Leading off today: The New York State Sportswriters Association released its all-state team for baseball on Tuesday, with nine athletes earning player of the year recognition:
• Class AAA: Will Plunkett (Mamaroneck).
• Class AA: Jayden Gigante (Carey) and Rich Roohan (Cornwall).
• Class A: Jaxson Torres (Plainedge).
• Class B: Max Rayburn (Center Moriches) and Aidan Papaj (Medina).
• Class C: Pierce Byrne (Saratoga Catholic).
• Class D: Collin Lussier (Duanesburg) and Eddie Wright (Oriskany).
Plunkett, a senior shortstop who was selected in the eighth round last month by the Baltimore Orioles, batted .485.
Roohan, a senior catcher and infielder, who helped Cornwall to the NYSPHSAA Class AA title game, drove in 34 runs. Gigante, a senior outfielder, batted .515 and stole 25 bases.
Torres, a junior pitcher, compiled an 11-0 record and fanned 103 batters, also hitting .443 at the plate for a state tournament runner-up.
Rayburn, a senior first baseman, batted .491 with eight home runs. Papaj, a junior shortstop and pitcher who helped Medina to a state final, hit .501, stole 41 bases, and fanned 112 batters.
Byrne, a six-year varsity pitcher and his school's career leader in victories and strikeouts, helped Saratoga Catholic defend its state title in June.
Lussier, a junior catcher for state champion Duanesburg, batted .468. Wright, a senior pitcher and shortstop, batted .525 and struck out 99 batters in 52 innings.
The NYSSWA baseball all-state squad was compiled from players on New York State Public High School Athletic Association teams.
BCANY Summer Hoops Festival
Faced with a six-point deficit early in the second half, the Rochester girls went on a 16-4 run and held on to defeat Suffolk 57-53 on Sunday in the final of the BCANY Summer Hoops Festival in Woodbury.
It was Rochester's fourth straight title and 23rd consecutive victory in the annual basketball event.
Rising sophomore Eva Dixon of Pittsford Mendon scored 12 of her 21 points in the final 12 minutes after Suffolk had taken a 35-29 lead.
"We were actually talking about giving her a rest at about seven-minute mark, and I couldn't. I couldn't do it," Genesee Community College coach Jeff Parizek told PickinSplinters.com. "I said to the staff, 'We're living or dying with her on the floor. She is playing too well to take her out.'"
"Loren Green (Aquinas) added 13 points in the victory.
In the boys final, Central defeated Capital 60-57 behind 20 points from Jace Kukowski (Central Square), bringing him to 60 over five weekend games.
Iona Prep football aligns with Under Armour
Athletic apparel and equipment manufacturer Under Armour has launched partnerships with 15 high school football programs across the nation, including Iona Prep, under its
UA Next program.
"UA Next high school is built to provide meaningful value for athletic departments as they work to maintain and recruit top talent, bolstering NIL opportunities," the company's announcement said. "Participating schools will receive an elevated experience that includes access to Under Armour-marketed franchises, championship products, and pinnacle product access."
The defending CHSFL and state CHSAA champions are in some elite company in UA Next. Some of the other participating schools include IMG Academy in Florida, both DeMatha and St. Frances in Maryland, and Carrollton, Ga.
Coaching news
A schedule format change has resulted in Bobby DiNunzio stepping down as the boys soccer coach at Amherst after 22 seasons to watch his own kids play,
The Buffalo News reported.
Amherst and Sweet Home, where DiNunzio's children attend school, played on opposite days in recent seasons, allowing DiNunzio could coach and still make it to his kids' contests. This season, the ECIC returns to BEDS-based divisions that will have the schools playing on the same days.
"Not only would I be coaching against them, I won't be able to watch them at all," DiNunzio said. "I think it's a little bit more important for me to watch my kids than to hang on and go another year or two."
Amherst has promoted JV coach Pat Burke to fill the vacancy.
