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Sports February 28th, 2007
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Junior Achievement plans annual Bowl-A-Thon
      More than 1,800 bowlers from 60 businesses across Western New York will gather their teams together for Junior Achievement of Western New York's 23rd annual Bowl-A-Thon. The pirate-themed event takes place on Saturday, March 10 at Transit Lanes, 7850 Transit Road, Williamsville.
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Inspired East squad avenges loss in A-1 semifinals
Lady Flames to defend A-1 title on Wednesday against Ken East
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter
      After losing twice to Hamburg in the regular season, Williamsville East picked the right time to defeat the Lady Bulldogs, winning, 36-27, in the Section VI Class A-1 semifinals on Saturday at Lockport High School. East had lost to Hamburg by scores of 38-36 and 49-30 in the regular season, the la...
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Hockey
St. Joe's shrugs off slow start to win Federation title
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter
      St. Joe's got off to a slow start in the Section VI Western New York Varsity Hockey Federation finals but finished strong, defeating rival Williamsville North, 5-2, before a sold out crowd of 1,800 on Thursday at Buffalo State Ice Arena. It's the sixth time St. Joe's has won the Federation crown a...
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Commentary
It's time for 'Baby' Joe Mesi to face a decent foe
JASON NADOLINSKI Sports Reporter
      Perhaps it was fitting that local heavyweight "Baby" Joe Mesi came to the ring wearing a Buffalo Sabres jersey for his scheduled 10-round fight against George "Terminator" Linberger this past Thursday at the Mountaineer Race Track and Gaming Resort in Chester, W. Va.
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Boxing
Mesi feeling good after latest win
by MATT KRUEGER Reporter
      Confidence was never something Town of Tonawanda heavyweight "Baby" Joe Mesi lacked until his two-year medical suspension. That span from 2004 to 2006 was when he hit the roughest time in his life, sitting out on what should have been the prime of his career.
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Boys Basketball
Confident South moves on to A-1 semifinals
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter
      A 59-48 home victory over eleventh-seed Hutch-Tech in the Section VI Class A-1 quarterfinals on Friday gave second-seed Williamsville South another shot to end a playoff drought in the A-1 semifinals. South (12-9), who has not won a semifinal game in a decade, will try to end its streak against Ke...
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Amherst holds on to beat Riverside, will face McKinley on Wednesday
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter
      If Amherst Central is to make some serious noise in the Section VI Class A-1 tournament, they will have to play better with the lead and make more of their foul shots.
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ECC to conduct baseball clinic
      Erie Community College and head baseball coach Joe Bauth will run their annual baseball clinic at Erie Community College, North Campus, 6205 Main Street, Williamsville. A baseball miniclinic will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 11. A lunch break from noon to 1 p.m. is included.
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East's comeback against McKinley falls short
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter
      Williamsville East played comeback all game in its 84-70 Section VI Class A-1 quarterfinal loss at McKinley on Friday. The Flames, seeded fifth, trailed the Macks, seeded fourth, 28-11, after the first quarter and, 34-11, two minutes into the second quarter but cut the deficit to six with two minu...
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Sports briefs
      Team New Era premier travel baseball program has opportunities for qualified players ages 9 through 18, parents and coaches who are committed to advancing their baseball knowledge and skills while participating in a first-class competitive baseball environment. For more information or to registe...
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Seniors step up for Sweet Home boys hoops
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter
      Sweet Home's journey to a possible New York State Class AA championship began with a convincing 67-44 home win over Lockport on Friday in the Section VI quarterfinals. The Panthers jumped on the Lions early, leading 20-11 after the first quarter, and outscored Lockport, 22-8, in the second quarter...
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Missed opportunities end North's season
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter
      It was the same old story for Williamsville North in their Section VI Class AA prequarterfinal boys basketball game at Clarence on Feb. 21. The Spartans played aggressive early, were tough defensively, but couldn't cash in on their offensive opportunities and lost, 47-45.
