. Monroe
The sophomore guard finEli Jones (Fairport) led a
held NCCC 28 points
ished fifth in the nation
potent NCCC offense that
under their average in a 69averaging 25.3 a game.
amassed 89.5 points a
62 win on Feb. 13. Two
Desir joined Jewell on
game. Jones (21.5) was one
days later, MCC rallied
the First Team and garof four Thunderwolves
from 12 down at half to
nered Third Team Allaveraging double digits.
defeat Erie 76-74 and
American honors.
The freshman forward was
clinch the regular season
Elijah Jones, Mitchell
21st in the nation hitting
title. Desir and Hemingway
and McDonald rounded out
60.7 percent (8.0 of 13.1)
netted 17 apiece while
the Region 3 First Team.
from the floor. Gjaimeir
Manny Joseph added 13
Naquil Jones, Sapnas,
Stanford added 15. Sheldon
and T.J. Davis had 12.
Dashawn King (Erie),
Zablotny chipped in 12.7,
After opening the season
Damon Jones and Sandoval
and EJ Sandoval scored
3-3, Erie won six straight
made the Region 3 Second
10.3.
between
mid-December
Team.
Jordan Street (Niagara
and
January.
Fabian
Alastair Cole (Genesee),
Falls)
grabbed
8.4
MacDonald scored 19 a
Davis,
Hemingway,
rebounds and added 10.1
game for the Kats while
Stanford and Street earned
points. Chuka Ikpeze
Kareem Sulaiman added
third team.
(Rochester/Bishop
nearly 11 points and seven
Genesee’s Terry George
Kearney) tallied nine for
rebounds.
earned Coach of the Year.
Niagara County. Stanford
Erie and Monroe have
Monroe fell 99-89 to
scored a game-high 24 as
owned the last ten Region 3
Dean College in the District
NCCC took down national
titles—Monroe winners of
2 Championship.
power Community College
six, and Erie claims four.
of Rhode Island, 78-77 on
ECC won back-to-back
May–June 2014
SPORTS & LEISURE MAGAZINE
Discover
Buffalo Sailing
Page 17
By Laura Redding and Diana Augspurger
May and early September
times appear to be tipping
Imagine riding over the
starting at 6:00 p.m. just
over, it’s a stable ride. All
Skyway on a warm summer
past the lighthouse in the
crew sit on the “high side” of
day. Sailboats quietly gliding
Buffalo Outer Harbor
the boat when it is underway
across the sparkling surface
area. Racing usually lasts
to keep the weight balanced.
of the water, gauging their
about an hour, and the
The first mark on the race
position against the other
conditions are always a
course is placed upwind
boats as they race towards a
surprise. Some days can
from the starting line.
mark. The crew sitting on
prove to be very windy
Because the physics of sailthe rail until the skipper
and full of vigorous racing requiring wind flow over
calls them to action, taking
ing while the challenge of
a sail, one cannot sail directtheir positions to tack the
others is to outsmart your
ly into the wind. Instead, the
boat to starboard.
Photo by Patrick Weisansal II
competitors by finding
boat must zig-zag up the
Instead of imagining this
the wind shifts on the
course to reach the mark.
scene, however, think about
Kim Hilburger takes the bow position on “Damn Yankee” while the crew rides the rail for weight.
how much more fun it
best camaraderie I have ever
Island, Point Abino, Canada,
would be to experience
seen within a sport. It has
and Erie Pennsylvania for
it out on Lake Erie.
really proven to be a fulfillregattas. Races and regattas
For the last 40 years
ing experience both physiare perfectly orchestrated
the Buffalo Harbor
cally and emotionally.”
and overseen by the rules
Sailing
Club
Sailing is a lifelong pursuit
prescribed by U.S. Sailing,
(http://www.buffaloharand the BHSC welcome
the governing body of the
borsailingclub.org ) has
active men and women of all
sport.
