“After the game he came over, said hello and wanted to compliment the team,” Ricker recalled. “The next thing I know he was hugging every (players’) mom.

“He was always a huge supporter of all of us.”

By that, Ricker meant EVERYONE associated with high school sports in Western New York. So when he received the news in the spring that Roger had passed away after a lengthy illness, he quickly set the wheels in motion to have a hoops showcase in Jamestown named for the late Boston, New York resident, featuring girls basketball teams from throughout the region.

And beginning in early afternoon Saturday, some of the top programs in WNY took the court at McElrath Gymnasium at Jamestown High School to open their seasons.

Jamestown's Aiyanna Stam. P-J photo by Scott Kindberg

“Even though they’re only nine practices in, all the star players showed out,” Ricker said. “I’m exhausted now, but tomorrow I’ll have a great sense of pride.”

With Diane Weiss, Roger’s widow, in attendance, the classic featured four varsity games. For the record, Frewsburg downed Wilson 79-31; Fredonia knocked off Jamestown 54-47; Clarence rallied to upend Southwestern 67-63; and Cardinal O’Hara, behind a dominant second half, turned back Randolph 71-46.

“For my Jamestown girls, there were a half-dozen Division 1 players in the building,” said Ricker, who starts two seventh-graders and an eighth-grader on an extremely young team. “For them to see that and see how hard the best teams play, it was pretty awesome.”

Most of all, it was honoring Roger’s memory and his love for high school athletics that was most important.

“I’ve always enjoyed coaching girls, but Roger showed me how to be an advocate for everybody,” Ricker said. “Anything I do positively is what he showed me and taught me.”

Southwestern's Ellie Pearson. P-J photo by Scott Kindberg

Following is a recap of Saturday’s action:

BEARS IMPRESS

Behind 25 points from Ava Jimerson, 21 from Jadyn Trocki and 19 from Teghan Trocki, Frewsburg had little trouble with Wilson.

The Trockis also combined for 12 steals and 13 assists; Ava Jimerson added seven rebounds and six steals; and Taytum Jimerson collected four steals and five assists. As a team, the Bears totaled 25 assists on 33 made baskets.

Frewsburg led 21-5 after the first quarter and 40-15 at halftime. After intermission, the Bears outscored Wilson 39-16.

Southwestern's Bella Sirianni. P-J photo by Scott Kindberg

Peyton McInnis led the Lady Lakers with 16 points.

FREWSBURG (79)

JTrocki 8 1 21, TTrocki 8 0 19, TJimerson 4 0 8, Golab 0 0 0, Harvey 0 0 0, AJimerson 10 3 25, Whippo 3 0 6, Troutman 0 0 0, Totals 33 4 79.

WILSON (31)

Krieger 0 0 0, Simpson 1 0 3, Phillips 0 0 0, Foumier 0 0 0, Smith 0 0 0, Beck 0 0 0, Faery 0 1 1, McInnis 4 6 16, Elia 1 0 2, Thrush 1 0 2, Clark 1 0 2, Urban 0 0 0, Cliffe 1 3 5, Totals 9 10 31.

Randolph's Quinn Pence. P-J photo by Scott Kindberg

Frewsburg 21 19 22 17 — 79

Wilson 5 10 14 2 — 31

FREDONIA RALLIES

A big fourth quarter led the Hillbillies to victory over Jamestown.

Trailing 39-35 after three periods, Fredonia outscored the hosts 19-8 in the final eight minutes to notch its first win of the season. Piper Walnicki scored 8 of her 10 points and Ashlynn Delcamp collected 6 of her 17 to spark the rally for the Hillbillies.

Randolph's Payton Morrison. P-J photo by Scott Kindberg

Leading the way for the Red Raiders was Alyson Canfield, who poured in 31 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and had nine steals. She also had five 3-pointers.

FREDONIA (54)

Diaz 0 0 0, Lucas 4 0 8, Norman 0 0 0, Tabone 0 1 1, Delcamp 8 1 17, Creeley 0 0 0, Koopman 4 0 9, Holt 3 1 7, Walnicki 5 0 10, Gullo 0 0 0, Wegrzynowski 1 0 2, Totals 24 2 54.

JAMESTOWN (47)

Brandow 0 2 2, Leeper 0 0 0, Stam 0 1 1, Daniels 2 1 6, Gibbs 1 0 2, Canfield 10 6 31, Engquist 2 1 5, Gates-Warrior 0 0 0, Pryce 0 0 0, Totals 15 11 47.

Fredonia 10 15 10 19 — 54

Jamestown 8 15 16 8 — 47

CLARENCE DOWNS TROJANS

Southwestern held a seven-point advantage at halftime, but Clarence erupted for 41 second-half points to post the come-from-behind victory.

CARDINALS FALL

Randolph fell behind 11-0 to start the game only to cut the deficit to 36-30 at halftime, but Cardinal O’Hara outscored the Cardinals 35-16 after the break to win going away.

Payton Morrison led Randolph with 15 points and four rebounds; Skylar Herington added 14 points, five assists and four boards; and Quinn Pence chipped in 13 points, seven rebounds and five steals.

Randolph's Skylar Herington. P-J photo by Scott Kindberg

Fredonia's Ella Koopman P-J photo by Scott Kindberg

Fredonia's Piper Walnicki. P-J photo by Scott Kindberg

Red Raiders coach Ken Ricker and Roger Weiss’ widow, Diana. P-J photo by Scott Kindberg