8
South Cheektowaga Courier /Friday, February 13, 2015
South Cheektowaga Courier /Friday, February 13, 2015
10
Local Sports W W W. C P O W N Y . C O M
Jackson dominates for Cheektowaga Central wrestling By Mike Pidanick
COURIER CORRESPONDENT
In recent years, a number have standout wrestlers have come through the Cheektowaga Central High School wrestling program, including seven 100-plus win wrestlers that competed for the Warriors in the last decade. And prior to the season, yet another standout wrestler stepped into the halls at Cheektowaga. Katrell Jackson, formerly a standout at Newfane High School, transferred to Cheektowaga for his
sophomore and has been dominant for the Warriors. “He came in here from Newfane and he’s done a great job for us,” Warriors’ coach Matt Haberl said. “The stars are the limit for him, we just have to keep him focused and on task.” Jackson’s first season with Cheektowaga has been an exceptional one. He ended regular season action with an impressive 26-5 mark. Jackson took third at the Section VI meet last season for Newfane and
has been even better for the Warriors. “It’s a little different but I’ve gotten a lot better here,” Jackson said after collecting a pin in a dual meet win over ECIC II rival Amherst. “I have to give it up to my coaches, they help me a lot.” Jackson’s tremendous season continued on Jan. 7 as he won the Class B Section VI tournament. The standout sophomore added another accomplishment to his already long list at Cheektowaga, following up on a title at the ECIC
Championships in midJanuary. Jackson also took third at the Teike/ Bernabi Invitational Tournament, seventh at the, Niagara Frontier Wrestling Officials Classic and went 4-1 in the 10th Annual Warrior Duals at Cheektowaga early in the season. Jackson was undefeated in ECIC II action, winning three times by pin, once by major decision, another by decision and the other two via forfeit. “For me it’s just about confidence, confidence,
confidence,” Jackson said after pinning Amherst’s Anthony Maiola in just 17 seconds. “I’m trying to wrestle with power and just go out and do what I need to do.” Jackson has quickly turned to the expertise of Cheektowaga’s strong background as a program. He regularly works with the father of Renaldo Rodriguez-Spencer, a state and national championship that graduated from Cheektowaga and now wrestles at Iowa State. “My record’s a lot
better, my technique’s a lot better,” Jackson said. “It’s been a great year so far and I’m looking to get better and better.” Jackson was one of seven place-winners for the host Warriors at the Class B1 tournament, joining fellow champ Isaiah Johnson (113 pounds), Eric Bartnik (second at 138), Austin Sliwinski (fifth at 132), Joe Fronczak (sixth at 126), Adam Kassem (sixth at 170), and Ian Wittmer (sixth at 220).
Byczkowski’s unselfish attitude rubs off on John F. Kennedy hoops By Mike Pidanick
COURIER CORRESPONDENT
John F. Kennedy senior Cale Byczkowski entered a recent ECIC IV boys basketball game with a goal not too common for a high school kid: he wanted more assists than points. That unselfish attitude is one of the reasons Byczkowski has been a major part of JFK’s program the last three seasons and a major part of this year’s
winning season. “I’m definitely trying to be a leader and move the ball rather than just scoring,” Byczkowski said. “As long as we score as a team, that’s all that matters.” He ended that Feb. 3 game against Eden with nine points and five assists, numbers deflated by the fact that he and the rest of the Bears regulars spend more time than usual on the bench in a 33-point victory. Byczkowski’s leadership
and skills are a big part of JFK’s rebound season in 2014-15. He leads the team in assists with nearly six per game and ranks second in scoring with 7.6 points per evening. “He’s a good ball-handler but he can also be an offguard as well where we can rely on him to shoot from the outside,” JFK coach Tony Krupski said. “Cale is a leader with experience who can really be a stabilizing force out there
for us.” One of nine seniors of the team, Byczkowski has also emerged into one of the team’s top leaders. He serves as a tri-captain along with fellow seniors Joe Braniecki and Nate Pazderski and is a leader on and off the court. He’s a smart player,” Krupski said. “He’s a very heady type of player and he’s a great leader for us.” Braniecki is JFK’s leading scorer and go-to
guy and one of the best players in ECIC IV. And Byczkowski and his assists are a big part of the 6-foot6 senior’s huge season. The two have combined for a number of alley-oop plays, with Byczkowski’s crisp passes resulting in a big dunk by Braniecki. “That’s the best assist I can get,” Braniecki said with a laugh. “That feels good.” Those plays are fun for
the fans but they’ve also demonstrated a rejuvenated confidence level for the Bears. After finishing 2-17 last season, JFK has secured a winning record this season and Byczkowski and friends hope to be a force to be reckoned with come playoff time. “It’s good to start playing well around playoff time,” Byczkowski said. “We just want to keep playing well and go as far as we can.”
