Published: July 03, 2009 12:00 am      

SK one of best in state

South Kortright is on top of the state again.

The Rams shared Class D honors in the first All-Sport Championship teams, announced Thursday by the New York State Sports Writers Association.

Using the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics Learfield Sports Directors' Cup as a blueprint, the NYSSWA used a complex points system to rank high schools based on athletic achievements one academic year. The Directors' Cup does the same for colleges.

The NYSSWA considered only participation in tournaments and championship meets associated with the New York State Public High School Athletic Association, although the NYSPHSAA is not affiliated with the rankings. The NYSSWA calculated points earned in 14 boys and 13 girls sports. All NYSPHSAA member-schools were eligible for consideration.

South Kortright amassed 27 points to tie Maple Grove for the overall (boys and girls combined) Class D title. Both schools sent four teams to state tournaments this past academic year. The Rams won the Class D state championship in boys basketball, reached the state semifinals in girls basketball and made it to the state quarterfinals in boys soccer and baseball.

Bob VanValkenburgh, who completed his 26th year as the Rams' athletic director in June, coached all three SK boys teams, who went 61-5-1 this past academic year and contributed 20 points to the Rams' overall total.

Maple Grove finished first among the Class D boys rankings with 24.5 points, followed by Hamilton at 22. Hamilton ended SK's seasons in boys soccer and baseball.

Josh Burroughs coached SK's girls basketball squad, which finished 21-4.

Afton's girls programs also received recognition with a tie for the No. 3 ranking in Class D. The Crimson Knights earned all 15 of their points with the Class D state title in softball last month. They tied Plattsburgh Seton, which had two girls representatives in the state championships this past academic year.

S.S. Seward (19.5 points) and Coleman Catholic (17) finished first and second, respectively, in the Class D girls rankings.