APEX Ace Award: Jenna Preski, Rome Free Academy girls volleyball. Earning 12 kills, 18 digs and four aces, Preski helped the Black Knights edge New Hartford in five sets on December 5 avenging a defeat to the Spartans in last winter’s sectional Class A final.
Atlas Fence All-Star: Jack Adams, Watertown boys basketball. The Cyclones defeated General Brown 62-47 on December 3 getting a fine all-around performance from Adams, who delivered 21 points, eight rebounds, five assists and two steals.
Byrne Dairy Prime Performer: Tyler Mayne, Fayetteville-Manlius ice hockey. Mayne’s goal and two assists were a big reason why the Hornets managed to knock off reigning two-time state Division II champion Skaneateles 5-2 December 4 in the Ice Breaker Tournament at Shove Park.
Energy Savers Defensive Standout: Emily Payne, Clinton girls ice hockey. By turning away all 28 shots she faced, Payne allowed the Comets to escape from its December 3 season opener against Ithaca with a 0-0 tie.
The Image Press Icon: Mason Stever, Baldwinsville boys swimming. The Bees earned a 49-44 victory over Auburn in its December 4 season opener at Baker High School led by Stever, who was victorious in the 50 and 100-yard freestyle and helped in the 200 freestyle relay.
JKS Roofing High Achiever: Mason Kocur, Weedsport boys basketball. The Wolverines rallied late to defeat Faith Heritage 69-65 on December 6 and Kocur led this comeback, finishing with 23 points including several key late baskets.
Little York Plantation Play of the Week: It could be nothing else than Brayden Smith’s 35-yard touchdown pass to Darien Williams as time ran out which gave the Christian Brothers Academy football team a dramatic 40-39 win over Albany CBA December 7 and its second consecutive state Class AA championship.
M. Lemp Jewelers Rewarding Effort: Emmeline Barton, LaFargeville girls basketball. Barton was titanic with 45 points to outscore Sackets Harbor all by herself as she helped the Red Knights roll to a 78-25 victory on December 5.
Mooney Marketing Group/Bristol 7 Enterprises Major Performance: Kennedy Thomas, Cicero-North Syracuse wrestling. Thomas took the 152-pound title and helped the Northstars claim the team title at its own Bill Andersen Memorial Tournament on December 7.
North Syracuse Lawn and Snow Notable Effort: Matt Lunny, Mount Markham boys basketball. Lunny filled up the stat sheet in the Mustangs’ 71-52 victory over Adirondack on December 3, picking up 20 points, six rebounds, seven assists and five steals.
Nye Automotive Mark of Excellence: Mallie Alt, Westhill girls indoor track and field. Clearing 9 feet in the pole vault, Alt helped Westhill claim the team title at its own invitational meet which opened the indoor track season December 7 at SRC Arena.
O’Hara Electric Electrifying Play: Tenly Baker, Marcellus girls basketball, scoring her 1,000th career point in the third quarter of the Mustangs’ December 3 season opener against Syracuse Academy of Science, part of a 23-point effort in an 84-33 victory.
110 Grill Award of Excellence: Elsa Hull, Fabius-Pompey girls volleyball. Hull was sensational in the Falcons’ big five-set win over Tully on December 3, piling up 22 assists but also starring on defense gaining 20 digs and adding four kills.
Onondaga Flooring Outstanding Achievement: Marissa Crofoot, Fulton girls wrestling. The Red Dragons won the team title in the December 6 Bill Andersen Memorial Tournament at Cicero-North Syracuse as Crofoot earned the 185-pound individual championship.
Purcell Paints Prime Performer: Luke Balfe, Whitesboro ice hockey. Balfe turned back 38 of the 41 shots he faced as he led Whitesboro to a 4-3 victory over Cazenovia in the December 2 season opener at the Morrisville State IcePlex.
Syracuse Orthopedic Specialists Student-Athlete: Lauren Franco, Homer girls basketball. Putting up 19 points and adding eight steals, six rebounds and three assists, Franco pushed the Trojans to a 52-37 victory over Tully on December 7.
University Sports Shop/Manny’s Major Moment: Frankfort-Schuyler football securing the 70-28 victory over Moravia in the JMA Dome on December 7 and, in the process, securing the first state regional eight-man football championship for Section III
Wilkins RV Winning Player: Eli Doxstader, Holland Patent wrestling. Doxstader, competing at 145 and 152 pounds, won all five of his bouts during the December 7 Doug Jones Duals at Mohonasen and helped the Golden Knights win all five matches for the team title.
