Dante Geislinger is declared victor.

As New Year is upon us here in Chenango County, let’s take a look at some of the local sports stories that captivated us throughout 2018...

B-G’s Palmatier and Selfridge join 1,000 Point Club

Published December 28 and 29

BAINBRIDGE – Bainbridge-Guilford’s Megan Palmatier started the game against Tioga on Wednesday seven points shy of 1,000 points over her Bobcat career. Scoring six in the first half, Palmatier went into the intermission with the monkey on her back.

Nailing an free-throw early in the third, the crowd roared as she became the sixth player in Bainbridge-Guilford’s girls basketball history to hit the 1,000 point milestone.

The following night, she recorded the assist on the monumental point for her long-time teammate, Abi Selfridge.

Abi Selfridge started Thursday’s championship contest against the Deposit/Hancock Eagles six points shy of reaching her 1,000 point career. Following Kori Thornton’s opening bucket for the Lady Bobcats, Selfridge dropped in two baskets, leaving her just one away from the milestone.

While the ping-pongesque game between the two teams was going on, the local fans were all on edge, waiting for Selfridge to get the one score that stood in the way. The first quarter ended at 14-11, in favor of B-G and the fans still halted for a moment.

It was at the 6:49 mark in the second quarter when the stand erupted in a roaring cheer as the ball dropped from the net, coming from Selfridge’s hands for a basket she won’t forget.

Mr. 1K: Jackson Reaches 1,000 Career Points

Published February 16

NEW BERLIN – Andrew Jackson released his shot late in the second quarter and all fans waited silently as the ball soared through the air with all eyes in the gym following.

The moment the ball went through the basket, the crowd went crazy as Jackson scored his 1,000th point on a long three-pointer in the second quarter of their late game win over the Sidney Warriors on Thursday night.

Jackson and teammate Levi Rifanburg combined for 49 of the Storm’s 56 points to lead Unadilla Valley past the Warriors but not without some late game dramatics.

The first half of the game between the two teams was separated by a single point with the advantage leaning towards Sidney. The Warriors extended their lead to seven in the third with a 16-10 score in the quarter. At one point in the fourth, Unadilla Valley had trailed by as many as 10 points.

But collectively, Jackson and Rifanburg totaled 16 points to overcome the deficit. Also in the stanza, the Storm’s Caleb Parker knocked down a three-pointer, aiding in the fourth quarter comeback effort by the home team.

Jackson capped his landmark night with 26 points, eight rebounds and six assists.

Geislinger crowned New York State Champion; 6 county wrestlers stand on podium this weekend

Published February 26

ALBANY – Six of the nine Chenango County wrestlers placed at this weekend’s New York State Wrestling Championship. Norwich’s 99-pound Dante Geislinger came home a State Champion, the first for the school since 2015 when the Tristan Rifanburg and Frankie Garcia both brought home a title.

In front of a packed house at the Times Union Center in Albany, Geislinger came back from an early 2-0 deficit to top Section III’s Devin Coleman of Camden by a final of 9-4 for the decision win in the 99-pound Division II final Saturday night in the NYSPHSAA Wrestling Championships.

Geislinger reached the finals by taking down top-seeded Mason Bush of Central Valley. Geislinger avenged by taking a 6-2 decision win, pulling off the big upset.

With about 50 seconds left in the second period, Geislinger set up his shot that led to a takedown and then three back points for a 5-2 lead. Geislinger added another two back points as he put Coleman on his back again late in the second period.

Geislinger added another point with Coleman against deciding to go to neutral position. With a 9-2 lead in the third, Coleman took Geislinger down and tried to set up the comeback win. But the Norwich wrestlers lead was too much and ended with the 9-4 decision win, grabbing the state title. As the fifth-seed, Geislinger was the only Section IV winner and one of three in the finals.

Norwich’s seniors Ty Rifanburg finished sixth and Brennan Slater placed fourth in their respective weight classes while Tyler Rice and Mike Squires were the other two wrestlers that placed for the Tornado after earning spots two weeks ago by winning their weight class at the Section IV Championship two weeks ago.

Bainbridge-Guilford-Afton-Harpursville’s Ben Bivar, Shane Hoover, and Mike Wilmot all made it to the state tournament. Bivar and Hoover placed. Oxford’s Cooper Rice was also a participant, the first of his career

No. 1 Lady Bobcats Claw Through Tough Senecas For Section IV Title

Published March 5

CORTLAND – With 10.9 seconds remaining, the always large and electric fans of the Lady Bobcats roared to a standing ovation as they knew the Bainbridge-Guilford squad secured their first Section IV Championship since the ‘98-’99 season with a final over the Watkins Glen Senecas, 59-48.

In a situation that they have been in the last four years, the Bobcats entered the game knowing this year was going to be different as they were facing the defending Class C state champs.

Erica Selfridge stepped inside the paint for a jumper. She normally doesn’t enter the middle but Erica did. And she came up big. Selfridge hit the shot and got the foul called for the and-1 play. Making the free-throw, Erica Selfridge put the Bobcats back on top by four, a lead that wasn’t tested again.

“That was a big, big play,” Conway said. “She’s a freshman and she doesn’t like going into that paint too much. She doesn’t like the physicality. But I told her before the game if you get a chance to drive you’ve got to go in there. Today is the day you have to make yourself be a little bit more aggressive. So she did.”

