Skip to main content

blue devils

New school year traditions: extra security, classes at RM, reminder to be kind

By Joanne Beck

Armor Security staff members made their debut at Friday's home football game between Batavia and Livonia high schools. Spectators were wand-checked at the gate, and security guards were on site to ensure that the only commotion was on the field at Van Detta Stadium. Perhaps there was also some excitement in the stands as the Blue Devils blew away the competition by 42-6.

The security company has a contract through the end of this year, and members of Batavia Police Department were also on hand to check for illegal parking and related un-gamely behaviors. Superintendent Jason Smith has been adamant -- via a letter to parents and recommending the extra security -- that home football games will be safe and without unwanted disruptions from spectators. 

Friday's game included a moment of recognition during a dedication to honor all police and fire department and armed forces members.

Earlier in the day Smith issued his superintendent's update to the district, sharing that he is "personally thrilled to begin my first full school year as our Superintendent of Schools, and I look forward to experiencing all the fun and joys associated with being a Batavia Blue Devil!" Certainly, players, staff and fans experienced one of those well-deserved joys with Friday night's win.

District leaders were "out and about" during the first day of school on Wednesday, he said, and they are focused on three key teaching principles: effective teaching, literacy (reading and writing) across all content areas, and providing an engaging and consistent curriculum. Smith gave some advice that is well-suited for anyone: work hard and be kind.

To read the entire update, go HERE  

Go here for prior Robert Morris story, and district security.

Top Photo: Spectators are wand-checked as they enter Van Detta Stadium Friday evening; members of police, fire and armed forces were given a dedication to honor their service to the community. Photos by Steve Ognibene. File Photo: Superintendent Jason Smith takes board members on a tour of the revamped Robert Morris building before the first day of pre-school and UPK classes on Wednesday. Photo by Joanne Beck. Children arrive for the first day at Robert Morris. Photos from Batavia City Schools.

Blue Devils games to be held in high re-guard

By Joanne Beck

Oftentimes you’ve got to pay to play, or in Batavia City Schools’ case, pay a little more.

Batavia’s Board of Education approved a contract Thursday for four guards to provide some extra security for home football games. The fee is $29 an hour per guard at about five hours each, Superintendent Jason Smith said. That’s about $580 per game, or $2,900 for five games.

You can blame it on Batavia Blue Devils’ track record, he said. 

“That’s for special events, home football games. We’re drawing 1,000 people or more at those games,” he said to The Batavian Friday. “With a successful team you draw more people.”

The extra personnel will be retained for four or five home games, he said. Those guards won’t be overlapping the district’s school resource officer and retired law enforcement personnel currently distributed throughout the four different school sites, he said.

The agreement is for services from April 1 to December 31 of this year, and is with Armor Security and Protection Inc. of Rochester. The company is to provide state certified security guards “to provide security and safety services for property located at 120 Richmond Ave., Batavia,” the contract states. Work includes monitoring venues for inappropriate, illegal behavior or actions, reporting of safety concerns within the venue and assisting with safe entry and exits. The guards are to notify law enforcement or other emergency service providers as deemed necessary. Documentation is to be provided to the school district about any incidents deemed a reportable event or at the request of the district, according to the contract.

Guards will be wearing an Armor Security uniform of black pants and shoes, and an Armor uniform shirt, layered with an Armor jacket during colder months.   

Batavia High School honors outstanding student-athletes with scholarships, special awards

By Mike Pettinella

Rebekah Daniszewski and Alex Hale received Batavia Coaches Association Athlete of the Year awards tonight at the Batavia High School Athletic Awards ceremony at Van Detta Stadium.

Athletic Director Mike Bromley presided over the event that recognized outstanding Blue Devil senior class student-athletes for their accomplishments over the four sport seasons in 2020-21.

Daniszewski, a Section V track and field champion in the shot put (indoor) and shot put and discus (outdoor), and Hale, a three-sport standout, each were given $50 and a plaque from the Coaches Association.

The Athlete of the Year award goes to a senior girl and boy for outstanding leadership, sportsmanship and athletic performance.

