Averill Park senior Nick Cioffi was named the Suburban Council's Pitcher of the Year for 2010. He finished the season with a 7-2 record (also one save), and a 1.89 ERA in 59 innings pitched. He struck out 82 batters against 18 walks and held opposing batters to a .165 batting average. He posted four shutouts in seven complete games.

Coach of the Year: (Three-way tie) Paul DeLuca, Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake; John Furey, Niskayuna; Peter Mravlja, Shaker.

Pitcher of the Year: Nick Cioffi, Averill Park

Player of the Year: Matt Zanotta, Guilderland

First team
c, Brian O'Keefe, Colonie
1b, Matt Zanotta, Guilderland
mi, Branden Cogswell, Shenendehowa
mi, Bret Dennis, Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake
3b, Derek Gardella, Shaker
dh, Johnny Craig, Shenendehowa
util., Brian Guilder, Ballston Spa
of, Kyle Willmott, Saratoga Springs
of, Scott Buniak, Shenendehowa
of, Keaton Flint, Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake

p, Nick Cioffi, Averill Park
p, Matt Coleman, Saratoga Springs
p, Chris Kalica, Colonie
p, Jeff Hoffman, Shaker

Second team
c, Brandon Galluppi, Shenendehowa
1b, David Wixted, Shenendehowa
mi, Sean Geisel, Guilderland
mi, Christian Brown, Columbia
3b, Andrew Kalish, Shenendehowa
dh, Dan Buff, Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake
util., Stephen Proper, Columbia
of, Nick Valetta, Niskayuna
of, Luke Fauler, Saratoga Springs
of, Luke Stark, Guilderland

p, John Prendergast, Shenendehowa
p, Matt Dempsey, Shenendehowa
p, Mike Nowak, Shaker
p, Corey Parks, Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake

note: as voted on by the Suburban Council head coaches and submitted by Shenendehowa head coach James Carrese. (Dennis and Geisel were flip-flopped, as indicated by a correction sent in Friday afternoon).

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Saratoga Springs' Madalayne Smith is one of the area's top sprinters and she earned multiple spots on the Suburban Council's All-Star team. (Photo by J.S. Carras - The Record).

100 & 200 M- Kyle Plante (Colonie), Madalayne Smith (Saratoga Springs), Eden Zietler (Averill Park), Kathleen Klein (Shenendehowa), Kristina Lenge (Colonie), Emily VanDenburgh (Shaker), Meghan Harrington (Averill Park).

400 & 800 M- Uwa Omorogbe (Colonie), Kaleigh Higgins (Niskayuna), Sam Crisafulli (Shenendehowa), Margaret MacDonald (Saratoga Springs), Brianne Bellon (Saratoga Springs), Lizzie Predmore (Shenendehowa), Anna Boughtwood (Columbia), Arianna Sokaris (Bethlehem).

1500 & 3000 M- Margaret MacDonald (Saratoga Springs), Cassandra Goutos (Saratoga Springs), Nicole Irving (Shenendehowa), Keelin Hollowood (Saratoga Springs), Sydney King (Saratoga Springs), Taylor Driscoll (Saratoga Springs), Alex Burtnick (Shenendehowa), Demi Feder (Ballston Spa), Rachael Cyrus (Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake), Katie Farley (Niskayuna).

100 H & 400 H- Madalayne Smith (Saratoga Springs), Jessica Ciraulo (Mohonasen), Emilia Sainato (Colonie), Kyle Plante (Colonie), Amanda Burroughs (Saratoga Springs), Emma Torncello (Shaker).

Saratoga Springs' Amanda Borroughs, seen here competing at the Eddy Meet at Union College, runs a number of distance events for the Blue Streaks. (Photo by J.S. Carras - The Record).

2000M steeplechase- Amanda Borroughs (Saratoga Springs), Katie Treichel (Saratoga Springs), Leigh Ann Labate (Niskayuna).

Pentathlon- Cassidy Keane (Colonie), Alyssa Marion (Bethlehem), Carrie Levinn (Averill Park).

4x100M- Shaker (Carly Brundige, Kristen Hayes, Madison Rowland, Emily VanDenburgh).

4x400M- Colonie (Andrea Guidarelli, Kristina Lenge, Uwa Omorogbe, Kyle Plante).

4x800- Shenendehowa (Lizzie Predmore, Danika Simonson, Gina Stallica, Cara Janeczko).

Shot put & discus- Tehresa Coles (Colonie), Samantha Kosa (Shenendehowa), Amelia Gonzales (Ballston Spa), Courtney Hartwell (Saratoga Springs).

Colonie sophomore Kyle Plante competes in a number of events, including the triple jump, as seen above. (Photo by J.S. Carras - The Record).

Long jump & triple jump- Kyle Plante (Colonie), Madalayne Smith (Saratoga Springs), Emily VanDenburgh (Shaker), Emily Rebehn (Averill Park), Jessica Ciraulo (Mohonasen), Amie Jefferson (Colonie), Cadalena Diamente (Guilderland).

