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Playoff Time!

Posted by pblackwell | 02/09/09

So now we reach the Section III post-season, a month full of drama and daring where champions emerge on both a team and individual basis.
Wrestling got the head start on everyone with a trio of league championship meets in the western, eastern and northern parts of the section.
It began in Solvay with the OHSL Liberty/Patriot meet, where Hannibal beat a field of 15 with 214 points as Cato-Meridian edged out Cazenovia for second place.
Though the Lakers' Alex Petroff, with his fourth league title at 125 pounds, snagged Most Outstanding Wrestler honors, the Warriors finished in front. Hannibal had just one champion (Josh Lewis, at 171 pounds), but placed four others in finals and also had a trio of third-place finishers.
In the Center State Confernce meet at Little Falls, Morrisville-Eaton reigned over 12 others with 202 points to Adirondack's 189.
The Warriors finished in front because it had four champions - Cody Frost (140), Ryan LeBlanc (171), Alex Meyers (189) and Dalton Villnave (189) - plus Shane Strong in the 285-pound final, as compared to the Wildcats only having two winners. Ilion's Keith Hacker, the 112-pound champion, took MOW honors.
And in the Frontier League showdown in Lowville, South Jefferson fought off Indian River, 194 points to 181.5.
Amid a stream of great wrestlers, the Spartans had six finalists, three of which - Jeron Tanner (96), Lance Brown (103) and Sean Hanson (125) - came out on top. Despite the immense talent from the like or IR, Watertown IHC and Carthage, it was Copenhagen's Ben Freeman, the winner at 140 pounds, that claimed the MOW trophy. Go to www.cnywrestling.com for all the full results...
While everyone on the mat prepared for this Saturday's sectional class meets, the playoff brackets came out Sunday for the quintet of sectional volleyball tournaments, with a lot to discuss.
New Hartford, at 17-1, took the Class A top seed, and must be favored on its half of the bracket, as no one else seems too dangerous.
However, with Watertown as the no. 2 seed and Fulton the no. 3 seed, it's assured that, if the Spartans do get to the finals, it's likely to face a high-quality, battle-tested opponent.
And talk about battle-tested. Look at the top half in Class B. Canastota, the top seed, may face Homer in the quarterfinals, then a possible semifinal with two-time defending champion Marcellus or Cazenovia. It's not a stretch to think that anyone in that quartet could win it all.
Adirondack, who knocked Canastota from the unbeaten ranks, possesses the no. 6 seed and must get past Solvay and (likely) Lowville. Skaneateles, though the no. 2 seed, got a far easier path than Canastota, at least until the semifinal round.
Class C split, with Tully on top of C-1 and maybe only Faith Heritage as a big obstacle. Both of the Black Knights' losses came to....LaFayette, the unbeaten top seed in C-2, who could be headed toward a great battle with no. 2 seed Dolgeville if the seeds hold.
And in Class D, you have 18-2 Oppenheim-Ephratah sitting on top, headed toward a semifinal with Living Word or Owen D. Young. As the no. 2 seed, Belleville-Henderson might have to worry about Hamilton, a no. 3 seed who's mostly played Class C foes this winter.
These playoffs start on Tuesday, with the titles decided Feb. 21 at Jamesville-DeWitt's gym. the site www.section3vball.com has all the brackets where you can follow your favorites...

CATEGORY: General Sports

TAGS: Section III playoffs, wrestling, volleyball

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