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High School Sports

Westchester HS Volleyball Team Wins State Championship, Capping Off Remarkable Season Westchester HS Volleyball Team Wins State Championship, Capping Off Remarkable Season
Westchester HS Volleyball Team Wins State Championship, Capping Off Remarkable Season A Westchester volleyball team clinched a 2024 New York State championship in a victory that solidified its place as a dominant force in its league.  The Charter School of Educational Excellence (CSEE) Owls, based in Yonkers, defeated AECI2 of the Bronx on Saturday, Nov. 9, with a decisive 3-1 victory in the City Schools Sports Association (CSSA) 2024 High School Varsity New York State championship game. The win avenged a narrow defeat the Owls suffered against AECI2 during their homecoming game in October and cemented their status as a "dominant force" in the league, school officials …
18-Year-Old Killed In Wildfire At Hudson Valley State Park Remembered As HS Baseball Standout 18-Year-Old Killed In Wildfire At Hudson Valley State Park Remembered As HS Baseball Standout
18-Year-Old Killed In Wildfire At Hudson Valley State Park Remembered As HS Baseball Standout A teenage New York State Parks and Recreation worker who died battling one of the latest in a rash of wildfires in the region will be honored at a memorial service in his hometown. The blaze broke out in Orange County at Sterling Forest State Park in Tuxedo on Saturday, Nov. 9, and spread into parts of neighboring New Jersey. Rockland County resident Dariel Vasquez, age 18, suffered fatal injuries after a tree fell, according to the New York Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Vasquez suffered fatal injuries after a tree fell, according to the New York Office of Par…
Past Athletes Inducted Into Northern Westchester High School's 2024 Hall Of Fame Past Athletes Inducted Into Northern Westchester High School's 2024 Hall Of Fame
Past Athletes Inducted Into Northern Westchester High School's 2024 Hall Of Fame Several standout athletes from years past, including three complete teams, were honored by being inducted into a Northern Westchester high school's hall of fame. The honorees were recognized during a halftime ceremony held at the Lakeland-Somers football game on Friday evening, Oct. 25, Lakeland Central School District officials said.  Those inducted into the 2024 Hall of Fame included:  Basketball player Jen Ritz, who graduated in 2004 and was the first Lakeland High School basketball player to play for a Division I team at Iona College (now Iona University). A captain for…
New Canaan High School Mourns Sudden Death Of Senior New Canaan High School Mourns Sudden Death Of Senior
New Canaan High School Mourns Sudden Death Of Senior A community in Fairfield County is mourning the sudden death of a high school student-athlete. Elliott Kropf, a senior who attended New Canaan High School, died on Saturday night, Sept. 14. Update: New Details Released On Death Of Elliot Kropf "Elliott was a strong student, an excellent athlete, a kind young man, and a wonderful friend, and he will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him," New Canaan Public Schools Superintendent Bryan Luizzi said in a statement on Sunday, Sept. 15. New Canaan High School will operate on a two-hour delay on Monday, Sept. 16. "All buses …
17-Year-Old Victim In Hudson Valley Double-Fatal Crash Was 'Easy To Love' 17-Year-Old Victim In Hudson Valley Double-Fatal Crash Was 'Easy To Love'
17-Year-Old Victim In Hudson Valley Double-Fatal Crash Was 'Easy To Love' Friends and family members are remembering a 17-year-old teen killed in a double-fatal crash as loving sports and his family. Jack J. Noble, of the hamlet of Port Ewen, died unexpectedly on Monday, Jan. 8, during the collision in Ulster County around 9 a.m., Monday, Jan. 8 on Route 28 in the town of Shandaken. A native of Kingston, Jack was a junior at Kingston High School. He was an honor roll student and a Varsity athlete, his obituary said. Related story - 16-Year-Old Killed In Double-Fatal Hudson Valley Crash Remembered As Being ' Incredibly Thoughtful' "He loved lacrosse, soccer, a…
Double-Fatal Crash: HS Students ID'd As Victims; Third Airlifted To Westchester Medical Center Double-Fatal Crash: HS Students ID'd As Victims; Third Airlifted To Westchester Medical Center
