Syiacw Herald-Journal, Friday, December 1, 1989

011

WINTER SCHOLASTIC SPORTS '89 - 90 *

Bulldogs to keep winning

11 players returning to federation champs
By Andrew Milner

Sport provides her plenty of thrills

By Andrew Milner Contributing Writer
D a r y l e Mako Scnoot Nottingham. Sport Cross-country skiing. _ Ksy numbers: 5-(oot-8, 135-pound, 17-year -oM senior. _ Other sport*: Cross country run* ning. _ Hfo: Bill Koch, Olympic skier . iss: Sailing. Sports goals: To make the U.S. Junior Olympics again. _ Career goal: A career in sports medicine_ Greatest sports acNsHnent Mak- "- i

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_

Contibuting Writer

In 11 seasons at Nottingham, girls' basketball coach Willetta Spease has crafted a 21099 T'O-.'^fCc/l*-J TV-"__

or two consecutive years, Daryle Mako of the Nottingham cross country skiing team went to the Empire State Games at Lake Placid. Last February at ESG time, Mako couldn't make u because stie had a prior commitment In Minnesota. At the U.S. Junior Olympics. Mako and teammate Krissy Pedersen were chosen as two generally made up of only six-ioeight of the best 16- and 17-yearold cross-country skiers in the region. To qualify, Pedersen and Mako competed in a series of races in Old Forge and Lake Placid, host of the 1980 Winter Olympics. Immediately after the final race, Mako learned she had made the elite team. "I WAS THRILLED," she said. "! wasn't expecting to make it because I had moved up in the age group. But I had a good'season." At the Junior Olympics, held at Giant's Ridge in Biwebic. Mako competed in both the relay races of 10 kilometers and the classical races. In classical races, of between five and seven kilometers, skiers shift back and forth on their skis. In both events, Mako finished "in the middle of the pack" among 70 skiers. But the most important thing that mattered to her was not winning, but merely taking part Mako, named to last season's New York state team, begins her fourth year on the Bulldogs skiing squad. A senior at Henmnger High School, Mako skis with Nottingham because Henninger does not have a cross-country skiing team. She began skiing at age 8, and at 13 joined a league of sk'e^s organized by Olympian Bill Koch, and began with Nottingham the following year. Mako recalls being excited when named to her first Empire State team during ninth grade. "I was just as thrilled as when I was chosen to go to the Junior Olympics," she said.

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centage of .901.

The Lady Bulldogs won the State Federation Class B Championship last March. That's after beating not just the best public schools in New York state, but the best private ones as well The Lady Bulldogs won their final 21 games. Nottingham's dominance in Metro League
Metro poll
Ranking Team 1. Nottingham Z. Cortland 3 East Syracuse-Minoa 4. Corcoran 5. Fulton 6. Jamesville-DeWitt 7. Central Square 8. Fowler

Pts
81(9)

55
52
48
File photo

46
43 28 22

IN 11 SEASONS at Nottingham, Willetta Spease's Lady Bulldogs have won 90.1 percent of their games, including last season's State Federation Class B crown.

9. CBA
10 Whitesboro

17
11

(Note: League poll results were determined by a vote of the league coaches, with coaches not allowed to vote for their own teams. First-place votes in parentheses.)

competition is the stuff of legend. Whether the Lady Bulldogs can win a fifth state title is the big question in the league. Nottingham (18-0, 26-2) is the unanimous choice of Metro League coaches for first in the league. One of last year's keys to Nottingham's success, all-state guard Vanessa Brooks (MVP of both the Class B and Federation tournaments), graduated. But seniors Uhssa Mallory, Pam Odom and Lauren Townes lead 11 returning players from last's year dream season, including freshman Rasheada Caldwell, who saw action last year as an eighth-grader. Cortland According to coach Len Diloia, the strength of the Tigers (12-6,15-7) this season will be the experience of three juniors. "The three juniors who played varsity last year (guard Amy Meldnm and forwards Amy Sherry and Jessica Wellings), played quite a bit," Deloia said. Sherry averaged 16.7 points and 13.1 rebounds a game, and was named Metro League MVP and was a first-team all-leaguer. East Syracuse-Minoa The Lady Spartans lost only two games last year, (17-1,212) but suffered eight major setbacks when that many players graduated. "We're going to be a second-half team," coach Karen Keast said, noting that "a lot of

