By Doug La Rocque
Stepping down to Class D in Section II brings with it the hope for unprecedented success for the boys and girls hoop squads. [private]
Boys coach Kasson Sauer has three returning seniors in Jordan Winn, Dan Bentley and Ryan Schumry. Also counted on heavily to contribute are sophomores Roark Slattery and Ryan Willis, both starters as freshman on last year’s squad.
The Mountaineers went 10-4 in Central Hudson Valley League play last year. Coach Sauer hopes to compete for the title this year, but admits they will have to first get by the likes of Germantown and Waterford. Another team goal for 2015 is to post their first sectional tournament win. Stepping down from Class C this year to join other schools with smaller enrollments brings hope this goal can come to fruition. The Berlin boys open their season on November 30 in a non-league game at Salem. They also plan to play in a couple of tournaments to sharpen their skills for league play.
The Berlin girls will be counting a lot on Maggie Jordan, according to Coach Fleda Berschwinger. She too hopes stepping down in class to compete in a section with schools more Berlin’s size will bring some post season success. Coach Berschwinger said she believes her team is about in the middle of the pack when it comes to the CHVL. She identifies Germantown again as well as perhaps Heatly in Green Island as the schools to beat this year. [/private]