SEWARD DISPLAYS STRONG DFENSE

                        

  FLORIDA--Veteran well-versed Tri-Valley varsity girls basketball coach Jason Closs predicted last week that his lady Bears would "have to play a better game against Seward Monday" but reality forced by a strong Spartans defense gave Seward an easy  23-point 58-35 win advancing them  to the Section 9 Class C championship game.
  This semifinals tilt started out looking good for Tri-Valley as senior forward Eliz Hannold canned a two-pointer for a 2-0 Bears lead but that proved to be the only game lead the Bears saw all night as Seward took a 15-8 first quarter lead.
  The second 8-minutes of play proved disastrous for Tri-Valley as they were outscored 20-3 by Seward with Alexa Roach scoring five points off a two-pointer and one tray and Emi Mecht adding five points of a two-pointer and three foul shots.
  Tri-Valley point guard Jackie Musa hit for the Bears three points off a two-pointer and one foul shot.
  The negative part of Tri-Valley's game came mostly from errant passes, walking violations and fouls that resulted in a total of 12 Seward free throws.
  The errant passes and walking violations came about from a strong Seward defense that turned around and gave them the offensive punch they needed to advance to the championship game held last night against defending champ Pine Plains at Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh.
  Monday's third quarter proved to be Tri-Valley's best eight minutes of play as they outscored the Spartans 18-10 off the scoring efforts of guard Morgan Shamro and Eliz Hannold. Shamro had a tray, a two-pointer and four foul shots while Hannold popped in three 2's.
  Seward returned to their strong defensive efforts in the final quarter outscoring the Bears 13-6.
  Leading scorer for Tri -Valley was Liz Harrold with 12 followed by Morgan Shamro with 11.
  Annmarie Chiappone again led Seward with 21 points. Alexa Roach added nine points.
  In regular season play against Seward the Spartans defeated the Bears by 35-points December 21 and edged Tri-Valley 52-50 two weeks ago at Grahamsville.
  Looking on the bright side of Tri-Valley varsity girls basketball next year's team most likely will return the following players who saw a lot of time on the court this season.... Jackie Musa, Morgan Shamro, Kacie Allison, Ashley Lawrence and Samantha Raymond in addition to several outstanding JV players.
  Post game remarks by Coach Closs centered around his feelings, "that we got our feet under us after half time and played better in the second half."
  "We scrapped the second half and I'm proud of the girls as a lot of teams would have folded the tents after the first half but we hung in there and battled the whole second half," Closs noted.
  Tri-Valley ends their season with a 11-10 overall record.
  Seward coach Joe DiMattina noted, "we started off very strong and finished strong and played a lot different game they we played 12 days ago at Grahamsville."
  "Our defense resulted in steals, turnovers and defensive rebounding and this helped us with our fast-break offense," DiMattina added. 
                                             
                                               

Tri-Valley senior guard Autumn Bender (22) drives past Seward's Theresa Pmiley (12) in Monday's 58-35 Bears loss
in sectional play at Florida.
                                       
                                                

Tri-Valley junior guard Nicole Beach (12) gets off a shot against Seward's Erika Straub (11) in Monday's 58-35 Bears loss in sectional play at Florida.

                                       

LADY BEARS DEFEAT WEBUTUCK 48-37

GRAHAMSVILLE--"A section win is a section win but we will have to play a better game against Seward on Monday," Tri-Valley coach Jason Closs noted in post-game remarks following the Lady Bears 48-37 Section 9 Class C quarterfinal victory over Webutuck Saturday night.
  A young Webutuck Warriors team from Amenia in Dutchess County, consisting of mostly freshman, after making the almost two-hour trip to Grahamsville were almost blown off the court in the first eight minutes of play as the Bears opened up a 14-point 18-4 lead.
  Tri-Valley limited Webutuck to four points off a field goal and two foul shots in the first quarter while the Bears Liz Hannold lit up the scoreboard for 10 points off five 2's.
  Webutuck coach Jon Zenz noted that his team entered this game with a 11-9  overall record and 5-6 in the MHAL league had all has been achieved mostly with freshman students.
  The Warriors quickly recovered from the first quarter and righted the ship as they outscored Tri-Valley in the second quarter 16-6 to go into the  halftime locker room trailing by six, 26-20.
  Maya-K Johnson led Webutuck's second quarter scoring attack with six points off two 2's and two foul shots. The foul line proved to be an effective scoring tool for the Warriors this quarter as they scored eight points on foul shots.
  Tri-Valley's Morgan Shamro with 10 points off two 2's and two trays and four points by Samantha Raymond pushed Tri-Valley's lead to 12 at the end of the third quarter, 42-30. Taylor Edmundsen led the Warriors scoring with four points off two 2's.
  Both's teams scoring efforts went downhill in the fourth quarter with Webutuck outscoring Tri-Valley 7-6. Maya-K Johnson scored all of Webutuck's points off of a tray and four foul shots whlle Samantha Raymond added four points for the Bears off two 2's.
  The win advanced Tri-Valley into the Section 9 Class C semifinal game against No. 1 seed S.S, Seward at Florida last night.
  Tri-Valley this past season lost to Seward by 35 points on December 21 at Seward and almost pulled off the upset of the year two weeks ago at Grahamsville losing in the final 10 seconds of the game, 52-50 in what Coach Closs called "the best 32-minutes of basketball we have played all season."
  Closs noted Saturday "this is a good win played by two relatively young teams and we will take it but we will have to play a better game against Seward on Monday where we will have to bring energy and play good half-court man to man as they have a lot of weapons."
  Closs feels that for the team to be successful against Seward, "is that we have to be  more patient and run our offense without forcing the ball."
  Webutuck coach Jon Zenz in post-game remarks said, "we got beat by a better team today as they work harder and they were more prepared."
  "They bring a little more experience to the game then us as we are almost entirely freshman but they were tougher than us tonight as we just don't have enough shooters on the team to help balance the floor ," Zenz noted.
  Tri-Valley enters the Seward game with a 11-9 record while Seward was 19-1.
  Webutuck finishes their season 11-10.
  Morgan Shamro led Tri-Valley in scoring with 13 points followed by Liz Hannold with 12 and Samantha Raymond with 10.
  Maya-K Johnson led Webutuck with 15 points off of three 2's, a tray and six foul shots.
  Tri-Valley finished their regular season of play February 17 with a win at home against Chester 49-44 with Liz Hannold leading the way with 16 points.
  At the Chester game four Tri-Valley players were honored  on their Senior Night which depicts  their last night at home for regular season high school basketball.
  Those honored included Kayla Butler, Elizabeth Hannold, Autumn Bender and Kate Jester.
                                                                                   
