Check out the Section 9 girls’ lacrosse teams (see below). And, FYI: We are putting together the Varsity845 girls’ lacrosse team, which will run within the next two weeks. Stay tuned.

1^st Team                                  Player                         Year                            Position

Cornwall                                  Jessica Gurrieri                        9                                  GK

Pine Bush                                Kayley Carnes             12                                A

Burke Catholic                                     Amber Brisacone         12                                A

Minisink                                  Amanda Paino                         10                                M

Millbrook                                 Julia Galantich             12                                M

Millbrook                                 Taylor Goodwill          12                               GK

Saugerties                                Ashley Werner                         12                                A

Red Hook                                Lindsay Hobson          12                                M

Red Hook                                Ciara Burud                 10                                M
Red Hook                                Marist Parr                  11                                M

Kingston                                  Carly Canavan             12                                D

Kingston                                  Logan Brennan                        10                                M

Kingston                                  Caroline Crump                       11                                A

Goshen                                                Hannah Welshoff        9                                  A

Monroe Woodbury                  Spencer Pavia             11                               D

2^nd Team                                 Player                         Year                             Position

Pine Bush                                Taylor Carillo              10                                DW

Burke Catholic                         Alexa Anastasio          12                                M

Burke Catholic                         Hannah Malley                        11                                A

Minisink                                  Heather Molander        12                                M

Minisink                                  Vic Ferdinandi             12                                M

Millbrook                                 Elizabeth Halpin,         10                                M

Saugerties                                Elizabeth Westwood    12                                M

Saugerties                                Jessica Chargios           12                                D

Middletown                             Danielle Jimenez         12                                D

O’Neill                                     Izzy Thompson                        11                                D

Red Hook                                Shelby Wilcox             11                                GK
Red Hook                                Summer Mosher          12                               M

Kingston                                  Chelsea Shultis                        12                                GK

Kingston                                  Stephanie Douglas       11                                D

Goshen                                                Kate Laskoski              9                                  C

Monroe Woodbury                  Courtney Dumain        11                                AW

3^rd  Team                                Player                         Year                           Position

Cornwall                                   Erin Leahy                  11                                M

Burke Catholic                         Shannon Darcy                        10                                D

Minisink                                  Ali Dalton                    11                                A

Millbrook                                 Mackenzie Harkenrider           11                                D

Saugerties                                Veronica Rell               12                                M

New Paltz                                Alexandra Hekking      10                                M

Middletown                             Thelma Outlaw                        9                                 M

O’Neill                                     Lexi West                    10                                D

Washingtonville                       Shayne Postiglione       12

Valley Central                          Becca Penney              12                               A

Highland                                  Samantha Mazzella      11                                A

Monroe Woodbury                  Julianne Humphrey     11                                A

Honorable Mention Team      Player                         Year                            Position

Cornwall                                  Erin Geraghty              12                                D

Cornwall                                  Mackenzie Milano       10                                M

Pine Bush                                Tiffany Tortorello,       12                               A

Pine Bush                                McKenna Gross                       9                                A

Burke Catholic                         Colleen Walsh                        12                                A

Burke Catholic                         Mary Leahy                11                                GK

Minisink                                  Olivia Heghmann         11                                M

Minisink                                  Missy Scneiderman      12                                D

Millbrook                                 Kaitlyn Daly                8                                 M

Millbrook                                 Kelly Waters                9

Saugerties                                KelleyRose Yaeger      12                                A

Saugerties                                Maggie Pederson          11                                A

New Paltz                                MaryGrace Bauer        12                                M
New Paltz                                Quinn Berger               11                                A

Middletown                             Arianna Rivera                        11                               D/M

Middletown                             Vanessa Babcock        10                               A

O’Neill                                     Michaela Cooper         12                                M

O’Neill                                     Sarsh Kelly                  9                                 A

Washingtonville                       Rebecca Randazzo      11

Washingtonville                       Kathleen Bidad                        12

Red Hook                                Talia Stortini                12                                D
Red Hook                                Erica Mansfield          12                                A

Kingston                                  Joey-Lynn Henderson 11                                D

Kingston                                  Hanna Longendyke     10                                M

Valley Central                          Hali Vandermeulen         12                                           GK

Valley Central                          Lexi Rios                     12                                DW

Highland                                  Victoria Steele                        11                                GK

Highland                                  Savanna Caso                         10                                M/A

Goshen                                                Rielly Miller                 9                                  A

Goshen                                                Julia McGuire              10                                DW
Monroe Woodbury                  Catherine Ruis             11                               AW
Monroe Woodbury                  Elizabeth Gannon       12                               A

Note: According to Kingston coach Deb Eaton, Warwick did not put submissions in for the team.

1. Liverpool has won 20 games in a row since losing to Cicero-North Syracuse 10-5 on April 14. The Warriors beat Cicero North 2-1 in nine innings to win the Section 3 Class AA title. Cicero North had won the last four championships.

2. Perhaps, he’s playing coy, but Liverpool coach Nick Spataro said he isn’t sure who will start against Valley Central in the biggest game of the year.
Spataro has two options: Senior Dana Nicoletti or sophomore Peyton Bellrose, who both have posted good numbers.
“I might see who warms up the best,” Spataro said. “Honestly, I don’t know.”

