VALLEY SPORTS REPORT: TIOGA'S WORTHING HEADLINES SUPER 7 AS BOYS "ATHLETE OF THE YEAR" (2020-07-28)
Valley Sports ReportTHE VALLEY "”
Tioga senior Brady Worthing capped a tremendous high school career with his third appearance in a championship match at the New York State Division 2 wrestling championships, and a first-team all-state selection on the gridiron, helping the Tigers to tremendous team success in both sports. He is the 2019-20
Valley Sports Report Boys "Athlete of the Year."A state champ as a junior, Worthing won his first 45 matches this season before dropping a 6-4 decision to Gouverneur sophomore Carter Baer in 138-pound state finals.
Worthing finished the season at 45-1 with 35 pins and three technical falls. He won the IAC, Section IV Qualifier A, and the Section IV, Division 2 Championships.
As a team, Tioga won its fourth straight Section IV title, second straight Section IV Duals title, and second straight New York State Division 2 state title, with Worthing contributing big team points every step of the way.
Worthing wrapped up his career with a 176-34 record, and one state title, sandwiched in between a pair of runner-up finishes.
In the fall, Worthing was also a major contributor in all three phases on the gridiron for the Tigers.
At QB, Worthing rushed for 885 yards and 10 TDs on just 87 carries (10.2 yards per carry). He also completed 51.4 percent (36 of 70) of his passes for 520 yards and nine TDs, with just three interceptions.
Defensively, he averaged 6.3 tackles, including 3.7 solo stops per game. He also had four interceptions, returning one for a score, and one fumble recovery.
Worthing also stepped up to kick and punt for the Tigers this season. He made 31 of 35 extra-point attempts to start season before an injury to the Tioga long-snapper caused issues, and he finished at 42 of 52 for the season. He was also 2-for-2 on field-goal attempts, including a 27-yarder.
Worthing was a New York State Class D first-team all-star at defensive back.
An IAC baseball all-star last year, Worthing could have further strengthened his case with another strong season on the diamond this spring.
Worthing is headed to Division I Clarion University to continue his wrestling career.
The remainder of the All-Valley Super 7 Male Athletes of the Year are:Emmett Wood, sophomore, Tioga: Emmett Wood was the driving force behind Tioga football's run to the state semifinals this fall, and was the Valley Sports Report 2019 Boys "Athlete of the Fall.
A dynamic player on both sides of the ball, Wood accounted for 42 touchdowns. He rushed for 2,356 yards and 37 TDs on 225 carries for an average of 10.5 yards per carry. Wood also caught two passes for 70 yards, including a 60-yard TD reception, and tacked on nine two-point conversion runs.
In the postseason, Wood rushed for 1,025 yards and 14 TDs in four games.
At linebacker, Emmett Wood used his speed to keep teams from getting to the edge, and was a ball hawk against the passing game. He had two interceptions, returning one for a score, two fumble recoveries, and forced two fumbles. He averaged 5.5 tackles per game, and recorded 12 tackles-for-loss on the season, including one QB sack.
On special teams, Emmett Wood returned three kick-offs for scores, which resulted in most teams squib-kicking, giving Tioga's high-powered offense good field position.
Emmett Wood was VSR's Football "Player of the Year," and "Offensive Player of the Year." He was also the New York State Coaches Association Small School "Player of the Year," and a first-team all-state Class D all-star at running back.
On the wrestling mats, Wood posted a 39-8 record and a seventh-place finish in the 152-pound bracket at the New York State Division 2 Championships. Six of Wood's eight losses came at the hands of New York State place-finishers.
Wood won the IACs, the Section IV Qualifier, and the Section IV, Division 2 Championships.
He has a 116-55 career record.
Aaron Lane, senior, Athens: An offensive juggernaut on the hardwoods, Lane could score from anywhere on the floor, doing equal damage from behind the 3-point arc, in the mid-range, and taking the ball to the rim.
A tenacious defender, Lane also created easy points in transition for himself and his teammates.
Lane averaged 23.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1.5 assists per game. He also knocked down 45 3-pointers, and made a Valley-best 135 free throws, shooting 82 percent from the line in the process.
