STARS SHINE IN SPRING FOR SARATOGA COUNTY Baseball
Saratogian staff selects the best of the best in spring
AA Champion: Niskayuna A Champion: Mohonasen B Champion: Albany Academy C Champion: Hoosic Valley D Champion: Fort Ann Saratoga County Player of the
Year: Terel Tillman, Saratoga Catholic, Sophomore Notable: In the Saints first season in the Wasaren League, Tillman was awarded the MVP and helped lead his team to the finals against Albany Academy for Section II Class B. Tillman was strong in hitting and pitching, leading his team in multiple categories. In 23 games, Tillman had 36 hits, nine doubles, one triple, one homerun, 35 RBIs, while batting to a .468 average, a .570 on base percentage and a .649 slugging percentage. For pitching, Tillman threw four complete games, three of which were shutouts, while going 6-2 with a 1.47 ERA with 72 strikeouts and only 11 walks. In the semfinal matchup against Johnstown, Tillman was three outs away from getting a no hitter, but fell short, giving up two hits as his team won 2-0 and moving to the Class B finals. Softball AA Champion: Shaker
A Champion: Averill Park B Champion: Cohoes C Champion: Greenville D Champion: Fort Ann Saratoga County Player of the Year: Lauren Kersch, Ballston Spa, Freshman Notable: Kersch took over in the circle after her sister graduated and didn’t dissapoint. Kersch threw to a 12-3 record with a 1.79 ERA and 104 strikeouts. Kersch also excelled on the hitting end batting to a .348 average with 18 RBIs. Kersch lead the Scotties to the AA semifinals over Troy 7-2. Kersch threw seven innings giving up six hits and two runs and going 2-4 with a HR to help her cause before falling to Shaker in the finals. Kersch still has three more years left at Ballston Spa and can continue getting better. Boys lacrosse A Champion: Shaker B Champion: Niskayuna C Champion: Glens Falls D Champion: Greenwich Saratoga County Player of the Year: Anthony Tebbano, Shenendehowa, Senior Notable: Tebbano was a three year starter and a four year player for Shenendehowa high school. Tebbano made 199 saves on the year and was named a 2017 All American. Tebbano was huge for the team, making a huge save agaisnt Guilderland to send Shen to the finals. With 20 seconds left in the game, Tebbano made a big save at the end of the game to keep the 9-8 lead. Tebbano was seen by his teammates as a rock in the goal and someone they knew could make the big save. Girls lacrosse A Champion: Guilderland B Champion: Niskayuna C Champion: Burnt HillsBallston Lake D Champion: Schuylerville Saratoga County Player of the Year: Abbie McHerron,
Burnt Hills, Senior Notable: McHerron made 152 saves on the season, which was tops in section II and managed to lead her team past an undefeated Albany Academy to the state quarterfinals. McHerron switched teams this offseason from Scotia to Burnt Hills and got the chance to play on a team with her farther as the head coach. McHerron met her old team in the Class C semifinals this season and managed eight saves, winning the game 9-2 and winning the Class C championship. Boys track and field Group 1: Saratoga Springs Group 2: Queesnbury Group 3: Albany Academy Group 4: Canajoharie Group 5: Maple Hill Saratoga County Player of the Year: Nick Cavotta, Saratoga Springs, Senior Notable: Cavotta was a top runner and long jumper for Saratoga Springs this season. Cavotta set personal bests in events and jumped 22 feet nine and a half inches for his best jump of the season, finishing first on May 23. Cavotta made it to the state meet this season and competed in both the 4x100 and in the long jump. In the long jump, finished in fifth in the event 9.94 meters and ninth in the 4x100 relay team. Girls track and field Group 1: Shenendehowa Group 2: Burnt Hills- Ballston Lake Group 3: Taconic Hills Group 4: Greenwich Group 5: Maple Hill Saratoga County Player of the Year: Kelsey Chmiel, Saratoga Springs, Sophomore Notable: Chmiel was one of the top runners in outdoor for Saratoga Springs girls, winning multiple events. Chmiel easily qualified for the State championships in her two events, getting there in the 3,000-meter by finishing 12 seconds under the qualifying time. Chmiel managed to make it to the State championship in the 1500 and the 3000 meter, finishing at the top in both events. In the 1500, Chmiel finished with a time of 4:31.40 and a sixth place finish, while in the 3000 she managed to run 9:34.18 and a third place finish. Boys tennis: AA Champion: Saratoga Springs A Champion: Burnt HillsBallston Lake B Champion: LaSalle C/D Champion: Chatham Saratoga County Player of the Year: David Romano, Saratoga Springs, Senior Notable: Romano was No. 1 in singles for Saratoga Springs through the season. He was the top player and helped lead Saratoga Springs to the AA championship win. Romano had the choice to go to the championships as a singles compeititor or a doubles team with Gross, he choose Grosso and they didn’t dissapoint. In the Section II boys championship, Romano joined with 8th-grader Nick Grosso and took the win over Bethlehem’s Shamanth Murundi and Govind Chari 6-2,6-0. Romano and Grosso make it the first doubles champion that Saratoga Springs has had in 22 years.