Monday News Brief

Notre Dame/Byron-Bergen, Alexander/Pembroke Advance to Section V Title Games

A year after going winless, Notre Dame/Byron-Bergen is heading to the Class D Championship after a 19–14 upset over top-seeded York/Pavilion.
Chase Antinore hit Finn Davies for a 29-yard touchdown with 11 seconds left to secure the win. Antinore totaled 284 yards and three touchdowns.
The Irish will face Avon Friday night at SUNY Brockport for the title.
In Class C, Alexander/Pembroke improved to 9–0 with a 27–0 shutout of Le Roy/Cal-Mum.
Ryder Reichert ran for 143 yards and a score, Pierce Dinkins added 106 yards and two touchdowns, and the Defenders’ defense held Le Roy/Cal-Mum to just 53 total yards.
Alexander/Pembroke moves on to face Letchworth/Perry/Warsaw Saturday at Rush-Henrietta for the Class C crown.
Batavia fell to Honeoye Falls-Lima, 43–14, in the Class B semifinals.

Game of Throws Opens New Location in Batavia’s City Centre

Game of Throws Axe Throwing and Escape Rooms has officially opened its new location inside the Batavia City Centre. Owners Eric and Sarah Jones say they’re thrilled to be welcoming customers again after moving from the Harvester Center, where they operated since 2021.
The business opened its doors on October 24th and already offers axe throwing leagues and team-building events, with escape rooms expected to open by January. Chamber of Commerce President Brian Cousins even hit a bullseye at the ribbon cutting.
Jones says they encourage newcomers to try axe throwing, assuring it’s safe and fun for everyone.

Monti Sweeps Weekend Opens at Batavia Downs

The $12,500 Open races at Batavia Downs Saturday night were both won by the track’s leading driver, Drew Monti.
In the Open Pace, Lip Reader A took control early and never looked back, winning in 1:54 for his ninth victory of the year. He’s trained by Maria Rice for Vogel and Wags Nags and Team Rice Racing.
Later, Monti guided Gone Crazee to a tight win in the Open Trot, clocking 1:58.1 for trainer Ron Houghtaling. Monti finished the night with a driving hat trick, while Kevin Cummings also posted three straight wins.
Live racing resumes Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Batavia Downs.

Byron-Bergen Superintendent Brings Back Lessons from Panama Experience

Byron-Bergen Superintendent Pat McGee recently returned from Panama, where he joined 34 school leaders nationwide for EF Educational Tours’ Professional Learning and Exploration Program.
The group explored the Panama Canal, Casco Viejo, Gatun Lake, and an Emberá Indigenous community, while also participating in a microplastics beach cleanup. The program’s goal was to highlight ways educators can connect classroom learning to real-world experiences.
McGee called the trip “one of the most rewarding and inspiring experiences” of his career and said he plans to use what he learned to expand hands-on learning opportunities for Byron-Bergen students — from local, real-world projects to future travel-based programs.
He says the district’s goal is to ensure every student, K–12, has access to meaningful learning that builds communication, problem-solving, and connects education to the world around them.

Batavia Council to Vote on Roof Repairs for Batavia Players

Joanne Beck with the Batavian reports, Eight months after reaching a new lease agreement with Batavia Players, City Council is set to vote tonight on a resolution to repair the nonprofit’s leaking roof at Batavia City Centre.
The repairs, estimated at $292,650, would be completed by Grove Roofing Services of Buffalo, the lowest responsible bidder.
The new lease, approved earlier this year, requires Batavia Players to pay $4 per square foot in rent plus at least $500 monthly toward back rent owed from the pandemic shutdown.
Council’s business meeting begins at 7 p.m. Monday in the second-floor Council Board Room at City Hall.

Byron-Bergen, Le Roy Capture Sectional Titles; Advance to Regionals

The Byron-Bergen girls soccer team dominated Wilson 5-0 Saturday at Geneseo High School to claim the NYSPHSAA Class C Far West Regional title.
Mia Gray scored a hat trick, while Grace DiQuattro and Libby Starowitz each added goals. Goalie Rylee Burch had six saves in the shutout. The Bees, now 19-2, advance to the state semifinals.
In volleyball, Le Roy captured its second straight Section V Class C1 championship, outlasting Avon in five sets.
Tournament MVP Shea Williams led with 26 kills, while Evy Kanaley added 36 assists. Le Roy, now 22-1, moves on to face Bloomfield in the Class C regional qualifier this weekend.