                                                  

Tri-Valley seniors gather with their coaches for a group photo prior to their last regular season home game. Those honored on Senior Night were, from the left, Head Coach Jason Closs, Kayla Butler, Autumn Bender, Katie Jester, Elizabeth Hannold and Assistant Coach Jerry Stevens.
                                                                        
                                                           

Tri-Valley's leading scorer with 13 points, Morgan  Shamro (34) shoots for two over an unidentified Webutuck player in the Bears 48-37 Section 9 Class C quarterfinal victory Saturday at Grahamsville.
                                                                       
                                                                  

Tri-Valley point guard Jackie Musa (10) attempts to get a shot off over Webutuck's Maya-K Johnson in the Bears 48-37 Section 9 Class C quarterfinal victory Saturday at Grahamsville. Johnson led the Warriors with 15 points.

                                                                       

                                                                

SIMIEN RETURNS TO BETHEL WOODS

TERRANCE SIMIEN & THE ZYDECO EXPERIENCE RETURNS TO BETHEL WOODS EVENT GALLERY ON APRIL 23 Multi-faceted collaboration with Grammy Award winner and Bethel Woods will also bring performers into local schools as part of week-long residency   BETHEL, NY (February 19, 2016) – Two-time Grammy award winner Terrance Simien & the Zydeco Experience returns to Bethel Woods Center for the Arts’ intimate, indoor Event Gallery this spring. Tickets for the April 23 concert go on-sale on Saturday, February 27 at 10:00 a.m. at www.BethelWoodsCenter.org, Ticketmaster or by phone at 1.800.745.3000 for $50.00 for general admission, standing room only. Additionally, as part of Bethel Woods commitment to making the arts accessible, while inspiring and educating youth in the community, the organization’s E3: Engage. Experience. Explore program was developed to bring arts experiences into local schools. The first program in 2016 will feature Simien, an 8th generation Louisiana Creole, and his band. They will participate in a multi-faceted week-long residency that will include performances and workshops in local high schools and a free school-day performance for students at Bethel Woods. The E3 program provides opportunities for hundreds of local high school students to engage directly with world-class performers in their classroom, through performances and workshops focused on social consciousness and cultural diversity. Two school partners from the region will be selected to host two-day residencies the week of April 18. These programs will include assembly performances and up to three in-classroom workshops that align with Common Core standards, yet still allow students to flexibly engage in music, history, and story-telling through inquiry-based explorations. Working around the schools’ schedules, the assembly will encourage students to ask questions, interact and experience Creole culture and music via stories of the Deep South and its impact on American History and culture, with an even more depth opportunity to explore Zydeco heritage in workshops for select classes. Schools and educational communities not able to participate in a residency, may still participate in the free school-day performance at Bethel Woods on Thursday, April 23 at 11:00 a.m. in the Event Gallery at Bethel Woods.  Admission is free, but registration is required. Students, teachers and school liaisons looking to bring the E:3 Terrance Simien & the Zydeco Experience to their school, or participate in the school-day performance at Bethel Woods can apply and register at http://www.bethelwoodscenter.org/events/detail/e3-engage-experience-explore-3 or contact education@bethelwoodscenter.org. Additionally, as part of the center’s WoodsTalk: Live series, a Creole cooking demonstration with Simien will be offered for adults on Thursday, April 21 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. in the Conservatory at Bethel Woods. Tickets are $25.00, and space is limited to just 25 participants. Visit www.BethelWoodsCenter.org to reserve a spot. “We want to make the arts fun and approachable while assisting schools with limited resources and time in exposing their students to the numerous benefits associated with arts-based learning,” explained Kathleen A. Christie, Senior Director of Arts, Humanities and Education Programming at Bethel Woods. “In our latest partnership with Terrance Simien, we aim to motivate students and community members to understand how American history and innovation is founded on a mixing of cultures throughout time. We hope participants will walk away with a sense of social context, knowledge, and experience that may inspire them to understand more about the world and feel empowered within it.” For over 30 years, Terrence Simien has been shattering the myths about what his indigenous Zydeco roots music is and is not, becoming  one of the most respected and accomplished artists in American roots music today. He and his band mates have performed over 7,000 concerts, toured millions of miles to over 45 countries during their eventful career. Simien’s groundbreaking Creole for Kidz & The History of Zydeco for student, youth and family audiences has reached nearly 500,000 since its debut in 2000. This dynamic program is presented at performing art centers, schools and festivals. Simien is helping build a more culturally literate young performing arts patron who is more knowledgeable about zydeco roots music because of his program. He has received countless awards, grants and recognition for his work and artistic contributions as a respected Cultural Ambassador for his state and country. Simien is blessed with an extraordinary talent that expresses the deepest human emotions through the original instrument: The Voice. He takes his audiences on a multicultural tour of the world as the many countries he’s visited while on tour have informed his musical language. He creates a hypnotic blend of New Orleans funk-reggae-flavored-world-blues-American zydeco roots music that beckons you to your feet and into the groove. He has found a seamless and artful way to deliver his eclectic music as a relevant, evolving artist who is clearly rooted in Creole tradition. Well known for his legendary live performances, Simien also helped change the vocabulary for his genre by introducing complex vocal harmonies, diverse repertoire and carefully crafted high quality recordings. Simien and his loyal and skilled band mates, together have shared studio & stage with Robert Palmer, Stevie Wonder, Los Lobos, Taj Mahal, Dr. John, the Meters, Alan Toussaint, Paul Simon and Dave Matthews Band to name a few. Their music has been featured in TV commercials and a dozen or more films, including the blockbuster “The Big Easy” which changed the game for Louisiana music in the late 80’s. His music has been heard on NPR syndicated radio shows like World Café, American Routes, E-town & House of Blues Radio Hour. Rolling Stone, Billboard, and other notable music industry publications, as well as major daily newspapers have praised his recordings. His extensive discography dates back to vinyl 45’s.