12
South Cheektowaga Courier /Friday, February 13, 2015
Community Events W W W. C P O W N Y. C O M
WNYRHS Winter Train and Toy Show Feb. 14 and 15 at the Fairgrounds-Event Center and Expo Building, 5600 McKinley Pkwy. in Hamburg. Tickets are $7 and children under 12 are free. No parking fee. Show Hours: Sat. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more info contact trainshow@roadrunner.com. Lego Explorer’s Club with Miss Amy will be held at the Julia B. Reinstein Library at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19 and Thursday, March 19. The program is for kids ages 6 to 12 who like to explore or build. Registration begins Jan. 29 and Feb. 26 for each session. Call 668-4991 or stop by the library to register. WNY Home & Garden Expo at the FairgroundsEvent Center and Expo Building, 5600 McKinley Pkwy. in Hamburg, from Thursday, Feb. 19 to Sunday, Feb. 22. Show Hours: Thursday 2 to 8 p.m., Friday noon to 8 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are $7 and children under 12 are free. No parking fee. Winter Dance Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish Council will be hosting their Winter Dance from 8 p.m. to midnight on Feb. 21, with doors opening at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 per person including admission, beverages, and snacks. For ticket and table reservations call Wayne 677-2563 or Sharon 481-1660. Spaghetti Dinner St. Philip of the Apostle Parish will be hosting a spaghetti dinner from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 22 at 950 Losson Rd. in Cheektowaga. Come out
and enjoy a delicious spaghetti and meatball dinner complete with salad, Italian bread, dessert, and a beverage. A basket raffle and 50/50 raffle will be held as well. Presale tickets are $8.50 or $29 for a family of 4. Single tickets will be available at the door for $9.50. For information call 668-8370 x211. Cavalcade of Cars Show at the Hamburg Fairgrounds Event Center and Expo Hall, 5600 McKinley Pkwy, Friday through Sunday, Feb. 27 to Mar. 1. Show hours are: Fri. 5 to 10 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sun. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Adults are $12, children 6 to 12 are $3, and children under 6 are free. Parking is free, contact Andy 6569734 for more info or visit showandcruisers.com. About Boating Safely (ABS) Course U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 33 presents its first safe boating class for this year from 8 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 28, at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church Hall, 1395 George Urban Blvd. in Cheektowaga. Course fee is $40 per person including book or $20 per person to share a book. For more information or to register, call Jon Lines at 465-1327 or email safeboatingwny@gmail.com. Lawyers for the Arts The 4th annual benefit event will take place from 2 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 28, from at Sportsmen’s Tavern in Buffalo. Live music, and art for sale, all crafted by attorneys. Single tickets are $20, $10 for law students. Presale tickets available Feb. 6 by visiting giveforgreatness.org. For more information call Lauren Rojek at 362-8389 x512 or asiwnydevelopment@gmail.