3. Bellrose is Liverpool’s best hitter, batting .583 with seven homers, eight doubles and 33 RBI. She also plays first and third base. Another dangerous Liverpool hitter is shortstop Alicia Hansen, who is hitting .577 with 10 extra-base hits and 33 RBI.

4. Like Valley Central, Liverpool played a close game in the quarterfinals of the Class AA state playoffs. Trailing 5-0 in the fifth inning, Liverpool rallied to defeat Bethlehem 8-7 in eight innings. Jenna Wike’s single scored Hansen with the game-winning run.

5. Kerry Bennett, the coach who led Cicero North to a win over Valley Central in the Class AA semifinals two years ago, now is a Liverpool assistant.
Bennett was fired by Cicero North in 2012 for allegedly bullying and harassing a player that skipped the championship game that year to go to the prom. In the aftermath of Bennett’s firing, many in the community, including Cicero North players, supported him to no avail.
Bennett, 67, won more than 600 games in 30 years at Cicero North, Liverpool’s rival.

*Valley Central and Liverpool meet in the semifinals of the Class AA state softball tournament at 9 a.m. Saturday in South Glens Falls.

The story about the Miami Heat reportedly concocting a plan to make a run at Carmelo Anthony this summer to form a super squad created quite a buzz this week.

Meanwhile, in Section 9, our very own “Dream Team” was formed on Friday. Coach Sal Mineo announced the boys’ basketball team that will represent the Mid-Hudson at the Basketball Coaches Association of New York Summer Hoops Festival in early-August in Johnson City, located near Binghamton.

There are plenty of heavy hitters on the roster, including Tyler Banks of Marlboro, Red Hook’s Dennis Hare, C.J. Burke of New Paltz and Warwick’s Dermot Egan.

“I’m very excited that I made the team and will be able to play with some of the best players in the section,” said Burke, a junior guard. “I can’t wait to play with a team like this. During tryouts, we really pushed each other. It was a lot of fun. I’m definitely honored to play on this team.”

There will be nine regions representing the state at the Hoops Festival, set for Aug. 1-3: New York City, Long Island, Buffalo, Rochester, Central, Hudson Valley, Capital District, Mid-Hudson and Southern Tier. The Mid-Hudson team went 2-2 last season.

BCANY created this event four years ago to give players the opportunity to showcase their skills for college coaches. Last year, coaches from Division I, II and III attended the Summer Hoops Festival.

“This is something every local player should want to be a part of,” Newburgh forward T.J. Patsalos said. “You definitely want to showcase your talent with some of the best players in Section 9. That’s how I feel. I’m looking forward to playing some of the big shots from the other sections up there.”

Mid-Hudson BCANY boys’ basketball team

Junior center Tyler Banks, Marlboro
Junior guard Isaiah Boissard, Valley Central
Junior guard C.J. Burke, New Paltz
Junior guard Ishmael Chisholm, Roosevelt
Junior Sha-Shawn Drayton, Monticello
Junior guard Darnell Edge, Saugerties
Junior center Dermot Egan, Warwick
Junior forward Paton Gibbs, Saugerties
Sophomore guard Dennis Hare, Red Hook
Sophomore guard Omari Lane, Newburgh
Sophomore guard Justin Mitchell, Newburgh
Junior forward T.J. Patsalos, Newburgh

Coach: Sal Mineo (S.S. Seward)
Assistants: Ryan Schupp (Port Jervis); Steve Matuszak (Monticello)

Rough first round for nine Section 9 golfers at the state championships at SUNY Delhi.

Warwick junior Katie Krahulik was the only golfer to break 90. Krahulik’s 16-over-par 88 has her tied for 41st place.

Highland senior Caroline Roberto shot the best nine – a 6-over 42 on the front.

Fallsburg junior Madison Levine birdied the par-5, 10th hole.

State championship
(at SUNY Delhi Golf Course, par 72)
First-round scores for Section 9 golfers

T41 Katie Krahulik (Warwick) 45-43-88
T52 Caroline Roberto (Highland) 42-50-92
T58 Emily Thatcher (Monroe-Woodbury) 47-47-94
T62 Madison Levine (Fallsburg) 50-46-96
T62 Savannah Maas (John S. Burke Catholic) 53-43-96
69 Bernice Lee (New Paltz) 48-52-100
71 Alice Lee (New Paltz) 55-47-102
T78 Krissy Buermeyer (Valley Central) 57-54-111
80 Rachel Menoutis (Warwick) 59-57-116

Warwick junior Katie Krahulik shot a 18-over-par 90 to finished tied for 44th at SUNY Delhi.

Krahulik, the 2014 section champion, had a two-score of 34-over 178.

State championship
(at SUNY Delhi, par 72)
T44 Katie Krahulik (Warwick) 88-90-178; T54 Caroline Roberto (Highland) 92-93-185, T56 Emily Thatcher (Monroe-Woodbury) 94-92-186, Madison Levine (Fallsburg) 96-91-187; T65 Bernice Lee (New Paltz) 100-93-193; T67 Savannah Maas (John S. Burke Catholic) 96-98-194; T67 Alice Lee (New Paltz) 102-92-192; 76 Krissy Buermeyer (Valley Central) 111-103-214; Rachel Menoutis (Warwick) 116-104-220.

