TRR photo by Richard A. Ross Sullivan West’s Kate Fanning, left, and April Ackermann return to anchor the Lady Bulldogs with a host of other veterans. Last year, the team finished 15-7 and made it to the Section 9 tournament semi finals. Here, they handle Marlboro’s standout Kanita Boone, who just signed a letter of intent to play for Division I Central Connecticut State, where she was granted a full basketball scholarship.

Basketball

The remarkable return of the rock

Tournaments signal the start of high school’s greatest season

By RICHARD A. ROSS

LAKE HUNTINGTON, NY—It seems like only yesterday that this reporter was communicating the electricity that abounded at the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHAA) boys championships in a multi-page feature entitled “Live from Glens Falls,” (See The River Reporter, March 17, 2005).

That annual ritual celebrating the best of the best in boys basketball is the culmination of something that is once again about to begin.

click for story

Local harriers compete at Footlocker regional

Ryan finishes behind Blood but will defend her title in San Diego

By RICHARD A. ROSS

BRONX, NY—The big story at the 2005 Footlocker Northeast Regional race on November 26 was the touted match-up between defending national champion Aislinn Ryan of Warwick and long-term friend and race nemesis Nicole Blood of Saratoga Springs. Blood, who now runs as an independent, has not raced Ryan this year.

Ryan took the early lead in the race and the two took turns leading the pack and each other before Blood (17:41.8) pulled ahead to beat Ryan (17:50.0).

click for story

Hot wheels and cold feet

A staff reporter rides in a rally car

By KIMBERLY M. WEYANDT

MONTICELLO, NY —The butterflies in my stomach made it almost impossible to eat my donut. As I drove to the racecourse across from the Concord Resort, I contemplated backing out at every traffic light. An accident-prone control-freak, being a passenger in a fast car as one of my biggest fears.

“If I don’t want to do it. I’ll just say no,” I said out loud, turning off my blinker. In my head I apologized to the driver behind me, who had no idea where I was going, and by now was probably sure I didn’t either.

click for story