Lucky number seven features two teams from Section Three. Both programs led by legendary coaches. One of whom suited up for a Final Four Syracuse team. The other didn’t even play the sport she coached while growing up. Nonetheless both found huge success at the helm of their programs.
7. Skaneateles Lacrosse
When head coach Bridget Marquardt complains about being "only No. 7" in our countdown of the Top 10 high school programs of the Spectrum News era, she may have a point.
Not only has she built one of the most powerful programs in the state during her 19-year tenure, she's also supplied TV crews with more than their share of Rosalie's famous chocolate chip cookies over the years, and that deserves a special mention!
Since taking the reins in 2002, Marquardt has won 314 games with the Lakers, including an incredible 13 Section III titles and four NYS championships. And all but one of those sectional titles have been won since Spectrum News went on the air in November of 2003. She and the Lakers have also finished runner-up in the state four times, and had both a six-peat and a five-peat as sectional champions. Skaneateles has also produced several Division 1 lacrosse players, most notably two-time All-American Kyla Sears at Princeton.
The Lakers' girls' lacrosse program is definitely one of the dynasties of Section III athletics, and the fact they're "only" No. 7 on our list shows just how many others there are to consider in our widespread viewing area.
Skaneateles’ Resume
- 13 Section III Championships in the Spectrum News Era
- Four State Championships (and 4 runner-up finishes)
- 314 Career Wins in Coach Marquardt's 19-year tenure
- Sent Numerous Lakers to Prestigious D-I Programs
- Alum Kyla Sears is two-time Second team All-American at Princeton
7. Westhill Boys Basketball
It’s fitting the Warriors are led by a King because Westhill has been sitting on thrown of Class B in Section Three for many years.
Under head coach Kevin King Westhill has won nine sectional titles and four state championships in the Spectrum News Era. But as King would point out, it’s players that are the most important part. During the middle portion of the last decade, Westhill’s dominance was led by the likes of the Roland brothers. The duo helped the team to back-to-back state championships in 2014 and 2015. The success continued with a Federation Class B championship too.
In 2017, despite Jordan Roland heading to the division one ranks, Westhill captured their third title in four years, proving Westhill retools instead of rebuilds.
A big reason King believes his teams stays competitive is that his players buy in. It’s the Westhill players that run youth camps and prepare the next generation of Warriors. King also keeps things fun at practice. The players are afraid to tell coach if a drill is a bit boring and they need to move on. That kind of trust between coach and player has bread this winning environment that doesn’t seem to be going anywhere any time soon.
Westhill’s Resume
- Four State Championships in Spectrum News Era
- Won 3-of-4 Class B State Titles from 2014-17
- Nine Section Three Championships in Spectrum News Era