provided just such an
ages. There are physical
You do not need to own a
experience to both boat
demands in sailing, like in
boat of your own to become
owners and crew memany sport, but as long as
active in BHSC. Boat owners
bers. Dedicated to
you’re active and able to balwho wish to participate in
growing the sport, the
ance you can be on a boat
racing require crew and the
BHSC also offers learn
and be competitive. Life
typical crew is comprised of
to race programs as well
jackets are worn at all times
four to six people, but can be
as an introduction to
and lifelines on the boat act
more depending on the boat
sailing for beginners.
as railings. Similar to skiing,
size. The average size of the
Regardless of your curcrew members in spring typboats that participate in
rent level of sailing
ically need wind/water
weekly racing with BHSC is
there is a fleet for you:
resistant gear along with a
in the 30 to 35 foot range.
women; beginning rachat and gloves. As things
“I race on a boat with six
ers; experienced racers;
warm up on the water, a
other women who have all
and small one design
lightweight jacket and nonstarted just a few years ago
boats. In addition to
cotton gym clothes are all
in our early 40s, some are in
weekend regattas and
Photo by Patrick Weisansal II
that’s required. Sailing
their 50s and even 60s,”
after-race parties during
Wednesday Night racing brings out the very experienced racers, the crew of “Slider” show off their
gloves, to prevent rope burn
Laura Redding, who has
the summer, BHSC also
racing prowess in some spirited conditions.
when handling lines, and
been a member of BHSC
programs monthly edusailing shoes with a nonsince 2010, explained.
cational
speakers,
marking sole are also great
“None of us had much or
and doesn’t have a club
water. An end of the year
This is called tacking and the
women’s race training, a ski
items to have.
any sailing experience, but
houses. Instead, BHSC can
banquet celebrates the seatactician plans this out partclub, and occasional social
Membership in the BHSC
now we are out there during
focus on their prominent
son’s achievements.
ly based on experience and
get-togethers in the colder
is modest, but the experiregattas against guys who
racing program. Boats active
Educational programs are
partly on intuition. Needless
months.
ence is priceless. It’s the
have been sailing for 40-plus
in BHSC come from all over
available
to
members
to say, it’s not an exact sciSailing requires a blend of
most fun you can have going
years. It’s wonderful, enjoythe area such as the Small
throughout the year and
ence and presents an intelknowledge, alertness and
eight to ten knots (or about
able, and a highly rewarding
Boat Harbor, Erie Basin
BHSC is always looking for
lectual aspect of sailing to go
skill. Most boats are
five to ten miles) per hour!
activity. We are serious and
Marina, the Buffalo Yacht
new people to take up this
along with the physical. The
designed to be sailed by one
For more information go to
very competitive, but have
Club, RCR marina located
exciting sport. BHSC’s nontactician also makes deciperson but it is certainly
www.BuffaloHarborSailingClu
plenty of fun at the same
on the Buffalo Shipping
certificate Discover Buffalo
sions for the driver who is
much easier when you have
b.org.
time. Besides racing, the
Canal, First Buffalo Marina,
Sailing program teaches
concentrating on traffic and
a crew working like a wellclub is home to some of the
and even as far as Grand
beginners basic sailing techkeeping the boat on course.
oiled machine. Club racing
niques with dockside
Sailing downwind back to
requires a minimum of two
instruction and on-thethe finish line generally
crew but most are at least
water experience. The prorequires less tacking as the
four or five. There are typigram is made possible by
wind fills the sail from
cally two to three sails that
the generosity of the club’s
behind, but still requires
are used depending on the
members who volunteer
strategy. There are also rules
wind conditions and the
their time, boats and
that need to be followed on
direction. These come in difknowledge to help share
the course so it’s crucial to
ferent shapes and sizes and
and spread the sport of sailcombine the navigator’s and
at any time can be hoisted
ing right.