Minisink Valley's Joe Sessa (17) takes a shot on goal during the class A quarterfinal boys lacrosse game against Middletown at Minisink Valley High School in Slate Hill on Monday, May 19, 2014. Minisink won 15-1. (Times Herald-Record file photo)

Minisink Valley junior attack Joe Sessa has been selected to participate on the 2014 upstate New York All-Star team in the Under Armor All-Star games in Baltimore on July 11-13.

Sessa, who has verbally committed to Yale University, is the only Section 9 player on the roster.

Full rosters are available here.

This spring for Minisink Valley, Sessa had 68 goals and 83 assists for a total of 151 points. He has 155 goals and 216 assists over the course of his three-year varsity career. He holds Minisink Valley record in career assists and points.

He was named one of three players “who impressed at tryouts.” From Lacrosse Playground: “(Sessa) has the vision to create chances for others, but also is an explosive, tough dodger when going to the goal.”

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In other lacrosse news, the Hudson Valley Express went 5-0 at the Harvard Crimson Classic on June 14-15.

The Express Black team features a number of top players from Section 9, as well as Delaware Valley (Pa.) goalie Connor Lamberton. Check out the roster here.

That’s another positive sign that boys’ lacrosse in Section 9 is on the rise.

On Tuesday, June 17, the American Heart Association will honor Onteora girls’ volleyball coaches Brittany Alexander and Nicole Saunders for their actions in saving the life of an Onteora volleyball player who suffered sudden cardiac arrest during a match last fall.

A presentation will be made at the Onteora Board of Education meeting on Tuesday evening.

If you don’t remember the story, Onteora and Wallkill coaches came to the aid of an Onteora player on Oct. 17. Here’s the link to the original story.

From the AHA press release:

While 9-1-1 was being called, an unidentified Wallkill parent, who is also a first responder, and the Wallkill varsity football coach assisted with CPR efforts while the AED was retrieved by Saunders, the JV coach. The AED delivered one shock to restore the victim’s heartbeat. She was then transported to St. Luke’s Hospital in Newburgh.

The American Heart Association is currently trying to pass a state law that would require all students would be trained in CPR before graduating from high school. The state assembly could vote on the measure this week. For more info, follow this link: http://www.becprsmart.org/

This just popped into my email…This is the team selected by MHAL coaches.

The Varsity845 All-Stars will appear in the paper sometime in the next few weeks.

Wallkill High School's Joe Pillitteri delivers a pitch during their 6-1 loss to Rye in a Class A baseball state playoff game on Friday June 6, 2014 in Saugerties, NY. (PHILIP KAMRASS/ For the Times Herald-Record)

MHAL Coaches All League Teams

American Conference

FDR: Nick Rand (Junior – Pitcher/ Outfield), Will Grega (Junior – Pitcher/Infield), Cory Simmons (Junior – Pitcher/Infield)

Highland: Cory Garcia (Junior – Infield), Brandon Mack (Junior – Infield), Ryan Pushong (Senior – Utility) Vinnie Valentino (Senior – Pitcher)

Marlboro: Nick Mongelli (Sophomore – Pitcher), Scott Oliver (Junior – Infield), John Mooradian (Sophomore – Infield), Cole Nicolis (Sophomore – Catcher), Kyle Cherubini (Junior – Outfield)

New Paltz: Nick Dimarco (Senior – Infield), Austin Hekking (Senior – Outfield), Chase Sarvis (Senior – Pitcher/First Base), Stevie Branche (Junior – Pitcher/ Infield), Seb Pannuto (Junior – Utility),

Red Hook: AJ Coolbaugh (Sophomore – Outfield), Dylan Snow (Senior – Catcher)

Saugerties: Nick Teiter (Junior – Pitcher/Infield), Curtis Jorgensen (Junior – Pitcher/Outfield), Biko Skalla (Junior – Outfield), Joe Dittus (Senior – Outfield/Infield)

Wallkill: Joe Pillitteri (Senior – Pitcher/First Base), Nick Gomez (Junior – Infield), Steve Moskwa (Junior- Pitcher/Infield), Sean Puleo (Senior – Outfield), Ed O’Donnell (Senior – Catcher)

National Conference

John A. Coleman Catholic: Jim LaValle (Senior – Pitcher/First Base), Doug Terrone (Senior – Outfield), Nate Gray (Senior – Infield), Kevin Davis (Senior – Outfield)

Ellenville: William Molloy (Senior – Infield)

Millbrook: Vincent Granuzzo (Junior – Pitcher/First Base)

Onteora: Ryan VanVaulkenburgh (Senior – Outfield)

Pine Plains: John Wheeler (Junior – Pitcher/Infield), Matt Pelletier (Junior – Pitcher/Outfield), Peter Ducillo (8th

Grade – Pitcher/Infield)

Rhinebeck: Kory Hutchins (Senior – Pitcher), Nick Hoynes (Senior – Infield), Jackson Pavlakis (Senior – First Base)

Spackenkill: Ben Jenkins (Senior- Pitcher/First Base), Blake Kawalski (Senior- Pitcher/First Base), Billy Winnis (Senior – Pitcher/Infield), Tyler Olson (Senior – Outfield), Justin Etts (Junior – Infield), Dan LaGasse (Senior – Pitcher/Outfield)

Webutuck: Hunter Coulthand (Sophomore – Pitcher), Chris Reed (Sophomore – Infield), Lashawn Thrasher (Junior – Outfield), Andrew Thrasher (Junior – Catcher)

The New York State Sportswriters Association released its final state poll of the season today. I’ll list the Section 9 teams that made the cut. For the full list, check out the NYSSWA website here.

