THE SPORTS REPORTS: TROY'S WOODWARD NAMED 'BOYS ATHLETE OF THE YEAR;' TWO VALLEY BOYS EARN ALL-REGION NOD (2025-07-27)

The Sports Reports
Troy's Evan Woodward had a senior year that the vast majority of people can only dream of, leading the school's first-ever state title team on the gridiron, winning a District title on the hardwoods, and putting together a good rookie season on the diamond. He is The Sports Reports' 2024-25 "Boys Athlete of the Year."

As quarterback he led the Trojans to 16 straight wins and the school's and NTL's first-ever state title, earning all-state honors in the process. 

Woodward completed 67.5 percent (81 of 120) of his passes for 1,716 yards and 22 TDs, against just two interceptions. He also ran the ball for 889 yards and 12 TDs on 71 carries, for a whopping 12.5 yards per carry. Defensively, he recorded 60 tackles, including 35 solo stops, three tackles-for-loss, and two interceptions.

The All-Region "Defensive Player of the Year" on the hardwoods, Woodward averaged 10.2 points, 5 assists, and 3.2 steals per game, leading the Trojans to NTL and District 4 titles.

This spring, Woodward hit .317 with 18 runs scored, and 11 RBI in his first varsity baseball season.

(NOTE: This award is geared to honor three- and two-sport athletes — and an occasional four-sport athlete, but once in a while a one-sport athlete will crack the list.)

The 2024-25 All-Region "Boys Athletes of the Year"
Evan Woodward, Troy football, basketball, baseball: See above.
 
Lincoln Chimics, Troy football, basketball, baseball: Chimics was an all-state football player, proving himself a dangerous player in all three facets - offense, defense, and special teams. 

He was a double-digit scorer on the hardwoods as he helped the Trojans to NTL and District IV titles. 

In the spring he had a .526 OBP for the Trojans, while also showing off a flashy glove in the outfield.

Reed Palmer, Troy football, wrestling, baseball: Palmer was an all-state defensive lineman, featuring a strong pass rush.

In the winter, he came into his own as a wrestler, earning a state berth at heavyweight. He was 24-15 on the season.

This spring, Palmer was one of the most complete players in the NTL, hitting a team leading .441 while posting a 2.41 ERA from the hill, completing a very productive sophomore year.

Mason Holloway, Horseheads golf, basketball, baseball: Holloway had an all-time season on the mound for the Blue Raiders — was 8-0 on the season with a 0.11 ERA — allowing only one earned run and 33 hits in 64 innings. He fanned 111 and did not walk a batter. He threw two perfect games this season, and also pitched five innings in a combined perfect game. ... He also hit .403 with nine extra base hits, 27 runs scored, and 23 RBI.

In the fall, Holloway was one of the top golfers for the Blue Raiders, and a second-team All-Region selection.

On the hardwoods, he averaged 12.8 points and six rebounds a game during basketball season.

Luke Kreger, NP-Mansfield football, track & field, and North Penn-Liberty basketball:  Kreger went from gaining All-State honors in football in the fall to qualifying for the PIAA Track & Field meet this Spring, sandwiched around a league and District 4 title as a member of the North Penn-Liberty boys basketball team in the winter.

On the gridiron, Kreger caught an 60 passes for 1,188 yards and 10 touchdowns for the Tigers, then averaged 12.2 points, 6 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 2.9 steals, with 34 3-pointers to boot, for a Mounties team that won its first-ever District 4 title.

This spring, Kreger was a consistent threat on the track, competing in sprints and on the Tigers’ 4-by-100 relay team, while qualifying for the PIAA Championships in the high jump after placing second at Districts.

Troy Beeman, Waverly football, wrestling, track & field: Beeman earned all-state honors in the fall, was a state runner-up in the winter, and medaled at the Section IV Track & Field State Qualifier.

On the gridiron, Beeman was a physical offensive lineman on a Wolverine offense that could run and pass the ball with equal aplomb. He had 46 tackles, including 15 solo stops, 3.5 QB sacks, and two pass break-ups.

During the winter, Beeman posted a 39-4 record, with 22 pins and one technical fall. His four losses came to N.Y. State Division I champ and third-place finisher, the N.Y. State Division II champ, and a PIAA state qualifier. He won the STAC and Section IV Championships, the suffered a controversial, 4-1, loss in the state finals.

This spring, Beeman was Waverly's leading thrower. He was third in the discus, and sixth in the shot put at the Section IV, Class C Championships. He placed fifth in the discus at the Section IV State Qualifier.

Connor Davidson, sophomore, Athens football, wrestling, baseball: Davidson had a major impact on all three Wildcat sports.

In the fall, Davidson was the main source of offense for the Wildcats in 2024, and an impact player in all three facets of the game.

He ran for 1,101 yards and 15 TDs, and threw for 1,387 yards and 12 TDs. Defensively, Davidson had 64 tackles, including 33 solo stops, one interception (a pick-6), two pass deflections, and one forced fumble. On special teams, Davidson returned 19 kicks for an average of 30.4 yards, and two TDs.

During the winter, Davidson posted a 26-12 record, including 14 pints, and three technical falls. He placed second at the District 4, Class AAA Championships.

This spring, Davidson hit .403 with 20 RBI, 21 runs scored, and six stolen bases. He  had .506 on-base percentage, and a 1.006 OPS. On the mound, Davidson was 4-2 with a 4.48 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP. He struck out 43 and walked 15, while allowing 21 hits in 25 innings. Opponents hit .210 against him.