TV GIRLS BASKETBALL SENIOR NIGHT

PICTURES FROM  THE TRI-VALLEY CENTRAL SCHOOL VS. CHESTER FEB. 17, 2016 GAME

GIRLS VARSITY CHEERLEADING AND VARSITY GIRLS BASKETBALL SENIORS NIGHT

                               

                                                                                 

                                                                             
                                                                            

                                       

                                                                               

                                                                              
                                                                                

     
                                                                              

                   

    
                                                                                     

                                                                             

                                                                             

                                                                                

BEACH BOYS & THE TEMPTATIONS AT BW

SIXTIES LEGENDS THE BEACH BOYS & THE TEMPTATIONS JOIN FORCES TO BRING SURF & SOUL TO BETHEL WOODS Tickets On-Sale Saturday, February 20 at 10:00 AM   BETHEL, NY (February 17, 2016) – “Get Ready” for The Beach Boys and The Temptations, two of the most iconic groups of the Sixties, to deliver some “Good Vibrations” to Bethel Woods Center for the Arts on Friday, July 15. Tickets go on-sale on Saturday, February 20 at 10:00 a.m. at www.BethelWoodsCenter.org, Ticketmaster or by phone at 1.800.745.3000 for $62.50, $83.00, $98.00, and $118.00 for reserved seating, and $36.00 for general admission lawn. All-in ticket prices show at a glance what you will pay for your tickets, including standard shipping. You can capsulize most pop music acts by reciting how many hits they’ve had and how many millions of albums they’ve sold.  But these conventional measurements fall short when you’re assessing the impact of The Beach Boys.  To be sure, this band has birthed a torrent of hit singles and sold albums by the tens of millions.  But its greater significance lies in the fact that it changed the musical landscape so profoundly that every pop act since has been in its debt. Had this remarkable band been less committed to its art and its fans, it could have retired from the field with honor at dozens of points along the way, confident that it had made a lasting contribution to world culture.  It could have rested on the success of the epoch-shifting Pet Sounds masterpiece in 1966… or after recording Love’s co-written Golden Globe nominated “Kokomo” in 1988 and seeing it become its bestselling single ever... or after being inducted that same year into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame… or after watching its worldwide album sales blow past 100 million… or after winning the NARAS Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001 [along with The Who, Bob Marley, Tony Bennett, Sammy Davis Jr. and Les Paul].  And still, The Beach Boys continue to have fun, fun, fun, with no end in sight. The Beach Boys led by founder Mike Love (lead vocals) and veteran Bruce Johnston (vocals/keyboards), who along with Jeffrey Foskett (guitar/vocals), Brian Eichenburger (bass/vocals), Tim Bonhomme (keyboards/vocals), John Cowsill of The Cowsills (percussion/vocals) and Scott Totten (guitar/vocals) round out the band and will continue the legacy. Love’s role as the band’s front man sometimes overshadows his stature as one of rock’s foremost songwriters.  “Surfin’,” The Beach Boys’ first hit came from his pen.  With his cousin, Brian Wilson, Love wrote the classics “Fun, Fun, Fun,” “I Get Around,” “Help Me Rhonda,” “California Girls” and the Grammy nominated “Good Vibrations.”  Years later, he showed he still had the lyrical chops by co-writing the irresistible and chart-topping “Kokomo.” For more than fifty years, The Temptations have prospered, propelling popular music with a series of smash hits, and sold-out performances throughout the world.  The history of The Temptations is the history of contemporary American pop. An essential component of the original Motown machine, that amazing engine invented by Berry Gordy, The Temps began their musical life in Detroit in the early sixties. It wasn’t until 1964 however, that the Smokey Robinson written-and-produced “The Way You Do the things You Do” turned the guys into stars. An avalanche of hits followed, many of which...”My Girl,” for instance...attained immortality. “It’s Growing,” “Since I Lost My Baby,” “Get Ready,” “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg,” “Beauty Is only Skin Deep,” “I Wish It Would Rain”...the hits kept coming. When the sixties and seventies turned political, The Temps got serious. They changed their tone, dress and music. Producer Norman Whitfield led the way. His Temptations hits, many featuring Dennis Edwards who had replaced David Ruffin, burned with intensity. “Runaway Child” “Cloud Nine,” “I Can’t Get Next to You,” “Papa Was a Rolling Stone”, and “Psychedelic Shack” still smolder. The current lineup consisting of Otis Williams, an original member, Ron Tyson, Terry Weeks, Larry Braggs, and Willie Green Jr. stays true to their tradition.  They survived the whims of fashion, whether disco or techno, and stuck to their guns. “Great singing,” says Otis, “will always prevail.” The pre-sale for Bethel Woods Members begins Wednesday, February 17 at 10:00 a.m. To learn more about additional member benefits and pre-sale access, visit http://www.bethelwoodscenter.org/supportthearts/membership-opportunities. A limited number of 2016 Bethel Woods Season Lawn Passes are still available, fully transferrable, and guarantees your place on the lawn for every Pavilion concert. To learn more visit http://www.bethelwoodscenter.org/performances-festivals/seasonlawnpass. For more information about Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, please visit www.BethelWoodsCenter.org or call 1.866.781.2922. Be sure to download the Bethel Woods App for up-to-date information and special pre-sale codes.

