Despite the winter chill, Millbrook athletes are bringing the heat to the court in numerous sports and making everyone proud.

Cheerleading

The varsity co-ed cheerleading team has swung back into action post pandemic, led by new first year head coach Aaliyah Cottman. She welcomed a team of 18 cheerleaders including seniors Isabella Darnell, Holly Davidson, Kaitlyn Muller and Harleigh Pickles, who serve as team captains.

The team hit its stride by participating in three Section 9 cheerleading meets and cheering at home varsity basketball games as they prepared for the Section 9 Cheerleading Championship Meet on February 18 at Monroe-Woodbury High School.

“The team has been working hard to perfect their routines as the season has gone on,” athletic director Alfred Hammell said. “Coach Cottman could not be prouder of this group.”

With every team she coaches, Cottman always tells her students, their parents and athletic directors that building up students’ confidence and developing strong athletes while preparing them for their future is the vision of successfully coaching a cheerleading team.

“I strongly believe implementing high standards, team collaboration and holding these young athletes accountable for their actions will set them up for success,” Cottman said. “I’ve had the pleasure of coaching these young athletes this winter season and building a foundation for the future teams.”

Unlike other schools that had a fall season to prepare, Cottman’s students had a little less than two months to learn skills that other teams would take seasons to accomplish. Cottman is especially proud of the senior captains for their positivity in practice and mentoring the younger students.

“They all come to practice dedicated, motivated, and excited to assist me with building the Blazer cheer program,” Cottman said. “I know this team will do amazing and continue to set the bar high for Millbrook’s Cheer Program.”

Boys basketball

The Blazer boys' basketball team has been competitive all season with second year head coach Brian Laffin at the helm. As a surprise team in the division, it is in competition for the MHAL Division 4 Championship going into the final weekend of the regular season. Team captains Branden Alexander and John Connolly have shown great leadership as the team will be looking to advance on a high note into sectional tournament play beginning February 25. 

Girls basketball

The defending NYS Class C State Champion Millbrook Blazer Girls' Basketball team has again established itself as the team to beat in Class C. Led by seniors Beth Bosan, Emily Grasseler, Hudson Heitman and Ella Wilson the team clinched the MHAL Division 4 Regular Season Championship and is poised for another deep run to the State Final Four which will be held March 17-19 at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy. 

Head coach Adam Peek likes the chemistry of the team this year as sectional play will also begin February 25. This comes after the girls compete in the MHAL Championship February . 20-22, pitting all divisional winners against each other to crown a MHAL Champion for 2023. 

Indoor track and field

Head coach Darren Sullivan is impressed with his athletes’ improvement as the season progresses. 

In the division meet, Nolan Kozera is the Boys 55m Division VI Champion and the Boys 300m Division VI Champion. His times were 6.85 and 37.58 respectively. 

Rocco Popovic placed 4th in shot put and 5th in weight throw, Kaden Daley placed 5th in the 55m, Jose Vasquez placed 5th in the 1600m and Caden Murphy placed 5th in long jump and 8th in the 600m. Overall, despite some athletes being out with injuries, the team placed 4th in the division. The whole team did really well, each of them got at least one personal best.

The team competed at the sectional meet onFebruary  10 at West Point’s Indoor Track and Field Facility.