With the regular season for sports coming to an end. Sectionals have begun and it is now win or go home. Teams look to bring home a banner and have a great end to their season. 

                                          Boys Soccer

After coming up just short the past two years, the boys soccer team finally got to hold up a sectional banner. After a great 10-3-2 regular season, the team headed into playoffs as the #2 seed. 

After a 4-0 win against South Jefferson, the boys soccer team are champions of section 3 class A. 

The team defeated Franklin Academy 11-1 in the sub regionals and moved on to play another game.

After a great run, the team’s season came to an end in the regional championship after falling to Schalmont 2-1 in double overtime. 

The team was led by seniors Ashton Giambrone, David Berg, and Noah Partenza, and juniors Ben Stevens and Tommy Wameling.  

“We are having very intense and tactical practices getting ready for upcoming sectionals focusing on key components such as quick ball movement and finishing. Every small aspect of the game is key for our team so we must get the most out of every play if we wanna go far,” Ben Stevens said after being asked what the keys to preparing for a great run are. 

“The team’s goal going into sectionals is to go as far as possible, bare minimum to win sectionals. We believe we can go very far if we play well as a team,” Ben said earlier in the season.

Girls Soccer

The girls soccer team continued dominating section 3 and won their fourth straight sectional championship. The team has reached the state semifinals for  the past three years and played in the State tournament last weekend.

After a 4-0 win against Mexico, the team has won their fourth straight sectional championship and now look to make a run in states. 

The team defeated Massena 10-1 in sub regionals and moved on to play Schalmont next round. 

The team defeated Schalmont 4-0 to claim their fourth straight regional championship and moved on to the state semifinals. The team returned to the state final this year after a 2-1 victory against defending champions Rye on Saturday but came up short in the final against Pittsford Mendon. 

The team was  led by seniors Sophia and Olivia Vitullo, Caroline Sekula, and Amanda Graziano, and sophomores Maddie Truax and Elizabeth Rayhill.  

“I think the keys for a great sectional run definitely started with staying focused and playing as a unit rather than individually. Our team has done an exceptional job with maintaining our drive to be the best team around and ultimately playing our game how we know to play it,” said Sophia Vitullo.  

“The highlight of my season so far is definitely playing with my best friends and being able to be so successful with the girls I’ve grown up with! Our team chemistry is really the backbone behind all of our success,” said Sophia. 

Football

After an 8-0 regular season, the football team headed into playoffs looking to make their way to the sectional championship. The team had been outscoring opponents 332-74 during the regular season.

After a 42-0 win in the quarterfinals and a 29-0 win in the semifinals, the team returned to the sectional final. 

The team fell short in the sectional championship in overtime. 

The team is led by captains and seniors Wilkenson Joseph, Logan Clarey, Jake Garcia, and Sal Weller. 

“The team and I are approaching sectionals like we have every other week. What we have been doing has made us very successful so far this season. We are going to keep doing what we do but now we have to turn it up a notch. The team and I are very eager to get back out on the field for playoffs coming up,” said senior Sal Weller in advance of the game. 

Boys Cross Country

With another year of sectionals for cross country, the boys team looked to have a great performance and win a sectional championship. The team is led by seniors Samson Allen and Troy Luley.

“Taking care of your body and making sure everyone is healthy” is a key to preparing said by Samson Allen.

The goal this year is “To win sectionals this year after coming very close to winning the past two years” said Allen. 

Girls Cross Country

The girls Cross Country team is also ready to run at sectionals and look to have a winning performance. The team competed at Mount Markham along with the boys in early November. 

Junior Alex French highlighted the keys to success.

 “I would say there’s a good balance of mental and physical preparation that greatly influence how far we go into sectionals,”  Alex said.  “For the physical portion we put a great emphasis on keeping intensity during practices- especially crucial workout days- high. Its easy to go through the motions at practice but keeping the same amount of intensity as you would in a race truly prepares you for when sectionals comes. Then for the mental portion its mainly getting girls into the mindset that the race is bound to hurt because of how much stress it puts on your body. The main thing is to be aware of this pain but not let it get into your head and slow down!” 

Alex said that the team’s main goal is to win sectionals and bring their top 7 to states. 

“Now even if our team did not win sectionals it would still be a nice goal to attain if we could get a couple of girls to states individually including myself!!” Alex said. 

Alex and teammate Abigail Neale achieved that goal and competed in the New York State cross country championship Saturday, November 16 in Queensbury.

Field Hockey

The field hockey team finished a roller coaster season with a 7-10-1 season finishing third in class B. After a 1-7 start to the season, the team defied all odds and won 6 of their next 10 games giving them the 3 seed in the playoffs.

After a 6-1 win against ESM, the team fell to the eventual champions VVS in the semifinals. 

The team is led by seniors Alexis Penree and Alannah Nole, junior Natalia Viola, and sophomore Grace Bannigan. 

“Some highlights of this past season would be when we beat Whitesboro 3-2 in overtime and  when we shut out Holland Patent for the first time in a while. Also when we had team activities like team lunches and team breakfast,” said senior Alannah Nole. 

When asked if she was happy with how the season played out, Nole said, “I would say a little bit of both because I am happy with how I improved and how our team improved in October, but I do wish we made it farther in Sectionals as I do miss playing with my team now.”

Gymnastics

The gymnastics team continues to dominate all of section 3 winning their 12th straight sectional championship. The team went 4-0 on the season before winning their title. 

The team is led by Juniors Grayson Gall and Madison Scranton.

“The key to preparing for sectionals was definitely a lot of repetition of pressure routines during practice, trying to mimic that same environment that’s felt during a big meet like sectionals. Another key factor was going into the meet with confidence, trusting our training, and enjoying every moment,” said Gall. 

Winning one sectional championship is hard, but 12 in a row is something this team is very proud of.

 “It feels so great to be able to keep our streak alive. Our team is young, but each and everyone put their best foot forward at every practice and meet, working hard for this moment. We are so proud of each other, and are looking forward to representing section 3 at states in March,” said Gall. 

The team gets a break to prepare for states in March. 

Swimming and Diving

With a 7-1 record, the girls swim team heads into sectionals with high hopes. Led by seniors Julia Albano, Madi Bailey, and Liliana Mulchy. The team is preparing for a great performance at sectionals. 

“My coach, Mr. McFarland, has us taper for the last two weeks leading up to Sectionals which means we still have hard practices but our yardage goes down. The last few years this has really worked for a lot of the girls to get best times all season at sectionals.” said Albano. 

“The goal this year for our team is to get a relay to States, and for as many girls to get best times at sectionals,” said Albano. 

Girls Tennis

After a great season, the girls tennis team finished 8-5 with a second place finish in their division. Led by seniors Anna Nigro and Julia Battaglia the team fell short in sectionals but sent multiple doubles and singles to sectionals. 

“A highlight of the season was definitely having all 3 doubles teams and first 2 singles qualifying and competing in Individual Sectionals. And having the team compete in team sectionals as well,” said junior Amelia Kramer. 

Although they didn’t get the finish they would have liked, the team is still proud of how they played this season.

 “I think that the season played out really good, with a record of 8-5. I’m proud to be a part of the team,” said Kramer.