kids are moving up" from last year's 18-0 .IV team. Corcoran After a disappointing 198889 campaign, coach Jim Marsh expects his Cougars (8-10,8-12) to contend this season. "The majority of my players back know my system and have more experience," Marsh said. "We have the potential to beat anyone" The top returner is junior shooting forward Rhuykia Walker, a second-team all-leaguer, who averaged 16.5 points a game last season. "She can score on anyone," Marsh said. Fulton - The Red Raiders (10-10,10-11) lost no starters to graduation. As a result, coach Larry Callahan said, "We'll play pretty much the same style as we did last year." The Red Raiders will be led by all-conference senior center Robin VerSchneider, who averaged 18.9 points and 11.1 rebounds a game. She is likely to reach the career 1,000pomt plateau this season. Jamesville-DeWitt The loss of four seniors makes the current crop of Red Rams (15-3,17-5) not only young, but, coach Rick Ellison said, very inexperienced, "Because of our youth, we'll be a little shaky in the beginning, and we're going to be playing our best as the season ends," Ellison said. "By the last third of the season, we're going to be very respectable " Players back from last year include senior center DeDe Sullivan, senior guard Mary HerLzog and sophomore guard-forward Jennifer Passonno, last year's second-leading Red Rams scorer. Central Square With six members of last year's Lady Redmen team (7-9,9-10) lost to graduation, coach Kevin Brazell plans a different playing style "We'll be smaller and quicker," Brazell said. "We'll have more man-to-man defense,

and we'll press more. We'll use some quickness because we don't have any of the big people anymore." Only one starter, guard Jennifer Ash, remains from last year's squad. Fowler Falcons coach April Wertheim hopes to maintain a positive atmosphere on her team (4-13,5-14). 'I just want to explain to them that if they don't stay with it, they won't be successful," Wertheim said. Returning from last year's squad are junior forward Bernice Temple and senior forward Yolanda Jones, both selected third-team allMetro. Christian Brothers Academy In their first year of existence, the Brothers (2-16) were composed entirely of freshmen and sophomores. Coach Tom Cpluci hopes for a stronger year with a returning squad "In the second half of last year, we became more competitive," Coluci said. For example, after Corcoran rolled by the Brothers by more than 50 points in their first matchup, they lost by only eight in their second game." Returning are sophomore guards Adetone Adenlji-Adele and Erica Speach (13 ppg, and a third-team All-Leaguer), and junior center Adnenne Pollichemi. Whitesboro New Warriors coach Bob Fenton's hopes for an improved season were lifted by the response of the Warriors (0-12, 0-18) at early practices. "They had a very goo'd spirit," Fenton said. "Everybody's enthusiastic. They're willing to give all they have." Returning from last year are senior guard Kristen Shuemaker, senior forward Debbie Macner, and senior foward-center Felicia Buble, complemented by freshman forward Heather Daniels and sophomore guards Erin Brooks and Michelle Dwyer.

IN THE FALL, she runs crosscountry. , "It's good for cross-training," she said. "A lot of people who ski run to keep in shape, and a lot of runners ski." As one of four seniors on the Bulldogs' squad, Mako said that they do their part to keep morale high. "Spiritwise. we all pretty much help each other," she said. Mako admits that it can be difficult to maintain a winter mindset when there is no snow on the ground. Last year's mild snowfall was especially difficult for crosscountry skiing. Whereas downhill skiers have artificial snow to rely on, Nordic skiers do not, and must work on real snow. "IT WAS VERY frustrating to go to a race and see other schools that have snow," Mako said. When not running or skiing cross country with Nottingham, Mako practices the biathlon. The biathlon combines cross-country skiing and sharpshooting from a 22-cahber rifle. "There's not many girls doing it," she said. At Henmnger, Mako's favorite academic subjects are math and science. Mako's top college choices include Ithaca College, SUNY Buffalo and the University of Vermont. Mako agrees with the idea that skiing is a lifetime activity, not something to do just for competition. "I'll always be skiing because I love it so much," she said. "I'll ski until I'm physically unable to do it"

