Sports

Margaretville Central School will take part in the American Cancer Society’s Coaches vs. Cancer awareness program at several upcoming basketball games.

MCS will participate in the Coaches vs. Cancer Program on Friday, Jan. 27 during the boys’ JV and varsity games against South Kortright at 5:30 and 7 p.m., respectively, and on Monday, Jan. 30 during girls’ modified game vs. South Kortright at 3:30 p.m. and the girls’ JV and varsity contests against Downsville at 4:30 and 6 p.m., respectively.

By Claire Cella
Despite a noticeably late start to winter, ski teams from Margaretville and Roxbury central schools have competed in three Section Four races and are looking forward to a tough and competitive season.

Most recently, the section, which consists of varsity teams from Margaretville, Roxbury, Stamford, Windham, Oneonta and Hunter, competed in a giant slalom race at Plattekill Mountain on January 20.

By John Bernhardt
It was two tallies in the win column for Andes last week as the Mountaineers rolled over Downsville and Jefferson in Delaware League play.

Andes came from behind to bring down Downsville, 27-24, on the Eagles’ home court, then took an early lead over Jefferson that they never relinquished Thursday in Andes

By John Bernhardt
It was a basketball chess match. The moves and counter moves evolved slowly over time, sometimes percolating almost painfully before exploding in bits and spurts of offensive maneuvering.

It was point, counterpoint, with tactics and initiatives employed by both sides. And, little space separated the combatants, the match demanding an added period before a winner emerged. Checkmate arrived when the final horn sounded and the visiting RCS Rockets prevailed, edging the Lady Blue Devils of Margaretville last Friday, 28-27, in overtime.

Staff report
In Kyle Ciaravino the Roxbury boys’ basketball team has an anchor, a rock solid senior leader who has been a part of the varsity program for four years. Ciaravino proved the value of strong senior leadership Thursday night in Roxbury, scoring 22 points to lead his Rockets past Margaretville, 53-44.

The Roxbury girls’ basketball team got out to a fast start building an early 10-point lead over the host school in last week’s Stamford Booster Tournament. The Rockets led 10-3 after the opening eight minutes of play, and took an 18-12 lead into the lockers at the half. The game slipped away from the
Rockets in the second half when Stamford came from behind to squeeze out a 30-27 decision.

Staff report
Securing the basketball has been an issue for the Margaretville boys’ varsity basketball team all season long. A Blue Devils’ turnover epidemic in the opening round of the Downsville Tournament cost Margaretville a chance at a championship over the holiday break. Margaretville committed 37 miscues in the contest, falling, 47-40, in overtime to Gilbertsville-Mount Upton.

Staff report
“Can the Blue Devils play man-to-man defense as well as the Patriots?” was the question Margaretville coach John Bernhardt wrote in his notes as he scouted Downsville and Cherry Valley in the consolation game of Delhi’s Thanksgiving Tournament.

By John Bernhardt
It might not rank with the United States Hockey team’s Miracle on Ice or Villanova’s NCAA Championship basketball upset over Georgetown of long ago, but Friday night’s Margaretville girls’ basketball team’s, 60-55, upset over previously undefeated Davenport was pretty special.

Staff report
Never underestimate the value of a layup. The Margaretville Blue Devil boys’ basketball team learned how important basketball’s most basic shot can be when they fell, 58-35, to first place Davenport last week. The Wildcats outscored their hosts, 20-7, during a critical third period to nail down the victory.