Sectionals

Into the spotlight

Teams and individuals revel in prospects for sectional contention

By RICHARD A. ROSS

SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY — “It’s been a long, long, long time coming, but I know a change is gonna come,” sang the late Otis Redding in his powerful soul ballad. For the Fallsburg boys basketball team, that song’s prediction now rings true, as the Comets qualified for the big dance for the first time in seven years by beating Tuxedo 56-42 on February 5, literally in the 11th hour of a season that began on a promising 6-0 note and then backslid as the Comets went 2-7.

The victory gave Fallsburg its needed ninth win, which assured them of a .500 overall mark. The last time Fallsburg made it to sectionals, they won the Class C crown by beating Tri-Valley, got by Tuckahoe and Far Rockaway in the regionals before losing to Buffalo City Honors at Glens Falls in the state semifinals.

Monticello looked to get to the dance after a one-year hiatus as it took on Port Jervis at home on February 9. Monticello needs one win out of its next three league games to qualify. Several other teams are still on the bubble and can make it with wins in their remaining games. That group includes Tri-Valley’s boys, Liberty’s boys and Sullivan West’s girls. Teams that have already locked up berths include Eldred’s girls and boys, Livingston Manor’s girls and Tri-Valley’s girls.

Ski sectionals were slated for Hunter Mountain on February 10 with the top 20 skiers from Division I joining the same elite number from Division II. Monticello is sending its entire boys team to sectionals. That includes Ryan Heins, Colin Bunce, Nolan Mitchell, Brian Tedaldi, Trevor Goldstein and Joey Klein. Other boy skiers going to Hunter include Sullivan West’s Drew Billard, and Fallsburg/Tri-Valley’s Ryan Erts. Girl qualifiers include Monticello’s Haley Heins, Haley Ripa, Taylor Knapp and Rachel Klein; Fallsburg Tri-Valley’s Kendra Erts, Lauren Elliott and Elizabeth Bracken; and Sullivan West’s Kendall Menges and Kassie Thelman.

Visit sportsinsightsny.com for results and photos from the Section 9 Championships at Hunter Mountain.