High jump & pole vault- Madison Rowland (Shaker), Liz Tapler (Guilderland), Corrine Serrano (Colonie), Maddeson Weekes (Shenendehowa), Shannon Lenzi (Shenendehowa), Cyndi Harder (Bethlehem).

Note: As submitted by Colonie head coach Frank Myers.

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Shenendehowa pitcher Danielle Amyot was named the 2010 Suburban Council MVP in a vote by the league's head coaches. (Photo by J.S. Carras - The Record).

MVP - Danielle Amyot, Shenendehowa
Coach of the Year - Dan D’Amboise, Shenendehowa

Pitchers
Jena Servidone, Columbia
Alyson Onyon, Saratoga Springs
Toni Edwards, Bethlehem

Catchers
Maggie Quinn, Shenendehowa
Sammy Smaldone, Bethlehem
Taylor Guerin, Shaker

Infielders
Mary Beth Dombrowski, Bethlehem
Emily O’Donnell, Niskayuna
Brittany Hart, Columbia
Giulianna Figliomeni, Shenendehowa
Megan Burns, Bethlehem
Julianna Thibodeau, Shaker
Makaylee Dowd, Saratoga

Outfielders
Megan Price, Niskayuna
Serena Moroukian, Niskayuna
Meagan Hallenbeck, Columbia
Courtney Sullivan, Bethlehem
Sammie Schroeter, Guilderland

Utility Players
Delores Mattice, Mohonasen
Kelly Lane, Colonie
Marlin Solano, Shenenedhowa

Honorable Mention team

Outfielders
Jamie Guerin, Shaker
Meghan McKeown, Burnt Hills
Becca Fitzgerald, Guilderland

Infielders
Hillary Faas, Columbia
Kelly Beliveau, Averill Park
Danielle LaRoque, Averill Park
Karen Sweeney, Shenendehowa
Jakie Tomisman, Niskayuna
Maria Casile, Colonie
Rebecca Mangora, Saratoga
Molly Zanetti, Saratoga
Emily Johnson, Shaker

Catchers
Courtney Fitzgerald, Colonie
Megan Fleming, Saratoga
Zoe DuBois, Burnt Hills

Pitchers
Erica Vellecorsa, Shaker
Casey Rowland, Colonie
Emily Ostrom, Burnt Hills
Jessica Saburro, Guilderland
Lauren Hagerty, Averill Park
Danielle Groat, Ballston Spa

Utility Players
Meghan Hagerty, Averill Park
Ali Frary, Niskayuna

Note: Following the regular season, coaches from each league get together to pick an All-Star team. We will publish them as they are submitted. The Record's All-Area baseball, softball and lacrosse teams will be published in late June.

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The 2010 Suburban Council girls track and field championships will be run Wednesday at South Colonie High School.

In advance of that meet, some of the Suburban officials sent us the all-time girls track and field records in the council, accurate as of May 2, 2010.

100M hurdles - Madalayne Smith, Saratoga Springs, 13.80 (June, 2009)

400M hurdles - Kyle Plante, Colonie, 59.95 (May, 2010)

100M dash - Kyle Plante, Colonie, 11.70 (April, 2010)

200M dash - Kyle Plante, Colonie, 24.25 (May, 2010)

400M dash - Sandy Miller, Niskayuna, 55.8 (June, 1977)

800M run - Michelle LaPoint, Burnt Hills, 2:10.38 (June, 1996)

1500M run - Nicole Blood, Saratoga Springs, 4:24.21 (June, 2004)

2000M steeple - Lindsey Ferguson, Saratoga Springs, 6:36.05 (June, 2006)

3000M run - Nicole Blood, Saratoga Springs, 9:24.03 (June, 2004)

4x100M - Colonie (Singleton, Poleto, Palmer, Gregory) 48:01 (June, 2005)

4x400M - Saratoga Springs (Taylor, Rose, West, O'Donnell) 3:52.10 (June, 1996)

4x800M - Saratoga Springs (Bellon, Goutos, Davidson, Riley) 8:58.67 (June, 2008)

Pentathlon - Kyle Plante, Colonie, 3,603 points (April 2010)

Shot put - Deshaya Williams, Saratoga Springs, 47-2 (May, 1998)

Discus - Deshaya Williams, Saratoga Springs, 166-0 (May, 1997)

Triple jump - Jen Aubin, Saratoga Springs, 39-5.75 (May, 1999)

Long jump - Madalayne Smith, Saratoga Springs, 18-6.5 (May, 2009)

High jump - Brittany Dexter, Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake, 5-8.75 (June, 2006)

Pole vault - Michelle Quimby, Shenendehowa, 12-1 (May, 2009)

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Suburban Council baseball preview
Local teams swinging for the fences in 2010

William Montgomery
The Record

LATHAM – Players and coaches from Suburban Council baseball teams met at Shaker High School Wednesday night for the Council's annual Media Day, which has been a Capital Region tradition for over 10 years.