Daniszewski also received the Burk Family Scholarship for Excellence in Track and Community Service, a $300 award from the Batavia City School District Foundation, while Hale also was selected to receive the Daniel Van Detta Memorial Scholarship for football and baseball, a $250 award from the BCSD Foundation.

Jonah Epps III was the winner of the Thomas Ricci Memorial Scholarship for track and field and/or cross-country, a $500 check from the BCSD Foundation. He also received the Project Play WNY Multisport Athlete Award, which comes with a certificate, celebratory lawn sign and social media spotlight.

Jacob Long was named the Burk Family Scholarship for Excellence in Football and Community Service winner, earning a $300 check from the BCSD Foundation.

The Danny Lullo Memorial Football Scholarship went to Zachariah Brown, who received a $300 check from the BCSD Foundation.

Luke Rogers was selected to receive the Jason Gioia Memorial Scholarship for dedication to school and the community. The scholarship is for $500.

Other award winners are as follows:

  • Outstanding Physical Education Student Award: Alexander Childs, Mykola Bartz, Lillian Whiting.
  • Air Force Scholar Athlete: Luke Rogers, Tess Barone.
  • Army Reserve National Scholar Athlete: Cooper Mattice, Isabella Houseknecht.
  • Navy Outstanding Athlete Award: Zachary Gilebarto, Lillian Whiting.
  • Marine Corps Distinguished Athlete Award: Bannon Moore (who also received the Judd Gouinlocke Memorial Scholarship), Haylee Thornley.
  • Varsity Club Award: Chloe Torres Brown, Kathryn Fitzpatrick, Zachary Wagner, Natalie Clark, Evan Preston, Dallas Lama, Andresha Richardson, Chase Pangrazio, Jonah Luplow, Jianna Torcello, Elizabeth Kingston, Troy Helsdon, Stone Siverling, Tyler Kleinbach.
  • Dr. Pierce Sportsmanship Award: Sean Pies, Sadie Loria.
  • Batavia Coaches Association Scholar-Athlete Award: Kameron Kuszlyk, Sophie Beckman.
  • Project Play WNY Multisport Athlete Awards: Jonah Epps III, Bryn Wormley.
  • Batavia Lions Club Athletic Award: Jacob Long ($50).
  • 1947 Club Athletic Awards: Faraz Idrees, Mackenzie Reigle.
  • Certificates of Excellence: Zachariah Brown, Rebekah Daniszewski, Jonah Epps III, Ian Fuchs, Alex Hale, Faraz Idrees, Kameron Kuszlyk, Jacob Long, Jonah Luplow, Bannon Moorre, Chase Pangrazio, Sean Pies, Mackenzie Reigle, Bryn Wormley.

Several athletes were recognized for winning sectional titles. They were:

  • Boys Swimming: Cooper Mattice.
  • Wrestling: Cooper Stewart, Nicholas Lamkin.
  • Indoor Track and Field: Jamarion Richardson, Gavin Konieczny, Noah Burke, Rebekah Daniszewski, Jesse Reinhart.
  • Outdoor Track and Field: Fabian Vazquez, Isabella Walsh.

Blue Devils boys basketball lose to Eastridge in final seconds

By James Burns

The Batavia Blue Devils Boys Varsity Basketball Team(13-7) hosted the Eastridge Lancers (16-3) Friday evening for a Monroe County conference game. 

Eastridge was in control in early minutes of the game with Batavia unable to put a play together and score. Batavia did find their rhythm and caught right up to Eastridge trailing by one at the end of the first period, Batavia 12, Eastridge 14.  

For the next two periods it was hard fought defensive plays and back and forth trading points on offense but Batavia did seem to control the game. Batavia led by a basket at the half and the end of the third.  

The Blue Devils look poised for their biggest upset of the year with only two minutes left in the fourth, they led 50 to 49. With 14 seconds left, Batavia trailed by three. They had a chance for a three-pointer to tie the game but the Lancers' defense was too strong and a turnover sealed their fate. Final score, Batavia 50, Eastridge 53. 