Jack Burbage, Troy football, basketball, baseball: Burbage proved to be a strong contributor on all three teams he played on. 

He was an all-state linebacker on the football team as one of the best run stoppers in the state. A sideline-to-sideline defender, Burbage led the Trojans with 128 tackles, including 78 solo stops, 13 tackles-for-loss, and one QB sack. He also had one interception, two pass break-ups, and three fumble recoveries.

On the hardwoods, Burbage scored his 1,000th point as he helped the Trojans to NTL and District IV titles. He led the Trojans at 18.5 points, and 8.4 rebounds per game.

Coming out for baseball for the first time, he proved to be a good defender in the outfield, and courtesy runner on the base paths.

Riley Vanderpool, Towanda football, wrestling: One of two two-sport athletes on the list, Vanderpool was an all-state football player as he was one of the most dynamic two-way players in the region.

A true dual-threat QB, Vanderpool topped 1,000 yards through the air, and on the ground in 2024. A run-first QB his first two years at QB, Vanderpool improved his accuracy this season, completing 57 percent of his passes for 1,203 yards and six TDs, while being picked off six times. Despite his improved passing, Vanderpool remained most dangerous with the ball in his hands, rushing for 1,538 yards and 24 TDs, on 148 carries (10.4 yards per carry).

On the wrestling mat, he was a North Section and District IV champion, along with earning a state berth, coming up just one point short of a state medal. He posted a 41-8 record.

Brendan Gilliland, Troy football, baseball: The second of two two-sport athletes on the list, Gilliland was an unstoppable force on the gridiron as he led the state champions in rushing, earned all-state honors, and was one of the pass rushers in the state. He also led the Trojans to a District 4 semi-final appearance.

Gilliland, a bruising runner with good speed, played his best football — on both sides of the ball — during the state playoffs. On the season, Gilliland ran for 1,476 yards and 28 TDs on 138 carries (10.7 yards per carry). He also caught nine passes for 203 yards, and three TDs.

Defensively, Gilliland recorded 92 tackles, including 56 solo stops, 23 tackles-for-loss, 16 QB sacks, and four pass break-ups. He also had four kick returns, and averaged 26 yards per return.

On the baseball diamond, he hit .440 and had a team-high 22 stolen bases.

Brenden Jardin-Reed, Corning diving, football, lacrosse: Jardin Reed was an all-state football player, had a record-breaking season on the diving board, and was an all-star on the lacrosse field.

On the gridiron,  Jardin-Reed ran for 770 yards, and had 12 catches for 103 yards. On defense, he had 117 tackles and a sack. He was a sixth-team all-state selection.

Over the winter, Jardin-Reed was a state medalist, placing sixth, and broke Section IV rrecords in the six-dive (378.55 points) and 11-dive (655.80) competitions.

This spring, Jardin-Reed was a face-off specialist — one of the best in Section IV — and a leader for a Hawks team that won a Section IV title, and reached the state semifinals.

Jack Buchsbaum, senior, Owego football, basketball, baseball: Dangerous anytime he touched the ball, Buchsbaum had 10 receptions for 150 yards, and one TD. He also ran for 277 yards and four TBs on 19 carries on an Owego team that reached the Class B finals. He was also a very dangerous return man.

A defensive stalwart for the River Hawks, Buchsbaum averaged 9.3 points and 4.5 rebounds per game.

A speedy defender, Buchsman hit .259 with 12 runs scored, nine RBI, and eight stolen bases this spring for a River Hawks team that reached the Class A finals.

Matt Higgins, senior, Owego soccer, basketball, baseball: A talented all-around player with good speed and a knack for finding the net, Higgins scored 18 goals and dished out five assists.

A tremendous all-around player, Higgins stuffed the stat sheets for the basketball team on a regular basis. He averaged 10 points, 8 assists, 7 rebounds, 4 steals, and 6 deflections per game.

A slick fielder, Higgins was an All-STAC performer on the diamond. He hit .231 with 19 RBI, six runs scored, and six stolen bases. He pitched in three games early in the season, striking out seven and walking two, while allowing just one hit in 4 1/3 innings of scoreless relief in three appearances.

Cooper Shaw, North Penn-Mansfield football, basketball, baseball: Shaw was the All-Tioga Football and Basketball Player of the Year, and was a first-teamer for baseball this spring.

On the gridiron, Shaw threw for 1,639 yards and 15 TDs, and ran for 693 yards and nine TDs. Defensively, he had 62 tackles, one QB sack, and two interceptions.

On the gridiron, he averaged 15.6 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 2.1 steals and 1 blocked shot per game, and knocked down 37 3-pointers.

This spring, Shaw hit .449 with three home runs, 26 RBI, 30 runs scored, and nine steals. On the hill, he was 4-2 with a 2.87 ERA and 43 strikeouts in 39 innings.

Ben Fitch, Canton football basketball, baseball: A three-sport star for the Warriors, Fitch proved durable and productive under center for the football team that made districts. He was one of the top scorers in the NTL on the hardwoods, and was a consistent performer at the top of the order as he hit better than .400 this spring.

On the gridiron, Fitch threw for 1,450 yards and 17 TDs, and ran for 584 yards and nine TDs. Defensively, Fitch was physical on run support and recorded 76 tackles, had one QB sack, and two interceptions.

On the hardwoods, Fitch averaged a double-double of 17.5 points and 10.4 rebounds per game.

This spring, Fitch hit .420 with eight doubles, two home runs, 28 runs scored, and 12 RBI.

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