By Jeanne Sager

SULLIVAN COUNTY – April 12, 2002:
Livingston Manor

Overall Record: 4-16
League Record: 2-6 OCIAA Division V
Team Leaders: Junior Jason Kean led the team in scoring. Seniors Tyler Van Put, Terrance Adams and Kytt McManus were all instrumental in the Wildcats’ success.
Season Highlight: Coach Les Hyde noted that taking third place in the Downsville Tournament was a high point for the Wildcats.
Season Lowlight: “Not making sectionals,” Hyde said.
Other Comments: The team will be losing three players to graduation but the remainder of the team will remain intact for the 2002-2003 hoops season.
“We’ve got everyone coming back next year,” Hyde said. “We should be a whole lot better off.”
Returning next year will be juniors Kean, Travis Morton, John Henry Schleiermacher, George Thomas and Brian Will as well as sophomores Patrick Branning and Willis Gamble.

SULLIVAN WEST

Overall Record: 16-6
League Record: 6-4 OCIAA Division IV
Team Leaders: Senior center Mike Ahnstrom averaged 17 points per game for the Bulldogs and also led the team in rebounding. Senior guards Justin Pinkel and Evan Kraack also stood out as leaders to Co-coach Rick Ellison, who directed the first-year team along with fellow Co-coach Bob Menges.
Season Highlights: Beating John S. Burke Catholic High School in Burke’s home gym was a highlight for the Bulldogs, Ellison noted.
“They’re always a powerhouse in their division,” he said.
Topping Fallsburg twice this season was “a nice accomplishment,” Ellison added. Handing Tuxedo its first loss of the season was a high point as well.
The boys also shined at the Stamford Tournament in December, winning the championship game at the event.
Season Lowlight: “Having three players suspended changed the course of our season,” Ellison said. “It changed the whole makeup of our team. Roles had to change which was tough to do mid-season.”
Different players had to take on different roles and more was expected of the players, but the boys all responded to the pressure.
“It worked out OK, but it was difficult,” Ellison noted.
Other Comments: “They were a super bunch of kids,” Ellison said. “For the first year as a program – as Sullivan West – they blended well, I thought.”
Ellison added that he enjoyed coaching the senior-dominated team. The Bulldogs will be losing a number of players to graduation, but members of the strong JV program will be moving up to take their place next season.