Heuvelton Honors Winter Sports Teams
HEUVELTON - The Winter Basketball season at Heuvelton Central School featured two NAC West JV titles, one perfect season, a sweep of the Bulldogs' Al Gutterson Memorial and Cindy Brady Memorial Holiday Tournament titles and a host of all-star and All-Academic Awards.
All bracketed by a spirit of cooperation which linked the players, cheerleaders and coaches to school district's adminstration, faculty and staff, parents of the players and cheerleaders and the community as a whole.
"We have so much to be thankful for tonight. Everyone worked together. We had a great crew that ran scoreboard and the scorekeeping table and excellent coverage from the crew at "The Journal", said HCS Athletic Director Dave Steele at Thursday's HCS Winter Sports Awards Night. "We had excellent volunteers who worked at our two tournaments and wonderful students who sang the National Anthem at every home game."
Boys Varsity Basketball: Coach Josh McAllister guided the Bulldogs through some ups and downs to a 13-7 record which included a championship at their own Al Gutterson Memorial Christmas Tournament and a victory in the first round of the Section 10 Class D Tournament.
"It is a privilege to coach here at Heuvelton and it was a privilege to work with these young men. We had our ups and downs but they always put in the time and the effort," said Coach McAllister.
"We placed second to Madrid-Waddington in the voting for the Glen Bissell Sportsmanship Award and that is a great honor."
Coach McAllister presented team awards: to junior Jon Kingsley (Coaches Award), junior Dave Putman (Outstanding Offensive Player), senior Zach Limoges (Most Improved Player), senior Jesse Hargrave (Coaches Award) and senior Andrew Ross (Most Valuable Player).
Boys JV Basketball: First Year Coach Mike Rumschik enjoyed the experience of guiding his players to an NAC West League Championship and an undefeated season.
"I didn't coach for victories, I coached to make solid players and solid men. It was a lot of fun but everyone worked very hard," said Coach Rumshick who presented three special team awards.
Cody Holland was honored as the Offensive MVP, Aaron Cobb was recognized as the Defensive MVP and Connor Pierce was lauded as the Most Valuable Player.
Cheerleading: Coach Ashley Havens praised her 20-person squad for doing what was best for the squad at all times.
"I am very proud of these athletes. They worked very hard. They fund-raised for new uniforms and they put together an outstanding routine," said Coach Havens.
"We took second at the OFA Competition were are hoping for a first place at the Lisbon Competition tomorrow."
Coach Havens presented team awards to: Caitlin Thurman for Outstanding Leadership, McKenzie Simmons as the Best Flyer, Tiffany Pike as the Most Improved Performer, Ashley Price as the Outstanding Newcomer and Lynsay Tennant for Outstanding Choreography.
Girls JV Basketball: Coach Danielle Limoges led her team to a three-way tie for the NAC West title with Harrisville and Clifton-Fine and thanked her players for their efforts and their cooperation.
"I am really looking forward to next year," said Coach Limoges who presented four team awards.
Liza Armstrong was honored as the Outstanding Defensive Player, Alexis Weidner was recognized as the Most Valuable Player, Abby Basford received the Coach's Award and Abby Williams was feted as the Most Improved Player.
Varsity Girls Basketball: Coach Rob Powers pointed to two season highlights for the Lady Bulldogs: winning their program's seventh straight Cindy Brady Memorial Tournament title and for five "phenomenal practices" leading up to the Section 10 Tournament.
"We only had a 6-13 record but we played a lot of very good teams and the girls worked hard. They were a great group," said Coach Powers who presented five team awards.
Cheyenne Martin was honored as the Outstanding Defender, Sam Weaver was selected as the Outstanding Offensive Player, Emilee Ross received the Rookie of the Year Award, Kara Leonard was recognized as the Most Valuable Player and Sara Sloan was feted with the Coach's Award.
