Shenandoah Valley inducts star athletes, championship teams into hall of fame
MICQUELYNN KAPUSCHINSKY / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL - From L-R: Coach Chris Conroy, 2014-15 SV Lady Devils Basketball; Koury Kaplafka; Bill Cuff; Billy Moyer ; Tony Vislusky; John Brennan, 2018 Boys Cross Country team.
SHENANDOAH – Several of Shenandoah Valley’s greatest athletes and teams were recognized last Friday as they were inducted into the Shenandoah Valley Athletic Hall of Fame.
Four individuals and two teams were honored prior to the varsity football season opener.
They were chosen by a committee of over 70 members, the school district said, and include stars of the legendary 1996-1997 football squads as well as the first female team to win a District XI title for Shenandoah Valley.
Bill Cuff
Cuff, a 1998 Shenandoah Valley graduate and current SV teacher, played football and basketball for the Blue Devils.
He was a member of the 1996-1997 Blue Devil football team as a lineman and defensive end as the Blue Devils won back-to-back District XI titles.
Cuff is described as a mainstay of the “Death Row Defense” the Devils were known for in those years.
On the hardcourt, Cuff averaged 12 points per game as a junior and 19 per game as a senior.
From 2004-2012, he served as an offensive and defensive line coach for Shenandoah Valley. His offensive linemen enabled two school records: most career passing yards by quarterback Chris Palubinsky in 2012 and most career rushing yards by Eric Whalen in 2011.
Koury Kaplafka
Kaplafka, a 2007 graduate, found success both on the gridiron and the diamond.
A three-year football starter at wide receiver and defensive back, he received accolades from a wide variety of outlets, including the Schuylkill County Football Coaches Association and the Reading Eagle.
He set a single season record with 55 receptions, 841 yards, and nine touchdowns as a receiver as a member of the 2006 District XI championship team.
On the baseball diamond, he was a four-year starter, described as “the quintessential five-toll player, dominating on the mound and at the plate.”
William “Billy” Moyer
Moyer, a 2012 graduate, starred in basketball, track and field, and football.
In track, he qualified for districts in the 310 high hurdles three times and holds the school record for the 4×100 relay with Danny Merva, Jacob Moyer, and Eric Whalen.
In basketball, he helped lead the Blue Devils to the District XI title game in 2012, averaging 7 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 blocks per game.
On the football field, Moyer was a part of the 2009 Eastern Conference Championship squad and playoff appearances in 2010 and 2011. He had 77 receptions for 1,499 yards and 19 touchdowns as a receiver and six interceptions and six fumble recoveries on defense.
He was named to several all-star teams, including by the Hazleton Standard~Speaker and Pennsylvania Football News.
Anthony “Tony” Vislusky
Vislusky, a 1997 graduate, was a standout on the gridiron and the diamond.
The starting quarterback of the 1996 District XI championship squad, Vislusky passed for 1,390 yards and 16 touchdowns — a record at the time — as the Devils finished 13-1.
In baseball under the late coach Babe Conroy, he was known for his prowess on the mound as a pitcher.
He was recognized by the Pottsville Republican, Standard~Speaker, Harrisburg Patriot-News, and WPPA Radio.
The 2014-15 Lady Devils Basketball Team
This squad was the first female team to win a District XI title in school history, finishing the regular season with a 19-3 record.
The Devils allowed just 31.8 points per game, defeating teams by an average of 13.8 points per game.
To win the title, the Devils won a tight game against Williams Valley, trailing by five at halftime and winning 42-40.
A state title run ended in the round of 16 to North Penn Mansfield.
Two members of the squad are already members of the Hall of Fame: Abigail Snitzer and Kristina Neiddu.
They were joined by juniors Marcella Creasy, Alaina Demalis, and Julia Najera, sophomores Carly Teaschenko, Molly Michalik, Olivia Gallo Kayla Moncrief, Amanda Lindenmuth, Maryann Morrisey, and Skye Parker, and freshman Allison Wargo, Madisyn Kowalick, and Joie Monahan.
The team was coached by Chris Conroy along with assistants Mark Mikita, Nina (Bindie) Tedesco, Jamie Buriak, Joe Mikita, and Nicholas Mikita. Team managers included Emily Demalis, Madison Snitzer, Abby Conroy, Victoria Donovan, and Alyssa Buchanan.
The 2018 Boys Cross Country Team
This squad is the only team to win a District XI title in cross country and qualify as a team for states.
Four members — Brandon Stasulli, Luis Velazquez, Diego Olayo, and Connor Stasulli — all qualified for states as individuals multiple times.
The 2018 team finished with a 13-1 Schuylkill League Division II record and an overall record of 16-2.
They finished 2nd in Division II and 4th in the Schuylkill League championships.
Team members included Gabe Hepler, Brandon Stasulli, Ty Bowers, Luis Velazquez, Hunter Davis, Ivan Monjarez, Educ Zamudio, Brandon Adorno, Bobby Boris, David Monjarez, Diego Olayo, and Connor Stasulli. The team was coached by head coach John Brennan and assistant coach Kim Wargo.
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