tactician’s skill at choosing
and/or lowered throughout
There are many alternathe right headings and the
the race in relation to the
tives to the Discover Buffalo
helmsperson who steers the
wind conditions. When they
Sailing Program including:
boat, creating a “chess match
are up, they also need to be
Sail
Buffalo
(sailon water” where it’s often the
adjusted for maximum effibuffalo.com); Seven Seas
most skilled team that finciency by the sail trimmers
Sailing School (sevenseasishes first.
as the wind speed and direcsailing.com); the Niagara
The not-for-profit BHSC
tion is constantly fluctuatSailing Club (niagarasailcreates sailing opportunities
ing. Correctly adjusting the
ingclub.com); The Buffalo
on Lake Erie each summer
shape of the sail, even by a
Yacht Club (buffaloyachtfor men and women of all
few inches, to match the
club.org); and The Buffalo
ages. Sometimes there are
wind as it changes over the
Canoe Club (buffalocanoeeven three generations of
course can maximize or
club.com). There are also
family members racing
minimize boat speed and can
programs in Rochester: The
together. Women’s races on
mean the difference between
Genesee Yacht Club (geneTuesday field 30-35 boats
first and last place.
seeyc.org); Newport Yacht
while Wednesday night races
Trimming the sail also
Club (newportyc.org); and
can see numbers as high as
keeps the boat at a heeling
the Rochester Yacht Club
65-70. Both series provide
angle that allows it to glide
(rochesteryc.com).
opportunities for sailors of
through the water at its maxUnlike other organizaall sailing abilities to enjoy
imum speed. Some boats
tions, BHSC is referred to as
the sport and improve their
have flatter bottoms, which
a “paper club” because it
skills. Three series of five
are typically slower, and
doesn’t own any property
races are run between late
even though boats some-
Page 18
SPORTS & LEISURE MAGAZINE
May–June 2014
May–June 2014
SPORTS & LEISURE MAGAZINE
Page 19
Celtic Games and more offered at regional Celtic festivals
Community Sports Report
Passed down for centuries, Scottish games
and Celtic festivals
bring together Celts and
people of similar origin
and like mind to celebrate their history and
culture. In years gone
by, the games were centered on friendly competitions between clans
and, to this day, they
have retained that original purpose. However,
instead of clans, the
friendly rivalry is now
between cities. The
Photo courtesy Allegany Celtic Fest
competitions are the
Enjoy the sights and sounds June 7 in Allegany County.
festival’s underpinning,
and are sanctioned by
With a lot of focus,
professional premier and
their governing organizadetermination, resourcepre-premier. The Scottish
tions. As a result, competifulness, patience and the
Heavy
Athletic
tion is fierce and the
help of the Tompkins
Competitions — a crowddemands are high, with
County Tourism grant, the
pleasing favorite attracts
dedicated families and
Ithaca Scottish Games have
about 50 athletes who are
bands traveling nearly
evolved considerably each
separated into two groups
every weekend during the
year. They went from a
— the masters (over 40
summer months to increase
remote location to the cenyears of age) and the protheir standings in the
ter of town, from one to
fessionals (under 40), furregion, nation and in the
two days and now from an
ther separated by gender.
world.
ordinary pipe-band compeLastly, the event features a
tition to securing a reputa5-kilometer charity race
tion as an extraordinary
along
the
Cayuga
contest.
Waterfront Trail.
For more information go to
The festival wouldn’t be
www.ithacacelticfestival.com
complete without the many
Founded in 2008 as an
cultural activities that supannual event held on the
port the competitions.
last weekend in June, the
There are sheep-shearing,
Ithaca Celtic Festival has
wool-spinning and kiltjoined this historic netmaking demonstrations,
work of regional festivals.
Clan booths, Celtic foods
The Ithaca Celtic Festival is
and crafts, local historical
June 28-29, and takes place
walking tours of the
at Stewart Park in Ithaca.