Class AA

7. Valley Central

16. Pine Bush

Class A

10. Wallkill

15. Marlboro

Class B

7. Spackenkill

20. Rhinebeck

Class C

10. Chester

13. S.S. Seward

Class D

15. Livingston Manor

18. John A. Coleman Catholic

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A little Varsity845 All-Star update. These things can change, so check your local listings, but our plan is to run the V845 lacrosse All-Stars this weekend (girls on Saturday, boys on Sunday). So keep your eyes open for those. Again, this is subject to change, but we hope to have the softball/baseball All-Stars in the paper the weekend of June 28-29 – softball on Sat. the 28th, baseball on Sun. the 29th.

Be sure to check out Friday’s paper for the latest on Kingston’s Pat Dorrian signing with the Atlanta Braves, as well as an update on Goshen grad Quinn Carpenter.

Warwick junior Katie Krahulik talks about winning the Section 9 championship and joining a list that includes Meg Ryan, her former Warwick teammate, and Tori DeGroodt, a Valley Central graduate.

Krahulik also talks about her improvement through the years and getting better for one more season at Warwick.

Highland's Alison Rozzi (22) puts up a 3-point shot during the NYSPHSAA class B girl's basketball regional semi-finals against Woodlands at the Westchester County Center on Tuesday, March 4, 2014. (John Meore photo/for The Times Herald-Record)

Here is the roster for the Mid-Hudson BCANY girls’ basketball team, which will compete at a statewide Summer Hoops Fest tournament in Johnson City on August 1-3.

Name, School, Height, Grade (2014-15 school year)
Simone Ayers, Chester, 5-10, Sr.

Sydney Hendershot, Port Jervis, 5-11, Sr.

Sarah Kean, Port Jervis, 5-2, Sr.

Taylor Orszewski, Marlboro, 5-11, Sr.

Alison Rozzi, Highland, 5-8, Sr.

Kayla Butler, Tri-Valley, 5-9, Jr.

Kymane Jones, Washingtonville, 5-4, Jr.

Danielle Shafarsky, Tri-Valley, 5-5, Sr.

Caroline Martin, Tri-Valley, 5-6, Sr.

Kyla Given, Newburgh Free Academy, 5-8, Sr.

Katherine Purdy, Tuxedo, 5-4, Jr.

Stephanie Gunderman, Tuxedo, 5-9, Sr.

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Look for more on the team in the Times Herald-Record as it gets closer to the tournament dates. For more info on the Summer Hoops Fest, check out BCANY.org.

Woodstock 14-year-old Justin Lane birdied the 18th hole to capture his first American Junior Golf Association victory at the Killington (Vt.) Junior Championship at Green Mountain National Golf Course Thursday.

Lane entered the final hole of the three-round tournament tied with Drew Gonzales of Lafayette, La. at 1-under-par. He hit his second shot to within four feet of the hole and putted in for the title. Lane finished the tournament, which included golfers California, Canada and England, at 2-under 211. The victory earns Lane exempt status on any AJGA tournament he enters this year and next year.

Lane tied for the low score of the first round with a 4-under 67 Tuesday. He completed the last hole of his second round after a two-hour lightning delay and shot even-par 71.

Pat Dorrian (center front) signs a pro contract with the Atlanta Braves on Thursday, June 26, 2014 (Will Montgomery photo/Times Herald-Record)

Kingston’s Pat Dorrian made it official on Thursday, signing a pro contract with the Atlanta Braves. He heads to the Braves’ Gulf Coast League affiliate in Kissimmee, Fla. on Sunday.

For more on Dorrian, check out Friday’s Times Herald-Record.

In the meantime, here’s the updated list of our local MLB draft picks since the draft began in 1965.

Dorrian is the first local player to sign out of high school since Marlboro’s Dee Brown in 1996.