Smith, Burns combine rushing yards for Batavia's 42-12 win over Eagles

By Steve Ognibene

Batavia opened up their 2019 season last evening with a big win 42-12 over the Wayne Eagles at Wayne High School.

Batavia took the first lead midway through first quarter on a 41-yard burst from junior running back Terrez Smith. Smith coming from Alexander, made a jump from Class D to Class B this season. Alex Rood carried for a touchdown late in the first quarter to give the Blue Devils a 14-0 lead.

Wayne’s tricky plays led to some penalties for Batavia early in the second quarter. Batavia adjusted the defense, got the ball back and Jesse Reinhart scored his first touchdown on a pass from Alex Rood to make it 21-0.

Then minutes later Smith scored again after a blocked punt by Matt Beach to give the Devils a commanding 28-0 lead with 22 seconds left at the half.

On the kickoff, Wayne got past Batavia’s defense to bring the Eagles in scoring range with seconds left. Next play, quarterback Mason Blankenburg threw a jump ball to the right pylon to Richie Cassano to put the Eagles on the board at the half 28-6.

Right out of the gate after halftime, Batavia answered back with a 60-yard touchdown score from running back Cody Burns, who is back from last year's injury that took him out of the season early on.

Wayne would score next on touchdown pass from Blankenburg to Brian Sills for a 70-yard throw and catch. Batavia’s Cody Burns scored minutes later to end three quarters for Batavia to lead 42-12, which also was the final score.

Batavia plays Livonia next Friday night, the inaugural game at the new VanDetta Stadium on turf at 7 p.m.

Photos by Steve Ognibene. To purchase or view photos click here.

Mark Your Calendar: Batavia Football Golf Outing is July 21, RSVP by July 13

By Billie Owens

The sixth annual Batavia Football Golf Outing will be held on Saturday, July 21, at Batavia Country Club. It is located at 7909 Batavia Byron Road, Batavia.

Cost is $90 per golfer / $360 per foursome.

There's a shotgun start format starting at 8 a.m.; registration is 7:15-7:45 a.m.

Price includes:

  • Batavia Blue Devils football goodie bag
  • 18 holes of golf with cart
  • Beverages
  • Hot dog/beverage at the turn
  • Dinner
  • Raffles to follow

Questions? Contact Brennan Briggs at 409-5557.

If you would like to sponsor a hole or make a donation for the raffle, please contact Brennan Briggs.

Payment and registration is due by July 13. Please provide names of players and preferred T-shirt size.

Make checks payable to: Blue Devils Touchdown Club.

Mail to:

Brennan Briggs

8 Woodland Drive

Batavia, NY 14020

Photos: Batavia wins Homecoming game 18-8 over Wilson

By Steve Ognibene

It was a cool misty night at Van Detta Stadium where the Batavia Blue Devils hosted the visiting Wilson Wildcats for their homecoming game. First half was a bit quiet where both teams' offense could not put points on the board until there was only 1:51 left in the second quarter. J’Zon Richardson (pictured above) picked up a fumble and 75-yard-run touchdown to give Batavia the lead 6-0 after two quarters of play; two-wopoint conversion was no good.

Late in the third quarter Ray Leach recovered a fumble with one minute left on the clock and ran 70 yards for a touchdown to increase Batavia’s lead to 12-0. No extra points were scored afterward.

In the fourth quarter Cody Dioguardi ran in a 15-yard dash from Jerry Reinhart to increase the lead and secure the win for Batavia, leading 18-0. Extra point was no good.

Wilson put some points back on the board with 51 seconds left in the game. Quarterback James Totten did a lateral pass to Ricky Gamble, who threw a 53-yard touchdown pass to Jervon Johnson. Two-point conversion was good, but time ran out for the Wildcats and Batavia picked up their fifth-straight win.

Ray Leach carried the ball 18 times for 110 yards. Anthony Ray had 11 tackles, four for a loss of yards and one sack on the night.

The Spirit Stick was won by the Senior Class and Quentin Branciforte was named King and Alyssa Juliano was named Queen.

For more photos and to purchase prints click here.

