Leading off today: I'll start with an apology for more or less disappearing from the blogging world this week. A combination of events at home, spring fever and childish frustration over our lack of progress on a couple of fronts sapped a little bit of my enthusiasm.

   But that's in our rear-view mirror now. So, let's get started with a review of some of the top stories of the last few days:

   McKinley coach on leave: James Daye, a key figure in the recent controversies at Buffalo’s McKinley High School, was placed on paid administrative leave in March, The Buffalo News reported Thursday.

   Additionally, a special investigator presented Buffalo's board of education with his report on the lengthy suspension of McKinley student Jayvonna Kincannon and the dismissal of volunteer assistant girls basketball coach Michelle Stiles. The board will discuss the report at a committee meeting next Wednesday but did not spell out a timetable for public release.

   David L. Edmunds Jr. presented the board with copies of what he called a “very lengthy report” on the suspension of Kincannon, the dismissal of Stiles and related matters. He was hired by the board on Feb. 29 to conduct the investigation and interviewed 28 witnesses.

   Earlier, Brian M. Melber, Daye’s attorney, told the board his client was suspended more than two months ago but was never presented with formal charges. He asserted there was "no legal basis" for Daye to be placed on leave and said he requested reinstatement. It's unknown whether an investigation by The Buffalo News into Daye's teaching history before arriving in Buffalo was a factor in the suspension.

   Superintendent James A. Williams confirmed that Daye was placed on administrative leave with pay but declined to discuss details.

   Stiles believes her dismissal was tied to having seen Daye leaving the house where a girl on the team was living. Stiles said she initially looked into the matter but dropped it after learning that Daye was at the house to visit an adult female cousin of the girl.

   Later, Kincannon was suspended for five weeks for — among other things — using a cell phone in school. She said she was using the phone to arrange to speak to the board of education in support of Stiles.

   Milestones: Libby Schultz's fourth goal of the game for the Emma Willard girls lacrosse team on Thursday against Cohoes was the 200th of the senior's career. Emma Willard went on to a 13-1 victory.

   Schultz finished with four goals and five assists, pushing her season totals to 42 goals and 33 assists. Among those in attendance was Schultz's sister Jesse, who scored 220 goals in her career with Emma Willard.

   Hoosic Valley senior Jen Mineau threw a 21-strikeout no-hitter Thursday and also homered in an 11-0 win over Stillwater.

   Mark Kuzma pitched a no-hitter with 20 strikeouts to carry Waverly past Watkins Glen on Monday, 4-0. Kuzma contributed a double to the Waverly hitting attack.

   Kat Gay threw a four-hitter as Ilion beat Mohawk, 4-0, to give Pat Whalen the 300th softball victory of his long coaching career.

   Vestal sophomore Camille Ginyard shattered her own Section 4 pole vault record on Tuesday by pushing her mark from 11-2 1/4 to 12-½ during a dual against Union-Endicott. According to coach Jim Cerra, Ginyard made three strong attempts at 12-6 as well.

   Loaded Morabito field: This two-day James "Ace" Morabito Tournament in Section 4, regarded as one of the biggest in-season softball tournaments in New York, will include six state-ranked teams this weekend.

   Chenango Valley, No. 3 in Class B, is the only Section 4 state-ranked team competing. Other participants include No. 2 Victor (Class A), No. 2 Cicero-North Syracuse (AA), No. 10 John Jay-East Fishkill (AA), No. 18 Valley Central (AA) and No. 19 Webster Schroeder (AA).

   Wilson baseball update: Two Wilson baseball coaches pleaded not guilty in to child-endangerment charges stemming from an alleged sexual abuse incident that occurred on a team bus last month, The Buffalo News reported.

   Thomas J. Baia, 40, and William M. Atlas, 35, are charged with three misdemeanor counts of endangering the welfare of a child. They were released on their own recognizance and ordered to return to court June 26.

   State police are continuing their investigation into the April 17 attack, during which they believe three varsity baseball players sexually abused at least two JV players. Two 16-year-olds and an 18-year-old have also been charged in the attack and are scheduled to appear in court next week.

   Fists allegedly fly: St. Raymond junior basketball player Kevin Parrom was arrested Tuesday afternoon after an altercation with a coach during a team meeting, a police source told The Daily News.

   A witness said Parrom punched head coach Oliver Antigua in the face after the two had a brief argument in the locker room. A person close to Parrom believes the player was provoked by Antigua. Neither Antigua or Parrom, 17, could be reached for comment.

   Parrom, a 6-6 forward, averaged 14.5 points and nine rebounds last season.

   Paying the price: Frontier's 8-4 win over Jamestown on Monday was punctuated by a gutsy catch by Mike Grundtisch, who tracked a long fly ball by Cody Kane to make a backhanded grab just before crashing into the fence. He suffered facial cuts that required medical treatment. Photographer Mark Mulville of The Buffalo News captured the play in a series of photos worth checking out.

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