BEARS LOSE CLOSE ONE WITH SEWARD

  A scrappy, much improved and determined Tri-Valley Lady Bears basketball team almost pulled off the upset of the year last week before losing in the final 10 seconds of the game against league leading S.S. Seward 52-50.
  Tri-Valley coach Jason Closs in post game remarks noted "it's the best 32-minutes of basketball we have played all season."
  Going into this OCIAA Division V game Tri-Valley remembered well the  35-point loss they suffered on December 21 at Seward who strode into Grahamsville last week sporting a 17-1 record and 4-0 in league play.
  What a team does after a devastating loss like the December 21 game is they ether go into the tank completely or  goes to work learning  what their weak spots are and correcting them through hard work and determination. 
  Coach Closs during the season has given his team hard lessons as he pushed his team up against tough opponents like Middletown, Saugerties, Burke Catholic and Eldred "because this is where they learn and improve" Closs has said throughout this season.
  If the Spartans were looking for another easy win this game proved that there is always another side of the coin.
  Tri-Valley forward Eliz Hannold opened the scoring for both teams early in the first quarter but Seward's Annamarie Chiappone and Erika Straub poured in two trays each giving Seward a 13-9 advantage in the first eight minutes of play.
  Down by four Tri-Valley upped their momentum in the second quarter and outscored Seward 11-8 off four points by point guard Jackie Musa, two by Hannold., a tray by Morgan Shamro and a two-pointer by Kacie Allison.
  Seward in taking a one-point 21-20 lead into the third quarter of play showed concern with  facial expressions and verbal questioning of referee decisions but that didn't stop their scoring ace Annamarie Chiappone from swishing the nets with 14 points off of two three-pointers and four 2's to outscore the Bears 18-12. 
  Morgan Shamro led Tri-Valley's third quarter scoring with a tray and three foul shots followed by Hannold with four and Musa wth two.
  The third quarter of play saw the score seesaw back and fourth with Tri-Valley taking a 22-21 lead and Seward coming right back to lead 23-22. At the 5:17 mark the Bears upped their lead to 27-23 but then Chiappone got the hot hand with a couple of trays and 2's which led to a seven point 39-32 Spartan lead entering the fourth quarter.
  Although outscored 18-12 in the third quarter Tri-Valley put the pedal to the metal outscoring Seward 18-13 in the fourth quarter off the outstanding guard play of Musa with six points, Hannold with seven points, two foul shots by Samantha Raymond and a tray by Shamro.
  Hannold provided one of the exciting  shots in the whole game for the Bears at the 26.5 mark of the fourth quarter sinking a corner-tray shot which pushed a 49-47 Spartan lead to a 50-49 Tri-Valley lead with second remaining.
  That lead held up until Chiappone got the ball at the 13.2 mark and  drilled a three-pointer giving the Spartans the 52-50 victory.
  The win game Seward coach Joe Dimattina his 200th career victory.
  "I know they are a good team and they have a good coach," Dimattina noted "and we beat them by 35 at our place so this is a different story."
  "They had us frazzled the whole game and we were pretty lucky we got that last three point shot in," Dimattina said. "Even with our seven point lead they hit some clutch shots," Coach Dimattina added.
  Tri-Valley coach Closs in postgame remarks said, "we played them man to man the whole game and this made a big difference."
  "They are a good team but our energy was good, we scrapped and we didn't waiver and all this sets the table for future success," Closs said.
   Although not specifically noting what success that could be it is very evident that Tri-Valley will enter the sectionals a much better team then what they started the season with.
  Chiappone led both teams in scoring with 30 points off of six trays five 2's and  two foul shots. Straub added 10.
  Hannold led Tri-Valley with 17 followed by Musa and Shamro with 12 each. Freshman Samantha Raymond showed good rebounding skills throughout the game.
  Seward committed 24 turnovers to Tri-Valley's 19.
  With the win Seward's record went to 18-1 and 5-0 in league play. Tri-Valley is 9-8 and 3-2 in league play.
  Tri-Valley plays their final league game tomorrow night, February 17 against Chester. Seniors will be honored in this game.

