By Rob Potter
SULLIVAN COUNTY — April 22, 2005 – Local basketball fans had the opportunity to see some great players perform on the county’s high school courts during the 2004-2005 season.
These were players who grabbed tough rebounds inside the paint, swished 3-point shots from well beyond the arc, passed the basketball to an open teammate at the precise moment that player was ready to shoot and closely defended the opposing team’s best player from one end of floor to the other.
Democrat staff members contacted several of the local high school boys’ basketball coaches and asked them to pick a Most Valuable Player (MVP), five-player First Team and five-player Second Team. Those coaches’ votes plus those of Democrat staff members determined the players selected for the MVP, First Team and Second Team. After those votes were tallied, the top five remaining vote-getters were named to the Honorable Mention team.
And the 2005 Sullivan County Democrat All-Stars are…
Most Valuable Player (MVP): Sean Kelly – Sullivan West
The senior guard was the Bulldogs’ top scorer this season, averaging 15.8 points per game. He was named the team’s Best Offensive Player at last month’s SW Winter Sports Awards Program.

First Team:
LaKarri Byrd • Liberty
A sophomore guard, he was named to the All-Tournament team at the Billy Moran Tip-Off Classic Varsity Boys’ Basketball Tournament hosted by Sullivan West back in December. He scored 11 points in the Indians’ opening round victory over Livingston Manor in the Moran tourney.
Brad Cooper • Monticello
The junior forward was the Panthers’ top all-around player. He led the team in scoring and rebounding, averaging 18.4 points and seven rebounds per game.
Chris Gates • Fallsburg
A junior forward, he played a key role in the Comets’ first victory of the 2004-2005 season. He recorded a double-double of 29 points and 14 rebounds in Fallsburg’s defeat of Eldred on January 18.
Sean Semenetz • Sullivan West
The senior guard/forward was named the team’s Most Versatile Player at last month’s SW Winter Sports Awards Program. He led the Bulldogs in rebounds (8.7 per game) and assists (3.2 per game) this season.
Joe Winski • Sullivan West
The senior guard played several positions for the Bulldogs this season, but most of the time he was the team’s point guard. Midway through the season, he was the team leader in charges taken on the defensive end of the court.

Second Team:
Tim Bryant • Livingston Manor
The senior forward was the Wildcats’ leading scorer this season. He averaged 12.5 points per game.
Dan DeVantier • Roscoe
The junior forward averaged 17.1 points per game and led the Blue Devils in rebounds (196 total this season) and steals (52).
Patrick Kean • Eldred
A junior guard, he was one of the Yellowjackets’ leaders this season. He averaged nearly 10 points and 4.3 assists per game.
Joe Meyer • Sullivan West
A senior guard, he was the team’s second leading scorer this season. He averaged 12.1 points per game.
Travis Wolfe • Tri-Valley
The senior guard was the Bears’ second leading scorer. He averaged 9.4 points per game and was voted the team’s Most Valuable Player by his fellow players.

Honorable Mention:
David Anthony • Fallsburg
Junior • Forward
Rob Baker • Livingston Manor
Junior • Forward
Joe Kettle • Family School
Junior • Guard
Sinan Tertimez • Monticello
Senior • Forward
Dustin Van Lieu • Tri-Valley
Eighth grade • Guard