Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2013: Millrose Mile qualifying rules adjusted

   Leading off today: Qualifying procedures for the New Balance High School Miles at the Millrose Games in 2014 are being adjusted, resulting in fewer automatic berths being available in the run-up to the race, arguably the nation's most prestigious scholastic contest in any sport.

   The fields of 12 for the boys and girls miles will include the winners of the mile from three events: the Hispanic Games (Jan. 4), the Millrose Trials (Jan. 15) and the New Balance Games (Jan. 25). Winners of the Bishop Loughlin Games (Dec. 21) and the North Shore Invitational (Dec. 26) will receive a spot if they meet the qualifying time (4:20 for boys, 5:00 for girls) indoors or outdoors by Jan. 16. Otherwise, those spots go back into the pool of at-large invitations.

   Once the automatic qualifiers are determined, the next-fastest runners from races at The Armory will be added to bring the fields to eight runners. Runners from outside the metro New York area will be considered for remaining berths based on indoor-season performances, with some weight also given to exceptional times posted in the spring season.

   A blow for White Plains: Add an unfortunate new chapter to the feel-good story of the NYSPHSAA football tournament.

   White Plains senior receiver and defensive back Matt Berube is lost for the remainder of the playoffs after breaking a leg in practice Monday, MSG Varsity's Jordan Griffith tweeted on Tuesday. Berube was one of the heroes of the Section 1 Class AA final two weeks ago, making five catches for 92 yards and picking off a pass to beat North Rockland 20-11.

   White Plains, 8-1 entering Saturday's state semifinals vs. Monroe-Woodbury, was just 1-7 a year ago.

If any other team lost a player of Berube's caliber I'd have serious doubts. But WP has responded all year to adversity. Another opportunity

— Kevin Devaney Jr. (@MSGVarsityKDJ) November 19, 2013

   The Journal News reported Berube was injured during non-tackle special-teams drills when a teammate rolled into the side of Berube’s leg, resulting in a broken tibia and fibula. Berube had successful surgery Tuesday evening and is expected to make a full recovery.

   Al Drechsler dies: Al Drechsler, a top all-around Section 5 athlete who went on to be a fixture officiating high school basketball, died on Sunday.

   After starring in baseball, basketball and soccer at Greece Olympia in the 1970s and then went on to play baseball for Monroe Community College, which led to his selection by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the sixth round of the 1972 amateur draft.

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   When arm trouble ended his career, he turned to slow-pitch softball in 1976. Drechsler participated in 44 World Tournaments, played for seven national championship squads and made 21 All-World teams. He was inducted into the Rochester and New York State Softball Halls of Fame.

   In basketball officiating, he served with IAABO Board 60 for more than 35 years.

   New marketing move: The New York State Public High School Athletic Association has signed a deal that makes the American Dairy Association and Dairy Council (ADADC) the organization's first "presenting" sponsor partner.

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   The NYSPHSAA announced ADADC will headline the football, boys basketball and girls basketball championships for the next three years. Each tournament will carry the "presented by" title starting with the state tournament quarterfinals.

   "The Dairy Association is a great organization to partner with and be in front of our athletes and coaches to promote a positive message," Robert Zayas, executive director of the NYSPHSAA, said in a statement announcing the deal. "It is critical for our athletes and coaches to be educated on nutrition and well-being, and we look forward to working with ADADAC to be sure that education is efficiently delivered."