The Record sat down with a handful of local players and recorded those interviews on video.

Columbia High, which is the defending Section II Class AA champion, lost many starters to graduation. The Blue Devils will return a number of pitchers, who will throw to senior catcher and captain, Matt Kasper.

Shaker High also has a crowded situation on the mound, as Mike Nowak has earned ace status after pitching admirably as a junior a season ago. Blue Bison junior Derek Gardella is one of the best power hitters in the league at third base or catcher when he's not pitching himself.

Shenendehowa's Branden Cogswell, a junior shortstop and right-handed pitcher, is drawing interest from major Division I schools in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Collar City baseball fans may remember him as a crucial part of the 2009 South Troy Dodgers' Connie Mack team that advanced to the 18-and-under World Series in Farmington, N.M.

All baseball teams affiliated with the New York State Public High School Athletic Association lost four games to schedule cutbacks this season, meaning many schools had to decline an invitation to a tournament they usually attended or had to drop non-league rivalries.

The one thing all the Suburban Council coaches could agree on was that the league will be just as tough, top-to-bottom, as always. Since Section II teams need a .500 or better won-loss record to qualify for postseason play, fans can expect another season full of pressure-packed games in the Suburban Council.

“We always say every league game you play is game seven of the World Series,” said Shaker High head coach Peter Mravlja. “It doesn't matter if it's Mohonasen, Burnt Hills or Ballston Spa or if it's Shenendehowa, Columbia or Saratoga. You have to bring your 'A' game every day when you get off the bus.”

--
I also chatted with the Averill Park folks on hand, head coach Mike Conroy and juniors Tyler Listing and Nick Cioffi.

The Warriors will return just three starters and two other players who saw meaningful time from a season ago, but Listing and Cioffi will be at the forefront. Both are pitchers and they will join an open competition for innings on the mounds.

Andrew Fasoldt, Josh Sprague and Scott Sharpley are the other Averill Park players with some experience. Conroy believes the team will be solid on the mound and will be getting on base with regularity. The big question mark at this point in the defense.

Conroy praised the group's offseason work ethic, which included a dedicated group of 20 players that got together regularly for workouts. They've got chemistry and a positive attitude, Conroy says.

Out of curiosity, I asked the Averill Park guys about the support the girls basketball team received this winter en route to their Federation Tournament title. Conroy has been using them as an example of a "great team," which is something the baseball squad can use as a model. They may not have any superstars, but they're all willing to come together and do the dirty work it takes to win, not unlike the lady hoopsters did this season.

Will the Gold Mine turn out for the Averill Park baseball games this spring?

Averill Park senior Katie Duma, seen here shooting over Colonie's Tehresa Coles during a game at Averill Park on Jan. 15, was named the 2009-10 Suburban Council Player of the Year. She will play for Division II powerhouse Holy Family University, located near Philadelphia, next year. (Photo by J.S. Carras - The Record).

2009-2010
Suburban Council Girls Basketball All-League Teams

First team
Player of the Year - Katie Duma, Averill Park
Tehresa Coles, Colonie
Lea McClain, Mohonasen
Brittany O’Shea, Averill Park
Allie Setter, Shenendehowa
Ashley Tallman, Mohonasen

Second team
Kala Crawford, Saratoga
Jacki Oskam, Bethlehem
Emily Weber, Shenendehowa
Lauren Woods, Shaker
Melissa Winne, Guilderland

Third team
Amanda Batzold, Columbia
Michaela Ottati, Averill Park
Marissa Ray, Shenendehowa
Kelly Dillon, Colonie
MacKenzie Rowland, Shaker

--
The annual Big 10 vs. Suburban Council Exceptional Senior team game will be played on Tuesday, March 16th at Shenendehowa High School. The girls will start at 6:00 p.m.
If any of the players selected are still playing in the New York State playoffs, alternates will be picked for the game.

Here is the Suburban Council Exceptional Senior team for 2009-10:

Katie Duma, Averill Park
Brittany O'Shea, Averill Park
Kala Crawford, Saratoga Springs
Ashley Tallman, Mohonasen
Marissa Ray, Shenendehowa
Michaela Ottati, Averill Park
Melissa Winne, Guilderland
Kelly Dillon, Colonie
Erica Houle, Shaker
Courtney Cowell, Mohonasen

--
These teams are selected in a vote by the Suburban Council coaches. The Record does not pick these teams. The Record's All-City and All-Area teams will be published shortly.

Shenendehowa High School senior Matt Miner (pictured above) was named the Suburban Council's 2009-10 Player of the Year. (Photo courtesy The Saratogian).