Double-Fatal Crash: HS Students ID'd As Victims; Third Airlifted To Westchester Medical Center Two high school students ages 16 and 17 were killed in a four-vehicle crash in the region. Click here for a new, updated story - Teen Killed In Double-Fatal Hudson Valley Crash Remembered As Being ' Incredibly Thoughtful' The collision occurred in Ulster County around 9 a.m., Monday, Jan. 8 on Route 28 in the town of Shandaken. A Preliminary investigation revealed that a Volvo tractor-trailer, driven by a 54-year-old Bronx man was traveling east when he saw a Honda stopped on the roadway waiting to turn north onto Route 212, said Trooper Steven Nevel of the New York State Police.&nb…
HS Senior From NY Killed In Crash Remembered As 'Wonderful Student, Talented Athlete' HS Senior From NY Killed In Crash Remembered As 'Wonderful Student, Talented Athlete'
HS Senior From NY Killed In Crash Remembered As 'Wonderful Student, Talented Athlete' Updated story: Services Scheduled For Long Beach HS Senior Killed In Crash A teenager killed after being hit by an SUV while skateboarding is being remembered as a two-sport varsity sports standout who was a strong student. Long Island resident Gerrin Hagen, who turned 18 on Monday, Dec. 26, played both ice hockey and lacrosse at Long Beach High School, where he was a senior. Earlier report: Teen Dies From Injuries After Being Struck By SUV In Hicksville The incident happened in Hicksville around 2:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 12. Hagen was riding his skateboard westbound on C…
Former High School Quarterback In Hudson Valley Dies At Age 21 Former High School Quarterback In Hudson Valley Dies At Age 21
Former High School Quarterback In Hudson Valley Dies At Age 21 Friends and loved ones are mourning the death of a former high school quarterback from the Hudson Valley. Rockland County native Jeffrey Abrams Jr. died Friday, Sept. 9, at the age of 21, according to his obituary. A cause of death was not given. Born in Nyack on Dec. 14, 2000, Abrams attended North Rockland High School in Thiells, where he was quarterback and captain of the Red Raiders football team, his memorial said. He graduated in 2019. A natural athlete, he was passionate about sports and working out, and was a huge Giants fan, his obituary said. He also loved video games, sneaker…
High School In Westchester Mourns Loss Of Beloved Longtime Coach High School In Westchester Mourns Loss Of Beloved Longtime Coach
High School In Westchester Mourns Loss Of Beloved Longtime Coach A Westchester County high school is mourning the loss of a longtime lacrosse coach. On Sunday, Aug. 7, Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains announced the death of Coach Spencer Barker. Barker worked for the Stepinac Lacrosse Program for 23 years and recently served as the Junior Varsity Lacrosse head coach. It is with great sadness that we have learned of the passing of Coach Spencer Barker. Coach Spencer has been a part of the Stepinac Lacrosse Program for the last 23 years, most recently as the Junior Varsity Lacrosse Head Coach. You will be truly missed.Rest in Peach, Coa…
Hundreds Attend Anti-Violence Rally After Fatal Stabbing Of Cheerleader At Westchester Parade Hundreds Attend Anti-Violence Rally After Fatal Stabbing Of Cheerleader At Westchester Parade
Hundreds Attend Anti-Violence Rally After Fatal Stabbing Of Cheerleader At Westchester Parade It was a sea of pink and white balloons in downtown Mount Vernon as hundreds showed up to celebrate the life of 16-year-old Kayla Green, who was fatally stabbed during a victory parade for the high school’s basketball championship. The city held an anti-gun rally and separate vigil on Monday, April 11 in the wake of the fatal incident on Friday, April 8 that left the popular cheer captain dead. Original story - Girl Killed In Stabbing During Mount Vernon Parade Was Cheerleading Captain Green was critically stabbed by a 15-year-old assailant during the parade celebrating the Mount Vernon Hi…
Former Northern Westchester HS/College Sports Standout Dies At 47 Former Northern Westchester HS/College Sports Standout Dies At 47
Former Northern Westchester HS/College Sports Standout Dies At 47 A former high school and collegiate sports standout in the area has died. Longtime Putnam County resident Dennis Leonard, a 1992 graduate of Lakeland High School in Shrub Oak, was 47 years old. He excelled on both the varsity football and lacrosse teams before attending Salisbury University in Maryland, where he was a member of back-to-back undefeated NCAA champion lacrosse teams. He died on Friday, Nov. 12 at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center in Baltimore. He was a neurology sales account executive working directly with healthcare providers throughout Maryland, Washington DC, and Dela…