Tonight is Blue Devil Experience night at Van Detta Stadium as Mini Division Bulldawgs battle varsity team

By Billie Owens
Press release:
 
Tonight is the annual BLUE DEVIL EXPERIENCE night. The Mini Division Bulldawgs (8-9 year olds) will play against the Blue Devils varsity team under the lights.

 

Prior to the game, the kids will be allowed to go into the varsity locker room to hear Coach Brennan Briggs' pre-game speech and come out onto the field alongside the Devils.

Game time is at 7:15 p.m. at Van Detta Stadium in Batavia (Mini players are to arrive by 7 p.m.).

This will be the battle of champions ... as the defending 2015 NOFA Mini Division Champion Bulldawgs look to defend its 2-0 record vs. the TWO-time defending Section V Blue Devils.

Come out for an exciting game! GO BULLDAWGS!

Hogan's heroics send Blue Devils to sectional finals

By James Burns

Tuesday night in Section V playoffs, at Rush-Henrietta High School, the Batavia Blue Devils met University Preparatory Charter for the boys varsity semifinal game.

Maybe it was the strange surroundings or the stress of the playoffs, because for the first few positions both teams seemed at a loss for what to do with the ball. After a few minutes, and air balls, U-Prep scored first and then quickly led Batavia 6-0. Batavia’s first score came after 3 minutes of play with a three-pointer followed up shortly afterward with a 2-point play.

Batavia followed U-Prep, until with 2 minutes left in the first quarter, they tied the game

With 1:40 left in the first Batavia took the lead.

At the end of first period Batavia led 17-12 and did not give up the lead, finishing the half up 30 to 26.

Batavia built up their lead from the half. With 3:30 remaining in the third, Batavia looked to dominate with a score of 41 to 30 Coach Brasky cautioned the team during a timeout not to get too comfortable or too confident U-Prep would battle back.

At the end of the third Batavia led 43 to 37 as U-Prep dug into their lead.

Batavia held onto a small lead until with 3:17 left to play U-Prep took over the lead with a score of 48 to 49 beating Batavia with offensive rebounds.

With one minute left the momentum of the game was with U-Prep. They had increased the lead to 3 points after Batavia had lead by as many as 13.

With 50 seconds left, Malachi Chenault made a strong move from under the basket and brought the game back to within 1 point.

U-Prep was not able to score on their next possession and with 18.7 seconds left it was Batavia’s ball. It was all number 22 Hogan, from coast to coast with a hard dribble down the court to mid key, where Hogan pulled up and shot……Off the backboard and through the hoop! In for two points.

Batavia was up by one with 4.4 seconds on the clock. U-Prep got the ball back and tried a desperation shot from beyond the three-point line that found nothing but the floor and the screams of joy from the Batavia students bussed in for the game.

Final score: Batavia 52, University Preparatory Charter 51.

For more game pictures click below.

 

BHS Blue Devils seek to boost pride, chearleading coffers, by spraying chalk designs

By Billie Owens

The Batavia High School Blue Devils want to spray chalk designs on your dirveway, your lawn, your parking lot -- wherever you choose -- to raise money for the Batavia Cheerleading Program and boost pride.

Each design is $10 and can be done once, or weekly, to suit your budget. All designs are to be completed each week by Thursday. They feature a giant capital letter B with the well-known Blue Devil logo superimposed over it. Size is 3 feet by 55 inches.

All spray chalk is temporary and can be removed with water. The designs fade in one to three days and/or in water. All design completions are final.

"The community will be full of pride and Devil Spirit -- Show yours!"

To get your chalk-spray design, provide your name, the address, details of what/where, phone number, and e-mail and send cash or check to Batavia Cheerleading Boosters c/o:

Batavia High School

Attn: Athletic Department

260 State St.

Batavia NY 14020

If you have questions, please e-mail:

bataviacheerleading@gmail.com

14th annual Batavia Blue Devil Athletic Hall of Fame Dinner is Sept. 26

By Billie Owens

The 14th annual Batavia Blue Devil Athletic Hall of Fame Dinner will be held on Saturday, Sept. 26, at Terry Hills Restaurant and Banquet Facility.

Cost is $30 per person. Social hour begins at 5 p.m., followed by dinner at 6.

