order prints
Winter 2010 Varsity Sports Season Recap
April 2010
Girls Basketball
The varsity girls’ basketball team had an outstanding
season, finishing with a record of 15-9, including a 7-2 AAIS league record and
co-championship. The team also had a dramatic turnaround in the ACIS, finishing
second with a record of 5-2.
“Without any seniors on the team, the group of seven juniors
and two sophomores worked extremely hard to turn what looked like a rebuilding
year into a championship season,” said Coach Russell Tombline. “With the entire
team returning next year, I am looking for the players to build on the success
of this season in order to make a run at another league championship and NYSAIS
tournament bid.”
Squash
The 2010 varsity squash season started slowly — with two
wins and four loses in the first six matches — but the team went on to finish
the season at 7-5, winning five of the last six matches.
“Due to injuries and a rash of unavailability, we lost three
seniors who were all in the top five of our team ladder,” recalled Coach Barry
Stelzner. “We replaced them with six freshmen, five of whom quickly broke into
the top eight spots in the playing ladder.”
After a tough loss early in the season to Horace Mann, the
Packer team had worked its way back to a 5-5 record before the rematch. “Our two
top players both won their matches,” said Coach Stelzner. “The remaing boys
then had a tough time, both losing, but the remaining girls won three to
bring our record to 6-5 at that point in the season.”
“The eight graduating seniors can take comfort in that they
are leaving the team in good shape,” said Coach Stelzner.
Boys Basketball
After three consecutive losing seasons, the 2010 varsity
boys’ basketball team surged to its best record since 2006. Finishing with an
overall record of 16-10, the boys finished tied for 2nd in the ACIS
and earned a fifth-seed berth in the independent bracket of the NYSAIS state
tournament.
With offensive production spread out among the players,
teamwork was more important than ever. “Our trademark was excellent team
defense,” said Coach George Boutis, noting that the boys held their opponents
to only 38 points per game in the regular season.
Coach Boutis called this team one of “high character,” that
competed with “integrity and lots of enthusiasm.” He also praised a strong
group of seniors who effectively mentored the younger players.
“This was very much a team effort,” said Coach Boutis. “From
beginning to end, it has been one of my favorite seasons.”
Winter Track & Field
“In only the second year of the program, this year's team
performed exceptionally well,” said Co-Head Coach Jeremy Busch.
“The running distance teams season peaked at the Manhattan
Half Marathon where every athlete raced to a personal best time,” said Coach
Busch.
Co-Head Coach Phyllis Anderson led the boys’ 4x400m sprint
team to their first appearance at the prestigious Millrose Games. The team
represented Packer well and made it onto the podium with a 2nd-place
finish.
To cap the season, two Packer runners qualified for the
highly competitive State Federations Track & Field Meet. “This was the
first year we sent any athletes to Feds in the winter and we plan on returning
next year,” said Coach Busch.
These two competitors also ran in the prestigious Indoor
National Scholastic Championships, which brings together the best high school
athletes in the country.
In conclusion, Coach Bush said: “The teams achievements
truly highlight their commitment and growth and we look forward to continuing a
winning tradition next year.”
