Massena won't get to play in state Final Four as NYSPHSAA officially calls off winter championships

Massena has been denied a chance to continue in state playoffs now that the New York Public High School Athletic Association has canceled all winter championships.

The Raiders had been waiting to hear if “indefinite postponement” of the remainder of post-season could ultimately reverse in their favor.

Dr. Robert Zayas, NYSPHSAA executive director, recently issued a statement that sealed the 2019-20 season’s fate.

“It is with great disappointment that we make the decision to cancel the remaining winter championship events,” he said. “Our association’s focus is to benefit students through participation in interscholastic athletics and unfortunately this rapidly developing situation has prevented our association from providing a quality championship experience. We certainly sympathize for the students who are being impacted by this crisis but at this time they deserve honesty from the leadership of our association.”

Massena boys hockey Coach Mike Trimboli told NNY360 that the team is disappointed but they’ve gotten closure, and he is more concerned with the health of his team and staff.

“The cancellations do bring closure. It’s just unfortunate that they were left with no other real options at this point. What we are all going through right now is unprecedented and what really matters most is the health, safety and well-being of the student-athletes that are affected by the state’s decision,” Trimboli told NNY360. “Obviously, this is tough for everybody involved. Still, for me, the worst part is that our players, especially the seniors, worked so hard to earn this chance to play for a state title only to have the rug pulled out from under them,” he added.

The Red Raiders closed the season a 12-8-1 record. The were victorious playing for NAC Division I regular season banner. They also earned their eighth Section 10 title in nine years, and advanced to the state final four with a 5-4 win on the road over Monroe-Woodbury of Section 9. The Raiders were supposed to play against Section 2 champions Bethlehem in the state Division I semifinals in Buffalo on Saturday, March 14.

“One of the things they have during the hockey championships is a champions’ dinner for the four teams and something that’s being discussed is, possibly still having it down the road at a more central location,” Trimboli told NNY 360. “But a lot of other decisions have to be made before that can even be considered. We’re still a long way from knowing how this is all going to go down in the history books.”