Old Forge stays intact, primed for more victories

By Andrew Milner Contributing Writer The area high school skiing season won't begin in earnest until January, when the first competitions begin. Until then, coaches are keeping their teams ready by leading skiers in conditioning and cross country running. Urihke bss SCju<id. there are no formal won-loss I Fayetteville-Manlius Schoonrecords in high school skiing, and maker also coaches the Hornets' no standings. A boys' champion squad, which tripled in size from and girls' champion are chosen at the end of the regular season after Skiing lineup mtersectional competition at Lake Placid, site of the 1980 Winter Adirondack, Cooperstown, Fayetteville-Manhus, HerKimer, Little Falls, Olympics. Nottingham, Old Forge, South Old Forge Alpine: "We're Lewis going to be pretty much the same as last year," Alpine coach Sandy Stnpp said. In other words: Watch last season from one skier to three. out, Section Three. Last season sophomore Kelly The boys' Alpine squad finished first in Section Three, while the Schalk was, literally, a one-woman girls consistently finished second team. Section Three rules require skiand third. And since no female skiers departed, Stnpp said, "That ing teams to have at least three athletes. So Schalk will be joined can only make us stronger." Returning are Rick Hassion, by her sister Kate, a freshman, and Matt Ritz, David Palmer, Laura an undetermined third skier. Cooperstown Nordic coach Hession, Stacy Olson and Knsten Paul Tobler's theme song for the Wengert Nordic: The Section Three cham- upcoming season might well be, pion Old Forge cross-country ski- "Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let ing team, which sent more kids to It Snow." He believed that last season's the U.S Junior Olympics than any school its size in the Northeast, is a dismal performance was related to near-unanimous pick by section the lack of snow in the area. The Redskins sent senior Hancoaches to repeat Coach Carl Klossner said that nah LaBarre as a second alternate losing no male skiers to graduation to intersectionals in Lake Placid. South Lewis Alpine: Coach will make the team "very strong," but having only three female Mike Paczkowski hopes to keep skiers will be a problem. "We can success all in the family this season score only as long as they all fin- with daughter Piper, a selection to states in each of the last three ish." Adirondack Alpine: "We years, returning to the Falcons. Piper will rejoin sophomore Ann don't intend to set the world on fire, but we'll step up a little bit," Cook, who went to the states as a coach Cleve Lansing said "A lot of freshman, and junior Mike Earl, these kids have skiing experience, who finished third in the slalom. Nordic: Most of the Falcons' but they haven't raced." Senior skiers include Rachel cross-country skiers are sophoSzyikowski, Jennifer Payne, Crys- mores and juniors, which coach tal Kwasnieski, Michelle Mercer Jim Wright hopes will be an advantage. and Chris Rice. This year's skiers include junior Nordic: Two years ago, the Adirondack cross country ski team Peter Vanry and sophomores sent four skiers to the Lake Placid Heather LaFountain, Ciley Waterintersectionals. After a disappoint- man and Tina Wmlarski. Litllt Fills Alpine coach ing 1989 season, coach Tom CrowNancy O'Leary acknowledged that ley expects improvement. HMkHMr - "Last year," Her- "we had an awful lot of room for kimer Magicians coach John Mit- improvement" after a dismal seachell said, "we looked to one son. She said, "There are a couple another and nobody made it." But of people with the potential to go to this season, "because of our states," amone them iunior experience, i uinm e n ao a 101 Jennifer Maione ana sopnomore Todd Vincent. better." Herkimer's returning seniors include Leigh Dillard, Jeff Cole and Lucas Rockwell, Andy Hopson and Tony Maida. Nottingham The Bulldogs' Nordic skiing team sent two female skiers, Daryle Mako and Krissy Pedersen, to the Junior Olympics last February. Nottingham coach Jim Schoonmaker expects an improved girls'