Local baseball draft picks since 1965
1965 17th round (328th pick) LHP Mickey Scott (Newburgh Free Academy), New York Yankees
1966 34th (651) RHP Brian Bach (Kingston), Atlanta Braves
1966 55th (815) P James Conklin (Tuxedo), Atlanta Braves
1967 16th (313) RHP Jeff Beattie (Warwick), Philadelphia Phillies
1971 27th (606) 3B-OF Ralph Petrillo (Newburgh Free Academy), Montreal Expos
1972 5th (114) C Karl Jacobsen (Valley Central), Kansas City Royals
1972 24th (560) 1B Linwood Fisher (Newburgh Free Academy), New York Yankees
1972 24th (568) RHP Charles Janes (Dartmouth, Kingston), Pittsburgh Pirates
1974 7th (162) RHP Kevin Lahey (Newburgh Free Academy), Kansas City Royals
1975 22nd (520) RHP Bob Semerano (SUNY Orange, Port Jervis), Pittsburgh Pirates
1976 19th (454) 3B John Kidd (SUNY Buffalo, Valley Central), Boston Red Sox
1977 1st (4) LHP Tim Cole (Saugerties), Atlanta Braves
1977 9th (219) OF Steve McMurray (Polk CC, Warwick), Cleveland Indians
1979 9th (212) 2B Paul Runge (Jacksonville, Kingston), Atlanta Braves
1980 25th (638) LHP Jeff Marks (Pine Bush), New York Yankees
1984 30th (721) RHP Joe Ausanio (Kingston), Atlanta Braves
1985 1st (15) RHP Willie Fraser (Concordia, Newburgh Free Academy), Los Angeles Angels
1985 23rd (587) 2B Mark Casey (Iona, Marlboro), Minnesota Twins
1988 11st (278) RHP Joe Ausanio (Jacksonville, Kingston), Pittsburgh Pirates
1988 34th (886) RHP Brian Golden (Gettysburg, Pine Bush), St. Louis Cardinals
1989 31st (811) RHP Dave Telgheder (UMass, Minisink Valley), New York Mets
1989 63rd (1,438) OF Greg Lewis (Newburgh Free Academy), Toronto Blue Jays
1990 22nd (589) RHP Sam Mandia (Seton Hall, Marlboro), Toronto Blue Jays
1991 1st (44) 3B Mike Groppuso (Seton Hall, Kingston), Houston Astros
1991 31st (827) LHP Mike Bertotti (Iona, Cornwall), Chicago White Sox
1992 10th (283) INF Dave Post (Kingston), Los Angeles Dodgers
1992 26th (724) CF Matt Morris (Valley Central), Milwaukee Brewers
1992 32nd (887) LHP Andy Heckman (NC-Charlotte, Pine Bush), San Francisco Giants
1993 7th (194) RHP Scott Kendrick (Monroe-Woodbury), Chicago Cubs
1993 32nd (894) 1B Gabe Duross (Maine, Kingston), Chicago Cubs
1993 34th (945) 3B Steve Wojkowski (Montgomery JC (Md.), Middletown), Kansas City Royals
1993 37th (1,039) OF Greg Lewis (New Hampshire, Newburgh Free Academy), Texas Rangers
1994 7th (187) RHP Denis McLaughlin (Old Dominion, Warwick), Boston Red Sox
1994 7th (190) RHP-SS Tim Spindler (Washingtonville), Chicago Cubs
1994 8th (221) 3B Ryan Balfe (Cornwall), Detroit Tigers
1994 29th (819) P Matt Herr (Hotchkiss School, New Windsor), Atlanta Braves
1994 41st (1,151st) C Colby Weaver (Florida St., Warwick), Atlanta Braves
1995 1st (12) RHP Matt Morris (Seton Hall, Valley Central), St. Louis Cardinals
1995 3rd (85) RHP Rob Bell (Marlboro), Atlanta Braves
1995 6th (159) SS Joe Nathan (Stony Brook, Pine Bush), San Francisco Giants
1995 32nd (898) RHP Tim Spindler (SUNY Orange, Washingtonville), New York Yankees
1996 1st (14) OF Dee Brown (Marlboro), Kansas City Royals
1997 5th (170) INF Tim Hummel (John S. Burke Catholic), San Diego Padres
1997 24th (729) P Cormac Joyce (John S. Burke Catholic), Chicago White Sox
1997 34th (1,034) OF Mike Speckhardt (Marist, Fallsburg), St. Louis Cardinals
1998 24th (713) 2B Jason Edgar (Connecticut, Cornwall), Texas Rangers
2000 2nd (52) SS Tim Hummel (Old Dominion, John S. Burke Catholic), Chicago White Sox
2001 18th (537) C Alex Trezza (Stony Brook, Pine Bush), Detroit Tigers
2001 26th (776) OF Steve Checksfield (Albany, Kingston), Houston Astros
2001 33rd (1,003) LHP Sean Kramer (Cornwall), Chicago White Sox
2002 23rd (688) RHP Dave Pahucki (Siena, Goshen), Boston Red Sox
2003 7th (192) SS Mike Aviles (Concordia, Middletown), KC Royals
2003 16th (474) LHP Kevin Ool (Marist, Middletown), Boston Red Sox
2003 19th (575) C Jason Motte (Iona, Valley Central), St. Louis Cardinals
2004 20th (607) RHP Rob Semerano (Fordham, Port Jervis), Oakland A’s
2004 26th (789) LHP Sean Kramer (Iona, Cornwall), New York Yankees
2006 9th (260) RHP Steve Mcfarland (Lamar, Marlboro), Pittsburgh Pirates
2007 25th (775) RHP Jason Monti (Sacred Heart, Marlboro), Toronto Blue Jays
2007 45th (1,340) C Pete Gilardo (Dominican, Cornwall), Boston Red Sox
2011 48th (1,455) C Ricky Pacione (Marist, Newburgh Free Academy), Los Angeles Angels
2012 10th (329) 3B Mike Dodig (Columbia-Greene CC, Saugerties), Atlanta Braves
2012 27th (841) RHP Quinn Carpenter (Goshen), Boston Red Sox
2014 12th (378) 2B Pat Dorrian (Kingston), Atlanta Braves
2014 17th (504) RHP Quinn Carpenter (Iowa Western CC, Goshen), Toronto Blue Jays

United States soccer fans react at Three Lions sports bar in Denver on Thursday, June 26, 2014, as they watch Germany score a goal against the U.S. in a Brazil 2014 World Cup match. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski)

I’m putting together a piece for Wednesday’s paper about the U.S. Men’s National Team and their run to – at least – the round of 16 at this year’s World Cup. I got some feedback from local coaches for the story, but some of it applies to Tuesday’s game against Belgium (4 p.m., ESPN). I wanted to get this out there now before it’s old news…

Let me know what you think on Twitter: @THR_Montgomery.

