Senator Fred Akshar and Johnson City Mayor Deemie Make Friendly Wager with Poughkeepsie and Hyde Park Officials over New York State Class A Regional Championships

To highlight this weekend's New York State High School Basketball Class A Regional Championship games between the Seton Catholic Saints and the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidents and between the Johnson City Wildcats and the Poughkeepsie Pioneers, officials from both teams' communities have decided to make a friendly wager.

Senator Fred Akshar and Johnson City Mayor Greg Deemie have pledged to send a basket of locally-produced goods, including bottles of chicken speidie sauce (a Southern Tier regional favorite) if the Saints and Wildcats prevail.

Senator Sue Serino, Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro and Poughkeepsie Mayor Rob Rolison have wagered a basket from Dutchess Tourism, filled with food and beverages from around the county, including their community's award-winning maple syrup, made at Bowdoin Park in Dutchess County if the Presidents and the Pioneers come out on top.
 

Senator Fred Akshar said, “We're proud of all the hard work these two teams have put in this season, and we'll be cheering on the players and coaches of both the Saints and the Wildcats as they represent our community as Sectional Champions this weekend. In the tradition of friendly wagers, we're highlighting our community's favorite regional food. I'm looking forward to Senator Serino, County Executive Molinaro, Hyde Park Supervisor Rohr and Mayor Rolison enjoying the taste of our spiedies while the Saints and Wildcats enjoy the taste of victory.”

Johnson City Mayor Greg Deemie said, “I'm very Proud of our 2019 Section 4 Champion Johnson City Wildcats and wish them the best of luck in the State Championship Game. Go Maroon and White, GO Wildcats!”

Senator Sue Serino said, “Only a sap would bet against our teams! They’re a group of true trailblazers on and off the court and our community is proud to be home to such dedicated and driven student athletes. I wish the Presidents and the Poughkeepsie Pioneers the best of luck this weekend and look forward to sharing a taste of the Hudson Valley with our friends from the Southern Tier.”

Dutchess County Executive Marcus J. Molinaro said, “Dutchess County is proud to watch both Poughkeepsie High School boys’ and the Franklin D. Roosevelt High School girls’ basketball teams moving forward through the state playoffs. The Pioneers’ and Presidents’ hard work and determination throughout the season represent two of the many characteristics that make us distinctly Dutchess. The Poughkeepsie and Roosevelt players and coaches know their county stands behind them this weekend, and win or lose, we hope they’ll make memories they’ll long cherish. We wish both the Pioneers and the Presidents every success on and off the court, and we know they’ll make us proud. When the basketball season ends, I’m certain Sen. Akshar and Mayor Deemie will become such big fans of Bowdoin Park’s award-winning maple syrup, they’ll pay us a visit to buy even more.”

City of Poughkeepsie Mayor Rob Rolison said, “Poughkeepsie High School’s boys basketball team has inspired our city this season, and the Pioneers carry with them into Sunday’s game the pride, admiration and support of our community. Coach Cody Moffett and his players not only exemplify a work ethic and dedication that set an example for our entire city, but also a commitment to success that is unparalleled. Our entire city will be with our Pioneers this weekend – in the stands in Binghamton, and in our hearts back here at home – as we hope the team’s historic run continues.”

Town of Hyde Park Supervisor Aileen Rohr said, “Hyde Park’s Presidents continue to bring pride to both Hyde Park and Dutchess County as they represent us this weekend at the regional finals. Coach Jessica Paden will undoubtedly have Roosevelt ready, and all of Hyde Park and Dutchess County are cheering for the Presidents as they look to extend their historic run. Go FDR!”

The Class A quarterfinal game on Sunday at 10:30am as Section 4 Class A champs Seton (14-4) take on Section 9 champs Roosevelt at Floyd L. Maines Veterans Memorial Arena. The New York State Class A Regional Championship game will take place at 12:15pm, where top-seeded Poughkeepsie (23-3) will play fourth-seeded Johnson City (14-7), with the winner advancing to the New York State Class A Final Four next weekend. The state semifinals will take place on March 15th and the State Championship games is March 16th.

Schools in NYS are broken into different classes (AA, A, B, C, D) based on enrollment; Class A is for schools with the second-largest enrollment.