Athletes, Webster Honored At BCS Sports Awards

by Ryan Mosher
On Wednesday night, the Berlin Central School winter sports awards were held. Participation awards as well as Most Valuable Player and Most Improved Player awards were given out. Coaches for modified, junior varsity and varsity wrestling, swimming, cheerleading, volleyball and basketball each took the opportunity to thank parents, the school and the players themselves for the dedication they put into this winter sports season.
With just the boys varsity basketball team remaining to be heard from, Athletic Director Art Schmich took the opportunity to talk about how hard it is to find a coach who stays on board for long stretches of time. “I’ve seen coaches come and go, get worn out or just not want to come back after having a bad season or two,” he said. Coach Al Webster has been exactly the opposite of that though. After four years of serving as JV coach, Schmich said he remembers the bus ride home from Greenwich after Sectionals when he told Webster he was done, and the varsity job would be his. “I remember that, and I haven’t regretted it one day since,” he said.
Now after twenty five years of coaching at different levels of the Berlin boys basketball program, Webster is calling it a career. Schmich presented Webster with a plaque in honor of his years of service to the school, to which Webster received a standing ovation from the audience.
“I have bled green and gold since I was 7 years old,” said Webster. He talked about how unique this school and this community is, and concluded by saying, “It’s been a good run.” Talking about Coach Kasson Sauer, one of his former players and the man who will take over at the helm of the Berlin basketball program, Webster said, “He is exactly what is needed; new blood, a great coach and a man with great character. I am glad to be walking out the door as he is walking in.”
Awards
MIP = Most Improved Player; MVP = Most Valuable Player
Girls Basketball
Co-MIP- Deanna Nash
Co-MIP- Victoria Muller
Boys Basketball
Co-MVP- Shawn Willis
Co-MVP- Drew Webster
MIP- Llewllyn Palmer
Boys Volleyball
MVP- Chris Smith
MIP- Tucker Connally
Wrestling
MVP- Jordon Rathbun
MIP- Dylan Lee
Cheerleading
MVP- Lydia Shorter
MIP- Lauren Giumarra
Swimming
MVP- Alex French
MIP- Kayleigh Corrado