THE SPORTS REPORTS: HORSEHEADS' SCOTT NAMED ALL-REGION 'COACH OF THE SPRING;' FOUR VALLEY COACHES MAKE THE LIST (July 30, 2026)

The Sports Reports
The spring season saw plenty of teams claim titles - both during the regular season and in the playoffs, while others reached new heights that hadn't seen in a decade, or ever.

In his first year in the dugout, Andy Scott led Horseheads to its fifth straight Section IV title and is The Sports Reports / Ziff Law Firm 2026 All-Region "Coach of the Spring."

The Blue Raiders also won back-to-back regionals titles for the first time in school history.

ALL-REGION "COACHES OF THE SPRING"
Andy Scott, Horseheads baseball: See above.

Kyle McDuffee, Wavely baseball: McDuffee led tthe Wolverines to their second Section IV title in program history despite a bump up to Class A for the 2026 season.

In his 24th season, McDufee led Waverly to a school-record 22 wins against five losses. The Wolverines won the STAC Central Division title, and claimed its first sectional title since 2013. Waverly would go on to win its first-ever state playoff game, eventually reaching the state quarterfinals.

Charlie Havens, Athens baseball: Havens directed the Wildcats to a 17-4 record and a trip to the District 4, Class 4A semifinals.

Athens also won a share of the NTL Large School Division title with a 9-1 record.

Brent Doane, Waverly softball: Following a loss at Oneonta in late April, Waverly stood at 4-4, but Doane stayed the course with his young Wolverines.

Waverly reeled off 10 straight wins to end the season to win the STAC Central Division, qualify for the Section IV, Class A playoffs, and earn a home playoff game.

Brian Salsman, NEB baseball: Not many coaches would stick around after seeing their program put on hiatus, but, buoyed by a strong freshman class, Salsman and his staff were able to get the Panthers back on track with a winning record and a district berth, their third straight, not counting 2025.

Dean Johnson, Towanda softball: With head coach Caitlyn Crawford out on maternity leave, Johnson stepped in and the Knights didn't skip a beat as they continued to build on what they'd been doing the past few years. They came up just one win short of an NTL title, and earned a home district game.

Casey Aylesworth, Canton track & field: Canton rewrote the record books in seven events this year between both teams as Alexis McRoberts had two district titles and state silvers (discus, shot put), and Lawrence Halbfoerster brought home a district title (3200).

Bridette Largey, Wellsboro track & field: Wellsboro had a 2-time state champion this year in Piper Hoprich, a 2-time state medalist in Lauren Kosek, saw two relays earn state medals (girls 4x100, boys 4x800), claimed the NTL girls title, and saw their Lady Hornets take third overall in the state. It's a season that the Hornets have been building toward for the past couple years.

Mike Johnston, Corning softball: Johnston led Corning to a STAC title, a Section IV title, and their third straight regional title. They went unbeaten during the regular season.

Ray Lawson, Corning track & field: Lawson led Corning to STAC and Section IV titles. He had seven state medalists, including a state champion in two events.

David Shaw, Waverly flag football: Shaw piloted the Wolverines to a school-record 11 wins against three losses, and to its first-ever appearance in the Section IV, Class C championship game.

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