2009-10 Suburban Council boys basketball All-Stars

First team

Matt Miner, Sr., Shen, Player of the Year
Zach Morton, Sr., Burnt Hills
Dan Lee, Sr., Shen
Nick Keefe, Sr., Columbia
Mike Branche, Sr., Colonie

Second team

Mike McElroy, Jr., Saratoga
Zach Arpey, Sr., Saratoga
Kevin Rocco, Sr., Averill Park
Kyle Bayly, Jr., Niskayuna
Chris Bodgan, Sr., Shaker

Third team

Anthony Gallo, Sr., Guilderland
Ryan Ochs, Sr., Guilderland
Chris Hooks, Sr., Shaker
Garrett Sisson, Jr., Mohonasen
Guy Waltman, Sr., Niskayuna

Fourth team

Tony DeLoatch, Sr., Saratoga
Corey Gibson, Jr., Columbia
John Morrill, Sr., Bethlehem
Mark Seager, Sr., Ballston Spa
Scott Seiter, Sr., Shaker

--

2009-10 Suburban Council boys basketball Exceptional Senior team

Matt Miner, Shen
Zach Morton, Burnt Hills
Dan Lee, Shen
Mike Branche, Colonie
Nick Keefe, Columbia
Kevin Rocco, Averill Park
Zach Arpey, Saratoga
Chris Bogdan, Shaker
Anthony Gallo, Guilderland
Ryan Ochs, Guilderland

--
2009-10 Suburban Council Coach of the Year: Mitch Snyder, Saratoga Springs

2009-10 Suburban Council boys basketball Team Sportsmanship Award: Niskayuna

The Suburban Council has named a Player of the Month for December: Shenendehowa High School senior Matt Miner.

Miner averaged 17.4 points per game in the month of December, adding seven rebounds and four steals per game. He shot 85% from the foul line and scored in double figures in four of five games - all Shenendehowa victories.

--
The Player of the Week for January 4 through 8 was Niskayuna High School junior Kyle Bayly.

Bayly averaged 21.0 points per game in victories over Bethlehem and Mohonasen and is the fourth-leading scorer in the Council with 15.0 ppg.

Player of the Year: Kaitlyn Martin, Bethlehem

Coach of the Year: Holli Mulholland, Shenendehowa

First team

Ashley Scofield, Sr., M/D, Averill Park
Kaitlyn Martin, Sr., F, Bethlehem
Kristina Maksuti, Jr., F, Bethlehem
Anna Gray, Sr., M/D, Bethlehem
Michelle Primomo, Sr., D, Bethlehem
Monica Wolf, Sr., CM, Burnt Hills
Jillian Beatty, Frosh., F, Burnt Hills
Renae Cairns, Sr., GK, Ballston Spa
Amanda Callanan, Sr., M/D, Ballston Spa
Rachel Schofield, Sr., F/M, Colonie
Conner O'Brien, Sr., D, Columbia
Marissa Page, Sr., GK, Guilderland
Stacey Sylvetsky, Jr., CM, Niskayuna
Elizabeth Boyer, Sr., F, Saratoga Springs
Morgan Berry, Jr., M/D, Shaker
Molly Popolizio, Sr., M, Shenendehowa
Sara Mikula, Sr., D, Shenendehowa

Second team

Marjana Maksuti, Jr., M, Bethlehem
Kristie Link, Jr., M, Bethlehem
Tara Teal, Frosh., F, Bethlehem
Nicole Shively, Soph., D, Burnt Hills
Nicole Collins, Sr.. M, Burnt Hills
Alaina Greco, Sr., F, Ballston Spa
Lauren Audi, Sr., M, Ballston Spa
Kelley Murphy, Soph., GK, Colonie
Jess Marini, Jr., D, Guilderland
Meghan Mosch, Jr., F, Niskayuna
Tyler Carr, Jr., D, Saratoga Springs
Julia Sirianni, Jr., M, Saratoga Springs
Kelli Wegner, Frosh., M, Saratoga Springs
Emily Johnson, Jr., GK, Shaker
Sarah Bassett, Sr., M, Shenendehowa
Elise Moinzadeh, Jr., M, Shenendehowa
Katie Trainor, Soph., F, Shenendehowa