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Sweet Home girls bow out in Class 'AA' quarterfinals
      Lancaster could do no wrong in its Section VI Class 'AA' quarterfinal home victory over Sweet Home last Thursday. The Lady Redskins, seeded third, outscored the sixth-seeded Lady Panthers, 17-5, in the second quarter en route to a 56-27 victory. "It was just not our night," said Sweet Home coach ...
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Sports briefs
      Pop Warner football is forming a new league structure in the Buffalo-Niagara region for the 2007 season and is looking for organizations to join. Pop Warner little Scholar Inc. is nationally recognized in over 42 states. There are currently over 1,350 associations, making up 145 leagues. Teams in...
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Amherst girls hoops season ends in prequarters
      Amherst Central had an early exit in the Section VI Tournament as the Lady Tigers, seeded tenth in the A-1 bracket, lost 48-34 to seventh-seed Starpoint, in the A-1 prequarterfinals. Amherst coach JoAnna Fildes said her team struggled on offense, including only two points in the third quarter, and...
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HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS SCOREBOARD
      Amherst Central Boys Basketball - Section VI Class A-1 quarterfinals - def. Riverside 80-76 Girls Basketball - Section VI Class A-1 prequarterfinals - lost to Starpoint 48-34 Sweet Home Boys Basketball - Section VI Class AA quarterfinals - def.
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Sports briefs
      Steve Rois, an Amherst resident and Amherst Central High School graduate, had a great showing for the Rochester Institute of Technology's men's swimming team at the 2007 Upper New York State Collegiate Swimming Association Championship. The freshman distance swimmer earned second team All-Empire ...
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North, South girls hoops have early exits
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter
      Twelfth-seeded Williamsville North gave fifth-seeded Clarence all they could handle in the Section VI Class AA prequarterfinals on Feb. 20 but in the end, the Lady Red Devils proved too tough, winning 54-49. The Lady Spartans cut Clarence's lead to 48-46 with 1:10 remaining but was called for trav...
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Sharks win triple OT thriller over Nardin
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter
      Sacred Heart and Nardin have had many battles on the court over the years but last Friday's regular season finale added another twist to their rivalry. The Sharks defeated the Gators, 57-47, in triple overtime before a crowd of 1,000 at Villa Maria College.
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Casey earns player of the week honor
      Swarthmore College senior guard Chris Casey, a 2003 Williamsville East High School graduate, was recently named Sam Cozen Player of the Week by the Philadelphia Area Small College Coaches Association. Casey, an economics and psychology double major, has started all 17 games this season at point gu...
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HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS CALENDAR
      Wednesday, Feb. 28 Boys Basketball: Section VI Class A-1 semifinals - South vs. Ken. East, 6 p.m., Amherst vs. McKinley, 7:45 p.m. (Buffalo State College) Girls Basketball: Section VI Class A-1 finals - East vs. Ken. East, 6 p.m.
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Sweet Home to host 'Keeper of the Kohn'
Award-winning documentary comes for one-time showing on March 25
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter
      For only one day, Sweet Home High School will be "Keeper of the Kohn." The movie, which chronicles Peter Kohn's final year as equipment manager of the Middlebury College lacrosse team as well as dealing with personal tragedy, comes to the school for a one-time showing at 2 p.m., Sunday, March 25 a...
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Sweet Home's Hagen qualifies for indoor state meet
      Jacob Hagen will represent Sweet Home's indoor track program at the New York State Championships on Saturday at Cornell University. Hagen placed third in the 1000-meters at Saturday's Section VI Championships at Fredonia State College with a time of 2:39.91. He will run in the intersectional relay...
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Indoor Track
South freshmen trio head to states
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter
      Several personal-best times were set for Williamsville South at Saturday's Section VI Indoor Track Championships. Coach Sam Hasan took seven girls and one boy runner to sectionals, which were held at Fredonia State College, and is sending three freshmen girls - Allie Van Buren, Jenny Mooney and ...
