GCC Athletics Update: Softball/Men’s Basketball
Written by WBTA STAFF on March 3, 2018
GCC’s first 2018 softball all-skills clinic recently concluded at the Richard C. Call Arena as participants gather for a group photo
Press Release:
GCC Softball Begins First of Several Community Clinics at Richard C. Call Arena
The Genesee Community College softball program recently held its first four-week all-skills clinic in the new state-of-the-art GCC Richard C. Call Arena located on the Batavia campus of GCC.
The clinic was well attended with 40-plus registrants and was open to girls of all skill levels ranging in ages from 8-16 years old.
Matt Landers and Stan Kaus of Batavia Girls Fastpitch Softball were prominent in the success of this initial clinic in many capacities that also included gathering participation from more than a half-dozen local school districts that included Pembroke, Albion, Alexander, Batavia, Oakfield, Elba, and Chili.
The clinic was held weekly on Sundays during the entire month of February and was instructed by GCC softball coaches and players and led by GCC head softball coach Taylor Maurer and assistant coach Kenneth Maurer.
The players included incoming 2018 prospects, former players, and last year’s National Junior College Athletic Association Region III Player of the Year, Mackenzie Weber.
“It was a great opportunity for our players to serve as role models and coach drills they are used to performing,” the GCC head softball coach said.
“The participants were exposed to topics such as hitting, pitching, defensive plays, throwing and catching, as well as improving their knowledge of the game, “ Maurer added in describing a comprehensive overview of information and skills.
“With early softball revolving around weather at this time of year practices must be held indoors. There aren’t many places locally that offer the kind of space the Richard C. Call Arena offers. It is great to see the younger generation take advantage of such an amazing venue. From utilizing the college’s new, high-end athletic facilities-to-working with coaches and players, it’s our hope that everyone left having a positive experience. We will most definitely be hosting another clinic this summer.”
2017-18 GCC Men’s Basketball Team
NJCAA Region-III Releases Men’s Basketball’s Division-II Playoff Brackets
Monroe Community College will host the Region III-DivisionII/NJCAA District II Men’s Basketball Tournament March 9-11. The Tribunes earned the right to host the tournament as the top seed in the tournament after finishing the regular season with a 22-5 overall record including a 13-2 record against divisional foes in Region III. Erie Community College will enter the tournament as the second seed (16-9, 10-5) and earns a bye along with MCC to the tournament semifinal round.
Two quarterfinal matchups are set for Friday, March 9th. Third-seeded Genesee Community College will take on Mercyhurst University – North East at 5:30 p.m. in the first game while Niagara County Community College enters as the fourth seed and will take on the Community College of Rhode Island at 7:30 p.m.
Genesee swept the regular season series with Mercyhurst NE as the Cougars most recently defeated the Saints 109-94 in the teams’ regular season finale. Niagara CCC will take on CCRI for the second time this season in their quarterfinal matchup. The two teams faced off in the Genesee CC Holiday Classic in mid-December when Niagara emerged the victor 86-65.
Monroe CC will face off against the winner of the Niagara/Rhode Island matchup on Saturday at 4:00 p.m. while Erie awaits either Genesee CC or Mercyhurst NE in the second semifinal scheduled to tip off at 6:00 p.m.
Mark Jagord
GCC Sports Information