Honorable mention

Emily Rebehn, Sr., M, Averill Park
Sarah Boyle, Jr., D, Averill Park
Kristen Ernest, Sr., D, Averill Park
Lindsey Bush, Sr., D, Averill Park
Stephanie Sica, Sr., D, Bethlehem
Heather Varcasia, Jr., D, Bethlehem
Brianne Hadcock, Jr., D, Burnt Hills
Emily McNutt, Sr., GK, Burnt Hills
Sarah Glowa, Jr., D, Burnt Hills
Skye Kaler, Frosh., CM, Burnt Hills
Carolyn Mansir, Jr., D, Ballston Spa
Julie Lowenstein, Jr., D, Ballston Spa
Demi Feder, Frosh., F, Ballston Spa
Annie Czlusniak, Sr., F, Ballston Spa
Maleesa Santos, Jr., D, Colonie
Megan Smead, Sr., CM, Columbia
Deanna Puentes, Sr., D, Columbia
Kyra Malamood, Jr., D, Guilderland
Erin Kelly, Sr., GK, Guilderland
Jackie Bassard, Soph., MF, Guilderland
Jenna Crupi, Sr., D, Guilderland
Elizabeth McMahon, Jr., M, Mohonasen
Alicia Cassels, Sr., M, Mohonasen
Michelle Baldwin, Jr., GK, Mohonasen
Schuyler Archambault, Jr., D, Niskayuna
Tara Bartkowski, Sr., D, Niskayuna
Amelia Esposito, Sr., GK, Niskayuna
Stephanie Maslyn, Sr., D, Niskayuna
Katie Cascino, Jr., CM, Niskayuna
Jenna Conklin, Sr., D, Saratoga Springs
Emily Crandall, Sr., D, Saratoga Springs
Carly Brundige, Sr., F, Shaker
Krista Pilla, Sr., M, Shaker
Alyssa Plue, Sr., F, Shaker
Rhiannon Spencer, Sr. GK, Shaker
Caitlin McGonnigal, Sr., D, Shaker
Kaitlyn Cheney, Soph., M, Shaker
Erica Vallecorsa, Soph., D, Shaker
Rebecca Pike, Sr., D, Shaker
Kristen Connors., Frosh., F, Shenendehowa

--
As submitted by Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake head coach Brian Bold.

The 2009 Suburban Council boys volleyball tournament begins Friday at Bethlehem High School.
Here is the quarterfinal schedule:

No. 1 Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake (18-0) vs No. 8 Mohonasen (4-14), 5 p.m.
No. 2 Bethlehem (15-3) vs No. 7 Guilderland (4-14), 5 p.m.
No. 3 Colonie (13-5) vs No. 6 Columbia (6-12), 7 p.m.
No. 4 Shenendehowa (12-6) vs No. 5 Niskayuna (12-6), 7 p.m.

The semifinals begin Saturday at 11 a.m. The final follows at approximately 1:30 p.m.

100m Dash

John Drabik - Colonie
Connor Reilly - Niskayuna
Mike Villano - Ballston Spa

200m Dash
Dashawn Gates - Guilderland
Bryan Letourneau - Shaker
Gene O'Hanlon - Bethlehem

400m Dash
Brian Campoli - Shenendehowa
Matt Conti - Shaker
Tim Mount - Saratoga

800m Run
Tyler Stewart - Colonie
Louis Serafini - Niskayuna
Chris Herman - Shaker

1600m Run
Alex Leuchanka - Shenendehowa
Ottis Ubriaco - Burnt Hills
Demetri Goutos - Saratoga

3200m Run
Alex Leuchanka - Shenendehowa
Ottis Ubriaco - Burnt Hills
Dan Harris - Shenendehowa

110m Hurdles
Oluebebe Abara - Shaker
Stuart Charbonneau - Shenendehowa
Ian Tapler - Guilderland

400m Hurdles
Oluebebe Abara - Shaker
Jaquell Chandler - Shaker
Stuart Charbonneau - Shenendehowa

3,000m Steeplechase
Craig Weiss - Shaker
Jamie Glover - Shenendehowa
Casey Gilboy - Shaker

Pentathlon
Sam Smith - Bethlehem
Brian Gallagher - Shaker
Colin Mulholland - Saratoga

High Jump
Sam Smith - Bethlehem
Greg Kehrer - Colonie
Tim Schmitt - Ballston Spa

Pole Vault
Jake Platel - Bethlehem
Chris Cozzens - Shenendehowa
Tim Schmitt - Ballston Spa

Long Jump
Alex King - Saratoga
Prince Abban - Shaker
Brian Yingling - Ballston Spa

Triple Jump
Paul Buehler - Bethlehem
Prince Abban - Shaker
Josh Cook - Ballston Spa

Shot Put
Evan Palmer - Shenendehowa
John Rudd - Averill Park
Tyler Prendergast - Shenendehowa

Discus
Evan Palmer - Shenendehowa
Tyler Prendergast - Shenendehowa
John Rudd - Averill Park

4x100m Relay
Shaker

4x400m Relay
Shaker

4x800m Relay
Burnt Hills

{as voted on by the 12 coaches that represent the Suburban Council}

Pitcher of the Year: Nolan Gaige {SR} Columbia

Player of the Year: Nolan Gaige { SR } Columbia

Coach of the Year: Kevin Halburian Colonie & Jimmy Carrese Shenendehowa

First Team:

Catcher: Bryan Marotta {SR} Shenendehowa

1st Base: Ian Gaule {SR} Columbia

3rd Base: Matt Roth Guilderland {SR}

MI: Brandon Cogswell {Soph} Shenendehowa Peter Furey {SR} Niskayuna

OF: Mike Fish {SR} Bethlehem, Patrick Puentes {SR } Columbia, Scott Buniak {JR} Shenendehowa