Onondaga considered class of tne league

By Michael Flam Contributing Writer The AlLmar-Pansh-Williamstown girls' basketball team has lost all five starters from last year's team to graduation, but coach Jim Miller is hoping the Rebels can break even in 1989South poll 90. "I would like to see the kids Ranking Team Pts finish .500," Miller said. "That's 1 Onondaga 51(4) what I'm looking toward." 2-Tully 49(2) Nonetheless, OHSL South 3. Pulaski 41 coaches predict that A-P-W will 4. Hannibal 40(2) finish last in the division. Miller does have three seniors 5. Weedsport 35 back from last year's 4-14 squad, 6. Port Byron 25 each of whom saw considerable 7. Cato-Meridian 18 playing time. Senior forward 8. Fabius-Pompey 16 Paula Davis and senior guard 9 A-P-W 13 Shannon Newton are penciled in at two of the starting spots. (Note- League poll results were determined by a vote of the Junior Athena Stere and sopholeague coaches, with coaches more Angie Petrie are also being not allowed to vote for their own counted on to fill the voids teams. Weedsport's coach created by graduation. declined to participate in the " T h e r e ' s not a lot of poll, citing lack of familiarly with experience at the varsity level, the teams. First-place votes in but we will get better as the seaparentheses.) son progresses," Miller said. Onondaga This team is only returning starter and will be generally considered the class of joined by senior forward Jennifer the division, but coach Mary Grille and junior guard Amy McDonough. This trio will likely Austin isn't so sure. "We'll be pretty good, but not be joined in the starting lineup as successful as last year," she by junior forward Michelle Masters, last season's junior varsity said. Austin worked with a nine- leading scorer and rebounder, player starting rotation last sea- and junior guard Amanda Potter. Pulaski Coach Ray son but five have graduated. Senior guard Renee Nickerson Sliwoski has lost only one starter and senior forward Jami Corso from last season's team, but he
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"I've got a good group of athletes who are very coachable and very hard-working." Casterella said. "I'm hoping they'll work hard and come together by midseason." Honorable mention all-league senior forward Cathy Fink is the

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while Austin hopes that senior forwards Charina Johnson and Molly Woods and senior guard He'ather Stanton can claim the other three starting positions. TuHy First-year coach Jim Casterella is hoping that three returning players and a group of girls up from last year's 19-1 junior varsity team will help the
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less, he is confident his team will be in the hunt for the league title. "We can be very competitive because we have good balance," he said. "We can have a good year if we get mentally into the game." First-team, all-league junior wing Kate Watson will return to sophomore post Tonya Gilbert,

junior guard Jackie Nutting and senior wing Rosanne Van Duzer. Honorable mention all-league senior post Jennifer Higby is looking to claim the fifth starting spot Hannibal Coach Steve Cianfarano can be rightfully optimistic about the upcoming season. He has eight players coming back from last year's team that went 14-6. "I think we'll be very competitive," Cianfarano said. "We're hoping to fight it out with Tully and OCS (Onondaga) for the top spot." The four returning starters from last year are senior guard Lisa Dodd, junior forwards 1dm Tomak and LuAnn Knoop and junior guard Christine Marshall. "We'll still make young mistakes, but as the season progresses we'll move further along," Cianfarano said. Weedsport First-year coach Mary Connors is optimistic about inheriting a team that has four returning starters. "We look very strong," she said. "Our defense is very strong. We're quick and hustling and we're going to be a good running team." Senior forwards Jenny Beards"ley and Cathy Short and senior guards Julie Drury and Kelly Turner started last season for an 11-7 Warriors team. Tara Jorolemon has the inside track on the fifth starting spot. "I see us having a very successful year," Connors said. "Hopefully, with the experience we have, we can finish on top." Port Byron Coach Ronald Wilson believes his team's experience and maturity will help the Panthers improve on last season's 11-7 mark.

linger and senior foward Jenny Harkness have each started since their sophomore years and will be counted to pick up the scoring void created by the graduation of Sue Abate. Six players will battle for the remaining six star ting positions. "Our finish depends on what happens on the offensive end of the court," Wilson said. "If we can do anything on offense, then we'll be competitive in the top half of the division." Cato-Meridian Coach Ann Gregory has four starters returning from last season's 2-14 team. She believes the Blue Devils are still in the building stages. "There were a lot of teams that killed us last season and it's unrealistic to think that we'll beat them," Gregory said. "Hopefully, we'll be able to give them a better game." Senior forwards Donna Fredenburg and Lynne Clarke and senior guards Stephanie Cnm and Lynn Podolak started last year, but will have to play a more controlled defensive game for the Blue Devils to improve their 1988-89 record. "We have an aggressive team, but we have to be more controlled," Gregory said. Fabius-Pompey The Falcons have been the bottom team in the OHSL South for the last several years, but coach Lois Haas believes this may be the season that the team climbs up. "I think we'll be right in the middle," she saia. "We re building and getting better, but I don't think we're ready to take the league." Haas has four starters returning from the 1988-89 team. Senior forward Jessica Henry, junior forward Emily Habereck, "All our players have played junior center Melanie Parker and quite a bit on the varsity level," honorable mention all-league he said. "They can adjust to sophomore guard Carrie Lysik .. .n ,. .1 "t ' citli?>tirtne rrt iVyr* firm*- "

season s 17-5 mark.

Senior guard Shelley Terwi!r the Falco'ns.