MILLBROOK — With the bleachers filled, the Millbrook Central School District Athletic Department inducted four historic teams into the Millbrook Sports Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony took place Thursday, Dec. 21, in between two basketball games at the Millbrook High School gym.
Inductees were the 1999 boys varsity basketball team, and three Blazers’ girls basketball teams, (Section 9, Class C and New York State C Champions): from 2018, 2022 and 2023.
Athletic director Albert Hammell opened the induction ceremony by calling attention to the photo and data boards set up, and welcoming home some of the players who had come back for the ceremony as well as the family and friends who had come to cheer them on.
Three of the members of the boys varsity basketball team 1999 and their coach, Ryan Peek, were in attendance. He also thanked Hall of Fame Committee members Dan Fichter, Loren Kelly and Joe Rochfort as well as Millbrook High School Principal Eric Seipp and Millbrook Sports Booster Club sponsors Jeanene Kascak and Golly Ingenito.
Peek spoke briefly about the team, saying: “Our ’99 team was built through defense and playing the game with a chip on your shoulder. We were a difficult team to guard. Our team loved each other and played with passion! The Final Four at Glens Falls was sold out and we saved our best effort for last. Thanks for giving us and Millbrook memories forever.” His assistant coaches were Joe Steen and Thompson Saw.
Adam Peek has been the girls basketball coach for the past eight or so seasons. He praised the parents, the student body, the trainer, bus driver and so many others who support the team in every way. “My appreciation for everyone who has given support over the years can’t be put into a few words,” he said.
He went on to name what he feels are the reasons the teams have been so successful, compiling a 28-1 playoff record over a five-year period. He named the qualities which he sees as catalysts for their success; most of the teams had multi-sport athletes; they also had extremely high GPAs — one year the highest GPA of any team in the entire state.
Peek said that the teams were always extremely high achievers, goal-driven, playing to their strengths and equipped with a mental toughness that always wore down the opponent.
Peek added: “The desire for the team to win outweighed personal goals. They played their best on the big stage of the playoffs and Final Four tournament. We were always gracious winners that always showed respect for the opposition.”
The assistant coaches for the girls in 2018 were Debbie Daly, Megan Murphy and team manager was Sophie McNatt. In 2022, assistant coach was Dawn Harkenrider, and Jason Zmudosky; the scorekeeper was Julia Williams. For the girls 2023 team, assistant coaches were Colin Wohlford and Jason Zmudosky. An interesting note, Zmudosky was a member of the 1999 boys basketball team that was inducted.
In his closing remarks, Peek thanked the ladies for allowing everyone to be part of the experience and for making their mark in Millbrook history.
For current fans, the girls Blazers lost 55-49 to the Marlboro Hoops. The boys Blazers won over Hawthorne Valley 70-65. In the game following the induction ceremony.
Evie Sondag, Jessica Winter, and Kyleigh Olivier in rehearsal for “From All Angles.”Elias Olsen