On June 7, the sounds of
Waterfront Trail hosted by
The
Ithaca
Celtic
bagpipes and the shouts
the History Center in
Festivals
competitions
from spectators will be
Tompkins County, activicomprise four components
heard at the second annual
ties for children including
that happen simultaneousCeltic Festival in the
the annual clan scavenger
ly throughout the weekend
“Beautiful Mountains” of
hunt, Irish step-dancing,
including: The bagpipe
Allegany
County
in
Gaelic lessons, a wellness
band competition that
Belmont, NY, situated in
tent that showcases Ithaca’s
attracts about 15 bands that
the southwest corner of
alternative medical scene, a
are separated by grade —
NYS. The gates open at 9
local artists, a rugby 7’s
grade 1 being world-class
a.m. with the events startclinic, historical re-enacbands, whereas grade 5
ing at 10 a.m.; closing will
tors, and a scene or two
bands are just starting out.
be
around
10
p.m.
from
the
Ithaca
The bagpipe solo competiProceeds
benefit
the
Shakespeare
Company.
tion attracts about 60
Wounded Warrior Project.
There is also a full weekend
pipers and drummers vying
The festival will enterline-up of musical enterfor individual honors —
tain with the traditional
tainment headlined by the
the professional level being
Highland Athletic Events,
popular Scottish rock band
the most competitive, folcomprising seven games
– Traonach. Local vendors
lowed by grade 1 – grade 5.
for both men and women:
such as Ithaca Beer Co.,
The Highland Dance comstone throw, weight throw,
and wines from McGregor
petition attracts about 50
weight for height, sheaf for
Winery will surely be very
girls and boys (and their
height, hammer throw and
popular and can be found
supporters) — they are
the caber toss. A caber toss
in the refreshment tent.
separated into two groups,
is a traditional Scottish
Ithaca Celtic
Festival
Celtic
festival comes to
Allegany County
Photo by David Burbank
Nick Kehanic of WNY throws the hammer.
athletic event practiced at
Scottish Highland games
involving the tossing of a
nearly 20-foot-long pole
weighing between 120 and
175 pounds. The event will
be hosted by StongNFar
with Matt Hand as the
Athletic Director for the
festival. Athletes from all
over the U.S. and Canada
will be participating. Last
year, festival-goers witnessed records being set in
various
events.
The
Belmont Rotary Club, the
Belmont
Betterment
Association,
and
the
Belmont American Legion
have donated the trophies
for the sporting events.
A group from the local
chapter of the Society for
Creative Anachronism will
demonstrate the use of
medieval weaponry while
adorned in the traditional
dress
of
the
times.
Simulated events will be
offered for kids to partake
in. There will be at least 8
clans in Clan Row. Clan
Row will be present to
assist people in learning
about clan names and how
they have changed over the
centuries. They can also
help those who want to
learn about their own
Celtic ancestry. And there
will be folks there from the
Scottish American Society
of the Southern Tier
(SASST).
Several craft and food
vendors will sell everything from hotdogs to
authentic Celtic foods.
Talty’s Irish Pub will be
there again serving shepherd’s pie and bangors!
There will also be a libations tent – what would a
Celtic festival be without
one! Of course, there will
be Guinness, Killians Irish
Red, expertly poured Black
and Tans, Harp, and beers
and wines for those of age
to experience. Come with
your ID if you plan on
entering our Irish Pub.
Out of Jamestown, the
96th Highlanders Pipe and
Drums, Inc. will be performing again. Also featured are the Irish Step
Dancers
from
Katie
Duggan’s Dance School, the
Olean Area Irish Dancers,
and a performance by
Houghton Movements and
Arts Center. The bands
lined up are: Section 31,
Everheart, Step In Time,
Tom Keefer and Celtic
Cross, and McCarthyizm.
Additions this year are:
Dog
Agility
Demonstrations with Fly
Ball, more Craft Vendors,
and a Motorcycle Show.
For information or sponsorship packages go to
www.alleganycountyceltic.co
m. Inquiries also can be
made at [email protected], or at
(585) 365-2152.