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North sends four athletes to states
      With outstanding performances from the boys and girls teams, Williamsville North will be sending four athletes to the New York State Indoor Track Championships on Saturday at Cornell University in Ithaca. Returning for a second time will be senior Matt Losi, who won the triple jump at Saturday's S...
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NHL
Kaleta makes crazy debut for Sabres
by MATT KRUEGER Reporter
      For Patrick Kaleta, his move up to the NHL was more like running away to join the circus than advancing in his career. The Town of Evans native didn't get to pick the way he made his debut, but given the choice, he probably wouldn't have gone with the slobber- knocker the Buffalo Sabres and Ottaw...
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Sports briefs
      Williamsville North High School graduate James Piazza went 2-for-4 with a RBI in the University at Buffalo's 6-2 loss to Nevada on Saturday. Williamsville East grad Zach Anderson threw 1.1 innings of relief, while allowing one run.
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Fireman's Bowling
      Te a m               Wi n s         Losses Harris Hill         108           60
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Miller named to international tennis committee
      Longtime Amherst Hills Tennis Club Director and head professional Todd Miller was appointed to the Master Professional Selection Committee last week in Hilton Head, S.C. The selection committee also named its 26th and 27th master professionals - Alex Rossi and Roy Barth. Rossi, from Santiago, Chi...
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Boys Swimming
Hard work earns South's Rogers return trip to states
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter
      All of Drew Rogers' year-round training in the pool has paid off. The Williamsville South senior won the 200- and 100-yard freestyle events at the Section VI Championships on Saturday at Sweet Home High School to qualify for the New York State Championships which will be held Friday and Saturday a...
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Independent Health, Canisius to host 5K run
      Independent Health and Canisius College will present the ninth annual Shoes For The Shelter 5K Run/Walk at noon, Sunday, April 15, 2007 at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Buffalo. Registration for the USATF sanctioned event will take place on race day at the Canisius College Patrick Lee Center, located ne...
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Spartan tune up for states
      Williamsville North swimmers are prime and ready for this weekend's New York State Championship meet at Erie Community College's Burt Flickinger Center. Brandon Beckinghausen (200-yard free), Chris Deptula (50 free), Matt Krupp (100 butterfly) and Michael Lin (200 free, 100 free) will be represent...
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Sports brief
      Flotilla 33, Buffalo, is once again offering America's Boating Course from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, March 17 at St. Patrick's Church Hall, 1395 George Urban Blvd., Cheektowaga, N.Y. This general boating course meets New York State education requirements for jet-ski operation and qualifies yout...
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Buffalo Wings Lacrosse Club announces 2007-08 registration, tryouts
      Registration for the 2007-08 season for Buffalo Wings Lacrosse Club, the area's premier girls travel club lacrosse program, is now open for girls who will graduate high school in 2008-2011. Players may download the current membership packet at www.buffalowingslacrosse. com.
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Aunt Rosie's tournament schedules posted
      The Aunt Rosie's International Girls' and Women's Fast Pitch Softball Tournament returns to Amherst's Audubon Recreation Center for the 19th season this year, hosting an estimated 125 teams from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, West Virginia and the Province of Ontario.
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Indoor Soccer
United U-14 picks up first win of season
      Coach Kevin Brenner and his Amherst United U-14 posted their first win of the 2007 indoor soccer season on Feb. 23 at Sportsplex, defeating the Northtowns Warriors, 3-1. Fans of the Amherst boys got a glimpse into a promising future in game against the Northtowns Warriors after several close, but ...
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Revolution U-12 win battle over sister team
      There was a family feud on Saturday afternoon at the Epic Center. The two Amherst U-12 girls teams met for the first time this year, with the Amherst Revolution defeating the Amherst Rovers, 6-0. Good defensive play by both teams marked the beginning of the game. Annie Garcia used a skillful left ...
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Stumpf's Level 9 boys earn third at classic
      The upper level boys from Stumpf's Gymnastics Center competed at the Blaine Wilson Ohio Classic, hosted by two-time U.S. Olympian Blaine Wilson. The event brought in 43 teams from 14 states and Canada. The number of individual gymnasts exceeded 600.