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Monroe-Woodbury head coach Pat Bulla:

“The Americans have to create more chances. They’re playing a 4-2-3-1 which morphs into a 4-4-1-1 and they are the lowest in attacks on goal. They had 72 attacks.”

Q: I asked Bulla if he thought losing Jozy Altidore to injury was a big reason for the lack of chances and if the U.S. would improve significantly if Altidore plays on Tuesday.

“Let’s see how that hamstring works out. It’s one of the most difficult injuries to mend that quickly. Unless they’ve got themselves a great PT staff that can get him back in the action…it had to be bad for Jozy not to get in the last game. Hamstring injuries are not necessarily quick to mend. It can take longer. If he tells them he can go and the training staff says yes, I think they’ll try to get him out there as much as they can. They need to attack more and one way in which they can do that is alter that formation and get him back in the game if they can.”

–

Ellenville head coach Max Mead:

“I think the players are starting to believe a little bit in the whole system. This was supposed to be a little bit more of a preparation for the younger guys to get ready for the next World Cup and now people are thinking we can make another little run. Even people are saying that they’re not that overly impressed with Argentina, who we could see if we win tomorrow. It’s amazing how a week and everyone’s opinions have changed pretty drastically, from not making it out of the group to now possibly beating Argentina and going to the Final Four.”

On Sunday’s two games…

“The boring game was supposed to be the Greece-Costa Rica game. That game was awesome. You had a red card, they (Costa Rica) had to play over an hour a man down and they still held on and it went to penalty kicks and everyone’s making them. This is one of the highest-scoring World Cups in recent history. It’s a perfect storm for the U.S. The games are on at Noon and 4 and it’s a perfect time for people.”

“In baseball, if it’s a 1-0 game it’s a pitcher’s battle and it’s an amazing game, but in soccer, if it’s a 1-0, 0-0 game, that’s just boring. It’s all how people want to look at it. People who want to hate on soccer, most of the guys who say, oh, 0-0, that’s stupid, that’s boring, there’s a really good chance they’re a football guy.”

“I still say we’ll win a World Cup in my lifetime.”

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Washingtonville head coach Jack Carillo:

Q: I asked Carillo about what he thought of some of Jurgen Klinsmann’s moves, such as leaving Landon Donovan off the roster and talking about how winning the World Cup is “unrealistic” for the U.S. at this time…

“Yeah, hard work does pay off, but if you’re not taking the right talent and don’t have the right tactics with that hard work, it just means you’re going to run around. If you look at the teams, look back at the 1994 World Cup, it was probably one of the coolest things I got to experience. But that USA team was more lucky than anything else. That team got out of the group stage because of an own goal by Columbia when they defended for 90 minutes. If you really look back, that was a gung-ho, let’s try to work and force a mistake. Soccer has evolved so much over the years since then, obviously. Donovan was part of a different tactical scheme that was different than the direction USA soccer is going.”

“This World Cup is huge, especially for the little kids. I also coach youth soccer, an under-11, under-12 soccer team that I coach. If you were to ask them, “name your top five soccer players in the World Cup right now, it wouldn’t take them more than 10 seconds to think of who are their top five. I think the culture has changed. When I was growing up, the best player in the world was Ronaldo, the Brazilian Ronaldo. I would go to practice and I had a Ronaldo jersey. Everyone had Ronaldo jerseys, but that was because he was the only soccer player we knew about because of Nike commercials. Now you have Nike commercials doing Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, all these huge names, even considering Tim Howard in that list of Nike players…Seeing the penalty shot routine that Neymar does, I guarantee you you’re going to see little kids mimic that. I do belive that helps motivate kids to want to get to another level.”

“I believe probably in the next 12 years we might actually see the USA soccer team in a World Cup semifinal or final.”

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Wallkill head coach Todd Andrews:

“I just think the U.S., they can’t concede the early goal or make any mental mistakes in the back. Against Portugal, they scored right off the bat and that’s my biggest fear is that they’ll allow a goal two or three minutes in. Beside Howard, our defensive middle is our weak point. Time of possession is another big thing for them, too. If they don’t get dominated too bad in that…it’s almost like high school. When they have their chances, they’re going to have to capitalize. If they don’t, Belgium is an excellent team. If they get down 1-0 they’re going to have to press up and that’s totally to Belgium’s advantage.”

“If we get beat, I want us to get beat because it was two great goals. I don’t want it to be on a mental error. That’s the big thing for the U.S. Capitalize on the chances, at least be competitive in time of possession and don’t make the big mental error in the back. If they do that, they have a chance. If they don’t, they can get beat. I do think they have a chance to win, but the defense really concerns me.”

Here are the All-Division boys’ lacrosse All-Stars for the 2014 season. These teams are voted on by the Section 9 head coaches.

Division I

Attack

Billy Bacon, Pine Bush, Sr.

Will Lewis, Middletown, Sr.

Ryan Fischer, Monroe-Woodbury, Sr.