A rare two-sport fall athlete, Lane shined on the soccer pitch and kicking for the football team.
On the pitch, Lane, who is a fast and tenacious performer and highly-skilled in the air, scored a Valley-high 29 goals and dished out 14 assists.
Lane received all-state honors on the soccer pitch.
On the gridiron, Lane made 18 of 21 extra-point attempts, and handled kick-off duties for the Wildcats.
Lane had a big junior year on the mound for the Wildcat baseball team, and with another strong year on the diamond this spring could have made a strong case for the top honor in this category.
Ethan Stotler, senior, Waverly: A year after posting a 36-6 record and a second-place finish at the Section IV, Division 2 Championships as a junior, Stotler put together a near-perfect senior season on the wrestling mats.
Stotler was 41-1 heading into Albany, including first-place finishes at the IAC Championships, the Section IV Qualifier, and the Section IV Championships. His only loss was to eventual 160-pound Division 1 champion Cooper Kropman of Pennfield.
At States, Stotler went 3-2 to finish fourth at 160 pounds at States, with his losses coming to the second- and third-place finishers. He finished the season with a 44-3 record and 177 career wins.
On the gridiron, Stotler was a sure-tackler with a nose for the ball. He averaged 10.4 tackles per game, including 5.2 solo stops per game. He also led the team with four interceptions.
Offensively, Stotler had 27 receptions for 358 yards, and five TDs.
He was a Super 7 honoree on the All-Valley wrestling team, and a first-team selection at defensive back on the All-Valley football team.
Corbin Brown , senior, Sayre: This winter on the hardwoods, Brown excelled when attacking the bucket, and did a nice job on the boards, especially on the offensive glass.
He averaged 10.9 points, 8.2 rebounds, including 3.3 offensive boards, and 1.9 assists per game. He shot 46 percent from the field.
On the gridiron, Brown, a tall, fast and athletic receiver, was a dangerous down-field threat for the Redskins. He hauled in 30 receptions for 446 yards and five TDs.
He was an All-Valley Super 7 honoree for basketball, and was a first-team selection at wide receiver on the All-Valley football team.
Collin Wright, junior, Waverly: A three-time New York State Cross County state qualifier, Wright was the VSR "Boys Runner of the Year," becoming the second athlete to win the award three times.
Wright enjoyed a strong regular season - finishing in the top-10 in every regular-season event he participated in. He also led the Wolverines to a division title.
Wright won the Tom Koons Valley meet, finished second at McDaniel-Baxter Invite (Chenango Valley), third at Owego Invite, fourth in seeded division race at Marathon Invite, fifth at prestigious McQuaid Invitational (Rochester), seventh at Bob Greene Invite (Newark Valley), and ninth at Forbes Invitational (Oneonta).
He finished second at the IAC Divisional meet, and third at IAC Championships, before a third-place finish in the Class C at Section IV State Qualifier to earn his third consecutive trip to States. Wright posted his best finish yet at States, crossing the line in 39th place.
During the winter season, Wright, who was a consistent points-winner for the Wolverines indoor track & field team, established a new school record in the 3,200-meter run, and had three top-five finishes at the Section IV Small School Championships.
Dom Wood, senior, Tioga: Dom Wood was a mainstay on the Tioga offensive line that paved the way for 338.6 yards per game on the ground and 55 rushing TDs. He was the VSR "Lineman of the Year,"
Defensively, Dom Wood averaged 9.2 tackles per game, including 3.9 solo stops per game. He had five QB sacks, recovered two fumbles, and blocked one punt.
Dom Wood was also named a fist-team New York State Class D all-star at defensive tackle.
During the winter, Dom Wood posted a 24-14 record on the mats. He won his weight class at the Bradshaw Invitational, and was runner-up at the Sgt. Justin Rodgers Memorial Tournament and the Peru Invitational.
During the postseason, Dom Wood finished second at the IAC Championships, third at the Section IV, Division 2 Qualifier A, and fourth at the Section IV, Division II Championships.