DH: Kyle LaValley {SR} Guilderland

Utility: Mike Shriver {SR} Ballston Spa

Pitchers: Nolan Gaige {SR} Columbia

Jeremy Affinito {SR} Guilderland

Brian Cary {SR} Shaker

Robert Tedesco {SR} Mohonasen

Second Team:

C: Shawn Callahan {SR} Niskayuna

1B: Steven Anderson {SR} Guilderland

3B: Dominic Bianchi {SR} Mohonasen

MI: Sean Geisel {JR} Guilderland & Matt Weinman {SR} Colonie

OF: Alex Sobiecki {SR} Bethlehem, Patrick Quinn {SR} Guilderland, Nick Valletta {Soph}

DH: Derek Gardella {Soph} Shaker

Pitchers: Tim Murdick {SR} Averill Park

Matt Coleman: {JR} Saratoga

Corey Parks {Soph} Burnt Hills

Sean Conroy {SR} Shenendehowa

Honorable Mention:

C: Brannigan/BC - Fischer/BH - Goyer/AP-Hladik/Saratoga-Sherwood/Guild- Schwenzfeier/Shaker-Baldani/BS/Matt Kasper, Columbia/Brian O'Keefe, Colonie

1B: Lange/Saratoga-Wadsworth/BH

3B: Davis/Saratoga-Peters/Niskayuna-Seebald/Shaker

MI: Allen/Saratoga- Dennis/BH-Rebhun/Columbia-Marsolais/Shaker

OF: Chernesky/BH-Cook/Saratoga-Flint/BH-Krasodomski/Niskayuna-Papa/Mohonasen-Vooris/Columbia-Zanotta/Guilderland-

DiMezza/Shaker-Dan Lenney/Shen

P: Bowers/BC-Cioffi/AP-Clark/Mohon-Harper/Niskayuna-Hilton/Columbia-Kalica/Colonie-Kalish/Shen-Lozano/Guild-Lucas/Columbia-

Quinlan/BC-Stark/Guild-Mike Nowak/Shaker-Mike Petilli/Shaker

(as voted by the league's head coaches)

MVP - Jena Servidone, Columbia

Section II All-Stars - Jena Servidone, Columbia; Amanda Ferro, Shenendehowa; Leanne Merchant, Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake; Mary Beth Dombrowksi, Bethlehem.

Pitchers - Amanda Ferro, Shenendehowa
Jami Cordell, Colonie

Catchers - Leanne Merchant, Burnt Hills
Shannon Dougherty, Columbia

Infield - Mary Beth Dombrowski, Bethlehem
Kaci Madden, Saratoga Springs
Sam Chevalier, Columbia
Emily O'Donnell, Niskayuna
Emily Wagner, Shenendehowa

Outfield - Caitlyn Rana, Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake
Serena Moroukian, Niskayuna
Lauren Napoli, Guilderland
Michaela Bertrand, Saratoga Springs

Utility - Juiliana Figliomeni, Shenendehowa
Krista Robarge, Saratoga Springs

Coach of the Year - Karen Gentile, Bethlehem

Honoraoble Mention - Emily Ostrom (Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake), Toni Edwards (Bethlehem), Rachel Annello (Niskayuna), Erica Vallecorsa (Shaker), Erica Thibodeau (Shaker), Kiersten Gray (Niskayuna), Taylor Ten Eyck (Guilderland), Natalie Triano (Colonie), Allison Mullen (Colonie), Megan Price (Niskayuna), Courtney Sullivan (Bethlehem), Erika Danz (Bethlehem), Laura Loudis (Colonie), Megan Burns (Bethlehem), Laryssa Vitti (Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake), Michelle Schroll (Shaker), Brittany Hart (Columbia), Karen Sweeney (Shenendehowa), Melanie Scuderi (Shenendehowa), Jessica Reinhardt (Colonie), Kelly Beliveau (Averill Park), Meg Bailey (Columbia), Marissa Valletta (Guilderland), Deb Schildt (Guilderland), Erica Palleschi (Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake), Jacki Tomisman (Niskayuna).

As voted by Suburban Council coaches

All-league selections
First team
Meg Olsen - Bethlehem - Player of the Year
Katie Duma - Averill Park
Nicole Adach - Mohonasen
Alex McCullough - Bethlehem
Georgie Farrow - Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake
Staci McElroy - Saratoga Springs

Second team
Tehresa Coles - Colonie
Michelle Aviza - Mohonasen
Lisa Rufer - Niskayuna
Gabi Regan - Columbia
Marisa Ray - Shenendehowa
Allie Setter - Shenendehowa

Third team
Melissa Winnie - Guilderland
Lea McLain - Mohonasen
Brittany O'Shea - Averill Park
Shayla Madden - Colonie
Lauren Woods - Shaker
Jenna Juron - Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake

Exceptional senior team
Meg Olsen - Bethlehem
Nicole Adach - Mohonasen
Alex McCullough - Bethlehem
Staci McElroy - Saratoga Springs
Georgina Farrow - Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake
Michelle Aviza - Mohonasen
Lisa Rufer - Niskayuna
Gabi Regan - Columbia
Shay Madden - Colonie
Jen Madsen - Guilderland
Emily Bayly - Niskayuna

Columbia head coach Jim Obermayer passed along this list of the 2008-09 Suburban Council boys basketball All-Star team, as voted on by coaches.

