NYSSWA: New York State Sportswriters Association

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Leading off today: New York City basketball powerhouse Abraham Lincoln might have to begin its season without all-everything junior swingman Lance Stephenson, The Daily News reported yesterday.

Lincoln assistant coach Kenny Pretlow confirmed Stephenson sprained an ankle Friday during a scrimmage with Bishop Loughlin and may be unable to play in the Railsplitters' opener tomorrow at Jefferson. Stephenson was injured while getting back on defense and had to be helped off the court.

Stephenson averaged 26.2 points and 10.7 rebounds as a sophomore.

Curtis finishes 13-0: Eluding 220-pound linebackers is one thing, but dodging half-ton snow plows is an entirely different matter.

Yet, that's what Curtis running back Shaahiyn Alston had to do on the first play of scrimmage when the plow operator trying to clear snow from the sideline at Midwood High got too close to te field and forced Alston out of bounds.

It turned out to be one of the few obstacles for Curtis in its 22-16 victory over Canarsie for the PSAL football championship. Curtis finished its season 13-0.

Star QB Dominick Le Grande converted a fourth-and-1 situation with an eight-yard TD run to erase a 16-14 deficit early in the fourth quarter. Le Grande finished with two rushing touchdowns, and Alston had a 26-yard scoring run early in the third quarter.

Fall tournament brackets

NYSPHSAA football

NYSPHSAA boys soccer

NYSPHSAA girls soccer

NYSPHSAA field hockey

Another turf proposal: Add Shenendehowa to the list of districts asking voters to consider a proposition to fund an artificial-turf playing field.

A public hearing last week highlighted details of the proposed $3.5 million improvement project that will be put to a vote Dec. 11. Under the plan for the main varsity field, two lanes would be added to the six-lane track and the infield sod would be replaced with artificial turf. A new concession stand, permanent restrooms and additional bleacher seating for 1,000 would also be built. The district also wants to add 500 bleacher seats to the soccer field.

The district estimates state aid will fund $1.78 million of the project.

Early planning: Niskayuna junior Dan McKinney has decided he will attend Georetown beginning in September 2009 to play lacrosse for the Hoyas.

McKinney was the subject of interest by numerous major-college programs inclusing Cornell, Duke and Virginia. McKinney visitied Georgetown over the weekend.

McKinney scored 28 goals and 11 assists as a sophomore.