As we approach the end of the school year, and the end of my high school career, I figured it’d be appropriate to do a “memory article.” In this article, I’m going to look at five of my favorite sports moments over my junior and senior years.

Those two years, I went to different sporting events and covered the games live. You might’ve even seen me tweeting on my own Twitter account, or the Johnny Green Sports account. There were great moments, and I’d like to highlight some of the very special ones.

I tried to go to every sport at least once, but due to time constraints, that just never seemed to work out. So I need to apologize to the following teams for never really giving them a great coverage: the Boys and Girls Varsity Track teams, and the Varsity Softball team. If there were more than 24 hours in a day, and seven days in a week, I would’ve been to a meet/game in a heartbeat.

5. Weedsport Field Hockey Defeats Morrisville-Eaton

ARTICLE: https://whsjohnnygreen.org/sports/2016/10/23/weedsport-defeats-morrisville-eaton-moves-on-to-sectional-final/

I’m not going to say this was the most exciting game, but this game brought a lot of memorable moments to say the least.

This was the first game I was able to drive myself to, as I got my license just that week. I was able to bring staff writer, Jon Wejko, with me. I was also able to get into the press box with Wejko. I was also able to meet Jeremy Houghtaling for the first time, the sports writer for The Citizen in Auburn.

The game was intense, with a 2-0 victory. However, on the defensive side, Nicole Soutar had a zero-save shutout. No shots on goal. That’s just insane. This game helped the team move onto the Sectional Finals against local foe Moravia, in which Weedsport won.

A couple games later, in a tough game against the always-powerful Cazenovia Lakers, my Weedsport Field Hockey coverage ended.

Thanks to all the players, and of course Coach Leonardi, for always giving great answers. These articles wouldn’t have happened without you. Thanks for giving me some awesome memories over the past couple seasons. Good luck over the next couple of years!

4. Boys’ Basketball Defeats Onondaga in Playoffs

ARTICLE: https://whsjohnnygreen.org/sports/2017/02/21/no-2-weedsport-moves-to-semi-finals-after-close-victory/

After a high scoring victory over Mount Markham, in which the boys won 101-66 (have you ever seen all three digits colored on the Weedsport scoreboard?), they won in a much closer match up against the Onondaga Tigers.

I didn’t cover many basketball games, for the boys at least. But, this was an exciting game to go to. I don’t think I had ever seen so many Weedsport community members inside one gym. It was so packed, I had to stand in the back corner beside Onondaga’s bench.

This game led them to the Sectional Semi-Final against the always-strong Tully, in which they unfortunately lost in a heartbreaker. However, the season was not one to complain about at all. They won the league title, as well as the Cayuga County Tournament.

The next season should be quite successful for the team, as they are only losing one senior, and their entire starting roster was basically made up of juniors and a couple sophomores.

Thanks to Coach Sgarlata for always helping me with my basketball knowledge, always willing to answer questions! Also, thanks to the team for letting me ride the bus every once and awhile to catch a game earlier in high school.

3. Weedsport Baseball Plays at NBT Bank Stadium

ARTICLE: https://whsjohnnygreen.org/sports/2017/04/27/weedsport-baseball-has-strong-start-but-falls-short/

This was my first and only time getting to a baseball game, due to being on the Varsity Golf team. However, I couldn’t have chosen a better venue for my first and last Weedsport Varsity game. Even though the team sadly lost to Tully, being able to go to NBT Bank Stadium was awesome.

I had the entire press box to myself, and I was able to completely spread out – something I don’t get very often when covering a live game. I have to say, that baseball is probably also my favorite sport to take pictures for. I can focus on one person, and take multiple shots.

This game was for the ALS Foundation, and the team raised a decent amount of money. The game was close, and had its ups and downs, but it was an experience I will never forget.

Thanks to Coach Matson for talking with me after the game! Thanks to the team for answering questions throughout the season, to keep me in the loop to know what I was going into before the game. Good luck in the upcoming seasons!

2. Weedsport Heads to Section Finals with 1.7 Seconds Left

ARTICLE: https://whsjohnnygreen.org/sports/2015/11/17/whs-field-hockey-repeats-as-class-d-champions/

Be warned, the article for this moment contains more than just the game with the exciting goal for victory, as it recaps the playoff run for the Warriors. I already mentioned the Field Hockey team before, but how can I pass up this game?

It was an intense game all day, and both teams apparently liked to keep it close. After both teams had one goal each, the game was getting to the nitty-gritty; no one wanted to see overtime come into play. Coach Leonardi knew her girls were easily capable of scoring against New York Mills. However, that goal didn’t come until basically the end of the game.

With a secret play that I am still sworn to secrecy never to reveal, according to Mrs. James, one of their book-keepers, the team won with a goal scored by Kayla Stock. Let’s just say that the team knows how to keep the fans on the edge of their seat, with the goal crossing the line with 1.7 seconds left.

They won their second sectional title later in the season, but unfortunately lost to the Cazenovia Lakers, who like I said, are always strong and always dominating. I said it before, but thanks to Coach Leonardi and the team, once again!

1. Girls’ Basketball Defeats APW; Jeslyn Scores 1000 Points

ARTICLE: https://whsjohnnygreen.org/sports/2017/02/08/weedsport-girls-basketball-defeats-apw-files-scores-1000-points/

It’s an honor to put this article and memory at number one on my list. To watch such an impressive milestone be achieved by someone at Weedsport, it’s just amazing. I couldn’t not put this at number one.

The Girls Basketball Team took on an unusual team, Altmar-Parish-Williamstown: a school Weedsport doesn’t see often. However, the team didn’t matter as another thing was on everyone’s mind: Jeslyn Files scoring 1,000 points.

A dominating victory led the girls to a score of 71-34, a perfect night for the senior night. It was quite appropriate for Files to score the milestone of 1,000; coupled with a perfect ceremony in the middle of the game right after her 1,001 point was scored (it was a 2-point shot).

The team went on to sectionals after that, but sadly lost in the first round against Sauquoit Valley, ending a good season for the team. This year, the team graduates four seniors: Nicole Soutar, Maddie Patchin, Lexi Appleby, and Files.

Thanks to Coach Vargason and the team for always answering questions. No offense to other coaches, but I always enjoyed getting the enthusiastic responses from Vargason – he was always sure to reply in a timely fashion! Good luck in the upcoming seasons!