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Stumpf's Level 5 girls place second at meet
      The Level 5 girls from Stumpf's Gymnastics Center recently competed in the Nickel City meet hosted by the Gymnastics Unlimited. With six other gyms in attendance, the Stumpf's girls had a very strong showing, placing eight girls in the all-around finals, including one all-around champion. Three gi...
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Stumpf's Level 6 girls hail two all-around champs
      The Level 6 girls from Stumpf's Gymnastics competed at the Nickel City meet hosted by Gymnastics Unlimited of Orchard Park. The team captured the 10-year old and 11-year old all around titles on their way to being named the second place team. The team was led by 10-year-old Lily Szafranski, who ea...
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Stumpf's Level 6 boys medal in Ohio
      The Level 6 team from Stumpf's Gymnastics Center recently traveled to Columbus, Ohio to compete in the Blain Wilson Ohio Classic. Over 600 gymnasts attended the meet from 43 different teams. The competitors hailed from 14 states as well as Canada.
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Sports brief
      The Williamsville Zion Saints, a new association with Pop Warner Little Scholar Football and Cheer/Dance, will have an early registration from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, March 24 at Zion Dominion Church 895 North Forest, Williamsville (formerly the Chapel), in the family first center.
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Stumpf's Level 4, 5 teams compete at Blaine Wilson Classic
      The Level 4 and 5 teams from Stumpf's Gymnastics Center were introduced to their first large national competition in Columbus Ohio. Hosted by a two-time U.S. Olympian, the 2007 Blaine Wilson Ohio Classic was attended by over 600 gymnasts from 43 teams. Traveling from 14 states and regions of Canad...
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Amherst Youth Hockey holding tryouts
      Amherst Youth Hockey will be holding mite/squirt travel hockey tryouts for the 2007-08 season from Monday, March 12 through Thursday, March 15 at the Amherst Pepsi Center, 1615 Amherst Manor Dr., Williamsville. Mite and Squirt level tryouts are for Amherst residents only. You must be on hand one h...
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Buffalo In-Line Hockey Group
Third week brings plenty of action
      The third week of the Buffalo In-line Hockey Group's spring season showed any type of hockey you wanted. High scoring, low scoring, shootouts and blowouts could be found in one of the games.
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THIRD PLACE
      The Amherst Skating Club Synchronized pre-juvenile and open-juvenile skating teams each took bronze medals at the Port City Invitational in Oswego, N.Y. This is the second year the teams have competed. Both teams will compete twice in March at the Skate Challenge in Cicero and the Genesee Invitati...
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St. Greg's Cougars roar past Mary Queen of Angels in tournament
      St. Gregory the Great's eighth grade girls basketball team played its best game of the season by defeating Mary Queen of Angels, 55-19, in the Mount St. Mary's Tournament. Outstanding passing and great free throw shooting led the Cougars to victory. Krissy Russo was the high scorer with 21 points....
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Micron Gray Sabres defeat Blue
      The Micron Gray Sabres played the Blue Sabres Sunday morning at the Amherst Pepsi Center. The Gray Sabres won 7-2. The Gray Sabres drew first blood with a breakaway goal by Alec Cicero. Coming right back to tie the game was Dante Santora using a deke move at the blue line to find the back of the n...
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Pee Wee Major 'AA' Knights take second at tourney
      The Amherst Knights Pee Wee Major "AA" team, coached by John DiDonato, captured second place in the Rock-n-Roll Hockey Tournament held in Cleveland, Ohio during Presidents Day weekend. The Knights started the tournament with a hard fought 5-4 loss to eventual tournament champions, North Olmsted E...
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Flyers skate past Bruins, 5-2
      The Pee Wee Flyers beat a depleted Bruins team, 5-2, on Feb. 18 in a game between two evenly matched teams. After the Bruins jumped out to a 1-0 lead, the Flyers' Joe Bengart tied the score at 1-1 with less than three minutes remaining in the period. The play was set up by the extra effort and ass...
