Sports: basketball and wrestling

WATERTOWN, New York (WWNY) – Four former Watertown girls basketball players were honored in a ceremony on Friday night at the Case Middle School gym.

Jen Podvin, Linda Bondellio, Lindsay Hagemann, and Bonny Gardner were all recognized before Watertown’s game against South Jeff. Friends, family, and former teammates were all in attendance for the ceremony, which was spearheaded by former coach Jerry Levine.

All 4 players are part of the 1,000-point club at Watertown High.

The players had their jerseys hung on the gym wall in recognition of their achievements and received plaques in commemoration.

Levine says it’s an event that’s long overdue.

“These girls are fantastic players, they’re even better people and better girls than they are basketball players. I thought it was time. I got together with Athletic Director Mike Morgan who was gracious in allowing me to organize this event. I’m just so proud of what Watertown High and the girl’s program has accomplished. Hopefully, it can be a sparkplug for the girls that are playing now, moving forward,“ said Jerry Levine.

One of the biggest wrestling tournaments in the North Country wrapped up its 2-day long run on Saturday at Indian River.

The 2024 North Country Invitational saw 16 teams gather in Philadelphia, with most of the teams taking part from the Frontier League and the Northern Athletic Conference.

The tournament is a tune-up of sorts for league seasons, and tournament organizer Jamee Call says a chance to get a look at his entire team and see where they stand heading into the new year against the best of the best in the region.

“I think it’s a real good mix. I think our top kids in our weight class are really good, and down at the bottom there are some kids in there that’s gonna get some experience this weekend. We always like to base a level of competition at the beginning of the season, then test ourselves, see where are, see what we really have to work on over the 2 week Christmas break,“ said Jamee Call.

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