The first full sports season since the inception of Plaindealer Sports has come to a close, and there are some people who deserve to be thanked for their efforts.
First, I want to thank everyone who has read this blog and given feedback, compliments, and encouragement to keep going. If we didn’t have the following we do, then this whole operation would cease to exist.
And we wouldn’t have readers without competent writers. All of the students who wrote blogs this fall season did a great job capturing the competitions in written form for all of our followers to enjoy.
Our fall student writers included:
Colin Taylor – Boys Soccer
Emalyn Martin and Molly Finnerty – Girls Soccer
Cate DeCoteau – Swimming
Kelsea Whittier – Volleyball
Daniel Mahoney – JV Football
Scotty Ahlfeld – JV Boys Soccer
Megan Martin and Bryce Butterfield – JV Girls Soccer
Katrina Sheffield – Cross Country
Several coaches and parents also contributed with recaps, photos, stats and other info that made our blogs even more engaging and interesting for our audience. To everyone who helped out, thank you.
One of the coolest parts of the fall season and being able to cover all of these teams was the success so many of them had, particularly the girls teams. The Golden Bears swept girls sports in Section X this season. If you haven’t already, check out Emalyn Martin’s fantastic blog about the tremendous success these teams have had, and why it’s so important for us to notice it.
It’s fun to reflect on the successes of the fall season, but it’s also time to look forward to the winter sports season. Teams started practicing last week, and the excitement is already building for many of the teams as they prepare for competition. We have identified writers for several winter sports teams so far, and will continue to look for coverage for the remaining teams.
For boys basketball coverage, you can expect to hear regularly from Andy Downs. Andy is a senior starter for the Bears and looks forward to walking you through the Bears season on the hardwood.
For girls basketball, Keslea Whittier will continue to bring her exceptional writing ability to Plaindealer Sports. Kelsea’s volleyball recaps in the fall were timely, well written, thorough, and enjoyable to read, and that same coverage will be available for our reads for the girls basketball team this winter.
Katrina Sheffield, a merger student from Madrid-Waddington, will continue in her role as the runners’ writer as she transitions from cross country to winter track.
Boys hockey will be covered by a tandem of writers who also participated in fall sports coverage. Daniel Mahoney and Scotty Ahlfeld will combine to bring you recaps from the Pavilion all season long. Look for Daniel’s descriptive analysis of the sport, mixed with Scotty’s quirky comparisons and quips to bring thorough and enjoyable hockey blogs.
We are still looking for writers for the remaining winter sports teams, so if you know of anyone who wants to help out, give us a shout!
On top of the game recaps from our students, we will have a couple columnists joining on to bring you some new content as well. Athletic Director Bill Porter will be writing periodic blogs to inform you about all things Canton Athletics. Head hockey coach Anthony Levato will contribute weekly to Plaindealer Sports with a column focused on the Golden Bears on the ice, as well as other stories, lessons and observations about sport and life within the scope of high school hockey.
Plaindealer Sports is also privileged enough to have Paul Mitchell on as an editor. Paul has been a treasure to North Country media for decades, and is bringing his insight and expertise to this blog to help us take things up a notch. Expect an introduction blog coming from him soon.
More growth is expected to come soon for Plaindealer Sports and we continue to look for new ways to engage with all of our readers. If you have any advice, constructive criticism, or just want to talk to us about the blog, please feel free to send us a message. And, of course, if you want to get involved, please reach out to me at jakenewman2105@gmail.com.
Thank you all again for reading, and let’s support our winter sport athletes. Go Bears!
Plaindealer Sports 