Awards

Tri-Valley winter athletes extolled

Bears winter sports season highlighted by girls indoor Section 9 title and boys basketball team’s historic run

By RICHARD A. ROSS

GRAHAMSVILLE, NY - Lamenting the doldrums of winter was something reserved for the combined Tri-Valley and Fallsburg ski team as they were consigned to land practice without snow for nearly all of their season. But for the rest of the Bears, this winter was a bright and successful one, especially for the girls indoor track team, which garnered its second straight Section 9 title, and the boys basketball team, which finished one game shy of the state final four with a record of 22-2.

Coaches took turns lauding their teams on March 26 in Tri-Valley’s new theatre. A musical slide show put on by this writer, followed by remarks about the value of sports, accepting life’s blend of joys and sorrows and the importance of forging ahead in the face of adversity.

Fallsburg athletic director/ski coach Janet Carey named Weston Currey as the recipient of the Sportsmanship Award. John Bernstein was named as the team’s Most Improved Player and Samantha Adriians was chosen as the Most Valuable Player. The latter two qualified for this year’s state championships held at Lake Placid.

Tri-Valley athletic director/track coach Joe Iatauro rattled off a litany of the achievements turned in by his Section Nine/Division IV champion girls’ team. Linda Lee and Chloe Feffer were chosen as the team’s Most Improved Players. Courtney Roosa, Meghan Drown and Casey Offringa received the Coach’s Awards.

For boys track, the Most Improved Player awards were given to Gavin Perrella and Garrett Grey. The Most Valuable Player Awards were doled out to Max Fiedler and All-America thrower Ryan Loughney. Loughney finished second and third at the two national indoor track meets held earlier in March.

Cheerleading coach Janna Worden extolled her squad and paid special recognition to her daughter Brianna, who has been the team’s mascot. Brianna underwent major back surgery this year and holds a special relationship with the team. Nicole Delahanty was chosen as the Most Improved Player, while Becky Romero was named the team’s outstanding cheerleader. The team’s Spirit Award went to James Knapp and the Most Valuable Player status was earned by Rachael Pompeii.

Girls basketball coach Karen Andrews praised her team’s relentless efforts. She named freshman Kelly McNamara as the team’s Most Improved Player and selected Tricia Corigliano for the Coach’s Award. Senior Kanacia James was chosen as the team’s Best Offensive Player, while eighth grader Jakki Pugh earned the honors as the team’s Best Defensive Player.

Boys basketball coach Brian Tingley had much to say about his team’s extraordinary season but continued to emphasize the team’s unselfish play as a key component to its success. The team’s Most Valuable Player John Merchant, who was also chosen as the best Offensive Player, was cited by Tingley as a case in point. Merchant finished his career just eight points shy of 1,000 points, a mark he could have easily reached, but he often chose to pass the ball to someone else who had a better shot opportunity.

Bo Murphy was chosen as the team’s Most Improved Player and Dustin VanLieu was named as the team’s Best Defensive Player.

Seniors Fred Moore, Kevin Delaney, Michael Kaplan and Merchant presented Tingley with a commemorative plaque to conclude the ceremony.

A detailed report of each coach’s comments and the specific achievements of their players can be found at www.riverreportersports.com

For a photo album of the awards ceremony, click here.