Sean Degnan, Monroe-Woodbury, Jr.

Midfield

Josh Aviles, Middletown, Sr.

Adam Sawitsky, Pine Bush, Sr.

Tommy Friedman, Monroe-Woodbury, Sr.

Brian Loughlin, Kingston, Sr.

Goal

Joey Schof, Pine Bush, Sr.

Face-off Midfield

Max Krug, Pine Bush, Sr.

Long Stick Midfield

Josh Hernandez, Middletown, Sr.

Defensive Midfield

Francisco Moreno, Middletown, Sr.

Defense

Aiden Gaffney, Monroe-Woodbury, Jr.

Robert Dean, Middletown, Jr.

Nick Pesola, Pine Bush, Soph.

Suhayl Latif, Middletown, Sr.

Division II

Attack

Aaron Ackerman, Warwick, Jr.

Nick Maurer, Warwick, Jr.

Joe Sessa, Minisink Valley, Jr.

Brad Howell, Valley Central, Jr.

Brett Jennings, Valley Central, Soph.

Midfield

Nick Daigle, Warwick, Jr.

David Malota, Warwick, Jr.

Hunter Cocks, Valley Central, Jr.

Luke Hanson, Minisink Valley, Soph.

Goal

Evan Floreck, Warwick, Sr.

Face-off Midfield

Harley Rogers, Warwick, Sr.

Long Stick Midfield

Brendan Shust, Valley Central, Soph.

Defensive Midfield

Nick Puglisi, Minisink Valley, Sr.

Defense

Nick Russo, Valley Central, Jr.

Alex Bonanno, Valley Central, Sr.

Connor Filipowski, Warwick, Soph.

Joe Rice, Warwick, Jr.

Division III

Attack

James Pedersen, Saugerties, Sr.

Ryan Donovan, Cornwall, Sr.

Thomas Holloway, Highland, Jr.

Mark Colella, Goshen, Fr.

Midfield

Darius Edwards, Saugerties, Jr.

Pat Havey, Cornwall, Sr.

Brandon Fienco, Cornwall, Sr.

Chris Schlappich, Highland, Soph.

Goal

Mitch Lindenbaum, Saugerties, Jr.

Face-off Midfield

Kyle Quinn, Saugerties, Jr.

Long Stick Midfield

Jesse DeTeresa, Cornwall, Sr.

Defensive Midfield

Nick Slate, Saugerties, Soph.

Defense

Kyle Quinn, Saugerties, Jr.

Rob Cologero, Saugerties, Jr.

Jason Chlus, Highland, Fr.

Mike Lesoine, Roosevelt, Jr.

Division IV

Attack

Rory Shoemaker, Millbrook, Sr.

Dan Finkbeiner, Rondout Valley, Jr.

Nick Michitsch, Red Hook, Soph.

Ryan Waters, James I. O’Neill, Jr.

Midfield

Nolan Dalton, Red Hook, Jr.

Gabe Carbone, Rondout Valley, Jr.

Sean Whalen, Rondout Valley, Sr.

Roan Gideon, Rhinebeck, Sr.

Goal

Conor O’Donnell, Millbrook, Jr.

Face-off Midfield

Angus Wolfe, Rondout Valley, Jr.

Long Stick Midfield

Jean Luc Ludwig, Rondout Valley, Soph.

Defensive Midfield

Keith Malak, Rondout Valley, Sr.

Defense

Alex Tocco, Rondout Valley, Jr.

Teddy Ross, Red Hook, Sr.

James Johnson, James I. O’Neill, Sr.

Connor McDonald, John S. Burke Catholic, Sr.

–

The Varsity845 All-Stars appeared in the paper over the weekend. Here are the links.

Player of the Year: Minisink Valley’s Joe Sessa

Coach of the Year: Warwick’s Graig McElroy

Varsity845 First and Second team All-Stars

A recent study by USA Swimming named the Middletown-Newburgh-Poughkeepsie metro area as one of the top 50 swim cities in the nation. Our area ranked 46th on the list, which took the number of active swimmers and clubs, the amount of accessible pools and the volume of top-level swimmers from an area into account.

Ann Arbor, Michigan was ranked No. 1 in the study. For the full list, click here.

The Hudson Valley was the top-ranked area in New York State. Rochester placed 49th on the list.

For more details on the study, follow this link.

That’s a credit to all the young swimmers locally registered with clubs as well as the high school swimmers who go off to college.

The girls’ swim and dive season is just around the corner. Newburgh Free Academy hosts the Hudson Valley Kickoff Classic on Sept. 6.

The annual All-State baseball team was announced by the New York State Sportswriters Association on Wednesday.

Class AA

Second team

John Cain, LHP, Pine Bush, Sr.

Third team

James Karinchak, RF/RHP, Valley Central, Sr.

Fourth team

Pat Dorrian, SS, Kingston, Sr.

Fifth team

Evan Lieberman, RHP, Pine Bush, Sr.

Sixth team

Charlie Todd, 1B, Warwick, Sr.

D.J. Mendenhall, P, Warwick, Sr.

Seventh team

Kashaun Curry, P, Middletown, Jr.

Class A

First team

Joe Pillitteri, RHP/1B, Wallkill, Sr.

Fourth team

Sean Puleo, OF, Wallkill, Sr.

