FROM THE PRESS BOX: SUPER 7 STORYLINES OF THE 2024-25 WINTER SEASON (2025-03-31)

I've talked about storylines in the past and how they normally come in one of four realms: the start of a storyline, the continuation of one, the likely culmination of one, or a storyline totally out-of-the-blue.

This year, the "Super 7 Storylines of the Winter" are a mix of continuing storylines, and the culmination of storylines.

With any further ado, I give you, from No. 7 to No. 1, the top storylines of the winter:

7. SAYRE BOYS BASKETBALL REACHES STATE PLAYOFFS: Sayre started quickly, had a bit of a midseason swoon, then finished strong with a third-place finish at the District 4, Class AA boys basketball playoffs, which earned a trip to the state playoffs.

The Redskins graduate 11 seniors, so this storyline which was a couple years in the making is likely done.

6. SURPRISING WAVERLY HOOP SEASON COMES UP JUST SHORT OF SECTION TITLE REPEAT: After losing seven of its top eight players through graduation, injury, and early enrollment, there were few expectations surrounding the Waverly hoop program this year. Yet the Wolverines battled their way back to the Section IV, Class B playoffs.

Waverly returns the vast majority of its varsity roster, plus will have two or three up from the JV ranks to help. But, with a bump up Class A, the chances of Waverly writing a third chapter in this storyline will be much more difficult.

5. ATHENS GIRLS WRESTLING MAKE WAVES IN POSTSEASON: The Wildcats crowned three champions and advanced eight to the Central Regionals in a second-place finish at the District 4 Championships.

Two weeks later, Athens advance five to States in a third-place finish at Regionals.

For of Athens' five state qualifier are underclassmen, and there are more quality wrestlers coming up through the pipeline. This storyline is far from finished.

4. ATHENS BOYS SWIM TEAM POSTS ANOTHER BIG SEASON:
A year after Athens sent three events to the State meet — all via wild card, the Wildcats won the program's first-ever District 4 title, including four gold-medal performances.

Athens sent a school-record seven events to states, including all three relays. Sophomore Brayden Pettitt went in two events for the second year in a row, while senior Ethan Hicks and sophomore Eli Hicks each swam one.

Athens loses a strong group of seniors, led Ethan Hicks, Ryan Gorman and Ronel Ankam, but still have a strong core returning. Still, this storyline made have reached its peak, but there might be another chapter or two to come.

3. WAVERLY BOYS BOWLERS QUALIFY FOR STATES FOR THIRD STRAIGHT YEAR: Waverly had a very good postseason, but came up especially big at the State Qualifier to punch their ticket to States for the third consecutive year.

The Wolverines have just one senior in its top six, and with all of five returnees finishing this year in the Top-20 of the STAC standings, it looks like there are a few more chapters to be written in this storyline.

2. McKEE ADDS TO GROWING LIST OF STATE CHAMPS AT TIOGA: Sophomore Declan McKee made it six years (no state tournament in 2021) in a row that a Tioga wrestler has won a state. Dating back to 2019, the Tigers have had nine state champs. In that span, Tioga has had nine runners-up and six third-place finishes.

McKee and junior Jayden Duncanson, who has four state medals, will both be back next year, as will junior Kadin Cole, who was ranked No. 1 in the state this year and placed third at States last year, and Logan Bellis, who has a second- and third-place medal at States to his credit, will both be back next year.

Tioga also has a good crop of young wrestlers coming through the pipeline. This storyline appears to be far from over.

1. WAVERLY WRESTLING REBUILD COMPLETE: Nearly 10 year ago, Waverly finished the season with just seven wrestlers on its roster. This year, the Wolverines brought home five state medals, and a team title from the New York State Division 2 Championships.

All five - juniors Troy Beeman and Cooper Robinson, sophomore Rhylee Stotler, freshman Drayton DeKay, and 8th-grader Avery Bowman — of Waverly's state place-finishers were underclassmen and will return. Waverly will also return sophomore Matthias Welles, a two-time state qualifier, who broke his leg in January and missed the remainder of the season, and junior Daltton Davis, who had a 25-11 record when he was diagnosed with cancer in February.

The Wolverines also have some talented wrestlers coming up through the pipeline. This storyline may not have reached its zenith, and more chapters are sure to be written.

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