Delaware Valley HS Boys Junior Varsity Lacrosse 2010 Schedule

Day                        Date                      Place                    Opponent                         Time

Thu                        4/08                       Home                    Monroe-Woodbury           4:30 PM

Sat                          4/10                       Away                    Kingston                              1:00 PM

Thu                        4/15                       Away                     Pine Bush Central            4:30 PM

School District

Tue                        4/20                       Away                     Middletown                         4:00 PM

Thu                        4/22                       Home                    Valley Central                    4:30 PM

Field

Tue                        4/27                       Away                     Warwick                               4:00 PM

Fri                           4/30                      Home                    Minisink Valley                   6:00 PM

Sat                          5/08                       Away                    Saugerties                             1:00 PM

Sat                          5/15                       Home                    Burke Catholic                      10:00 AM

Thu                        5/20                       Home                    Warwick                                 4:00 PM

Field

Tue                        5/25                        Away                    Minisink Valley                    4:00 PM

Thu                        5/27                       Home                    Middletown                            4:00 PM

ALL SCHEDULES SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT ADVANCE NOTICE

Delaware Valley HS Boys Varsity Lacrosse 2010 Schedule

Day                        Date                    Place                     Opponent           Time

Mon                      3/29                       Home                    Tunkhannock     7:00 PM

Mon                      4/05                       Away                     Newton                4:30 PM

Sat                          4/10                       Away                  Highland              12:00 PM

Wed                      4/14                       Home                    Pine Bush Central 4:30 PM

School District

Fri                           4/16                       Away                    Valley Central     6:00 PM

Mon                      4/19                       Away                     Middletown            4:30 PM

Wed                      4/21                       Home                    Minisink Valley      4:30 PM

Fri                           4/23                       Away                  Newburgh Free      4:30 PM

Academy

Sat                          4/24                       Away                  FD Roosevelt              10:00 AM

Mon                      4/26                       Home                    Washingtonville       4:15 PM

Fri                           4/30                       Away                  Warwick                     4:30 PM

Mon                      5/03                       Home                     Valley Central          4:30 PM

Thu                        5/06                       Away                   Tunkhannock           5:00 PM

Sat                          5/08                       Away                   Minisink Valley       1:00 PM

Mon                      5/10                       Home                     F D Roosevelt              4:30 PM

Fri                           5/14                       Away                  Washingtonville        4:00 PM

Sat                          5/15                       Home                   Highland                     12:00 PM

Wed                      5/19                       Home                    Warwick                        4:30 PM

ALL SCHEDULES SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT ADVANCE NOTICE

Big Bear Sets Spring Schedule

LACKAWAXEN – Summer is just around the corner and after lots of snow the last few weeks you may even be looking forward to it.  Spring is a great time of year to get your family and friends skiing or snowboarding.  The temperatures are milder, the sun is shining and everyone is tired of being inside!!

Lots of our friends are asking when we will close for the season.  Although we can’t promise since Mother Nature really controls the situation, we have made our Spring schedule with hopes that we will be open late into March and possibly the first part of April.

Ski Big Bear Spring Hours:

Friday, March 12: Noon – 9pm

Saturday, March 13: 9am – 9pm

Sunday, March 14: 9am – 4:30pm

Friday, March 19: Noon – 9pm

Saturday, March 20: 9am – 9pm

Sunday, March 21: 9am – 4:30pm

Saturday, March 27: 9am – 4:30pm

Sunday, March 28: 9am – 4:30pm

Saturday, April 3: 9am – 4:30pm (Last Day of the Season)

Tubing will close for the season on Sunday, March 7.

Any Night Only, Friday Night Only and Saturday Night Only Season Passes for 2009-2010 will be valid March 27 – April 3, 2010.

Delaware Valley Footballer Getting Attention From Big Time Colleges

DVHS Junior Lineman Brandon Clemons (Photo by Thomas O'Grady)

By Thomas O’Grady

WESTFALL — On days when I substitute teach in the Delaware Valley High School, I am lucky enough to have a few minutes of contact with many nice students; however one of the more pleasant students has plenty to smile over.  Junior Brandon Clemons is not just a football player, he’s a football star.  Don’t believe me?  Ask ESPN…they contacted him.

