THE SPORTS REPORTS: TIOGA'S SINDONI HEADLINES BAKER'S DOZEN AS 'GIRLS ATHLETE OF THE WINTER;' FIVE MORE TIOGA COUNTY ATHLETES MAKE THE LIST (2023-04-02)

The Sports Reports
Tioga senior Emily Sindoni capped a record-setting season with her second consecutive Section IV championship, and a New York State title. She is The Sports Reports 2022-23 “Girls Athlete of the Winter.”

The senior 126-pounder helped christen the inaugural NYSPHSAA Girls Wrestling Invitational, the Southern Tier Memorial and the Jarvis Girls Invitational by pinning her way to titles in all three tournaments. She pinned nationally-ranked Zoe Griffith of Gouverneur in the state finals.

Sindoni only went the distance once all season, a 12-2 win over Oneonta’s Sophia Churchill on her way to a title at the Oneonta Rotary Tournament.

Sindoni recorded her 100th career victory at the sectional tournament and was ranked No. 1 nationally at 132 pounds in the latest usawrestling.org poll, which was released March 24.

The 2022-23 Baker’s Dozen “Girls Athletes of the Winter”
Emily Sindoni, senior, wrestling, Tioga: See above.

Emily Huntley, senior, bowling, Horseheads: Huntley finished with the top average among area bowlers, and finished second in the New York State Championships.

Huntley had a 212.11 average, the only bowler in the region to average over 200, and then she averaged over 220 at the state meet to earn a state silver medal. She had a high game this year of 277 and a 719 high series.

Huntley was The Sports Reports “Girls Bowler of the Year.”

Jailer Abrams, senior, basketball, Elmira: Abrams scored 26.8 points per game and finished her career with 1,397 points, which is second all-time in school history.

The Queens College-commit was the Basketball Coaches Association of New York Section IV Class AA “Player of the Year,” and was the The Sports Reports “Player of the Year.”

Cha Gardner, junior, basketball, Newark Valley: Gardner dominated the game at both ends of the court and became the consummate all-around player. She averaged 15.7 points, 14 rebounds, 15.7 rebounds, 3 blocks (68), 3 assists and 3 steals per game.

Paige Manchester, senior, basketball, Towanda: Manchester was a force every night with her scoring (19 points per game), rebounding (8.8 rebounds per game), defense (3 steals per game) and passing (2.5 assists per game). She led Towanda to their fourth straight NTL title, and third straight season of being undefeated in league play.

Kennedy Westbrook, senior, basketball, Waverly: A two-way standout, Westbrook averaged 19.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4 assists per game. She also knocked down 42 3-pointers, and joined the 1,000-point club. Defensively, Westbrook led the Lady Wolverines with 5 steals, and 3.4 deflections per game.

Vicky Mordvinova, senior, indoor track & field, Elmira: Mordvinova had a strong indoor track & field season, and qualified for the New York State Championships in two events. She won a Section IV title in the 1,000-meter run, and finished second in the 1,500-meter run.

At States, she medaled with a fifth-place finish in the 1,000 in 2:53.7. She finished 17th in the 1,500 in 4:53.3.

Taylor Rae Jones, junior, basketball, Williamson: A well-rounded player, Jones averaged 13.8 points, 8.8 rebounds, 3.7 steals, and 2.2 assists per game.

Mackenzie LaForest, junior, wrestling, Waverly:  LaForest, who claimed titles at the Southern Tier Memorial and the Oneonta Tournament this season, was a Section IV runner-up and won a state title.

Anaiah Kolesar, freshman, wrestling, Athens: Kolesar had a strong season with a first-place finish at the Honesdale Tournament, and a third-place finish at the Coal Cracker Invite. She finished second at the Northeast Regionals, and then was seventh at the Pa. Championships.

Madison McEvoy, sophomore, basketball, Owego: McEvoy was one of the better offensive players in the area. She averaged 17.4 points, 4 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2.2 assists per game.

Hayley Beebe, senior, basketball, Newark Valley: A terrific floor general, Beebe averaged 14 points, 4 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 3.1 steals per game. She also knocked down 52 3-pointers on the season.

Taegan Walsh, freshman, skiing, Corning: Walsh had a pair of top-30 finishes at the New York State Skiing Championships. She finished 30th in the giant slalom, and 25th in the slalom at states. Both races improved her time, and place, from a season ago at the state meet.