                                                                            
                                                                

Tri-Valley leading scorer with 17 points Liz Hannold (20) shoots over Sewards Erin Sgombick (24) in the Bears two-point loss 52-50 last week at Grahamsville.

                                             
                                                           

Tri-Valley point guard Jackie Musa (10) dribbles past Sewards Mikaila Joseph (15) and Emi Knecht in the Spartans 2-point 52-50 win last week at Grahamsville.

                                              
ADDITIONAL PHOTOS FROM THIS BIG GAME

                                              

                                                                                

                                                                              

                                                                           

                                                                              

MANAGER RETURNS TO B-METS

Lopez, Abbott & Natera Set to Return for 2016

BINGHAMTON, NY – With the start of their 25^th season 58 days away, the Binghamton Mets are proud to announce the return of manager Pedro Lopez, pitching coach Glenn Abbott and hitting coach Luis Natera for the 2016 season. Strength and conditioning coach Dane Inderrieden will also be back for his second season. Binghamton’s athletic trainer position will be filled at a later time.
Lopez, the all-time winningest manager in Binghamton Mets history, prepares for his fifth season steering the ship in the Southern Tier. The Puerto Rico native was inducted into Binghamton’s Baseball Shrine in 2015 after guiding the B-Mets to three consecutive postseason appearances.
Lopez etched his name into Binghamton baseball lore in 2014 when he established “six more wins” as the team’s season-long mission. Under his steady direction, the B-Mets accomplished the feat, winning a nail-biting five-game series in Portland before sweeping Richmond to bring the Eastern League crown back to Binghamton for the first time in two decades.
The 2013 Eastern League Manager of the Year has steadily climbed the Mets’ minor league managerial ladder with stops in St. Lucie (High-A), Savannah (Low-A), Brooklyn (SS-A) and Kingsport (R).
The former catcher logged 13 seasons in the minor leagues as a player after being drafted in the 21^st round by the San Diego Padres in 1988. In 909 career games, he hit .247, clocked 49 home runs and drove in 338 runs while playing in the Padres, Brewers and Astros organizations.
Abbott returns to the Southern Tier for his fifth year as the B-Mets’ pitching coach. The Arkansas native has guided the pitching staff to an average of 82 victories over the past three seasons. Abbott’s 2015 staff matched a franchise record with a paltry .246 opponent batting average.
Drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 8^th round in 1969, Abbott spent 11 seasons in the Major Leagues as a starting pitcher for the A’s (1973-76), Seattle Mariners (1977-83) and Detroit Tigers (1983-84). Abbott compiled a 62-83 record and amassed a 4.39 ERA in 248 career games (206 starts). On September 28, 1975, he combined with Vida Blue, Paul Linblad and Rollie Fingers in the first four-pitcher no-hitter in MLB history.
This season marks Natera’s 25^th with the Mets organization and ninth in the Southern Tier. He has served as a hitting coach at five different levels during that time, including stints with Buffalo (AAA, 2009), St. Lucie (High-A, 2007), Hagerstown (Low-A, 2005-06), Kingsport (Rookie, 2003-04), and Capital City (Low-A, 1999).
Natera served in his native country as coordinator of the Mets’ Dominican Academy in 2001 and 2002. He managed the Dominican Mets (Rookie) in 2002 and skippered the DSL Mets from 1992-1997.
Inderrieden returns for his second season at Double-A. The Marty, Minnesota native served in the same capacity with the St. Lucie Mets in 2014. He received his B.S. from St. Cloud State University and attained a master’s degree in Exercise Science from Northern Michigan University. He has also spent time with the Gulf Coast League Mets (2013) and Brooklyn Cyclones (2012).
The B Mets open their silver season on Thursday, April 7, 2016 at 6:35 PM at NYSEG Stadium against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. Season tickets and mini packs are on sale now and may be purchased in person at NYSEG Stadium or by visiting www.bmets.com or calling (607) 723-METS.

