Local teams gear up for 2017 season

Lakers looking for another Section III title

The Cazenovia boys lacrosse team had another outstanding season last spring, winning the Section III Class C title as well as a New York State Public High School Athletic Association regional championship before falling in overtime in the state semifinals.

Nine players from that squad have graduated and are playing in college, four at the Division I level, but that hasn’t changed expectations for the Lakers.

Coach Jim Longo (12th year, 186- 47) knows his players have big shoes to fill but said the “cupboard isn’t bare.” Brice Ba- sic, Thomas Bragg, Alex Nowak and Chris Becker return to the starting lineup while Tim Burr, Austin Enders, Jon Maracek, Will Shepard, R. J. Smith, John Williams and Trey Schugg will look to step up this season.

Cazenovia’s girls team has made regular appearances in the sectional playoffs in coach Caitlin Byrne’s (47- 41) five seasons at the helm. Led by firstteam al l- league selections Chloe Willard and Keara Dwyer the Lakers will look for another solid season in the tough Onondaga High School Liberty League. Also back are all-league honorable mentions Lucy Connor, Megan Henderson, Morgan Maliga and Zoe Shephard, along

with Olivia Catania and Saige Ackermann while newcomers Molly Brown, Grace Rajkowski and Meg Seeley will try to contribute in their first seasons on the team.

Chittenango moves into the OHSL Liberty League this season and coach Dave Baran (69-115-1) will field a young squad after graduating 11 seniors from last year’s team. All- League selections Maddie Flack and Kaiden Williams return for the Bears, along with Megan Putnam and Tiffany Scofield.

Vernon-Verona- Sherrill has a new coach for its girls team this spring in Dan Miller. With the Red Devils coming off of a 2-10 season, he hopes the team can come together on and off the field to find success.

Kris Sullivan (11-25) returns for his fourth year coaching the VVS boys team, coming off a 4-12 season. First-Team All-Tri-Valley League selection An- drew Rossi returns to lead the defense and Second-Team All-TVL selection Alex Oliver is back as well for the Red Devils. Also returning are Ben Petersen, Sean Galla, Garrett Harrington, Matt Ciotti, Mike Eastman, Richard Skellham and Alex Baird with Ryan Netzband, Richard Giess, Brayden Marchand, Sage Eberly and Jon Lubeck joining the team and looking to capture the first TVL Pioneer Division title.

KYLE MENNIG — ONEIDA DAILY DISPATCH Cazenovia’s Thomas Bragg (9) will try to help the Lakers capture another Section III Class C title this spring.

KYLE MENNIG — ONEIDA DAILY DISPATCH Kaiden Williams (12) is one of Chittenango’s top returning players this season.

KYLE MENNIG — ONEIDA DAILY DISPATCH Chloe Willard is Cazenovia’s leading returning scorer this spring.