Austin, Perry named league all-stars

The coaches of the Adirondack League have named their high school wrestling all-stars for the 2022-2023 season and once again the paths of close friends Troy Austin of Whitehall and Brent Perry of Granville have crossed. The duo seem to be forever linked in the annals of local wrestling.

Austin and Perry have battled each other during the regular season and in sectional and state tournament matches. They have been teammates during the high school football season. Now they conclude their careers as all-stars together.

Both Austin and Perry were selected as Adirondack League all-stars in the 189-pound weight class. Austin won the sectional title with a win over Perry and finished fourth in the state. Perry placed third in the state by edging Austin in the consolation final at the state tournament.

Other Whitehall wrestlers honored were Kyle Lavin (145), Sawyer Ostrander (152) and Chad Monty (172).

Also selected from Granville were Quinn Johnson (126), Nick Crum (132) and Jaxon Torres (145).

League champion Warrensburg-Lake George placed seven grapplers on the team. Salem-Cambridge led all teams with eight selections.

Warrensburg-Lake George wrestlers honored include Cameron Carpenter (110 pounds), Zach Olden (132), Colton Bell (138), Gavin McCabe (145), Dante Corriveau (152), Keith Sonley (160) and Tristen Hitchcock (285).

From Salem-Cambridge are Luke LeBlanc (102), Jonah Stevens (102), Henry Dill (102), Angie Dill (110), Brayton Cary (145), Mike Riche (172), Evan Day (215) and Logan Williams (285).

Making the all-star team from Corinth/Hadley-Luzerne are Aiden Schurr (102), Mike Rose (110) and Keegan Baker (118).

Honorable mentions were received by Ethan York of Warrensburg-Lake George, Kyle Bink of Salem-Cambridge, Whitehall’s Matt Ingerson and John Geary and Paul Granger of Corinth/Hadley-Luzerne.

All-star team includes 2 from Whitehall

The coaches of the Adirondack League have voted on the 2022-2023 girls basketball all-stars, and league tournament champion Whitehall was well represented on the squad with two first team selections. Granville placed a player on the second team.

Corinth junior Emily Dingmon was named the Adirondack League Most Valuable player. Dingmon helped lead the Tomahawks to their second consecutive unbeaten regular season in league play. This year Corinth was 20-3 and reached the Class CC championship game.

Dingmon’s award makes it two years in a row a Corinth player has earned MVP honors. Last year the Tomahawk’s Maddie DeLisle won the award.

Whitehall was rewarded for its outstanding season, placing a pair of players on the first team. Senior guard Madi Gould and junior forward Samantha Howland were both named to the first team. Gould and Howland not only led the Railroaders to the league crown, but also a spot in the Class C sectional championship game.

Granville was also represented as senior forward Lilly Strout was named to the second team.

Also named to the first team were senior Kara Bacon and junior Hope Sherman of Warrensburg, and Hadley-Luzerne senior Jordanna Kenny.

Named to the second team all-stars were seniors Alexis Crossman of Corinth, and Mary Kate McPhee of Salem, along with juniors Madison Lent of Hadley-Luzerne and Alawnah Dunda of Hartford.

Greenwich (26-0) seeks state title

The Greenwich girls basketball team took a step closer to a state title last Wednesday evening, advancing to the Class C state regional final with a hard-fought 49-41 victory over Northeastern Clinton at Clinton Community College in Plattsburgh.

Greenwich has had its way with nearly every opponent this season but the Cougars came to play. It looked like it was going to be business as usual for the Witches as they raced out to a 17-4 lead, but a 15-4 second quarter allowed Northeastern Clinton to pull within 21-19 at the half.

“I was more worried about the start of the game, just getting their bearings and feel for the court and a feel for an opponent we don’t know much about other than tape and things,” Greenwich coach Jason Slater said.

“We kept our cool. That’s what’s gotten us through games all season long, senior leadership. They keep the team grounded enough to pull one out.”

The Cougars drew even early in the third but it was all Witches after that. A pair of 3-pointers by Norah Niesz and a trey at the buzzer by Brooke Kuzmich gave Greenwich a 40-30 lead heading to the fourth and they held on the rest of the way.

Niesz scored 19 points to lead the Witches, Brooke Kuzmich contributed 16 points and Reegan Mullen 11.

Bailee LaFountaine had 18 points for Northeastern Clinton.

On Saturday, Greenwich traveled to SUNY Potsdam to face Canton in the state regional final. The team jumped out to a commanding lead at the half and went on to cruise past Canton 60-32 in the Class C state regional championship game.

The Witches trailed 5-2 early but led 13-6 after the first quarter.

Greenwich extended its advantage with a 16-4 second stanza to lead 29-10 at halftime.

A 16-14 third quarter followed by an 18-8 fourth put the contest out of reach.

Defense was a key for the Witches as they limited Canton post player Ava Hoy to just 10 points.

“We’ve done a great job on defense most of the year,” Greenwich coach Slater said. “Good defense leads to good offense, and I think that showed up in a lot of the easy looks we had. Very unselfish play. The girls don’t care who scores. They’re in it for each other. At the end of the day a win is a win, and they’re just happy to win.”

Greenwich also knocked down seven 3-pointers on the evening.

Kuzmich led Greenwich with 26 points. Mullen had 16 for the Witches and Niesz 12 points.

Greenwich now advances to the Class C state final four next weekend at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy.

The Witches will meet either Millbrook or Port Jefferson Saturday at 2:15 p.m. in the semifinals. The state championship game is scheduled for next Sunday.

Greenwich is now 26-0 on the season.