Hudson Valley Counties OK High-Risk HS Sports To Start Play Hudson Valley Counties OK High-Risk HS Sports To Start Play
Hudson Valley Counties OK High-Risk HS Sports To Start Play Play ball! Top elected officials in the Hudson Valley convened and gave the green light for student-athletes to return to the field to begin playing “high risk” winter high school sports under strict guidance provided by the state. “High-risk” spots include football, wrestling, ice hockey, rugby, basketball, lacrosse, volleyball, martial arts, and competitive cheer or dance.  Their fate had been in the hands of the state until New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo turned it over to local governments and health officials last week. Practices are set to begin next week on Monday, Feb. 1…
COVID-19: New York HS Winter Varsity Championships Canceled, High-Risk Sports Stay On Hold COVID-19: New York HS Winter Varsity Championships Canceled, High-Risk Sports Stay On Hold
Covid-19: New York HS Winter Varsity Championships Canceled, High-Risk Sports Stay On Hold With COVID-19 cases on the rise across the state, the New York State Public High School Athletic Association announced it will be throwing in the towel on its winter sports championships. The NYSPHSAA officially canceled the 2021 winter state championships on Friday, Dec. 11, and postponed all high-risk sports until further notice unless they are given the green light by state health officials that it would be safe to resume activities. Earlier story - COVID-19: NYSPHSAA Postpones Start Of Winter HS Season Sports considered “high risk” by the Association are: basketball, boys lacrosse…
COVID-19: NYSPHSAA Postpones Start Of Winter HS Season COVID-19: NYSPHSAA Postpones Start Of Winter HS Season
Covid-19: Nysphsaa Postpones Start Of Winter HS Season The New York State Public High School Athletic Association is hitting the brakes on a potential start for high-risk winter sports due to the COVID-19 pandemic. After convening and discussing the recent rise in COVID-19 cases, NYSPHSAA announced that the earliest “high-risk” winter sports will start will be Jan. 4, 2021. “Low” and “moderate” risk sports will be permitted to begin their seasons on Monday, Nov. 30. “High-risk” sports include basketball, competitive cheerleading, ice hockey, and wrestling. “Low” and “moderate” risk sports include bowling, gymnastics, indoor track and field, ski…
Second Student At HS In Fairfield County Dies Unexpectedly In Two-Week Span Second Student At HS In Fairfield County Dies Unexpectedly In Two-Week Span
Second Student At HS In Fairfield County Dies Unexpectedly In Two-Week Span The second Wilton High School student in a two-week span has died unexpectedly, according to Wilton Public Schools Superintendent Kevin Smith.  The unnamed student, died after he was "gravely" wounded around 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 2. His death follows the unexpected passing of 16-year-old junior George DiRocco, who succumbed to an undetected heart condition.  “I am terribly heartbroken to report that earlier this morning we learned that our Wilton High School student who was injured on Friday passed away,” said Smith on Monday, Oct. 5. “This loss is incomprehensible and we ache f…
COVID-19: These 'High Risk' Fall HS Sports Moved To Spring In New York COVID-19: These 'High Risk' Fall HS Sports Moved To Spring In New York
Covid-19: These 'High Risk' Fall HS Sports Moved To Spring In New York Some “high-risk” high school sports may still have a season during the COVID-19 outbreak. The New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) announced that football, volleyball, and competitive cheerleading fall seasons will be postponed until March due to the virus. Low-risk sports still have the green light to begin practicing on Monday, Sept. 21, with games beginning in October. Those sports are cross country, field hockey, swimming, soccer and tennis. “We’ve spent two days speaking with nearly 500 athletic directors across the state and it’s clear that administe…
COVID-19: New York School Superintendents Call On Cuomo To Call Off Fall Sports COVID-19: New York School Superintendents Call On Cuomo To Call Off Fall Sports
Covid-19: New York School Superintendents Call On Cuomo To Call Off Fall Sports The future of the fall high school sports season is back up in the air due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While Gov. Andrew Cuomo has given the green light for “low-risk” sports to get back in the action as of Monday, Sept. 21, the New York State Council of Superintendents is asking him to reconsider a potential postponement of the fall season. 
