Saturday April 27, 2024 
By Eric Schuman
Averill Park’s winter sports teams have kicked off the new year running. Boys basketball started off 2019 with wins over South Glens Falls on 1/2 and Guilderland on 1/4. Thomas Hacker led the team with 15 points against South Glens Falls and Michael Re scored 13 in their 74-41 victory. Zach Price and Avery Pascucci scored 15 and 13 points respectively to lead AP in their 50-28 victory over Guilderland. Over winter break, AP also won the Shawn Walsh Memorial Tournament in Burnt Hills. The Warriors defeated Queensbury 67-48 before ousting Saugerties in the finals 75-49. Zach Price scored 22 points in each contest and was named tournament MVP. A home match against Columbia awaits the Warriors next on 1/11.
Girls’ basketball has been finding the win columns as well. On 12/26, they defeated Catholic High 57-33 behind 19 points from Kelsey Wood and 16 from Amelia Wood. This was followed by another decisive victory over Williamsville South 85-59. Amelia Wood scored a team high 24 points and Anna Jankovic added 19 in the victory. On 1/4, Guilderland became the next team to fall to the Warriors. Kelsey Wood recorded 33 points en route to an 87-72 AP victory. The Warriors will play Columbia next on 1/11 at home.
The Capital District Jets hockey team fell to Clarkston 3-2 on 12/28. AP senior Tristan Shelhamer assisted on both of the Jets’ goals in the loss. On 12/29, the Jets took on Cicero-North Syracuse and fell 9-2. AP freshman Kyle Millington scored from an assist by fellow AP teammate Colin Miller. On 1/4, the Jets fell to Burnt Hills/Ballston Spa 6-0. They will next take on Bethlehem on 1/11.
Girls bowling fell to Bethlehem 24-8 on 1/2. Lindsey VanAlstyne recorded a high triple of 461 and Savannah Rudolph had a high single of 176 for the Warriors. Up next for AP is Columbia away on 1/10.
Boys bowling competed at an invitational at Schenectady on 1/4. Keegan Mallory recorded a high triple of 633 and high single of 235 as AP finished 8th out of 20 teams. AP will next take on Columbia away on 1/10.
Make sure to come out and support the Warriors in their upcoming events. Go Warriors!
This week’s scholar athlete is Anthony Carucci. Anthony is a captain of the Varsity Basketball team, and Anthony plays on the Varsity Baseball team in the Spring. Anthony has played basketball for 6 years, after being introduced to the sport through Averill Park Youth Basketball Hoop Camp. Anthony’s favorite part of the sport is the competitiveness that comes with playing, and the connection he has with his teammates. Anthony recognizes that there are challenges that come with the sport. He says it is difficult to be “sharp and prepared day in and day out.” To prepare for this season, Anthony went through strenuous offseason workouts both with his team and individually. Anthony’s efforts to improve has helped his team find success. Last year, he and his teams made sectionals in both basketball and baseball. Anthony says there is “more to come this year,” as he looks to make a deep run in the playoffs with both teams.
Anthony does not only find success in his sports, but also in the classroom. Anthony has maintained a GPA of 97.2 through high school. This accomplishment was recognized earlier this year when he was inducted into the National Honor Society. Along with these academic accomplishments, Anthony is a member of student government.
In his future, Anthony plans to attend college and major in sports medicine so he can pursue a career in the medical field. Anthony does not only attribute his successes to his own efforts, but also to his coaches and teammates. He says they are “there for me and motivate me every day.” Additionally, Anthony would like to thank his parents for “always supporting me and bringing me back and forth to multiple sports non-stop.” Lastly, Anthony is grateful for the fans who have supported the team this year.
We all wish Anthony the best as he finishes his high school career and enters college.
Averill Park Junior Joe Kellar shows nice form from a bowling match at Guilderland’s Town and Country lanes 1/3/19.
Joe rolled a high 208 for AP, but Guilderland came out on top 3356 -3049.
After beginning the winter break with a commanding 66-21 divisional win over Bethlehem, the Averill Park Wrestling team began preparation for the Mountain Dual Wrestling Tournament. Wrestling tournaments by their very nature are grueling. Dolgeville’s Mountain Duals tourney is twice as tough as it takes place over two days. The wrestlers had up to four matches each day, with minimal rest in between. The Warriors were able to test their mettle against some of the top teams in the State, as the tournament included both the top ranked large and small school teams in New York. Top performers for Averill Park included Nik Koch, Mason Lumbra, Andrew Lee and Sean Malenfant who led the way with six wins each, as well as Alex Cooper and Ray Hebert with five wins apiece.
Additional congratulations go out to Anthony Dutcher, Colin Catlin and Dom Denue who each scored their first varsity wins, all by pin!
~Submitted by the AP Wrestling Caching Staff