com. All proceeds benefit Give for Greatness, a program of Arts Services Initiative of WNY. Niagara Frontier Gun Shows are coming to the Hamburg Fairgrounds Event Center, Expo, Grange and Marketplace Buildings, 5600 McKinley Pkwy., Saturday, Feb. 28 and Sunday, March 1. Hours are Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Adults are $9, and children under 10 are free. Parking is free, visit nfgshows.com or call Bruce at 542-9929 for more info. The 2015 WNY Sport and Travel Expo at the Hamburg Fairgrounds Event Center, Expo, Grange and Marketplace Buildings, 5600 McKinley Pkwy. Thursday, March 5 to Sunday, March 8. Event hours are Thurs. through Fri. noon to 9 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sun. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adults are $10 and children under 10 get in for free. Contact sportandtravelexpo.com or call 814-725-3856 for more info. The Ismailia Shrine Circus at Hamburg Fairgrounds Event Center, 5600 McKinley Pkwy. March 12 to 15. Event hours are Thurs. 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m., Fri. 10:30 a.m., 3:30 p.m. and 7 :30 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m., 2:30, and 7:30 p.m. and Sun. 12:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. Adults are $13, seniors 61 and older are $10 and children under 10 are $8. Call 674-8666 or go to tickets. com to secure seats. Elephant and Piggy storytime at Julia Boyer Reinstein Library, 1030 Losson Rd. in Cheektowaga, Sat. March 14 at 1 p.m. for children ages 3 to 8. Features Mo Willems’ storytelling talents, register by calling
668-4991 or stop by the library. M o t h e r t i m e Marketplace Children’s Consignment Sale at Hamburg Fairgrounds Grange and Marketplace Buildings, 5600 McKinley Pkwy., Fri. March 13 to Sun. March 15. Hours and prices are Fri. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. for $3, Sat. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for $2, and Sun. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for free. Children always free for this event. Visit mothertimemarketplace.com for more info. Nature story hour with Reinstein Woods hosted by Julia Boyer Reinstein Library, 1030 Losson Rd. in Cheektowaga, Wed. March 18 and Wed. March 25 at 6:30 p.m. for children ages 3 to 5. Space is limited, register starting Feb. 25 and March 4 for each session by calling 668-4991 or come by the library. Plantasia 2015 “Every Garden Tells a Story” at Hamburg Fairgrounds Event Center and Expo Hall, 5600 McKinley Pkwy., Thurs. March 19 to Sunday March 22. Event hours are Thurs., Fri., and Sat. from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sun. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adults are $9, seniors 60 and over are $7, and children 12 and under are free. Visit plantasiany. com or call 741-8047 for more info and group rates. Family history research at Julia B. Reinstein Library, 1030 Losson Rd. in Cheektowaga, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Fri. March 20. Explore your family roots with Ancestry Library Edition, ALE, registration required starting Fri. Feb. 27. Call 668-4991 or stop by the library to sign up. Gem, Mineral and Fossil Show at Hamburg Fairgrounds Marketplace
and Grange Buildings, 5600 McKinley Pkwy., Sat. March 21 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sun. March 22 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adults are $5, 2 day passes are $7, and scouts in uniform, including leaders, are free, as are children under 12. Visit bgsny.org for more info. 2015 Hamburg Chamber Trade Show at Hamburg Fairgrounds Grange Building, 5600 McKinley Pkwy., Fri. March 27 from 1 to 8 p.m. 40 businesses from caterers to tax preofessionals will be there, come out for this great networking opportunity. Event is free and open to the public, call 649-7917 for more info. Springtime in the Country at Hamburg Fairgrounds Event Center, 5600 McKinley Pkwy., Fri. March 27 to Sun. March 29. Show hours are Fri. 4 to 9 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sun. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $7, $5 presale with a 50 cent fee starting March 11, and kids 12 and under free. Visit wnypremierpromotions.com or call 910799-9424 for more info. The National Parkinson Foundation WNY Support Group Monthly support group meetings for people with PD, family members and caregivers on the third Wednesday of each month at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 3512 Clinton St. in West Seneca. Support group for people with Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease meets from 5:306:30 p.m. All are welcome from 6:30-8 p.m. Info: 449-3795. New Branch of Cheektowaga’s Neighborhood Watch starting in the south side of town covering Hillpine Road, South Rushford,
Ashleaf, Butternut and Losson between Rushford and Hillpine. Keep an eye out for suspicious or possibly criminal behavior, then call 911 to report it. If you are interested in being part of the group, contact Ed Gutowski at 570-2351 and email to edthebulldog@ gmail.com with your name and address. There will be a kickoff meeting, then info will be relayed by email and/or phone. Town Park Community Association Meetings are held the third Tuesday of each month at the Alexander Community Center. Taking Off Pounds Sensibly (T.O.P.S.) a weight-loss group. Start a new day with a great group who will help you achieve a happy weight goal. Meets at 9 a.m. on Wed. at the Cheektowaga Recreation Center, upstairs, Town Park, Harlem Rd. Handicapped accessible and elevator available. Info: Mary Ann, 895-4414. Cheektowaga Art Guild invites new members to join them in appreciating all areas of art at 7:30 p.m., the second Thurs. of each month. Residents of all areas welcome. Info: CheektowagaArtGuild. com or 908-1356. Recovery Inc. Meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m., Tuesdays, St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, 900 Maryvale Drive at Union. Info: 668-2380. The Empty Leash Pet Loss Support Group for anyone grieving over the loss of their pet meets from 6:30-8 p.m. every other Monday at the Abbott Road Veterinary Hospital, 3816 Abbott Rd., Orchard Park. Please register before attending. More information: 7145785.