TRI-VALLEY BOYS-GIRLS POST WINS

                            

  LOCH SHELDRAKE--The Bears and Bulldogs  played two league basketball games last week with the Tri-Valley boys edging Sullivan West 51-48 at Grahamsville Thursday and the lady Bears posting a  43-36 sectional berth win Saturday morning in the 8th Annual Sullivan County BCANY v Cancer Classic at Sullivan County Community College.
  Both games presented tie-scores and nail-biting moments for coaches, players and fans.
  Sullivan West varsity boys coach John Meyers following Thursday's loss said "I'm the most proud of my guys for this game....win or lose they played from the opening tap to the end."
  Meyers emphasized that "we lost by 15 to them the first time we played and tonight by three and Tri-Valley played great defense and hats off  to them as they made the foul shots down at the end."
  This game played close throughout all four quarters with Tri-Valley taking the first eight minutes of play 12-11 and Sullivan West edging the Bears 13-10 in the second quarter resulting in a 25-21 half time lead for Tri-Valley.
  The Bears boosted  their lead to 12 points, 44-32 at the end of the third quarter outscoring Sullivan West 19-11 off four points by Robert Warden and six points each by Tom Mungeer and Chris Mosher.
  The 12-point Bears lead didn't last very long and at the 5:50 mark Sullivan West's Austin Melchick drilled a tray to tie the game at 44-44 after the Bulldogs had held Tri-Valley scoreless for two and a half minutes of fourth quarter play.
  The Bulldogs outscored Tri-Valley 16-7 in the fourth quarter but the game was eventually won on the foul line as the Bears added clutch foul shots, three from Chase Botsford, one from Tom Mungeer and one from Robert Worden to squeeze out the three point win .
  Thomas Mungeer led the Bears with 17 points while Robert Worden added 12 points for Tri-Valley that upped their record to 607 and 2-3 in OCIAA Division V league play.
  Sullivan West dropped to 3-10 and 0-4 in league play.
  Leading the scoring for the Bulldogs was Ryszard Mujanovic with 12 points.
  Tri-Valley coach Kevin Delaney was happy with the win but added ,"our defense did not help us and we really let them back in the game in the fourth quarter."
  With visions of postseason dancing in their minds and knowing a win would clinch sectional play Tri-Valley opened up a 7-6 first quarter lead and then outscored Sullivan West 15-6 in the second quarter which led to a 22-12 half time lead.  
  The Bears 15 second quarter points came from two trays by Nicole Beach and two points each from Autumn Bender, Morgan Shamro and Angie Ditoro.
  The 10-point Tri-Valley half-time lead started slipping away early in the third quarter as the Bears defense got into foul trouble sending the Bulldogs to the free throw line where they made 10 foul shots and at 2:14 tied the game at 22-22 with Elaine Durkin adding the 21st and 22ed point.
  Sullivan West outscored the Bears in that third quarter 14-4 and started the final eight minutes of play tied at 26 each.
  Foul shots again played a leading role in the fourth quarter as Tri-Valley took advantage of poor Sullivan West defensive decisions by  going to the foul line for 11 points and a 17-10 fourth quarter advantage resulting in a seven-point victory.
  Key fourth quarter foul shooting for Tri-Valley was produced by Morgan Shamro with five, Samantha Raymond with four and Ashley Lawrence with two.
  Two trays, one by Nicole Beach and another by Shamro added to Tri-Valley's fourth quarter advantage.
  Morgan Shamro led Tri-Valley in scoring with 13 points followed by Nicole Beach with 12 and Samantha Raymond with 11.
  Leading scorers for Sullivan West were Brianna Bryant and Elaine Durkin with 12 points and Chyenne Gaebel with 11.
  Sullivan West committed 30 turnovers to Tri-Valley's 26.
  Sullivan West's overall record is now 7-10 and 1-3 in league play. Tri-Valley ups their record to 8-7 overall and 2-2 in OCIAA Division league play.
  Bears coach Jason Closs with the win commented "today's win against Sullivan West qualified Tri-Valley for the Sectionals."
  "We played relatively well in the first half and took a 10 point lead into half time but got bogged down in the third quarter with foul trouble and lost our momentum on offense."
  "I was very pleased about our energy in the fourth quarter when we regained the momentum and knocked down some four sots of our own as this was a game we had to grind out but in the end we will learn a lot from today," Closs added.
  Sullivan West coach Patrick Donavan refused to comment.
                                                                  
                                                             

Tri-Valley's Eliz Hannold (20) shoots over Sullivan West's Bridget Hart (23) in the Bears 43-36 win Saturday at Sullivan County Community College.
                                                                          
                                                    

Tri-Valley Bears forward Samantha Raymond (44) shoots over Sullivan West's Alexa Santoro in Tri-Valley's 43-36 win Saturday at Sullivan County Community College.

                                                                
                                       

Tri-Valley forward Brennan Healy (24) goes high shooting over Sullivan West's Austin Melchick (20) in the Bears 51-48 win Thursday at Grahamsville.
                                                                     

                                                         

Tri-Valley forward Brennan Healy (24) shoots over Sullivan West's Hashim Gambari (23) in the Bears 51-48 win Thursday at Grahamsville.
                                                                                    

                                                           

Tri-Valley's Chase Botsford  (34) looks to pass off to team mate Brennan Healy (24) as Sullivan West's Linzii Koradis (24) attempts a block in the Bears 51-48 win Thursday at Grahamsville.