Clemons is a normal high school guy.  His grades hover around the honor roll mark, he is well liked by teachers, coaches, and peers, he smiles often, and he doesn’t have a favorite subject.  Where Clemons differs is that he is an outstanding offensive and defensive tackle.

Clemons was born in Brooklyn, New York, eventually moved to the Bronx, and then moved to the Delaware Valley School District.  He started playing football between the ages of 13 and 14 in New York and then continued to play after he moved to the area.

Due to his size and athleticism, Clemons had received letters from Division I schools as a freshman.  “Freshman year, I got letters, but I didn’t fully realize I could actually play Division I football until after I went to Pittsburgh’s Prospect camp,” he said.

Clemons began his junior year with high expectations and a work ethic to get him there.  He works out six days a week for two hours a day; it did not go unnoticed.  Coach Ryan Dippre thinks Clemons’ work ethic is great.

“He has a great work ethic,” said Dippre. “He’ll work at whatever he has to do.  He doesn’t skip out on exercises that he doesn’t like.”

Besides the ringing endorsement from a coach, his peers notice too.  “I was voted a Captain as a junior and I definitely get a lot of respect from my teammates,” said Clemons.

The love-fest doesn’t stop with his teammates.  Despite his size and the constant buzz surrounding his name he stays very grounded; that is most certainly an endearing quality in high school.  His classmates speak very highly of Brandon and he notices how interested they are in his life.  Clemons lights up his big smile when he speaks about his classmates.

“They ask me about it and they get very excited,” he said. “ I think it’s like ‘Hey, I know that kid!’”  However, the constant attention never goes to his head.  “It’s pretty overwhelming, but it is a good experience.  I’m very grateful for this opportunity…especially because of where I come from and now to be here…”         However, it hasn’t all been smiles and good times for him; this past football season he tore his Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL).  Instead of just sitting out and sulking, Clemons dug deep and played through the pain.  He missed some practices but he showed his leadership and dedication to his teammates as he played hard on every snap he played, regardless of the pain he was experiencing.  When the season was over, he had his operation and then attended physical therapy.

Upon completion of his physical therapy he played on the varsity basketball team.  In an off-season filled with physical therapy and basketball practices, Clemons still managed to get stronger.  Coach Dippre took special note of the fact that Clemons was able to play basketball and still find time to prepare for football season.  “It’s rare to have a player get stronger while playing a second sport but Brandon works very hard,” he said.

Many times big college programs will be leery about a player who could have a knee problem, but Clemons is a clear exception due to the fact the he is big (6 feet 4 inches, 260 pounds) and quick (scout.com has his recorded 40 yard dash time as five seconds flat).  For his senior season many of the colleges just want to see him move around on the football field.  “The colleges just want to see me play.  They want to make sure I can move,” said Clemons.

Moving shouldn’t be a problem for Clemons now that he is healed and can again put his athleticism on display for all to see (and fear).  Coach Dippre is quick to point out how great of an athlete Clemons is.  “He can usually get things on the first try, which is nice,” said Dippre.

And here is another reason Clemons is so well liked:  Despite the fact that he is a supreme athlete, he is still coachable.  “Coachable?  Oh yeah…he’s very coach-able,” said Dippre. “ He listens and always tries his best.  Plus he’s very polite.  He doesn’t swear or anything like that.”

For his opponents who read that quote, beware.  Do not take his kindness for weakness.  Coach Dippre added, “He is very aggressive, he’ll run you over.”

All of these characteristics have Division I schools salivating at the chance of getting Clemons on their campus.  Before the completion of his junior year he has already been offered full scholarships to the University of Maryland, the University of Connecticut, the University of Pittsburgh, and West Virginia University.  He has a verbal offer from Rutgers University and Temple University and a potential offer from the University of Illinois; plus, the University of Florida has contacted him.

