THE SPORTS REPORTS: HORSEHEADS' SCOTT NAMED ZIFF LAW FIRM ALL-REGION 'COACH OF THE YEAR;" FOUR VALLEY COACHES MAKE THE LIST (August 2, 2026)

The Sports Reports
It was quite a year for area coaches with state titles, final four appearances, and breaking title droughts. One New York coach didn't just make it to the final four once, he did it twice. Horseheads' Andy Scott led the Horseheads' girls hoops team and the baseball team to the state semifinals, earning The Sports Report / Ziff Law Firm 2025-26 "Coach of the Year" honors.

Scott led the Lady Raiders to the Class AA girls' basketball state final four. They won the Section IV title and Scott picked up his 400th career win along the way. He  was named the New York State Coach of the Year.

He took baseball coaching duties this year and led Horseheads back to another Section IV title, Regional title, and a state semi-final appearance.

ALL-REGION COACHES OF THE YEAR
Andy Scott, Horseheads girls basketball, baseball: See above.

Nick Aiello, Tioga football: Aiello led the Tigers to another state title on the gridiron, claiming the Class D Championship. Along the way he won the Section IV and Central Regional titles. He stepped down in the spring with 12 Section IV titles, and five state titles in 16 seasons.

Colby Sangrey, Sayre volleyball: Sangrey led Sayre to its first-ever District IV, Class A title. The Lady 'Skins also won the first state game in program history. They also ended their 68-match losing streak, and went 12-10 on the season.

Kris Harringon, Tioga wrestling: Harrington led the Tiger wrestlers to the Section IV Duals title, Section IV, Division II title, and a team title at the New York State Championships. Tioga also had seven state qualifiers this year, with three earning medals.

Kyle McDuffee, Waverly baseball: McDuffee led Waverly to a Section IV, Class A baseball title, just the second title in program history. The Wolverines also won the STAC Central Division title, won a school-record 22 games, and notched their first-ever state playoff win.

Mike Johnston, Corning basketball, softball, football: Johnston led the Corning boys' basketball and softball teams to Section IV titles. The basketball team reached the state final four for the first time in program history, while the softball team won the STAC title, and reached the state quarterfinals. Johnston also coached the football team to a Section IV title appearance.

Ray Lawson, Corning track & field, cross-country: Lawson guided the boys and girls outdoor track and field teams to STAC and Section IV titles. This spring, Corning also won Section IV titles in track & field. He coached a state champion in three individual events this year. In cross-country, the boys' team won a Section IV title, while the girls were runners-up.

Bridette Largey, Wellsboro track & field: Largey led Wellsboro to the NTL title, and a third-place finish at the PIAA, Class AA Championships. She also coached a two-time state champion, a two-time state medalist, and a relay that won a bronze medal at states.

Paul Burgert, Northeast Bradford boys basketball: Burgert led the NEB boys hoops team to its first district title since 1991. They also claimed the NTL Small School title, and was the first Small School team to sweep the Large School in league play.

Abby Herman-Deitrick, Troy volleyball: Herman-Deitrick led Troy volleyball to its second straight NTL title. The Trojans also claimed their first District IV championship in a decade.

Steve Renzi, Troy girls basketball: Renzi led Troy to an undefeated NTL title league season. The Trojans also qualified for states thanks to a third-place finish in the District IV, Class AAA playoffs. The Trojans then claimed their program's first ever state win to reach the Sweet 16.

Jimmy McCauley, Elmira football, girls bowling, girls lacrosse: McCauley led the Express football team to a Section IV title, then coached the girls' bowling team to a seventh-place at states, along with a STAC bowling title. He also coached the girls' lacrosse team in the spring.

Lee Spencer, Horseheads girls soccer: Spencer coached the Blue Raider girls to its first-ever outright Section IV soccer title.

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