                                                               

                                 

COMARADERIE IN ROSCOE GAME

GRAHAMSVILLE: There is true comaraderie and respect for the game of basketball between the coaching staffs at Roscoe Central and Tri-Valley.
  This was more than  evident Tuesday night at Grahamsville when the visiting Lady Blue Devils came into town for a non-league game.
  A long standing coaches respect for each other and friendship was visibly shown between Roscoe boys head coach Fred Ahart and Bears Ladies coach Jason Closs before the start of the game as the two shared a few moments of conversation which provided a photo opportunity for us.
  Closs and Ahart go back many years when Closs was a high school basketball player at Roscoe (1990-1999) and was coached by Ahart.
  Closs was part of the guest speakers group and officials who attended the "Coach" Fred Ahart gym dedication ceremony at Roscoe in early January of 2014.
  Ahart has indeed been a mentor to many athletes and the respect each has for the other was there to see Tuesday in the Tri-Valley gym. 
  Fred's wife, Becky, coaches both the girls junior varsity and varsity team with only six players on the varsity squad and five on the JV team and match-ups against larger squads is sometimes very difficult as could be seen Tuesday night.
  Roscoe entered this contest as a member of the high school D division in the OCIAA and brought into this game a 3-10 overall record (2-2 in league play).
  The larger Tri-Valley C team opened a 15-6 first quarter lead, limited the Blue Devils to 2 points in the second quarter which took them into a half-time lead of 39-8 before finishing with a 60-25 final.
  The comaraderie between the Ahart's and the two schools continued into the girls varsity game. We have seen some in the coaching field who would continue to put the pedal to the metal and increase the score with little or no respect for what the game and good sportsmanship should really be about.... but this is not coach Closs.
  The Tri-Valley coach brings sportsmanship and a coaching attitude and ability to the game that is good to see as he freely substituted his bench players into the second half of the game allowing respect for Coach Becky and her team. Both squads scored 11 points each in the third quarter and produced a 10-6 advantage for Tri-Valley in the final eight minutes of play. 
  Tri-Valley forward Elizabeth Hannold led the first half scoring with four points in the first quarter and eight points in the second quarter all off two pointers.
  Three Tri-Valley players scored in double figures, Nicole Beach led with 16 points, and 12 points each were recorded by Elizabeth Hannold and Jackie Musa. 
  Alyssa Diaz led the Blue Devils with 11 points off a two trays, two 2's and a foul shot. 
  Roscoe committed 28 turnovers to Tri-Valley's 18. 
  Coach Closs in post game comments on how difficult it is to coach a game like this said, "the first half we were aggressive and we got to work on some things in the first half that we hadn't been able to do in the past."
  Closs noted that "in the second half we moved the ball around more and talked to the girls at half time about doing the right thing and it was all by design and to the girls credit they listened extremely well."
  He game credit to the Roscoe team "for hanging in there and for the three point shooting of three of their players."
  Coach Becky when asked about her squads tray shooting abilities said,  "the girls work on their three-point shooting everyday in practice."
  In giving  her comments about a game like this she noted, "I congratulated Jason's team as they did a nice job and my girls played hard and they didn't quit as they did what they needed to do and so we move on from this."
  Roscoe's overall record is now 3-ll. Tri-Valley evens it's overall record at 7-7 and is 2-1 in league play.                                                                       
                                                        

Roscoe Central boys varsity basketball coach Fred Ahart, left, is surely sharing some past memories with Tri-Valley girls basketball coach Jason Closs prior to the start of the girls Tuesday's varsity tilt at Grahamsville.
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Tri-Valley's Nicole Beach (12) gets off a two-point attempt against Roscoe's Varissa Newkirk (32) in the Bears 60-25 win Tuesday at Grahamsville. Beach led both teams with 16 points. 

                                        
  
  
  

