Sports championships in a COVID-19 world

FALLS VILLAGE — Russell Sears, a rising junior at Housatonic Valley Regional High School and a Sharon resident, beat out the Northwestern Field Hockey team to win the first ever Berkshire League Backyard Sports Championship.  

It started with a question: “How bored are students and teachers without sports?” Nonnewaug High School teacher and boys soccer coach Toby Denman began asking this question when it became clear that spring sports in the Berkshire League or the rest of the state would not be happening.  

After a simple post on social media, Berkshire League Backyard Sports was born.  

Denman asked for submissions of any creative backyard sport, from replicating a high jump using common household items to trick shots with golf and pingpong balls.  

All nine schools in the Berkshire League were represented in the 64-video NCAA-style bracket.  

Weekly rounds of voting on social media pitted athletes in videos against one another. 

In the winning video, Sears used a baseball bat to hit a basketball 70 feet to bank it off a tree limb and into the basket.

 

Anne MacNeil is high school athletic director and middle school athletic coordinator for Housatonic Valley Regional High School and the Region One School District.

Latest News

Fire crews respond to reported explosions in Kent

Fire crews respond to reported explosions in Kent

Kent Volunteer Fire Department and mutual aid crews responded quickly to contain the fire on North Main Street late Sunday night, Nov. 16.

Photo by Bernie Meehan

KENT — A fire broke out inside a downtown general store in Kent Sunday night, prompting reports of explosions and drawing a swift response that prevented wider damage, according to authorities.

Kent Fire Marshal Timothy Limbos said Monday that the blaze erupted at 4 North Main Street — home to Woodford’s General Store — and was first reported just after 11:30 p.m. when Litchfield County Dispatch received 911 calls about flames and explosions in the area.

Keep ReadingShow less
fire

Man, 60, dies in single-car crash on Route 272 in Norfolk

Man, 60, dies in single-car crash on Route 272 in Norfolk

Norfolk fire and ambulance crews responded to a one-vehicle crash on Route 272 (Litchfield Road) shortly after 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14.

Photo provided

NORFOLK — A 60-year-old Oregon man is dead after a single-car crash Friday, Nov. 14, according to Connecticut State Police.

Kevin Scott, of Portland, was driving a Ford Escape southbound on Route 272 (Litchfield Road) when he exited the roadway while negotiating a curve and struck a utility pole. The Ford rolled onto its side and the airbags deployed. No other vehicles were involved in the crash and there were no passengers in the car.

Keep ReadingShow less
ambulance

GNH collides with Holy Cross

GNH collides with Holy Cross
Dae'Sean Graves and Owen Riemer brace for impact Saturday, Nov. 15.
Photo by Riley Klein

WINSTED — Holy Cross High School won 36-20 against the Gilbert/Northwestern/Housatonic co-op football team Saturday, Nov. 15.

The hard-fought contest was won in the air. Holy Cross QB Brady Lombardo completed 16/31 passes for 309 yards with five touchdowns and one interception.

Keep ReadingShow less
gnh football

Test - Heyzine

Test - Heyzine