Briarcliff Duo Earns All-State Awards

Just when you thought ’s Class B couldn’t get anymore accolades, it received some more in the form of two individual awards.

Earning those honors were second baseman John Fussell and pitcher Josh Miller. Fussell was named to the Class B all-state first team, while Miller was named to the Class B all-state second team, voted on by the New York State Sports Writers Association.

Fussell, who is a hit-a-minute machine, garnered an incredible .506 batting average in addition to 36 RBI and six home runs during his junior campaign to earn his high honors.

“It’s an honor, it’s a great accomplishment,” Fussell said. “I worked hard for the award and I had a great year. It was great to be acknowledged for my hard work.”

Fussell was also happy for his teammate Miller, the Section 1 Class B Tournament MVP, that he earned the honor that he did.

“It means a lot to see him get that because we never would’ve made it as far as we did without him,” Fussell said. “It was great that he got it, he deserved it. He pitched unbelievable in the playoffs.”

Miller, who is a recent Briarcliff High School graduate, was equally happy for his teammate Fussell.

“It was just awesome to have someone right there with me,” Miller said. “We both have pushed each other to help the team and it’s nice to have someone like him earn what he did.”

Miller thought Fussell was able to accomplish all that he did this spring because of his non-stop work ethic.

“All the hard work he puts into his game is the key to his success,” Miller said. “If we don’t have practice, he is in the cage for two hours out of the day. He’s always taking batting practice before a game. He is just so dedicated towards the game.”

Fussell said the key to Miller’s success was the confidence that he brought to the mound every game, which inspired his teammates.

“He was confident in what he could do on the mound, he could really hit his spots," Fussell said. "He was also confident in his fielders, that we could get the job done behind him.”

Fussell builds up his confidence by playing for the Long Island Storm during the summer, which play some of the best teams in the nation. Fussell said that it really helps his game competing against the top players in the country and getting a chance to hone his skills against players he normally otherwise wouldn’t have the opportunity to go against.

“We travel all across the country, we just got back from Florida and Georgia,” Fussell said. “I have been playing all summer.”

Miller, who said he grew up a big admirer of former Briarcliff pitcher Bobby Blevins who now pitches for the Rockland Boulders of the Can-Am League, is playing for Briarcliff High School assistant coach John Schrader on Briarcliff’s 18-and-under Westchester Putnam Baseball Association squad.

He feels the experience of playing in the WPBA will be beneficial when it comes time to pitch in college. Miller will be attending York College of Pennsylvania in the fall.

“It is extra practice especially for a pitcher,” Miller said. “It’s one thing to throw in the bullpen, it’s another thing to throw in game-situations. It may not be as competitive as varsity but it’s very good practice and it gives me a chance to work on some stuff I can hopefully use in college.”