Cover image courtesy of Brian LaPlante
Tuesday, May 25th
Newfane 36 – Niagara Wheatfield 25
Two of the best not only in Niagara/Orleans but in all of WNY collided for a rare inter-league and inter-division matchup of powerhouse teams. The Panthers secured four pins and received a forfeit while gaining two decision victories. Compare that to only one pin for Wheatfield who won three decisions, one major, and a forfeit. After three bouts, the team score was a 9-6 NW lead until Newfane captured six wins (including three pins and a forfeit) in the next eight weights to burst out to a 36-19 lead with only two matches remaining. The Panthers improved to 4-0 in N/O duals with the win.
Starpoint 41 – North Tonawanda 21
In their first three N/O duals, the Lumberjacks have met three of the league’s top four teams. Starpoint and NT combined for twelve contested duals with the host Spartans receiving the match’s only forfeit. Starpoint won eight weights to NT’s five and collected five wins in the first seven matches including three pins and the forfeit to improve to 2-0 this spring. Despite the record, don’t look past North Tonawanda just yet either.
Niagara Falls 51 – Medina 18
The Wolverines improved to 2-0 with a road win over the Mustangs. Falls captured nine wins total (three of which were forfeits) with four pins in the dual. However, after starting at 102-pounds, Medina claimed the evening’s first three matches to take an early 15-0 lead via Dominick Callara, a forfeit, and RaShawn Bloom. Regardless, Falls rolled off nine wins in the next ten weights to claim the dual victory.
Lewiston-Porter 45 – Barker/Royalton-Hartland 24
The Lancers improved to 2-1 in league action with a home win over the Raider-Rams. In the win, Lewiston-Porter gathered head coach Jon Hoover’s 150th career victory as head coach of the Lancers as well. L-P pays a visit to Wheatfield on Thursday before a home dual with Falls, but after that may be in prime position for a top five spot in the league standings by the end of the season.
Barker/Royalton-Hartland – Wilson
Wednesday, May 26th
Falconer 60 – Olean 13
The defending champs honored their seniors and introduced their state championship banner for the first time that will adorn the walls of the freshly renovated gym at Falconer High School. Falconer entered a full lineup in the contest and collected a number of forfeits. The Golden Falcons and Huskies split the six head to head matches at three apiece. Falconer improved to 2-0 heading into the Memorial Day break.
Fredonia 33 – Chautauqua Lake 27
The Hillbillies edged the Thunderbirds on the road in CCAA I action to improve to 2-0. Fredonia captured three wins in the six contested matches. Even in losses, CL’s Jordan Joslyn pushed returning sectional finalist and state placer Dave Ball in a 2-1 decision while Zach Wolcott fell by five points to two-time state tournament qualifier Ceric Kristan at 189.
Randolph 28 – Portville 24
The Cardinals took down the defending league champs in a dual that featured improved participation for both teams, better than each’s dual a week ago. Portville collected two forfeits to Randolph’s one, however the Cardinals claimed wins in five of the eight contested matches including three bonus point wins (one major, two pins). Next Wednesday, June 2nd could be the CCAA II title showdown when Randolph pays a visit to Maple Grove.
Salamanca 24 – Franklinville 22
Five bouts were double forfeited and the Panthers captured three wins in the four contested matches, but the Warriors outnumbering them proved to be the difference maker as Salamanca improved to 2-0 in CCAA II duals.
Maple Grove 41 – Frewsburg 12
The Dragons improved to 2-0 in CCAA II with a home win over the Bears. Maple Grove collected eight wins in the dual and all five head to head matchups including two pins and a tech fall.
Southwestern 34 – Dunkirk 18
The Trojans picked up five wins in the five head to head matchups to improve to 1-1 in CCAA I. 7th grader Carmine Calimeri is going to be a name to remember very soon.
Thursday, May 27th
North Tonawanda 48 – Albion 26
After a grueling first week and a half the ‘Jacks finally landed in the win column with a home victory over last season’s Niagara-Orleans runner-up. NT was led by Aden Spina, Dylan Gagnon, Donny Cleaver, and Chris Kinney who all recorded pins. The Lumberjacks improved to 1-3 in N/O with a very manageable slate of matches on the horizon. Also, legendary former North Tonawanda head coach Dan Fire paid a visit to the team recently, bringing wisdom, kindness, and motivation along with him.
Newfane 51 – Barker/Royalton-Hartland 15
The Panthers improved to 5-0 overall picking up another ‘super league’ win on Thursday. Newfane will get a big test on the first day after the Memorial Day weekend when they host the 3-0 Starpoint Spartans on June 1st.
Starpoint 54 – Medina 9
The Spartans improved to 3-0 in the league. Next up is a road dual at the Niagara/Orleans ‘super league’ leading Newfane Panthers.
Niagara Wheatfield 51 – Lewiston-Porter 14
The Falcons went back into the win column with a home victory over the Lancers. Wheatfield is 3-1 heading into the break with favorable matchups coming in the next two weeks before meeting Starpoint and Falls back to back.
Niagara Falls 62 – Lockport 6
The Wolverines are 3-0 going into the break.
Fredonia 56 – Dunkirk 8
The Hillbillies are 3-0 and atop the CCAA I standings with a home win over the crosstown rival Marauders.
Niagara Wheatfield – Wilson
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