VALLEY SPORTS REPORT: TIOGA'S HARRINGTON TOPS SUPER 7 AS 'COACH OF THE WINTER' SEASON (2019-03-23)

Valley Sports Report
THE VALLEY - Very few coaches can write three consecutive Section IV titles on their resume, but Tioga's Kris Harrington can do just that and is the 2018-19 Valley Sports Report "Coach of the Winter" season.

Harrington's Tigers not only won their third straight Section IV, Division II team title, they won the Section IV Duals title, and advanced to the state semifinals for the second year in a row.

A year after qualifying six wrestlers for States, Tioga advanced four, and all four reached the podium, led by state champions junior Brady and senior John Worthing.

Seniors Austin Lamb and Stephen Taylor, who finished fifth and sixth, respectively, at States last year, both won fourth-place medals this season. The foursome earned enough points to win Tioga a team title.

Super 7 Coaches of the Winter:
Kris Harrington, Tioga, wrestling: See above.

Eileen Sparduti, Sayre, girls basketball: Thanks to graduation and a key injury, preseason expectations for the Lady Redskins did not include 20 wins or a trip to the PIAA Class AA playoffs, but Sparduti directed her squad to an NTL Small School title, a runner-up finish in the NTL Showdown, a runner-up finish in the District 4 playoffs, and a state playoff game, as well as a 20-8 record this season.

Dave Mastrantuono, Waverly, boys swimming: Mastrantuono continues to add to a Hall of Fame resume. The Wolverines won their third consecutive IAC regular-season title, ended the season with a dual-meet win streak of 30, and won a Section IV, Class C Championship.

Bob Kelly, Waverly, girls basketball: Kelly directed the Lady Wolverines to a 20-2 season and another  overall IAC Large School title, and the program's sixth consecutive appearance in the Section IV, Class B semifinals.

Shawn Bradley, Athens, wrestling: Bradley directed the Wildcats to a share of the NTL title for the first time since the 2004-05 season, and also had two wrestlers - senior David Galasso and freshman Gavin Bradley - earn medals at the PIAA, Class AA Championships.

Brian Miller, Athens, girls basketball: The Lady Wildcats had just one senior on their roster, and returned just two starters, but first-year coach Brian Miller led them to a 13-10 season and an appearance in the District 4, Class AAAA playoffs.

Bob Woodward, Athens, boys basketball: The Wildcats faced adversity throughout the season, but finished 14-9 in a loaded NTL Large School Division, and advanced to the District 4, Class AAAA playoffs.

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IN PHOTO: Tioga's Kris Harrington.