Democrat File Photo Tiffani Suhm (14) drives to the basket during an early-season game. Suhm was a force on defense for the Lady Comets with 34 deflections.

Winter Sports Recap: Fallsburg

Staff Report
FALLSBURG — April 23, 2013 —
ALPINE SKIING
(combined with Tri-Valley)
Coach: Janet Carey and Tami Coney
Record: Girls, 14-10 (slalom, 15-9 (giant slalom). Boys, 10-14 (slalom), 6-18 (giant slalom).
Season Highlights: Qualifying four racers for the Section IX championships and two to states. Having both girls’ and boys’ teams qualify as NYSPHSAA Scholar Athlete Teams – the girls had a 92.173 average and the boys a 90.686 average.
Senior Sarah Coney (TV) finished the OCIAA Division 1 race season in 5th place. At the Section IX Championships at Hunter she came in 6th place. At states, she completed all four runs with a 39th place in SL and 41 in GS. Freshman Zak Steingart (Fallsburg) completed the OCIAA Division 1 race season tied for 8th place and the Section IX Championships in 9th place also qualifying for the state championship team. At states, Zak completed all runs and finished 49th in SL and 37th in GS.
Eighth grader Taylor Pavese finished 14th in the OCIAA Division 1 and qualified for her first sectional championships as did Sam Goldstein finishing in 20th place. Megan Porter came in 21st place. All three were on the scholar athlete teams.
Coach’s Comments: “We were extremely proud of our racers’ (especially our new ones) commitment this season, as it was difficult to keep up with the many challenges that mother nature sent our way. Snow and weather conditions were never the same and all of our January meets were rescheduled to different venues, dates and times. Half our season was run in one week in February to complete it before Sectionals. Everyone worked hard when we could train and their improvement was obvious to all who watched. We were also pleased with the sportsmanship, scholarship and team spirit.”
Looking Ahead: “Along with Sarah Coney, Dan Short (TV), Elizabeth Loarca (FB), Brooke Rappaport (FB) and Anna Chico (TV) will be graduating. All made consistent contributions to our team. We will be looking for leadership from next year's junior/seniors. In addition to Zak, Sam, Taylor and Megan - we are anticipating a competitive edge from Brendon Sapolsky, Cody Vegliante, Josh Malman, Mark Garigliano, Mike Schulte, Devon Bagley and Andrew Raymond, Bryanna Rivas, Ashlyn Mathews, Carly Leventoff, Brittany Leventoff and Gillian Mathews

BOYS’ BASKETBALL
Coach: Pete Dworestsky
Record: 13-7
Season Highlights: Advancing to the sectional semifinal by beating Millbrook in the quarterfinals at home.
Standout players were Democrat Player of the Year Rakkir Watson, Aaron Burrell, Nick Pinder and Jarrett Madison.
Coach’s Comments: “Even though we didn't make it as far as we would have liked, our season was a success. The guys worked extremely hard, had great attitudes and played as a team.”
Looking Ahead: “Next year we will be a very young team as only two players will be returning and there are only two sophomores on the JV. We will also be moving up and playing a Class B schedule.”

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL
Coach: Daniel Redmond
Record: 11-8. Lost in first round of sectionals to eventual champ Tuxedo. The game was a close game in the fourth quarter with Fallsburg gaining a one-point lead but then Tuxedo pulled away with a run to finish off a 39-28 victory.
Season Highlights: Hit a high in wins that has not reached in a long time...Won the Walton Warrior Tournament...How the team bonded together and improved game to game after losing its top scorer of the past four years (Sheryl Pinder).
Standout players were:
Nyasia Blakney - 19.6 points, 13 rebounds and 3 blocks per game. First-team Democrat All-Stars; Kelsey Moody - 10 points and 12 per game. First-team Democrat All-Stars; Tiffani Suhm- 8 points and 6 assists per game; Paige Seletsky - 34 deflections for whole year.
Coach’s Comments: “I feel like we had a wonderful season with many successes. I also feel like we were so close in getting that first sectional win for the ladies varsity basketball program in many years. We really bonded and depended on each other. The improvement we had from the beginning of the year to the end showed all the growth. This team will be known for having the tall trees inside and will be missed for many years to come.”
Looking Ahead: “The challenge that I see is not having a go-to scorer. Also the size of team will get a lot smaller with many underclassmen playing key roles – there will be only two seniors on next year’s team. Also the move up to Class B with new teams to face and go against – the likes of Burke, O’Neill, Sullivan West and Liberty.”

WRESTLING
(combined with Eldred)
Coaches: Tim Bult and Jim Corcoran.
Record: 6-7. Placed second in Section IX, Division 2B competition with a 4-1 divisional record (after winning the division with a 5-0 record in 2012).
Season Highlights: Top finishers this year at the Section IX Championships were senior Jesse Corcoran (20-3 record), 220 pound Section 9 Champion and NYS Championship qualifier); junior Edon Lulanaj (20-3 record), 2nd at 285 pounds and junior Tadeusz Loarca (20-9 record, 3rd at 195 pounds in the sectionals.
Coach’s Comments: “Our greatest challenge continues to be the recruitment of young athletes who are dedicated to success on the wrestling mat. We have some great wrestlers returning for the 2013 season, but we are always looking for new faces to help keep the team on the winning track. The more athletes we have in the practice room each day, the greater the competition between them and the better overall team and individual results. Eldred and Fallsburg CSD athletes work very well together as we work toward one goal, which is to make one another great. “We are a very young merged team (the two school districts began competing together as a merged team in 2010) as Fallsburg moved up to the varsity level of competition and joined Eldred. Coach Corcoran, Scott Reed and myself are expecting great things next season and many of our athletes are beginning their preparations now as they make plans for participation in spring wrestling leagues as well as registering for summer wrestling camps in the off-season.”
Looking Ahead: “Losing Jesse and senior Nick Perrello to graduation is going to hurt, but looking ahead to next season, we expect great leadership from both Edon and Tadeusz as well as top returners Adam Hurwitz (senior 2013), Carl Peterson-Langeland (junior), Allenson Florez-Ramirez (senior), Colton Kelty (junior), Robert Anderson (junior), Mantee Williams (senior) and Jordan Melendez (senior). All have a legitimate shot at being the third Sectional champion for our team in the last three years. Also, our modified teams have some exciting young wrestlers just waiting to take their shot at the varsity level and we look forward to bringing several up to the varsity team in 2013.”