In a letter to Cuomo sent on Wednesday, Aug. 26, the organization urged Cuomo to reconsider allowing fall sports while acknowledging that “the closing of schools due to the pandemic has led to missed academic and social opportunities for all students.” …
COVID-19: 'Lower Risk' NY HS Sports Can Practice, Play Within Region Only, Cuomo Announces COVID-19: 'Lower Risk' NY HS Sports Can Practice, Play Within Region Only, Cuomo Announces
Covid-19: 'Lower Risk' NY HS Sports Can Practice, Play Within Region Only, Cuomo Announces New York high school sports deemed as “low risk” have been given the green light to begin play next month, though higher-risk sports with full physical contact may only continue to practice due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During a COVID-19 briefing on Monday, Aug. 24, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that lower-risk sports such as tennis, soccer, cross country, field hockey, and swimming in all regions may continue to practice and start play beginning on Monday, Sept. 21. However, when games begin, Cuomo said that there will be no travel practice or play permitted outside of a school’s region unti…
COVID-19: Decision On NY Fall High School Sports Will Come Within A Week, Cuomo Says COVID-19: Decision On NY Fall High School Sports Will Come Within A Week, Cuomo Says
Covid-19: Decision On NY Fall High School Sports Will Come Within A Week, Cuomo Says Guidance on what high school sports could look like in the fall during the COVID-19 pandemic is expected within a week. During a conference call with members of the media, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said that the state will release guidance no later than Wednesday, Aug. 26. New York State Public High School Athletic Association Executive Director Dr. Robert Zayas confirmed the news with a tweet. “Governor Cuomo just stated guidance on high school sports to come out next week,” he said. “Looking forward to continuing our discussions to ensure student-athlete safety is paramount.” E…
New Rochelle High School Names New Head Football Coach New Rochelle High School Names New Head Football Coach
New Rochelle High School Names New Head Football Coach After helping to lead his embattled football team to a state championship, New Rochelle High School assistant varsity coach Raymond Rhett, Jr. has been named the permanent replacement for former longtime coach Lou DiRienzo. The New Rochelle Board of Education announced this week that Rhett was officially taking over the Huguenots after he and fellow assistant coach Greg Foster took over the team when DiRienzo got benched amid a police investigation. Rhett has been an assistant coach for the varsity team since 2017, serving the same role for the team in 2001 and 2004. He was a key mem…
DiRienzo Resigns As New Rochelle HS Football Coach, Teacher After Reassignment, Investigation DiRienzo Resigns As New Rochelle HS Football Coach, Teacher After Reassignment, Investigation
DiRienzo Resigns As New Rochelle HS Football Coach, Teacher After Reassignment, Investigation Longtime New Rochelle High School football coach and teacher Lou DiRienzo will resign at the end of the year after being “reassigned” by the district amid an incident that happened this fall on campus and an unrelated police investigation dating back decades ago. New Rochelle school officials removed DiRienzo from the district and team on Wednesday, Nov. 13 as the varsity team made its run to win the state championship at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse. Following meetings with the Board of Education and Superintendent Laura Feijoo, it was determined that DiRienzo would not be on the sideline…
Westchester HS Football Coach Won't Face Criminal Charges After Investigation Westchester HS Football Coach Won't Face Criminal Charges After Investigation
Westchester HS Football Coach Won't Face Criminal Charges After Investigation With his team making a run to the state championship game, a police investigation has been launched against New Rochelle High School varsity football coach Lou DiRenzo, though he won't face criminal charges, authorities said. On Wednesday, Nov. 13, the New Rochelle School Board and Schools Superintendent Laura Feijóo shocked the community when they announced that the popular coach would be "reassigned," and barred from any activity within the district or his team. The community rallied around DiRienzo, with teachers, students, former players and parents going so far as to call for the …
North Salem Athletic Director's Dismissal Sparks Outcry In Community North Salem Athletic Director's Dismissal Sparks Outcry In Community
North Salem Athletic Director's Dismissal Sparks Outcry In Community The unexpected ousting of a Hall of Fame high school coach and athletic director has an area community up in arms with outrage. On Monday, July 1, the North Salem Board of Education announced that longtime coach Henry Sassone, who has been a fixture in the district for nearly four decades, will not be returning to his posts next season. Sassone, who has led the boys basketball team to more than 400 wins and also serves as the district’s athletic director, was told last month that he will not be re-appointed to his positions. When the news was made public this week, the community cried out w…
$50K Torched Baseball Field Incident Leads To Suspensions Of Three Ridgefield HS Coaches $50K Torched Baseball Field Incident Leads To Suspensions Of Three Ridgefield HS Coaches
