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Putting a Bow On a Long Winter Sports Season
Hoops, wrestling highlights were aplenty
by Ray Gallagher
Putnam Valley's Jess Kelvas showing off her 1st place trophy she earned in Kentucky
Say goodbye to the winter basketball season and get ready to trade up to another wonderful spring; full of lacrosse, track, baseball and softball. As we put the bow on the winter package, we cannot forget that it was a season full of surprise, joy and sorrowful disappointment in some cases. But for the most part, the youth of the area did themselves justice; particularly the ladies.
The PCN&R-region crowned a pair of boy's wrestling champions in Putnam Valley's Alex Pastena and Haldane's Collin LeMon, who went on to the small school NYSPHSAA tournament to conclude their wonderful seasons. Haldane's Adam Beard and Putnam Valley's Karl Lange were second in the section, and each received an All-Section nod.
Lost amidst the boy's wrestling campaign was a standout performance from a female grappler. Putnam Valley's Jess Kelvas traveled to Kentucky two weekends back to compete in the USGWA sponsored Kentucky State Women's Wrestling Championship.
Jess dominated the competition, winning four straight matches by scores 7-1, 13-2, pin and 13-4). Kelvas did not lose a single match, earning the women's Kentucky state title at 140 pounds, even though she only weighed in at 129.
"Jess is one of the best wrestlers I have ever coached," PV wrestling Coach Will Carano said. "She really is solid from all positions and naturally enjoys battling on the mat. I can't tell you how many times she completed full matches with bigger and most often stronger male athletes this past season. I named her a captain because of the way she conducts herself both in and out of the room."
Kelvas has caught the interest of University of Kentucky at Cumberlands, the top US women's wrestling college, as well as Menlo University and a few others.
According to Carano, Kelvas is loaded with talent, both physically and mentally, and will take this sport as far as she wants to go with it.
The same can be said for Haldane's All-NYS basketball star Brittany Shields, who snagged All-Section (Fab 55) honors on the basketball court this winter. Shields averaged 21.7 PPG and 14 RPG this season and had often been called one of the top five players in Section 1 by many basketball coaches. While the Blue Devils (17-4) fell short of their ultimate goal of winning a 15th-straight Section 1 championship, Shields racked up several honors, including League MVP. Seniors Kylie McConville and Brittany Fleming secured All-League honors during a season in which the Blue Devils reached the Class C championship game before losing to a Blind Brook team they had defeated twice during the regular season. Scotti King, Michelle Markey and Liz Skrelja were named All-League HM for the Blue Devils, who won the League IV North title with a perfect 8-0 mark.
Putnam Valley's Christine Kemp copped All-Section (Fab 55) honors as well, leading the 16-8 Tigers to a Section 1 Class B championship game against eventual champion Albertus Magnus; a first in school history. Kemp, the League MVP, posted teamhigh numbers that were most impressive: 17 PPG, 100 steals, 121 assists, third in the section in 3's with 49. Teammate Kim Kastuk (12.1 PPG, 7.3 RPG) grabbed an All-Section (Fab 55) nod as well, and Coach Kelly Thompson will be hard-pressed to replace the veteran dynamic duo of Kemp and Kastuk, who led the Tigers to their third consecutive league title.
"You can't replace athletes like the two of them, they're irreplaceable," Thompson said. "The example they set each day was something all players should pattern themselves after. We just have to hope we get more student athletes of that mold."
How's that saying go: Easier said than done?
Senior center Jylan Mayo garnered All-Section HM while sophomore Nicole Scott copped All-League and truly came of age late in the year.
The Putnam Valley boys saw some light at the end of the tunnel. The Tigers (5-15) put just five wins on the board but Coach Ralph Smith's club closed the season by winning three of the last six games. Senior swingman Nicky Ivezic blossomed into a player, averaging 17.1 PPG to snag an All-League commendation. He'll pass the torch to Hugh O'Gorman, who dropped 10 PPG this season.
The Haldane boys were in a similar position, losing more than winning during a 5-14 season. That didn't stop the Blue Devils from giving their all for Coach Joe Virgadamo, who took pleasure in the play of All-Leaguer Billy Campbell (12.1 PPG) and Nick Nastasi (10.7 PPG, 5.9 RPG) and Mike Thorpe (8 PPG), who were awarded All-League HM…
On another note, for you hoopsters looking to stay sharp in the off-season, the Putnam Valley Parks & Recreation Department is looking to start a summer basketball league for grades 8-9 and 10-12 at the P.V. Town Park. Games will be played on either Wednesday or Thursday nights under the lights beginning at 8:00 p.m. through late June, July and August. Call 845-526-3292 for additional info. Any and all are welcome.
If you want to see more photos of the team's basketball seasons, visit the Haldane and Putnam Valley Section 1 basketball photo galleries at www.printroom.com/pro/yourdirectrays
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