The best of the best for winter 2019-20 New Paltz and Highland sports
It was quite the winter sports season on the local level.
Sports
Matthew Vines’ journey to fitness
The local trainer finds it fulfilling to help others shape up.
Kingston Tigers boys basketball bounced in sectionals
The Kingston High School boys varsity basketball team’s stellar season ended abruptly last week with a surprise 75-49 loss to Pine Bush in the Section IX, Class AA semifinals. The game, played at Kingston’s Kate Walton Field House on Wednesday, March 4, saw the Tigers struggle from outside against a team they twice defeated during the regular season shooting from behind the arc.
New Paltz boys’ basketball team wins third straight Class A title
This one seemed improbable. After losing their all-star backcourt of Axel Rodriguez and Casey Burke from their two-straight Section 9 Class A title basketball teams, the New Paltz boys weren’t given much of a chance to do what they did on Saturday, March 7…win their third straight. But that’s what they did, beating number two seed Monticello 69-67 in overtime on a Jackson Soper three-pointer from deep in the corner with just 0:29 left on the clock. With the win, the Huguenots are the first Class A team to ever win back-to-back-to-back titles.
Townsend’s triumph: KHS weight-thrower will compete in state meet
Kingston High School senior Lauren Townsend is closing out her indoor track and field career on a high, earning a spot in this weekend’s New York State Public High School Athletic Association meet thanks to a second place showing in last week’s Section IX qualifier.
Saugerties girls’ basketball team loses to Roosevelt in opening round of sectionals
The Saugerties High School girls varsity basketball team’s season came to an end on Monday night with a 60-48 loss at FDR in the opening round of the Section IX, Class A playoffs. The #7 seeded Sawyers battled to the end against last year’s sectional champ, weathering an early deficit to take the lead in the second half. Head coach Heather Fanelli felt that Saugerties played one of their best games of the season.
New Paltz boys’ basketball team wins first MHAL title in 20 years
And it took 20 years, but the Huguenots finally won their second MHAL title — this after being in their third straight Final Four and losing in the Final two years in a row — beating Millbrook 64-43 on February 28, with Patrick Murphy — seemingly fully recovered from ankle issues that held him to just eight games played this season — leading the way with 17 points and 12 rebounds, with Justin DeMaria with 15 and Jackson Soper 14.
Kingston’s Fairley to compete at state swim tourney
Kingston High School senior Cameron Fairley earned his way into the New York State Public High School Athletic Association swimming and diving tournament by virtue of his performance in last week’s Section IX qualifying meet at Valley Central.
New Paltz sports week
Section 9 boys’ swimming, wrestling, gymnastics and round ball roundup.
New Paltz sports: Wrestling, Nordic skiing, indoor track and the OCIAA swimming championships, plus roundball roundup
New Paltz’s Ethan Palanca became the first Section 9 wrestler to win titles in both Division 2 and Division 1