Wallkill’s DeGroat is Class AA Player of the Year

By Mike Zummo
Posted 7/3/24

It’s been quite a run over the past two years for the Wallkill Panthers.

Two Section 9 championships and two New York State Public High School Athletic Association regional appearances, …

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Wallkill’s DeGroat is Class AA Player of the Year

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It’s been quite a run over the past two years for the Wallkill Panthers.

Two Section 9 championships and two New York State Public High School Athletic Association regional appearances, and Kyle DeGroat has been the driving force behind a lot of it.

DeGroat, who was on the mound for the Panthers and is headed to the University of Texas, even though he could have a decision to make later this month, was rewarded for his contributions when he was named Section 9 Class AA Player of the Year by Section 9 coaches.

DeGroat is the first 20-game winner in Wallkill history. He has struck out more than 200 batters and is the first person in school history to have 100 hits and 100 runs scored.

First-year Valley Central coach Matt Lennon was named Class AA Coach of the Year, after leading the Vikings to the Section 9 Class AA title game, where they were eliminated by the Panthers.

Wallkill infielders Mason Franklin and Jake Spindler were named Class AA all-stars, along with Valley Central first baseman and pitcher Jason Murphy, and Valley Central outfielder Christopher Byrne.

Pine Bush pitcher Lucas Judson was named a Class AAA all-star, along with second baseman Brady Fandl, third baseman Triston Santos and infielder Matt Boffalo.

The Chapel Field Lions returned to the NYSPHSAA Class D Final Four for the third straight season. Pitcher Mikey Bonagura and catcher Logan Garvey were named Class D all-stars, while coach Mike Bonagura was named Class D Coach of the Year.

Other players of the year include Newburgh’s Chase Rounds (Class AAA), Beacon’s Liam Murphy (Class A), Spackenkill’s Dan Collins (Class B) and John S. Burke Catholic’s Mason Gove (Class C) and Eldred’s Joshua Farming (Class D).

Other coaches of the year include Newburgh’s Scott Seabury (Class AAA), Marlboro’s John Morrissey (Class A), Spackenkill’s Don Neise (Class B) and John S. Burke Catholic’s Al Trezza (Class C).