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Bisons prepare for Rochester
      The Pee Wee Major "AA" North Buffalo Bisons prepare to take on Rochester Youth on Wednesday in the semifinals of the WNYAHL playoffs. The game will be held at the ESL Center in Rochester. Rochester has defeated the Bisons in both regular season meetings.
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Mite Sharks win first playoff victory
      Excitement was in the air Sunday morning at the Amherst Pepsi Center as the Mite Sharks took on the White Sabres for a thrilling game. The Sharks won 3-1. Great goaltending for both teams, Holden Greene for the Sharks and Michael Wells for the White Sabres, denied countless opportunities that kept...
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Defense keeps Mite Bruins undefeated in playoffs
      In their second playoff game of the 2007 season, the Mite Bruins played one of their most impressive defensive games of the year. The game ended with the Bruins on top of the Gray Sabres, 5-1, which was not an indicator of how close the game really was.
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Stars victorious over Black Sabres in hard-fought battle
      Fans were treated to another exciting game at the Amherst Pepsi Center as the Mite Stars took on the Black Sabres this past weekend. The Stars won 5-3. When the teams met during the regular season, the Black Sabres bested the Stars, but this was not to be the case during this meeting.
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Micron Black Sabre goalie Tyler Rossi follows father's skates, picks up win
      Coach Bob Rossi has been keeping a secret all season, but that secret was revealed on Sunday as his son Tyler Rossi followed in his dad's skates between the pipes. Tyler Rossi's first time in goal proved to be more than the Red Sabres could handle, as he blocked just about everything thrown at him...
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White Sabres defeat Gold, 5-4
      The White Sabres closed the door on the Gold Sabres on Sunday with a 5-4 win at the Amherst Pepsi Center. Ben Siegel started the scoring for the White Sabres with a pretty shot that went through the five-hole. Gold Sabre Jacob Wehr put two goals in the net to put the Gold back up on top.
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Sports brief
      The Northtown Boys Basketball League, one of seven (parochial/middle school) boys' leagues in the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo will be hosting a doubleheader of all-star games at 3 and 4:30 p.m. Sunday, March 4 at St. Stephen School Gymnasium, 2080 Baseline Road, Grand Island.
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Amherst Squirt Major 'AAA' Knights advance to state tournament
      The Squirt Major "AAA" had am impressive weekend, winning four out of the five games they played in the New York Sectional Playdowns. The Knights came out strong on Friday, beating West Seneca, 5-2. Patrick Haynes had a beautiful goal that was assisted by Max Kreuz. Jake Smith scored on the power ...
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White Sabres, Stars skate to 3-3 tie
      The Squirt White Sabres and Stars battled to a 3-3 tie on Sunday in a tight defensive style Squirt division playoff game in the Amherst Hockey Association. In the first period, goaltenders Alex Jackson of the White Sabres and Christian Aichinger of the Stars, kept both teams off the scoreboard as ...
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Flyers clip Red Wings in first playoff game, 6-3
      The Squirt Flyers sailed past the Red Wings, 6-3, early Sunday morning at the Amherst Pepsi Center. The Red Wings were dominant in the first period. Adam Herr scored his first goal two minutes in on a clean breakaway down the middle of the ice.
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Tucker nets hat trick in Red Sabre victory
      The Squirt Red Sabres defeated the Bruins, 6-0 in second round playoff action this weekend. Adam Tucker poured three goals into the nets to lead the Red Sabres. The Red Sabres also showed some stamina as they scored with less than one minute remaining in each period.
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Amherst Youth Basketball Results
Second half surge wins game for Georgetown
      Georgetown and Providence engaged in an exciting, hard fought Amherst Youth Basketball fourth-fifth grade boys game played on Feb. 17. Georgetown won 24-18. Providence played a spirited first half, led by Kyle Fabian (eight points), and led the Friars to an 11-8 halftime lead.
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