Clemons recites the schools with a big smile and he can’t help but repeat, “This is very exciting.”  Clemons is not the only one who is excited.  His family is still trying to come to grips with everything.  “I don’t think they really understand how big this is yet because it’s not official,” he said.

It may not be official yet but Clemons is hoping to have an idea of where he will be going by the end of the summer.

Wherever Clemons decides to go he will bring a high energy motor, a great work ethic, humility, and an infectious smile, and the ability to run some people over.

Two DV Wrestlers Advance To State Tournament

Coach Lou DeLauro congratulates Jon Haber on 100 career wins. (Contributed Photo)

Out of the five Delaware Valley wrestlers who made it to the PIAA Regional AAA Tournament, two will continue their trek to the State Tournament in Hershey this weekend.

After a weekend of wrestling some of the toughest competition in the state, Vinnie Colletta (160lbs), and CJ Palmer (112 lbs), will advance to the State Tournament in Hershey this weekend.

Team Captain Jon Haber, was recognized during the  Regional Tournament for 100 career wins  following his defeat of Dominick Wolfe, Shikellamy.

The AAA Regional Tournament began Friday night at Freedom High School. Both DV District Champs, Palmer and Anthony Coletta, had a bye in the first round.

Vinnie Colletta won his first bout with a decision over Mason McIntyre from Freedom 11-9. In the quarterfinals Colletta pinned Shikellamy’s Colby Sloanaker to send him into the semifinals.

Palmer lost his quarter final bout against Devon Loitito from Bethlehem 5-2.

On Saturday, Palmer beat Stroudsburg’s Matt Valentin 10-1 in the consolation round and put himself back in the running with an 8-2 victory over Northampton’s Greg Rinker. CJ placed third and secured his ticket to Hershey with a 4-3 decision over Michael Domarasky from Pittston Area.

Colletta lost his semi-final round against Wade Rivera from Parkland but came back to win the consolation round for a shot at third place which he won with a 2-0 victory over Mike Brown from Liberty sending him onto Hershey.

Jon Haber finished in fourth place in the 189 lb weight class. At 130 lbs, Anthony Colletta wound up in 6^th place. Adam Manzoni, 171 lbs, was knocked out early on due to an injury he has been battling for the last few weeks.

All in all a great season for the Warriors will wrap up this weekend at Hershey.

Five Del Val Wrestlers To Compete At Northeast AAA Regionals

HAZLETON — After a schedule change due to the winter weather that pounded our area last week, the Warrior wrestling team traveled to Hazleton Area High School for the two day PIAA District 2 AAA Tournament.

The top four place winners from each weight class move onto the Northeast AAA Regional Tournament in Bethlehem where they compete for the chance to wrestle in the Pennsylvania State Tournament in Hershey.

Delaware Valley ended the weekend-long tournament with five wrestlers advancing to the AAA Regionals this Saturday.

At 112 lbs, CJ Palmer brought home the gold for a District Title defeating Michael Domarasky from Pittston Area 5-1.

Anthony Colletta won the District Title at 130 lbs with a decision over Hazleton’s Rich Biesadesky.

Taking second place at 160 lbs, Vinnie Colletta wrestled a great match against state qualifier Pat LaBuz from Hazleton Area with the final score 9-3.

Del Val’s, Jon Haber, took second place at 189 lbs and Adam Manzoni placed third at 171 lbs. with a 4-1 win over Roger Legg from Crestwood.

The Warriors will now focus their efforts on placing in the top three in the NE AAA Regional Tournament this Saturday to continue their trek on the road to Hershey.

Warriors Fall To Vikings 67-46 On Senior Night

Connor Decker calls for the ball. (Photo by Thomas O'Grady)

WESTFALL—On February 13 the Vernon Vikings visited the Delaware Valley Warriors. Before the game the Warriors honored their seniors; then fell to the Vikings in a crushing manner 67-46.

The first quarter was a blur for all of the Warriors and their fans. The Vikings jumped all over the Warriors and kept them off balance for the entire quarter. The Warriors saving grace for the first quarter was that they were able to force Vernon to shoot jump shots and some of them rattled out. Despite the fact that the Vikings outplayed the Warriors for the entire quarter, they only had a 16-11 lead at the end of the first. Brandon Angradi kept the Warriors close by scoring seven of the team’s 11 points.