$50K Torched Baseball Field Incident Leads To Suspensions Of Three Ridgefield HS Coaches Three varsity baseball coaches at Ridgefield High School have been placed on administrative leave after extreme measures were taken to try and squeeze in a high school baseball game. The field at Governor Park was doused with gasoline and set on fire over the weekend in an effort to dry out a playing surface that had been rained on in advance of Ridgefield’s scheduled game against Amity. The idea did more harm than good. In total, reparations are expected to cost upwards of $50,000. No one was injured and there was never anyone in danger, police said. The incident remains under investigati…
HS Football Coach Arrested In Westchester For Allegedly Assaulting Player HS Football Coach Arrested In Westchester For Allegedly Assaulting Player
HS Football Coach Arrested In Westchester For Allegedly Assaulting Player A football coach at a high school in Westchester has been arrested for allegedly hitting a student-athlete in two separate incidents two years ago. According to the arrest affidavit, 44-year-old Sheddrick Wilson of Ossining, an assistant coach at Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains, was charged Friday with two counts of endangering the welfare of a minor, after surrendering to police in White Plains. The one-time Houston Oilers wide receiver also resigned from the school Friday afternoon. The arrest affidavit says that in December 2016, Wilson hit the then 16-yea…
Yorktown HS Student-Athletes Sign College Letters Of Intent Yorktown HS Student-Athletes Sign College Letters Of Intent
Yorktown HS Student-Athletes Sign College Letters Of Intent Six Yorktown High School student-athletes signed letters of intent recently to play sports at their chosen colleges, bringing the total number of athletes from Yorktown who will play on Division I and II teams next year to 18. The students will play or participate in volleyball, soccer, lacrosse and golf at Quinnipiac University, Pace University, Adelphi University, College of St. Rose and Dominican University. “It takes a village,” said Yorktown Athletic Director Robert Barrett when asked to explain the high number of students who will be playing collegiate sports. “The YAC and youth progr…
Pleasantville Pulls Away For First-Ever State Title In Boys Lacrosse Pleasantville Pulls Away For First-Ever State Title In Boys Lacrosse
Pleasantville Pulls Away For First-Ever State Title In Boys Lacrosse It's was a moment the Pleasantville High School boys lacrosse program has been building for, and late Saturday morning it came. The Panthers defeated Section 5's Penn Yan 16-2 in the Class D state championship game at St. John Fisher College in Rochester for its first-ever title in the sport. Though a first in lacrosse, 13 Panther players had experience winning a state title as members of the football team this past fall. The lacrosse team played in its first sectional final in 2013. "Each year, we kept going a little bit farther and we haven't taken any steps back," Pleasantvil…
Westchester Track Coach Named To NYSPHSAA Hall Of Fame Westchester Track Coach Named To NYSPHSAA Hall Of Fame
Westchester Track Coach Named To Nysphsaa Hall Of Fame One of Westchester’s most accomplished and popular track coaches is running his way right into the Hall of Fame. Andy Capellan, who has coached the New Rochelle High School girls cross country, indoor and outdoor track and field teams has been named one of six who will be inducted into the New York State Public High School Association’s Hall of Fame in the summer. Capellan will be enshrined in the Hall at the association's annual summer meeting on July 25 in Lake Placid, along with another coach, an administrator and three athletes. "There are literally generations of women who can at…
Yonkers Schools Announce Merged Football Teams For Upcoming Season Yonkers Schools Announce Merged Football Teams For Upcoming Season
Yonkers Schools Announce Merged Football Teams For Upcoming Season Although most sports fans’ eyes are glued to the hardwood as March Madness approaches, officials with the Yonkers School District have been busy finalizing the details of their two newly merged football teams. Yonkers Board of Education President Steve Lopez recently released the names of the new 2018-2019 Yonkers merged football teams: the “Brave” and the “Force,” names that “themselves project the fortitude, strength of character and determination of our students and community,” he said. The New York State Public High School Athletic Association Inc. (NYSPHSAA) Section I recently approved…
Former Scarsdale HS Coaches Blame Parents For Their Departures Former Scarsdale HS Coaches Blame Parents For Their Departures
Former Scarsdale HS Coaches Blame Parents For Their Departures A small, but vocal group of parents is reportedly to blame for the mass exodus of longtime varsity coaches at Scarsdale High School who have been dismissed in the past 18 months. Former coaches who have been ousted from the district in the past year and a half have taken issue with a small group of parents that allegedly are going over the coaches’ heads to district officials with complaints, according to multiple reports. In total, seven longtime varsity coaches have been dismissed or resigned recently without warning, as well as several of their veteran assistant coaches, according to loh…