Leading off today: The winningest boys basketball coach in Section 3 history was retired for the second time in less than a year, this time citing health concerns.
Syracuse.com reported that Tom Blackford, 73, made his decision to step down as the coach at Westmoreland following the team's road game last Friday.
"On my way home, I looked at both my assistant coaches, I said, 'Hey, I'm going to call the athletic director,'" he said. “... 'I've reached the end of the line.'"
Blackford said elevated blood pressure and stress were becoming dangerous, and although the decision hurts, he decided to listen to his doctor and take a step back to focus on his health.
"I have never done this before," Blackford said. "I'm finally going to think about myself once with my health and listen to what people who are more knowledgeable than I am about my health and listen to what they say. My doctor and my cardiologist both informed me that the best prudent thing to do would be to give up coaching right now."
Blackford had retired as the coach at Hamilton following the 2024-25 season before deciding to take on the challenge of reviving a Westmoreland program that had gone 5-54 over the previous three seasons.
He had this edition of the team sitting at 5-6 before resigning. He leaves with 648 victories, good for eighth on the all-time state list.
• Former JV coach Jake O'Connor made his debut as the new head coach with a 66-44 triumph over Morrisville-Eaton on Wednesday. Junior Ryder Donley led the way with 26 points.
O'Connor is a 2018 Weedsport graduate who scored 1,046 points in his high school career.
Former wrestling coach charged
A former Section 2 wrestling assistant coach has been charged after being accused of hitting a female athlete,
WTEN-TV reported. Terry Lawson, 65, was charged with harassment and endangering the welfare of a child.
Court documents state Lawson struck he freshman wrestler with the palm of his hand to her face on Jan. 15 at Mohonasen High School during practice.
The school district has fired Lawson, who will be issued a summons to appear in court at a later date.
• A coach and special education teacher in the Greater Johnstown School District accused of sending inappropriate messages to students has resigned, the Times Union reported.
Scott M. Jeffers, 42, was arrested by State Police on Dec. 11 and charged with endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor. The district's board of education voted to accept his resignation at a special meeting on Tuesday.
Jeffers, who coached track and field and soccer, was charged with child endangerment for communicating with a student younger than 17. Troopers described some of the communications as sexual in nature and said he also discussed drug use and physical violence.
Milestone
Senior Julia Scott of Albertus Magnus scored 34 points to go over 2,000 for her career during a 88-48 victory this week over North Rockland.
The Clemson recruit was a first-team all-state selection in Class AAA last season.
Shenendehowa's Bhusri named top female harrier
Gatorade has selected Shenendehowa senior Leyla Bhusri as the New York female cross country athlete of the year. She is the first Section 2 female runner to earn the recognition since Saratoga Springs' Kelsey Chmiel in 2016.
Bhusri swept the NYSPHSAA Class A and Federation individual championships in the fall as Shen earned both team titles. She placed 33rd at the Nike Cross Nationals in December.
She will compete for Notre Dame beginning next fall.
Section 1 AD running for county office
Greenburgh-North Castle AD Anthony Nicodemo has
announced he is running for a seat in the Westchester County Legislature.
"I'm running to get in the room and make noise, and to ensure Yonkers, Bronxville, and Eastchester are heard," Nicodemo said in his announcement. "This campaign isn't about me. It's about the people, the families I've worked for over the last 20 years, the kids I've coached, and the neighbors who deserve better than politics as usual."
Nicodemo previously served as the boys basketball coach at Saunders High School.
Extra points
Aiden Upright scored 47 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and handed out five assists Tuesday in Keshequa's 83-39 boys basketball win over Hammondsport. The scoring outburst matched the 1969 school record of Dana Timothy, according to
PickinSplinters.com.