Tickets are available at the Athletic Director's Office at Batavia High School. For more information, call 343-2480, ext. 2003.

This event is sponsored by the Batavia Coaches Association.

The following individuals will be inducted into the Hall of Fame:

  • Bobbie Gavel -- 1969-99
  • Ed Anderson -- 1978-98
  • Shirley Bacon Malek -- 1982
  • Ted Lesh -- 1989
  • Jennifer Bromsted Masse -- 1991
  • Rob Hale -- 1992
  • Chris Reigle -- 1992

Greece Arcadia out-muscles Batavia

By Nick Sabato

They say you can’t teach size, and that was evident as Greece Arcadia out-muscled Batavia en route to a 61-56 win in Monroe County League play.

The Blue Devils got off to a slow start in the first quarter, as the Titans imposed their will inside and raced out to a 20-7 lead after the first frame.

“[Arcadia] is a physically tough team,” said Batavia Head Coach Buddy Brasky. “They’re the most talented team in the division. But, I was disappointed with our lack of toughness to start. We’re not big, we’re not strong, but we’re usually pretty scrappy. For some reason we didn’t bring that toughness to start the first quarter.”

Batavia scrapped their way back throughout the game, cutting the lead to as few as six in the second half after switching defenses and getting back-to-back three-pointers from Jerrett Laskett.

“I thought their size was hurting us in man-to-man,” Brasky said. “We switch on screens and we got some bad mismatches. We were hoping that the zone would get them a little more stationary. I thought it worked well, it helped get us back in the game.”

The leading scorers for the Blue Devils, Jeff Redband and Justice Fagan, struggled to find room to breathe all night and were smothered by the Arcadia defense.

Laskett stepped up in the second half while the defense was keyed in on Redband and Fagan. The junior reserve knocked down three three-point field goals in the second half and finished with 14 points.

“Everybody is taking Redband and Justice out of the game,” Brasky said. “Until someone else starts scoring consistently, it’s going to be difficult to be good teams. The tough thing is, the guys we’re asking to score are young guys.”

The Blue Devils, however, struggled all night to find an answer for Arcadia’s big men.

6-foot-6 senior Josh McFarland dominated inside all night, scoring 15 points, pulling 18 rebounds, blocking two shots and making two steals.

Jimmie Eddington, a 6-foot-5 senior, chipped in 14 points and grabbed five rebounds for Arcadia (7-4).

Fagan finished with a team-high 15 points, while Redband chipped in with 14, and Malachi Chenault added 11 points and eight rebounds for Batavia (7-4).

Top Photo: Jeff Redband attracted a crowd everywhere he went last night. A foul was called on the defense.

Photos by Howard Owens.

To purchase prints of photos, click here.

Jeff Redband, again in a sea of maroon jerseys.

Jerrett Laskett driving for the basket.

Greg Mruczek awaits a rebound opportunity during a free-throw attempt.

Jerrett Laskett scores on a layup in the fourth quarter.

Blue Devils overcome flat fourth quarter to snag 57-55 win

By Howard B. Owens

It's an established pattern for the Blue Devils so far this season: doldrums in the fourth quarter make it hard for Batavia close out a game.

Last night against Odyssey, the home squad turned a double-digit lead into a one-point deficit with 56 seconds left in the final period.

Clutch free throws in those closing seconds sealed a 57-55 victory for Batavia, but not without a few fingernails getting whittled down among the faithful.

"It's what happens every game," said Head Coach Buddy Brasky. "In the fourth quarters we can't score. We had a number of easy opportunities in that fourth quarter in the first four minutes or so, so we can maintain that lead or extend it and we missed them."

Fatigue late in the game for Jeff Redband and Justice Fagan, and defenses designed to thwart the two most consistent scores on the team, are the issues. Typically, the two standouts play nearly every minute of the game. Defenses run either a box and one (putting a man, typically, on Redband combined with an otherwise zone defense) or triangle and two(man on both Fagan and Redband and a three-defender zone).

It's a challenging puzzle for Brasky to solve.

