Leading off today: Ashton Broyld, the 2010 NYSSWA player of the year after leading Rush-Henrietta to a state Class AA football crown, released an apology Friday for his actions after a playoff basketball game March 9.

   Broyld, a record-setting quarterback as well as a forward on the basketball team, said he showed poor sportsmanship after the Royal Comets lost to Irondequoit 68-57 during a state tournament qualifier at Blue Cross Arena, the Democrat and Chronicle reported.

   Without identifying Broyld, the Rush-Henrietta School District released a statement March 11 that said "the behavior described in the allegation is completely unacceptable."

   "I know I violated our district's code of conduct," Broyld said in his statement. "I value the importance of sportsmanship and the good that comes from being a student-athlete."

   He did not explain why he felt an apology was necessary or disclose what disciplinary action the school district took.

   Broyld signed a letter of intent in February to play for Syracuse University in the fall.

   "We are aware of the situation and have talked with Ashton and his family," Orange coach Doug Marrone said in a statement. "We will continue to address the matter privately."

   Basketball: There were a dozen games played yesterday as the NYSPHSAA launched its boys and girls basketball playoffs. There was no more surprising a winner than Averill Park's girls.

   Again.

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   Averill Park edges Garden City 43-41 in Class A action at Hudson Valley Community College as Bridget Carney scored at the buzzer.

   The Warriors (13-11) closed the regular season with four straight losses and a 7-11 record in defense of their NYSPHSAA and Federation championships, but now they're in the final against Peekskill.

   Junior guard Brooke O'Shea provided the Warriors a 41-39 lead with :24.9 left when she hit a free throw. Garden City's Barbara Sullivan -- the only senior on either roster -- tied it at 41 with a left-handed drive.

   Averill Park took advantage of a turnover by Garden City to take possession with 2.1 seconds left. Carney caught a lob pass from Julia Mai, turned and scored as time expired.

   "I didn't know what was going to happen," Carney told The Times Union. "I knew if I caught the ball, I had to go up strong with it."