TRR photo by Tom Kane Narrowsburg’s Mike Cookingham gets two underneath. (Click for larger image)

Narrowsburg holds on to first place

By TOM KANE

NARROWSBURG — For only a brief few minutes in the third quarter, the Roscoe Devils led the Sullivan West at Narrowsburg Indians by two points during their January 12 match up.

For most of the game, however, Narrowsburg dominated, winning the league game by a score of 70 to 58. The win gave them undisputed first place in their division.

Roscoe’s Brian Bury had 14 of his 25 points in the second quarter.

In the third quarter, a Narrowsburg full-court press caused five Roscoe turnovers, enabling Narrowsburg to surge into the last quarter with a nine-point lead. Roscoe never recovered.

“It was the full-court press that did us in,” said Roscoe coach Fred Ahart. “Our kids did well but the Narrowsburg defense was better.”

The Indians’ Bruce Nober was the game’s high scorer with 26 points, a number of them when he stole the ball and scored underneath by himself. Team mates Mike Cookingham had 14 points and Chad Powell added 13.

The Indians, with an over-all record of 7 and 3 and a league record of 4 and 0, will face the Family School this Thursday.

Monticello boys gymnastics triumph

By RICHARD ROSS

MONTICELLO — The Monticello Boys Gymnastics Team competed at Diamond Gymnastics Club in Poughkeepsie. This was the team’s second meet of the season and the hours of practice are beginning to pay off.

Even Muller, competing at level 6, took first place in high bar and finished with an all-around score of 48.7. Jordan Wilson and John Popora competed at level 6 as well and made great strides from their first meet.

Jonathan Ross and Kienan Garn both competed at Level 4 (advanced), Ross took first place all around in his age group (12 and up) and garn took 1st place all around his age group (10-11). Both boys qualified for the state championships, which means the entire team will go to states in March.

Ben Muller had to sit this meet out while recovering from a recent injury.

	TRR photo by Mary Greene Indian player Melanie Hector leaps for the ball during Eldred’s January 12 victory over Narrowsburg. (Click for larger image)

Eldred trounces Narrowsburg

Yellowjackets edge Trojans for first place

By MARY GREENE

NARROWSBURG — The Sullivan West at Narrowsburg Indians took a beating under the hoops during a non-league match up with the first-place Eldred Yellowjackets on January 12. The game took place in the Narrowsburg gym.

The Eldred lead at the end of the first quarter was insignificant at 9-6. But by the end of the first half, that lead had widened to 7-18.

During the second half, the Indians had trouble scoring or doing much of anything against this polished, confident group of players. The Eldred girls out-maneuvered, out-ran, out-passed and out-shot their way to a final score of 46-11.

On January 11, the Yellowjackets defeated the Sullivan West at Jeffersonville Youngsville (SW/JY) Trojans on the Trojans’ home court, knocking them out of first place. Previously, SW/JY had been sixth in the state. Eldred Coach Frank Kean said, “We played a great defensive game. It was a very exciting, very emotional match up. We just took [SW/JY] right out of their game.” Final score was 55-39.

Of the win against Narrowsburg, Kean said, “I’ve got a good, senior-based team that handles everything. One of my players, Christine Lizzi, could play Division One. The other girls have learned to play with her. We have an atmosphere where all ten players flow together. I control it in a fun atmosphere. We don’t play dirty on the court, because I’m a gentleman, and I expect the girls to conduct themselves as ladies. If they make a mistake, I tell them, ‘There’s always tomorrow.’”

Aimee Schneider was high scorer for the Yellowjackets with 11 points. Stacie Blant and Christine Lizzi both had seven. Narrowsburg’s Kim Jay was high scorer with 6 points. Heather Nober and Nadine McCarthy scored two points, and Melanie Buddenhagen scored one.

“Although we look like a competitive team on the floor,” said Narrowsburg coach Kevin Mann of the loss, “it’s a case of attrition. We played a fantastic first half, but didn’t make our baskets. Then, at half time, it’s harder to go out and make the effort.

“I feel good about the game,” he said. “I don’t know if the girls do, though.”

Narrowsburg is 1-7. Eldred is 8-1.