NEW MANAGEMENT AT SCGC

    LIBERTY-- The Liberty based Sullivan County Golf & Country Club is still owned by certificate  members and a board of governors but a new management team consisting of Liberty attorney Brian P. Rourke and former Cobblers Restaurant  owner Michael Stoddard officially took over daily operations on February 1.
  The new management  agreement between Rourke & Stoddard and the unanimous approval of all certificate golf club  members provides the  new management team with a three-year agreement and an option to purchase the property. 
  Rourke in addition to having a law practice on Darbee Lane in Liberty and  Monticello has been a Town/Village Justice since 2001, has been a certificate member at Sullivan County Golf & Country Club for 15 years and is  a former Board of Governors' member.
  Brian is also the owner of the Superclean Laundromat in Liberty, the Downtown Barn music venue  in Liberty and other real estate interests throughout Liberty.  He is committed to re-energizing the downtown Village of Liberty area, particularly Liberty's new "Darbee District." 
  Stoddard owned and was the manager and cook at Cobblers Restaurant on Liberty's North Main Street from 2001-2007, was the Pro Shop Manager at the  Sullivan County Golf & Country Club in 2008, was the Food and Beverage Manager at the Tennanah Lake Golf & Tennis Club from 2009 to 2011, was a chef at the Center for Discovery from 2012-2013 and is the Territory Sales Manager for Maines Paper and Food from 2014 to the present time. .
  Stoddard is assuming the duties of managing both the restaurant, the pro shop and and the upkeep and maintenance of the golf course.   Tony Hirsch will retain the title of head greens-keeper.
  Stoddard  said that his goal for the upcoming  season "is to let the general public know that Sullivan County Golf & Country Club welcomes all players from beginners to experienced players and that everyone can have fun here."
     He pointed out that the course offers a beautiful view and is a challenging course with affordable green fees.
    The Sullivan County Golf & Country Club will also become the home of a new restaurant which will specialize in American Cuisine with both a bar and lunch menu and evening meals. The new restaurant facility plans to open around April 1.
     Rumors that the golf course owned $100,000 in back taxes was denied by Rourke who acknowledged that the new management team had just made a  $55,000 payment for back-due taxes thus eliminating for the time being  a foreclosure process by the County of Sullivan.
     If the management team proceeds to  purchase the golf course they would not at this time  disclose any purchase price but figures circulating indicated a price range of around $650,000.
   Golf Course Board of Governors' president Larry Eisenberg pointed our during this interview that "the certificate members still own this property and if sold each members would receive their share of the sale price." Eisenberg firmly stated that this new management agreement "received the overwhelming support of the majority of the club certificate  membership."
  Eisenberg would not disclose how many certificate members the golf club presently has but again figures circulating around the community say there are about 25 to 30 certificate members at this time.
  The president of the Board of Governors' also disputed statements that the greens had deteriorated and  golf course maintenance was under par. He pointed out that financial conditions dictated what could and what could not be done at the golf course.
   If there is no sale of the golf course in the future the certificate members and the board of governors would again be responsible for taking over the management and daily operations.
  Under this new management agreement there will be no future sales of certificate memberships but seasonal memberships, corporate memberships,  and youth memberships will be available.
  Rourke and Stoddard said increased efforts will be made for league and tournament participation. Eisenberg noted that the Liberty Central School golf team practices and has their matches at this club which provides free golf for team members.    
     Stronger efforts to market the course for  company outings for employees as well as adding tournaments for fund raisers are also part of the plans for increasing activity at the golf course. 
     Clubs will be  available  for rent and the pro shop will not sell clothing or golf clubs but will be  equipped with all the items needed for a round of golf.
     The course plays host to four leagues, Monday Men's, Ladies league on  Tuesday, Men's  league on Wednesday and a Mixed league on Thursday.     Golfers who would like to contact the Sullivan County Golf & Country Club by e-mail may do so at 845-292-9584.  
    Sullivan County Golf & Country Club will have available at least 25 carts for rental.
  The new management team emphasized that their plans for the future of this golf facility is to turn the existing property into a "family entertainment center and in addition to golf they will being in activities like  Drone racing and other events."
  A name for the restaurant has yet to be selected but the entire facility will be refurbished and  remodeled to provide a new atmosphere and a family entertainment center with live music and dancing and catering for all type of events.
    A Sullivan County Golf & Country Club Champions board located in the cocktail lounge contains names of club champions from 1935 to 1988 with 13 club championships won by the late John "Jack" Coughlin, a true gentleman and outstanding golfer.
    This nine hole golf course  offers a whole set of different tees for holes 10-18 and plays to a total yardage of 3,006 yards for nine holes from the men's tees. Par is 36.for men and 39 for women.
     There are no immediate plans to change the maintenance procedures or design of this 9-hole course  which plays as follows:
      Hole No. 1 is a 315-yard par 4. Straight down the middle over the directional flag will put your second shot into the green and the opportunity for a par. Don't hit it short on the second shot as a small stream runs in front of this green.
     Hole No. 2 is a 295-yard par 4 and  its uphill off the tee. Take your drive to the left center portion of the fairway and play to the upper half of the green on your second shot as the green slopes left to right.
     Hole No. 3 is a 400-yard par 4 with the fairway sloping down hill right to left. Better to play right center for a good second shot to the green.
     Hole No. 4 is a 152-yard par 3 with an elevated tee taking your tee shot down hill left to right. Club selection is key to a par on this hole.
     Hole No. 5 is a 280-yard par 4 with water to the left. Take your drive right center for a good approach shot to the green which has bunkers left and right.    
     Hole No. 6 is a 275-yard par 4. Depending on where the tee box is  you will have to play left or right of the tall tree at the start of the fairway. A small stream runs just below the start of the fairway. A good tee shot here can produce a birdie score.
     Hole No. 7 is a 422-yard par 4 with an open fairway so let it all out on this tee. A good tee shot and second shot to the green also makes this a possible birdie score.
     Hole No. 8 is a 545-yard par 5 making is the longest on on this course. Open fairway to the left and c enter and woods on the right. Tee shot should go center of the fairway and club selection is key on the second shot to the green or your approach shot. 
     Hole No. 9 is a 395-yard par 4 with Route 52 and trees on the right, a left center tee shot makes for a better approach shot to the green with traps on the right and rear section of the green.
     Periscopes are installed on the 1st and 7th tees to give golfers a view further down the fairways and this avoids golfers hitting into each other.                                                                                                                

                                                                                          

Michael Stoddard, left, and Brian P. Rourke are the new management team with an option to buy the Liberty based Sullivan County Golf & Country Club.