"It's kind of hard because I can't afford to take Jeff and Justice out of the game for very long," Brasky said. "I don't have an answer to that, quite honestly. Other guys have to step up. They keep playing that triangle and two, and other guys are getting opportunities and they have to knock down some shots. That's the answer."

Batavia scored 17 in the first quarter, 20 in the second, 13 in the third and a miniscule seven in the fourth.

Last night, it was Jarrett Laskett who stepped up and took advantage of a lax defense in his vicinity. Laskett finished with 15 points, one more than Fagan's 14.

"Jarrett's capable of scoring," Brasky said. "He hadn't done it much, but he's starting to get a little bit of an opportunity now."

Redband led Batavia with 21 points, including three threes and eight free throws. He and Malachi Chenault had eight rebounds.

As the seconds ticketed away with the Blue Devils down a point, it was Redband the team turned to once again to sink the winning shots.

This time, the offense set Redband up on the near-side wing with a look at a three-point jumper. As he got the shot off he was fouled by an Odyssey player, sending him to the line with three opportunities to at least tie the game, if not give Batavia the lead.

Redband missed the first shot.

Were you nervous? Brasky was asked after the game. He smiled. "Yes," he said, "of course."

But with the game on the line, the ball in Redband's hands is never a bad thing. His shooting stroke as sweet and smooth as honey from the comb consistently delivers results.

"Jeff's clutch," Brasky said. "I really anticipated he would make all three. I would have been shocked if he didn't make at least two out of the three. Yeah, I was nervous, but he's clutch, so I didn't really doubt he would make two out of the three."

Two shots made and Batavia is up by one with 18 seconds left in the game. Odyssey fails to score on its possession and then Tyler Crawford is fouled.

Crawford came through at the line.

"Crawford's free throw, that was a big one, too," Brasky said. "That put us up two. All they could do was tie it. We're weren't going to give them a three at that point, so worst case scenario, unless we took stupid pills, it was going to be an overtime game."

Odyssey got the ball back with seven seconds left on the clock. Plenty of time to score. A dash down the court, a scramble under the board, shoot and miss, shoot and miss, and the final buzzer blares and the Blue Devils jump for joy.

Brasky-coached teams are drilled on defense and taught to never give up more than 13 points in a quarter.

Odyssey scored 16 points in the second quarter, but those final three points came on a prayer of a jumper from 20 feet out that hit the backboard and banked into the basket. Braskey said it was almost like it didn't count from a 13-point and under calculation.

"We held them to six or eight in the third (it was eight)," Brasky said. "So it was 57-55. That's three points more than we want to give them, and that's that banked three in the second quarter, so I was happy with the defense."

For Odyssey, a player Brasky said hasn't gotten a lot of playing time this year and has done very little scoring, Jamie Magone, came through big for the visitors, leading his team with 20 points. The only other player in double figures for Odyssey was Jacob Dixon, who had 14.

The win puts Batavia at 6-3 on the year and 2-1 in league play. The Blue Devils next play Eastridge on the road and come home again Jan. 17 for a game against Greece-Arcadia. Game time is 7:45 p.m.

Top photo: Jeff Redband is fouled as he takes a three-point shot in the closing seconds of the game.

Jeff Redband drives to the basket in the first quarter.

Justice Fagan looking for a lane to the basket in the first half.

Tyler Crawford grabs a loose ball during the second quarter.

Cheerleaders during their routine at the half.

Jeff Redband Inbounding the ball in the fourth quarter to Malachi Chenault.

Jarrett Laskett

Victory celebration

To purchase prints, click here.

Batavia beats Williamsville South 58-46

By Howard B. Owens

The Batavia Boys basketball team beat Williamsville South today in a game scheduled as part of the Niagara Falls Cataract City Classic, an invitational tournament for the top prep teams in WNY.

Jeff Redband led the Blue Devils to a 58-46 win with 18 points. Justice Fagan contributed 13 and Malachi Chenault added 11.

Batavia jumped out to an early 34-18 lead, but the game tightened in the 4th period with Williamsville closing in at 40-35. From there, Batavia pretty much controlled the game and put Williamsville away.

Authentically Local