Sunday April 28, 2024 
By Eric Schuman
With Sectionals closing in, Averill Park’s basketball teams looked to finish out the season strong.
The girls’ basketball team defeated Columbia 63-30 to close out their season with an astounding 18-2 record. Amelia Wood scored 20 points and Michelina Lombardi added 10 in the victory. The Warriors have earned a #1 seed for Sectionals and will take on either Ballston Spa or South Glens Falls at home on 2/21.
Boys’ basketball also took home a win against Columbia 51-44 on 2/13. Zach Price led AP in scoring with 20 points. AP has secured a #3 seed for Sectionals and will face either Mohonasen or Catholic Central. The game will be held at 2:30 at Hudson Valley Community College on 2/24.
The boys’ bowling team finished 7th out of 20 at the Class A Championships on 2/14. Joe Kellar recorded a high triple of 690, the second highest score overall.
The Capital District Jets fell to Burnt Hills/Ballston Spa 9-0 on 2/16.
I will be back next week with more AP sports updates and Sectional results. Go Warriors!
This week’s scholar athlete is Nick McCart. Nick is a captain on the Varsity Basketball team. Nick has played basketball for thirteen years after his dad first introduced him to the sport.
Nick’s favorite aspect of the game is the feeling of achievement he gets after winning. In order to help lead his team to victory, Nick puts in great efforts during the offseason. He did this through weight lifting workouts and preseason practices at 6:00 in the morning. Nick’s goal for his final season is to win the sectional title and advance to states. Hopefully, Nick and his team’s hard work will allow them to win this year’s sectional final.
Nick does not only work hard on the court, but in the classroom as well. Throughout high school, Nick has maintained a GPA of 92. This achievement was recognized last year when Nick received a Junior Academic Achievement Award.
Additionally, Nick is a member of Student Government, and outside of school he holds a job at Hannaford. Nick carries a full workload between school, his job, and his sport. He says he is inspired by his parents as they “always push me to be the best I can at everything.” In the future, Nick hopes to attend college in order to pursue a career in hospitality management.
Nick does not only attribute his successes to his own efforts, but also to those of his coaches. He says, “Coach Pugs and Coach Hersh really help me excel,” and that he has never
had coaches as dedicated as them. Nick would also like to thank his family and friends who have supported him during his seasons at Averill Park. “Especially my Mom and Dad who have brought me to endless AAU tournaments and traveled to every game, home or away.”
We all wish Nick the best as he moves on to college.
Setting preseason goals is important for all wrestlers. Since finishing in the top three of the Section 2 Wrestling Championship last year for the second year in a row, Sean Malenfant was determined to become a sectional champion and through hard work he made that goal a reality. Sean scored a takedown in the waning seconds of the championship match to earn a 5-4 victory and his first sectional championship.
Joining Sean at the State Tournament will be his Averill Park teammate and fellow sectional champion Nik Koch. Nik improved his record to 29-0 on the season and dominated his way to a seemingly inevitable second straight sectional title in the 220-pound weight class.
Several other Warriors also earned medals as place finishers at the Sectional Tournament. Coming in fifth place and making the podium for the second year in a row was Senior Captain Andrew Lee. Additionally, Alex Cooper, Mason Lumbra and Xavier Graham all finished in sixth place in their respective weight classes and all earned their first sectional medals. Congratulations to the entire Averill Park Wrestling team on a successful season and best of luck to Nik and Sean at the New York State Championship Tournament this weekend!
~Submitted by the AP Wrestling Coaching Staff
AP Varsity teammates, Thomas Hacker #3 and Matthew Lettko #11, swat away an attempted layup by their Columbia HS opponent. AP finished their regular season at CHS on Feb. 13th and came home with a 51-44 win.