HS SPORTS: Thankful for athletes, coaches and memorable fall season

As families and friends gather for delicious food and memories, it’s important to reflect on what you’re thankful for.

Being a high school sports reporter in Northeast Pennsylvania, I couldn’t be more grateful for the efforts of the players and coaches who made this fall sports season one to remember.

In August, while gathering information for the girls’ tennis season, it became clear that covering the players and teams was going to be exciting through to the final day.

So I begin there.

I am thankful for the opportunity to witness the players’ success in the Lackawanna League.

Scranton Prep went undefeated to win the league championship, but that was only the beginning. The Classics and rival Abington Heights swept the District 2 team championships in Class 2A and Class 3A, respectively.

Montrose junior Cara Evans won the Class 2A singles championship, and Abington Heights senior Sona Hanumali won the Class 3A gold.

Scranton Prep’s team of Lily Lengyel and Emma Cuck claimed the Class 2A doubles title, while Abington Heights’ team of Amishi Amit and Sammy Rosenstein won in Class 3A.

Scranton Prep won the PIAA Class 2A team gold for the second time in three seasons.

Evans stormed to the PIAA Class 2A championship in singles. The team of Lengyel and Cuck won the PIAA Class 2A doubles championship.

How could anyone ask for anything better?

During the two months of the high school volleyball season, it seemed like every night a player achieved a milestone.

The popularity and participation of the sport are booming, and I am very thankful for that.

When Western Wayne coach Darren Thorpe emailed that senior Lauren Beamer was approaching 1,000 career kills, it seemed unbelievable. She eclipsed that mark.

Abington Heights made history with an undefeated season in the Lackawanna League, Delaware Valley continued its girls volleyball dynasty in Class 4A and Mountain View claimed the Class 1A championship.

If those highlights weren’t exciting enough, Scranton Prep boys defended their PIAA Class 2A team championship. Cole Powell brought home the gold for the Cavaliers in the Class 2A boys individual tournament.

Elk Lake won the boys’ Class 2A team championship at the PIAA Cross Country Championships.

Abington Heights overmatched the state to claim the PIAA Class 3A boys soccer championship.

We are all thankful for the memorable journeys they all took us on.

North Pocono, Scranton Prep and Lackawanna Trail lost last weekend in the state football playoffs. That brought to a close a grueling six months of coverage.

It all started in June with preseason information gathering, carried through the annual tour Around the Camps in August, then for 12 weeks of Gameface, with it culminating in the PIAA playoffs.

There were so many fantastic performances. It’s a challenge to list them all.

North Pocono enjoyed its greatest season in more than 30 years, Lakeland recaptured some of its past glory, and Lackawanna Trail built on its impressive resume of success in the Lackawanna Football Conference and District 2.

Delaware Valley and Scranton Prep recovered from tough starts to win championships.

Abington Heights’ passing combination of Nick Bradley and wide receiver Gavin Anders made history and broke LIAA records. Riverside lineman Tavian Branch captured headlines as one of the most sought-after college prospects in the country.

Coaches and players were very cooperative before, during and after the games, for which I am thankful.

Lackawanna Trail players, many of whom started for three years, shared hugs and tears after a loss to Belmont Charter in the PIAA Class 1A quarterfinals.

I watched Isaac Ryon, who courageously fought an injury, receive a high-five from a young fan.

It struck me at that moment what Ryon meant to this area and the sport.

He will graduate as one of the most accomplished high school players in LIAA history. Ryon holds records for rushing yards in a season at 2,876, rushing touchdowns in a season at 49, total touchdowns in a season at 54, and total points scored in a season at 354.

He put together one of, if not the best, single seasons in LIAA history.

I am extremely thankful to witness his record-breaking run for the Lions.

Certainly, I couldn’t mention everything that stood out this fall, but suffice to say, it was an incredible time to be a high school sports fan in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Thank you to everyone who made it so special.