First team
1. Jordan Stevens - Sr. - Saratoga Springs -- Player of the Year
2. Matt Miner - Jr. - Shenendehowa
3. Kevin Wendth - Sr. - Bethlehem
4. Jordan Macejka - Sr. - Mohonasen
5. Kyle Mafrici - Sr. - Colonie

Second team
1. Kevin Kost - Sr. - Guilderland
2. Doug Milvaney - Sr. - Shenendehowa
3. Jon Terry - Sr. - Guilderland
4. Janique Lanier - Sr. - Shaker
5. Steven King - Sr. - Columbia

Third Team
1. Sean Peer - Sr. - Colonie
2. Anthony Robustiano - Sr. - Mohonasen
3. Zachary Morton - Jr. - Burnt Hills-Ballston lake
4. Alex King - Sr. - Saratoga Springs
5. Guy Waltman - Jr. - Niskayuna
5. Cody Robinson - Sr. - Ballston Spa
5. Mark Seager - Jr. - Ballston Spa


2008-09 Exceptional Senior All-Stars
1. Jordan Stevens - Sr. - Saratoga Springs
2. Kyle Mafrici - Sr. - Colonie
3. Jordan Macejka - Sr. - Mohonasen
4. Kevin Wendth - Sr. - Bethlehem
5. Doug Milvaney - Sr. - Shenendehowa
6. Kevin Kost - Sr. - Guilderland
7. Steven King - Sr. - Columbia
8. Janique Lanier - Sr. - Shaker
9. Jon Terry - Sr. - Guilderland
10. Sean Peer - Sr. - Colonie

Coach of the Year:
Tony Dzikas - Shenendehowa

Team Sportsmanship Award:
Niskayuna

An interesting series of articles by Andy Staples ran on Sports Illustrated.com today.

The first detailed the Mount Vernon athletics department, which is in danger of having all sports for the 2008-2009 seasons canceled due to lack of funding.
Mount Vernon, a boys basketball powerhouse, defeated Bishop Maginn in the 2007 title game, but the Griffins got their revenge in a thrilling 54-52 victory in 2008 in the Class AA state semifinals.

The athletics budget at Mount Vernon is $950,000 for the '08-'09 school year. If the school can't raise at least $300,000 by August, it looks like the kids in Mount Vernon won't be playing sports, at least not for the school district.

Here's a press release from the City, with Mount Vernon Mayor Clinton Young calling on Mount Vernon alum, and current NBA star Ben Gordon, to help out.

Mount Vernon Mayor Clinton Young and Ben Gordon (left) pose with Mount Vernon student athletes. The duo is spearheading a fundraising drive to save the athetlic program at Mount Vernon High for the '08'-09 school year.

115 employees, including many teachers, also may lose their jobs due to the budget cuts. I haven't read anything about the art and music programs at the school being slashed -- likely because they're already long gone.

Staples also explains how rising fuel costs are keeping teams closer to home, meaning some summer league teams are eschewing cross-country travel.

It's an interesting question. I watched the Connie Mack World Series qualifier at Geer Field last week, which drew teams from all around the country, including the Florida Legends and the Dallas Giants. The Florida team even had a big tour bus that they took to the field each morning.
So, for some teams, the cost isn't an issue yet -- and with high-caliber, affluent teams like some I saw in the Connie Mack tourney, it looks like these teams will just bear the burden and pay for it.

The Suburban Council just restructured into two divisions, partly to cut down on fuel costs.
Here is the new breakdown:
North Division: Ballston Spa, Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake, Niskayuna, Saratoga Springs, Shaker and Shenendehowa.
South Division: Averill Park, Bethlehem, Colonie, Columbia, Mohonasen and Guilderland.

(I would switch Mohon and Shaker, but that's beside the point).

The Foothils Council, a league we do not cover here at The Record, is an interesting case.
On the north side, Queensbury, South High, Glens Falls and Hudson Falls are all fairly close together and make for some good rivalry games. In the southern part of the conference, Scotia, Broadalbin-Perth, Johnstown and Gloversville make for an equally nice grouping.
But imagine driving from Broadalbin to Queensbury in the snow after a 7:30 p.m. Friday night basketball game. After the modified and JV games both went to overtime.


---
What do you think?

As we saw with the Suburban Council restructuring, administrators are already taking gas prices and long bus trips into account. How would you switch the local sports Councils to make better geographic and financial sense?
(For example, isn't it just criminal that Mechanicville and Stillwater don't play each other regularly?)

