Jan. 14 Niagara College report: Atkinson top female

Welland Centennial grad Bridget Atkinson was named Niagara College’s female athlete of the week.

Playing in a 75-59 victory over the Redeemer Royals, the Welland resident scored 14 points in the first half and then added 23 in the second for a game total of 37. Atkinson recorded the triple-double, thanks to recording 13 rebounds and 12 steals. She also dished out six assists.

“It’s really nice to start the new year off with a win on the road,” Knights head coach Mike Beccaria said. “The story here though is Bridget [Atkinson]. Arguably one of the best performances ever by a player on a team that I’ve coached.”

Also contributing for Niagara in the victory were: Thorold grad Hannah Baker, nine points and eight rebounds; St. Francis grad Sophia Al-Kayed, 12 points; Saint Michael product Rysa Delmundo, eight points and five boards; and, Holy Cross alumnus Tia Stys, five rebounds.

Niagara (6-6) hosts Lambton Saturday at 1 p.m. and St. Clair Sunday at 1 p.m.

NIAGARA’S BEST MAN

Basketball player Lequan Hylton snagged the Niagara College male athlete of the week award.

In his first game back with the program, the Mississauga native netted 18 points, including five three-pointers, as Niagara recorded an 89-85 triumph over the Redeemer Royals.

Hylton played for Niagara from 2014 to 2017. Playing for Niagara in the 2016-17 season, the point guard averaged  14.6 points, 2.9 assists and 2.8 rebounds per game in 27.5 minutes per game.

Also returning to Niagara is Denis Morris grad Sympho Ilunga. He didn’t play in the game last week.

Also playing well for Niagara were: Van Hutchinson Jr., 21 points, 12 rebounds and six assists; Jordon McDonald, 14 points and 15 boards; Keveshan Padachey, 14 points; Centennial grad, Alex Elliott, seven points and five boards; and, Governor Simcoe product Rahim Bardi, seven points off the bench.

“Tonight, we played a tough team in a tough environment and stayed strong and together to pull out our first victory of the second half of the season,” Niagara coach Phil Mosley said. “Our defensive intensity is developing and we are combining that with a well-rounded offensive attack.”

Niagara (9-3) hosts the Lambton Lions Saturday and the St. Clair Saints (4-7) Sunday. Both games are at 3 p.m.

MEN’S VOLLEYBALL

The fourth-place Niagara men’s volleyball team improved to 7-4 on the season by defeating Boreal 3-0 (25-8, 25-20 and 25-20) and Cambrian 3-1 (25-18, 26-24, 25-27 and 25-18).

Niagara had a team effort to beat Boreal, led by Ashton Fehr and Elijah Bugiardini with seven points each.

Performing well for Niagara versus Cambrian were: Jaydon Milne, 15 kills and five digs; Bugiardini, 10 kills; and, Eden grad Micah Nieuwets, seven kills.

Niagara hosts Sheridan Thursday at 8 p.m.

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL

Niagara’s fifth-place women’s volleyball team also improved to 7-4 on the season by defeating Boreal 3-0  (25-9, 25-19 and  25-22) and Cambrian 3-0 (25-16, 26-24 and 25-23).

Leading the way for the Knights versus Boreal were: Melissa McFadden, 15 points, including 11 service aces; Welland’s Natasha Desjardins, 16 points off of 10 kills, five service aces and a block.

Top performers versus Cambrian were Jordan Koslowski, 16 points on 12 kills, two service aces and two blocks; and, Zeniah Pinnoc, 14 points on nine kills.

The Knights host Sheridan Thursday at 6 p.m.