Fifth team

Austin Hekking, OF, New Paltz, Sr.

Sixth team

Nick Klumack, 1B/3B, Cornwall, Sr.

Class B

First team

Justin Etts, SS/CF/P, Spackenkill, Sr.

Second team

Billy Winnis, C/2B/P, Spackenkill, Sr.

Kory Hutchins, SS/P, Rhinebeck, Sr.

Third team

Kevin Crill, SS/P, James I. O’Neill, Sr.

Fourth team

Ben Jenkins, 1B/P, Spackenkill, Sr.

Fifth team

Nick Hoynes, 1B/CF/P, Rhinebeck, Sr.

Seventh team

Pat Pierce, 1B/P, Sullivan West, Sr.

Class C

First team

Ryan Cabrera, SS/P, Chester, Sr.

Second team

Jake Kinley, CF/P, S.S. Seward, Sr.

Third team

Alex Brown, P, Tri-Valley, Sr.

Fourth team

Chris Wittekind, 1B/P, Chester, Sr.

Fifth team

Joe Pillmeier, P, S.S. Seward, Sr.

Sixth team

Kyle Marco, Util., Chester, Jr.

Seventh team

Colin Marco, C/P, Chester, Fr.

Class D

First team

Bray Curreri, SS/P, Eldred, Sr.

Jim LaValle P/1B, John A. Coleman Catholic, Sr.

Second team

Nate Gray, 2B, John A. Coleman Catholic, Sr.

Dylan Taggart, C/P, Livingston Manor, Jr.

Third team

Doug Terrone, CF, John A. Coleman Catholic, Sr.

Kevin Davis, LF, John A. Coleman Catholic, Sr.

Fourth team

Jake Halter, IF/RF, Eldred, Jr.

–

All-State certificates are available from Perry Novak. The cost is $5 for one, $4 extra for a second and $3 per certificate each after that. Make checks payable to NYSSCOGS and send to Novak at 3350 Rt 28, Herkimer, NY 13350. Perry’s email is nysscogs@yahoo.com if you have questions.

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Update: If you’re looking for the full All-State teams, click on over to the NYSSWA website here.

Remember the Harlem Shake? Well, the latest viral video craze is all for a good cause.

The Newburgh Free Academy girls’ basketball team recently made a Chillin’ 4 Charity video. Check it out in the player above.

University of Arizona head coach Niya Butts got the ball rolling when she challenged her Pac 12 counterparts to the challenge, in which coaches and players get dumped with ice water and the results captured on video. It’s all to support the Kay Yow Foundation, which raises money for breast cancer awareness. Yow, the Hall of Fame head coach from North Carolina State, passed away in 2009.

The way it works is that a coach who has already been soaked will challenge another coach. If the challenged coach accepts, the challenging coach donates $50 and the freshly-soaked coach will challenge someone else. If the challenged coach declines, they’re “obligated” to donate $250 instead.

For more on the Chillin’ 4 Charity story, follow this link.

Newburgh Free Academy head coach Rich Desiderio was challenged by Ossining’s Dan Ricci. Desiderio has responded by challenging Cornwall’s Chris Miller and Goshen’s Gus Lawson. Will they rise to the challenge?

If you’d like to check out some other Chillin’ 4 Charity videos, check out this list on YouTube.

The central committee of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association will be holding its summer meeting in Lake Placid from Tuesday through Thursday.
Among the items for consideration are raising the number of allowable basketball games to 20 in time for the 2015-16 season; approval of the weight throw for the indoor state track and field championships; a reduction of contests needed for post-season participation; and, amending penalties for wrestlers who exceed the 20 allotted points or six allotted tournaments per season.
State championship sites seeking formal approval are the 2015 bowling event at Mardi-Bob Lanes in Poughkeepsie and the 2015 and 2016 indoor state track and field championships at Cornell, which has been the long-time host.

CENTRAL VALLEY – It’s become a familiar scene at Monroe-Woodbury’s football field.

There was Monroe-Woodbury coach Bernie Connolly directing his charges near midfield with his son, Mike, at his side on Tuesday night. Except, unlike previous years, Mike Connolly wasn’t there to lead his dad’s defense.

Mike Connolly is now the head coach of another Section 9 powerhouse – Cornwall. He previously served as Monroe-Woodbury’s defensive coordinator for two seasons, and was in the program for six.

Monroe-Woodbury, Cornwall and Suffern took part in a 7-on-7 on Tuesday. Before the scrimmage, Mike Connolly caught up with, among others, his dad, some Monroe-Woodbury players and another one of his mentors – Pat D’Aliso. D’Aliso, Monroe-Woodbury’s former head coach, is now the Crusaders’ offensive coordinator.

We talked to Bernie and Mike Connolly before the scrimmage and it was a good interview. To check out the Coach Connolly’s video, click on the upper left corner (play list) of this Kevin Carr-Mike White video:

Mike Connolly seems to be the perfect fit at Cornwall and he is already receiving rave reviews from his new players. At 29, he’s young, smart and passionate. Coming from Monroe-Woodbury, Connolly is, of course, a winner.

He helped Monroe-Woodbury to the Class AA state championship game last season, where the Crusaders lost to juggernaut Rochester Aquinas. Connolly replaced Marcus Hughes at Cornwall, who went 67-13, and won six Section 9 Class A titles in seven seasons.