Woodland honors Kingsley as all-time scorer
BEACON FALLS — Last Friday was a special night at Woodland Regional High School, and the gymnasium was packed in anticipation of a Kingsley night.
They were all in the house together for the first time in a while. Dad, Mike Kingsley the Woodland assistant football and basketball coach and head baseball coach, Mom, Lori one of the most faithful Hawks fan, and all three brothers were on hand. Shane, the new boys head coach at Ansonia, Cody, an assistant football coach for the Hawks, and Tanner, the school’s only All-State athlete in three different sports.
The basketball game between Ansonia and Woodland, which featured the return of Shane to his alma mater for the first time as an opposing coach, took center stage. But, that wasn’t the only reason for the family reunion.
Woodland honored Tanner, a 2014 graduate, at halftime as the schools all-time leading scorer in basketball and unveiled a new banner proclaiming his 1,312 career points.
As a sophomore, Tanner was the third leading scorer in the NVL with an 18.6 average. In his senior year, Tanner averaged a 21.3 points per game to become the all-time scoring leader in Woodland history and earn All-State honors in a third sport — another first in school history.
Tanner graduated in 2014 with state football records of 113 career touchdown passes, 8,393 career yards passing and 51 touchdown passes in a season earning All-State honors. Tanner was also awarded All-State status in baseball and has 88 career hits on the diamond.
“It’s one of the best feelings in the world to look up there and see that banner as the school’s leading scorer,” Tanner said. “I wouldn’t have been able to do it without coach [Tom] Hunt or my teammates. Being All-State in all three sports is just an unbelievable feeling.”
Tanner recently completed the football season at East Coast Prep in Great Barrington, Mass. where he led the Firebirds to a 5-4 record throwing for 1,348 yards, 16 touchdowns and just five interceptions.
Tanner followed in the footsteps of his brothers during his time at Woodland. The three Kingsley brothers were instrumental in helping to build a solid sports program in football, basketball and baseball over the past 12 years.
Shane earned All NVL and All State honors in baseball and football and has two state football championships on his resume. Cody, a three-sport athlete at Woodland from 2004-08, helped the Hawks win a state championship in football.
Growing up in a house with two older brothers who carved their own legacies in Woodland sports history didn’t make for many victories in the backyard. But, it helped show Tanner how to be successful.
“I didn’t win too many of those games in the backyard,” added Tanner with a laugh. “But growing up as the younger brother taught me how to be tough and how to win. Having my dad and two older brothers helped me to be successful.”
