One win and two loss at Community Sports Day
Skylar Blankenship
Sports Editor
Members of the Hudson Valley community and others from the surrounding area came out to support the Viking’s basketball and ice hockey teams at Community Sports Day.
The event was sponsored by the Athletic department and catered by Mazzone, and attendants could earn prizes, while watching the ice hockey and women’s basketball teams play.
The men’s ice hockey team shut out their opponent SUNY Broome 7-0 playing an aggressive offense, allowing the team to score in the slot. Anthony DiGiorgio, freshman goalie, had 12 saves in his second shutout this season. Scoring twice were Kyle Constanty and Sean Spohr. Also adding points were Chris Breault, James Morrison and Hunter Craig.
Last week, Constanty was named Region Three Athlete of the Week due to his accomplishments over the season, including his rank of second in the number of goals, with 12 goals at the time.
“We did everything right… we played well defensively. It was a good win, especially coming off the tie against Mohawk [Valley Community College],” said the men’s ice hockey team’s head coach Ken Lancto.
Rich Bittles, a spectator supporting Broome, described the game as hard-hitting and commented on how a few players were sent to the penalty box.
The women’s basketball team lost their game against Herkimer Community College 67-59
Leading the team was Shelby Dugan, a sophomore guard, with 19 points and shooting 10-13 from the free throw line.
Kali Szczepanski, a freshman guard, added 17 points to the score until an injury took her off the court.
“Herkimer is giving them a run for their money,” said Marie Otwori, a spectator supporting Hudson Valley.
Also in the crowd were several possible recruits. One of these recruits, Cameran Henderson, a student at Heatly High School, signed a letter of intent.
The men’s basketball team also lost their game against Herkimer 73-63. Dave Reo, a freshman guard, scored 15 points and Caleb Canty, a freshman guard, added another 14 points. Head coach Michael Long described the game as “disappointing”.
Long said, “We started settling for three point shots, that gave them [Herkimer] the opportunities for transition baskets. Once they got three or four in a row, it just took the wind out of our sails.”
“Today was an important day for the women’s basketball team and the Athletics Department as a whole,” said Robert Coleman, women’s basketball head coach, about the day’s events and games. “Community support is a building block of any successful sports program. We were able to share that support with visiting recruits, to show them what being a member of the Hudson Valley family is all about.”