Peekskill-Cortlandt Patch Weekly Sports Report

Game change

The Section 1 champion Peekskill girls basketball squad’s regional final against Section 4 champion Maine-Endwell was changed from 5 p.m. Friday, March 11 at Westchester Community College to 4:30 p.m. Friday, March 11 at Mount St. Mary's College in Newburgh because Section 1 officials were concerned that WCC wouldn't be big enough to accommodate all the fans that would attend.

Afterwards, Section 1 champ Byram Hills will play Section 4 champ Maine-Endwell at 6:30 p.m. in the boys regional final.

Exceptional seniors

Four Lakeland/Panas ice hockey players were chosen to play in the Exceptional Senior Game at the Ice Hutch in Mount Vernon at 4 p.m. on March 19. They were forwards Robert Caffrey, Frankie Celentano, Sam Vaimberg and goalie Nick Chiapparino.

Basketball at Panas

Walter Panas is hosting the first annual 3-on-3 hoop tourney and foul shooting contest at 2:30 p.m. Friday, March 11 in the school gymnasium, sponsored by the S.A.D.D. club.

PHS Awards Dinner:

When Lou Panzanaro became Peekskill High School's athletic director last June, while continuing his job as the boys basketball coach, he knew handling both jobs would be a challenge.

One reason why he accepted that challenge is because he wanted to help Peekskill's student-athletes and coaches realize their full potential and acknowledge them for their work. The PHS sports award dinner on March 7 did just that. All winter teams, all-league winners and others were recognized at the dinner.

 “I want people to recognize who the coaches are that are working with our athletes and I think it’s important that the athletes see the other athletes that are involved and representing our school,” Panzanaro said. “That’s what made me do it. I just think it’s great to celebrate a season, regardless of what the final record is, just because of how hard they worked to accomplish what they did.”

All 11 teams that competed at PHS this winter attended the dinner, and gave the Peekskill girls varsity basketball squad, which won its first sectional crown in team history the previous night, a rousing standing ovation.

Here is a list of the teams that competed at Peekskill this winter and their coaches:

-Varsity boys basketball (Lou Panzanaro)

-JV boys basketball (Tony Jackson)

-Modified boys basketball (Bryan Panzanaro)

-Varsity girls basketball (Rodney Headley Jr.)

-JV girls basketball (Kim Saxton)

-Modified girls basketball (Joseph Sullivan)

-Varsity girls and boys bowling (Agnes Travis)

-Varsity boys and girls track (Paul Piliero)

-Varsity boys swimming (Steven Mackay)

-Modified wrestling (Jonathan Travis)

The PHS all-league winners in each sport were also acknowledged:

-Marc Piliero (boys swimming)

-Aleah Conlon (girls track)

-Adam Rivera (boys bowling)

-Amira Sealy (girls bowling)

-Shaine Carter (boys basketball), Carter was also named all-section first-team.

-Nayge Wagner (boys basketball)

-Sheridan Taylor (girls basketball)

-Jazmin Garcia (girls basketball)

-Tasia Nolan (girls basketball)

-Asia Jackson (girls basketball)

All-section girls basketball players were being determined that night, so none were recognized at the dinner.

Panzanaro said he was thrilled for people that were able to achieve individual recognition, especially because they were able to do so in the context of being a team player.

“It’s just great to see them recognized for the hard work and effort they put into it,” Panzanaro said.