Kenmore in ice final
It will be a defending champion Kenmore versus Lancaster/Iroquois rematch for the Western New York Girls Hockey League championship at 4:30 p.m. on Friday at Amherst Northtown Center.Freshman Olivia Smith scored three goals as No. 1 seed Kenmore defeated Amherst/Sweet Home, 4-0, and No. 2 Lancaster/Iroquois topped Monsignor Martin, 4-1, in the other semifinal Wednesday night.
Kenmore defeated Lancaster/Iroquois, 2-1, last week to decide the Section VI representative to the state final four in Clayton.
Besides Smith’s three goals, the combined team from Kenmore East and West high schools got shutout goaltending by Lauren Pray in its semifinal win. It was the first hat trick of the season for Smith, the leading scorer for the Devil Dogs. She also had a pair of goals in Kenmore’s victory over West Seneca on Monday night.
Lina Mirabella opened the scoring for Kenmore. Smith’s first goal was assisted by Emily King. Then the freshman star scored unassisted. She added an empty net tally to finish off her night.
Pray’s shutout did not come cheaply. She had 29 saves against the upstart Amherst/Sweet Home team which scored a minor upset over the No. 4 seed Williamsville in the quarterfinals.
Rene Doherty, Brianna Keppner, Caitlin Horvatits and Jenelle Piatt scored for Lancaster/Iroquois in the other semifinal. Goalie Maddie North made 30 saves for the winners. Cleve Hill wraps up
Cleveland Hill wrapped up its second straight ECIC IV boys basketball championship, taking charge in the second half for a 52-37 victory over JFK.
The Golden Eagles, who were 12-0 in the division last season, went through with an 11-1 mark this time. They clinched at least a tie for the title on Tuesday night by defeating Holland.
Cleveland Hill led only 16-11 at halftime.
“In the second half we picked up our defense,” Cleve Hill coach Jason Przybysz said. “Anthony Sullivan, who had eight steals in the game, had three in the third period.”
Aaron Phillips had 18 points and Jermaine Hairston 12 to lead Cleveland Hill.
Middle College clinches
Brian Brown had another big night (18 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists) as Middle Early College wrapped up the Yale Cup League 1 championship with a 70-49 victory over Burgard to finish the league regular season with an 11-1 record. Kevin Briggs had nine assists in the victory. … Kenmore West (13-1) clinched a tie with Lockport for the Niagara Frontier League title by defeating Niagara-Wheatfield, 71-46. Senior Noah Whalen led the Blue Devils with 20 points.EA girls lose first
Cheektowaga spoiled East Aurora’s unbeaten season in ECIC III girls basketball, handing the Blue Devils a 55-49 loss in double overtime. The Warriors outscored EA 6-0 in the second overtime on baskets by Mykia Lee and Andrew Montgomery and free throws by Markayla Feaster and Taliyah Hopkins. … Junior Anne Principe made a Williamsville North record nine three-pointers as the Spartans wrapped up their ECIC I schedule with a 62-38 triumph at Orchard Park. Principe, who finished with 27 points, made 9 of 12 shots from beyond the three-point arc. … Mckenna Maycock, who is averaging 29.6 points a game, scored 27 for Randolph in aa 68-33 CCAA East 1 victory over Salamanca.