And do you think a local school could ever lose all of its sports programs for an entire year? Could this happen to another place in the Capital Region with a high property tax problem? Imagine Schenectady High without a basketball team.
Perhaps in a few years you won't have to -- those gyms just might be dark.

-- Will Montgomery

100 Meter Dash-Chris White (Colonie), Cameron Benidt (Saratoga) Connor Reilly (Niskayuna)
200 Meter Dash-Steve Crouse (Colonie), Cameron Benidt (Saratoga), Ebube Abara (Shaker)
400 Meter Dash-Tyler Stewart (Colonie), Tim Mount (Saratoga), Patrell Brown (Shenendehowa)
800 Meter Run-Nick Santos (Colonie), Tyler Stewart (Colonie), Zac Suriano (Shenendehowa)
1600 Meter Run-Mike Danaher (Shenendehowa), R.J. Sniffen (Shaker), Zac Suriano (Shenendehowa)
3200 Meter Run-Brian Trainor (Shenendehowa), Mike Danaher (Shenendehowa), R.J. Sniffen (Shaker)
110 Meter Hurdles-James Kehrer (Colonie), Steve Crouse (Colonie), Ian Tapler (Guilderland)
400 Meter Hurdles-James Kehrer (Colonie), Jaquell Chandler (Shaker), Stuart Charbonneau (Shenendehowa)
3000 Meter Steeplechase-Brian Baird (Shenendehowa), Craig Weiss (Shaker), Chris Manico (Shaker)
Pentathlon-Bryce Charleston (Colonie), Derek Seward (Burnt Hills), Sam Smith (Bethlehem)
High Jump-James Kehrer (Colonie), Greg Kehrer (Colonie), Derek Seward (Burnt Hills), Sam Smith (Bethlehem)
Long Jump-Steve Crouse (Colonie), Cameron Benidt (Saratoga), Brian Yingling (Ballston Spa)
Triple Jump-Steve Crouse (Colonie), Prince Abban (Shaker), Sam Smith (Bethlehem)
Pole Vault-Jake Platel (Bethlehem), Jeff Reinker (Shenendehowa), Chris Cozzens (Shenendehowa)
Shot Put-John Rudd (Averill Park), Evan Palmer (Shenendehowa), James Schwendtner (Shenendehowa)
Discus-Evan Palmer (Shenendehowa), Chris Gregory (Shenendehowa), James Schwendtner (Shenendehowa)
400 Meter Relay-Colonie (Chris White, Ryan Nolan, Drew Rivera, Nick Colello)
1600 Meter Relay-Colonie (Nick Santos Tyler Stewart, Drew Rivera, James Kehrer)
3200 Meter Relay-Colonie (Nick Santos, Tyler Stewart, Brian Treadway, Derrick Ingleston)

The La Salle Cadets beat Columbia 3-2 and captured the section II class AA title thanks to a one out Will Remillard game winning single in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Remillard drove in senior Brian Beaury from third when he lined a base hit up the middle past the drawn in Columbia infield. Beaury started the inning off with a single to right and then promptly tried to swipe second base. Columbia called for a pitch out and had Beaury caught but catcher Ian Bridegroom's throw was high and went into shallow center field. By the time it was over Beaury was at third with the winning run.

La Salle shortstop Jared Henkel connects for a first-inning hit in the Section II Class AA championship baseball game. (Tom Killips — The Record).

Cadet starting pitcher Dave Roseboom worked his way out a major jam in the top of the inning. The sophomore walked back-to-back batters before picking off the lead runner for the second out and then struck out Patrick Puentes looking.
That series of plays was a major momentum shifter in the game as the Cadets then made sure the game ended in regulation.

Both starting pitchers threw gems for their respective teams. Columbia junior Nolan Gaige allowed just two runs and stuck out five in six-plus innings before being relieved by Austin Chase.
Roseboom struck out seven in a complete game performance.

It was a late night at The Joe as the game didn't start until 10:21p.m. and ended at 12:48a.m. Sunday morning.

La Salle advances to face Proctor (Utica) of section III Monday at Shuttleworth Park in Amsterdam at 7p.m.

For final sectional brackets click here
--Ryan Kircher

Suburban Council All Stars

Coach of the Year Jim Huggins (Mohonasen) and James Carrese (Shenendehowa)
Pitcher of the Year Jon Shippee (Shenendehowa)
Player of the Year Dave Balsamo (Shenendehowa)
Pitchers
Jeff Carter (Shenendehowa) Robert Tedesco (Mohonasen) Jon Shippee (Shenendehowa) David Fischer (Burnt Hills)
Catcher Kyle Baldani (Ballston Spa)
First Base Steve Anderson (Guilderland)
Third Base Dan Peters (Niskayuna)
Middle Infield Dave Balsamo (Shenendehowa) and Will DeRuve (Bethlehem)
Outfield
Mike Fish (Bethlehem) Nolan Gaige (Columbia) Patrick Puentes (Columbia)
Designated Hitter
Bryan Hunter (Shenendehowa)