55.6 seconds showed on the clock and Watkins Glen started to foul to stop the clock. Bainbridge-Guilford came up big at the foul line, finishing 9-for-12 down the stretch. Early in the contest, Palmatier struggled a little at the line. But when it matter, Palmatier came up big as she shot 6-for-8 in the last minute at the line.

“Once [Watkins Glen] started fouling and we started walking to the free throw line, I said this game is over,” Conway said.

Clock Doesn’t Strike Midnight On Cinderella Story Storm; UV Wins First Sectional Title In Program History

Published March 5

CORTLAND – Repeating their performance from Tuesday night, the Unadilla Valley Storm jumped out to an early first quarter lead. That lead was tested a few times throughout the contest but the Storm grinded out the win, crowning themselves the Section IV Class C champions for the first time the Unadilla Valley program history by taking down the four-seed Tioga, 58-48.

With 3:43 remaining, the game was tied after the Tigers’ Pierce Hendershot nailed his third consecutive three-pointer from the left corner. The next trip down the floor for Tioga, Hendershot was sitting in the corner ready to knock down his fourth. Out of nowhere, Grey sends the shot out of bounds, coming up with the huge block.

The Storm fans, on their feet, were nearly uncontrollable after Grey’s big defensive stop. After taking an accidental hand to the face, Dye was on the bench and Caleb Parker subbed in for him. Coming in ice cold, Parker received a pass from Jackson and finished strong at the rim.

On four straight possessions, UV’s Andrew Jackson tallied an assist and his teammates were knocking down the shots. Rifanburg under the rim, scored four straight points and Grey drilled home his third three of the game, putting the nail in the coffin as the Storm went up eight for good.

After a few free-throws, the final score was 58-48 and UV claimed the Section IV Class C title.

Jackson finished the game with a double-double, scoring 25 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. He also tallied seven assists.

Jackson averaged 25 points per game during the Section IV tournament, with one game scoring 40, a new school record.

Purple Tornado Win First Sectional Game In 15 Years

Published May 18

OWEGO – For the first time since 2003, the Norwich Purple Tornado baseball team ended a Section IV playoff game with a win after topping the Owego Indians 2-1 Thursday afternoon.

The scoreboard stayed 0-0 for the first the innings. In the top of the fourth, it finally changed.

As the lead-off batter for Norwich, J.T. Vinal faced a 1-2 count. Needing to make contact to avoid the first out of the inning, Vinal smashed a hard ground ball to Owego’s shortstop for a single.

Just one pitch later, the Purple Tornado’s Marcus Cashman sent a line drive to the right fielder. His hit sent Vinal home from first, scoring the first run of the inning and the first by either team for the game. Cashman landed a second for a double.

Mike Trevisani stepped up to the plate two batters later for the visiting team. Ready to drive in his teammate on second, Trevisani swung on the first pitch of the at-bat but missed for strike one. The next pitch he saw, he sent to center field.

Owego’s center fielder Dylan Simpson fielded the ball and relayed it to home plate. Cashman was sent home by Norwich Head Coach Rich Turnbull. The timing of both actions happening created a play at the plate.

As described by Turnbull, Cashman made a “beautiful” slide to avoid the tag put on by the Indians catcher and to score the second run for the Purple. Trevisani stopped at second base for his RBI double.

It turned out to be the game-winning offensive play for Norwich.

In the sixth inning, the Tornado’s Tanner Franklin made the game-saving defensive play to hold onto the lead.

Owego’s Luke Kiballa sent a shot into the gap of center field and right field. Getting a good jump on the ball, Franklin made a running catch to end the sixth inning. “If he doesn’t make that catch, Owego at least ties the game,” said Turnbull. The Indians had a runner on second.

“We have worked hard to get to this and it paid off...it’s not about one person it’s a total program effort and a lot of people were part of this win,” said Turnbull.

“I’m proud of the guys and would like to thank community for supporting us. We have received a lot of congratulations and we couldn’t have done it with everyone’s support”

Norwich Tournament Directors To Be Inducted Into Gus Macker Hall Of Fame

Published July 13

NORWICH – At the time, Jamey Mullen was the Program Director when he, Dave Sherman and a group of people met about ideas to bring some kind of new event to Norwich, – an event that would really put the city on the map.

Michelle Gleeson, now Morgan, mentioned that she knew friends from Michigan who run a national 3-on-3 basketball tournament. “Norwich was a town I knew the people from Gus Macker would love.”

Morgan was asked by Mullen to reach out to her friends, which she did.

Now, Gus Macker is currently playing the 23rd tournament on East Main Street in the City of Norwich. Mullen, who is now the executive director of the Norwich Family YMCA, will be joined by his directing partner Tom Revior will be inducted into the Gus Macker Hall of Fame in August.

The Gus Macker Basketball Hall of Fame has inducted a new class every five years during anniversary celebrations since the 25th anniversary of the touring three-on-three basketball tournaments company. Gus Macker, based in Belding, Michigan, celebrates 45 years this summer.

Together, Mullen and Revoir have led the YMCA’s Norwich efforts in hosting a Gus Macker tournament for the last 22 years.

When asking them what they had to say about the honor, the two inductees stated nearly the same.

“Definitely flattered,” said Mullen. “The fact that we have been doing it for so long and it’s been consistent can make it feel like an MLB player who hits 3,000 hits over a long career and you get recognized in the hall of fame for doing something like that.”

“When we travel to Michigan, we are definitely representing the whole community and the Norwich Macker for the 23 years it has been going. That’s everybody behind us and still for those to come and help volunteer.”