The second quarter started off slowly as both teams seemed to move like they were bogged down in mud; throughout the first four minutes of the quarter the Warriors and Vikings traded baskets and the lead held at five points.

Trailing 22-17 with 3:19 left in the half, the Warriors called a timeout. The Warriors discussed a play and how to keep the game close and then came out and executed poorly. Delaware Valley turned the ball over and Ethan Vellellanes of Vernon scored an easy fast break lay-up.

On the ensuing Warriors’ possession, they promptly turned it over as Justin Fowler was called for an offensive foul; the foul was Fowler’s third personal foul. The Warriors were forced to go to underclassman Brent Fregola at that point.

The Vikings couldn’t do any damage off the Warriors’ turnover as they gave it right back to Delaware Valley. The Warriors set up their offense but missed their shot. Vernon grabbed the rebound and got out on the break. The Warriors scrambled back on defense but couldn’t keep up with the Vikings and Ricky Hemberger hit an easy layup pushing the lead to 26-17 with 1:29 left in the half.

The Warriors called a timeout and came out and set up their offense. The Warriors got the ball to Angradi who was fouled and sent to the free throw line for a one and one. He made the front end but missed his second shot. The Vikings got the rebound and brought the ball up the floor.

Vernon worked the ball around and Hemberger hit a three pointer. The Warriors inbounded the ball but the Vikings pressed and forced a turnover. The Vikings converted the turnover into points as Hemberger splashed home another three point jumper. The three pointer gave the Vikings a 32-18 lead.

After another Warriors’ miss the Vikings looked to get up a last shot, but Ryan Velilla stole the outlet pass and got the ball to Angradi who hit a buzzer beater three pointer to bring the half to a close with the Warriors trailing 32-21.

Little League Signups Due March 8

DINGMANS FERRY – It’s that time of year again! Little League signups. The Dingman Delaware Little League is accepting registrations for the 2010 season. Please utilize the Web site at www.ddlittleleague.net to answer many of your questions. Registration forms are also available online. Deadline is March 8.

DV Wrestlers Sweep League Championship

The Warrior Wrestling team having taken the Lackawanna League title and placing second in the Team Dual District 2 AAA Championship, hit the road again on Saturday for the Lackawanna League Individual Championship.

All fifteen teams that compromise the Lackawanna League from both AAA and AA schools met at Scranton High School to challenge their best wrestlers to win the top spot in their weight class.

Out of the 14 weight classes, Delaware Valley had 8 wrestlers place in the finals. The Warriors claimed 4 first place finsihers, 3 taking third place and one taking fourth place.

The results were; 1^st Place 189 lbs. Jon Haber, Team Captain

1^st Place 160 lbs. Vinnie Colletta

1^st Place 171 lbs. Adam Manzoni

1^st Place 119 lbs. CJ Palmer

3^rd Place 112 lbs. Chris Moraski

3^rd Place 130 lbs. Anthony Colletta

3^rd Place 145 lbs. Marc Wagner

4^th Place 152 lbs. Martin Strenk

While the tournament emphasised individual achievement in each weight class, team points were awarded and the top team recognized. Delaware Valley again took home the title with 161 team points followed by West Scranton with 149 points and Abington Heights finishing third with 141 team points.

The Warriors will be training hard this week in preparation for the Individual District 2 AAA Tournament in Hazleton this weekend.

Boys’ Varsity Basketball: Knights Blowout Warriors 79-53

(Photo by Thomas O'Grady)

By Thomas O’Grady

WESTFALL—On February 12 the Warriors hosted the Knights.  The Knights came out hot and jumped all over Delaware Valley.  At the end of the first quarter the Knights were up six:  17-11.  The second quarter was dominated by the Knights as they pushed their lead to 42-23.  They coasted through the second half and won 79-53.  The Knights were led by Terry Turner with 25 points.  The Warriors lone scoring bright spot was Brandon Angradi with 24 points.