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Bill Landon

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The Panthers of Miller Place, crowned the 2025 New York State Class A champions, return to the high school Saturday Night. Photo by Bill Landon
The Panthers of Miller Place, crowned the 2025 New York State Class A champions, return to the high school Saturday Night. Photo by Bill Landon
The Panthers of Miller Place, crowned the 2025 New York State Class A champions, return to the high school Saturday Night. Photo by Bill Landon
The Panthers of Miller Place, crowned the 2025 New York State Class A champions, return to the high school Saturday Night. Photo by Bill Landon
The Panthers of Miller Place, crowned the 2025 New York State Class A champions, return to the high school Saturday Night. Photo by Bill Landon
The Panthers of Miller Place, crowned the 2025 New York State Class A champions, return to the high school Saturday Night. Photo by Bill Landon
The Panthers of Miller Place, crowned the 2025 New York State Class A champions, return to the high school Saturday Night. Photo by Bill Landon
TThe Panthers of Miller Place, crowned the 2025 New York State Class A champions, return to the high school Saturday Night. Photo by Bill Landon

By Bill Landon

Having finished the regular season atop the league VI leaderboard at 17-2, the Miller Place Panthers returned to familiar territory, landing in the post season as the No. 1 seed in the Suffolk County Class A playoff bracket. 

A year ago, Miller Place battled their way to the New York State Class A championship but fell in the final round to claim the runner up position. The Panthers, a young team that lost no seniors to graduation last season, returned determined to capture the NYS championship title.

That road began with a shutout win to Islip in the quarterfinal round, then defeating Bayport Blue Point in the semifinal round. Followed by a victory over Kings Park for the county title, they punched  their ticket to the Long Island Championship round where they blanked Mineola 3-0.

Miller Place advanced to the southeast regional final against Marlboro Central, the very team the Panthers lost to in last years’ final round. Avenging their previous loss, they charted a 6-5 victory on June 6. Finally, the  state semifinal round at Greenlight Networks Grand Slam Park in Binghamton took place on June 13, where they would face section IV champion Maine-Endwell. 

Miller Place did not allow a single run in their march to the championship title, blanking Maine-Endwell 4-0 then Williamsville South the section VI champion 3-0, capturing the very first NYS championship title in Panther history.

The Panthers triumphantly returned to the High School Saturday night to a hero’s welcome when they were met by the Miller Place community, well-wishers and fellow students. 

– Photos by Bill Landon

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Panthers WIN! Photo by Bill Landon
Miller Place senior Ava Zicchinelli with one of her 8 strike outs. Photo by Bill Landon
Sophomore Sadie Bryant makes the play for the Panthers. Photo by Bill Landon
Evelyn Paul rips the ball straight away for the Panthers. Photo by Bill Landon
Shortstop Laney Vomero makes the catch for the Panthers. Photo by Bill Landon
Breya Kesler crushes the ball for the Panthers in the LIC game against Mineola. Photo by Bill Landon
Miller Place senior Emily Lopez scores. Photo by Bill Landon
Miller Place senior Brooke Callaghan with a bat bender. Photo by Bill Landon
Shortstop Laney Vomero throws the runner out at first. Photo by Bill Landon
Evelyn Paul makes the play for the Panthers. Photo by Bill Landon
The perfect bunt. Photo by Bill Landon2972 Safely on at first. Photo by Bill Landon
Miller Place sophomore Delaney Schleider from behind the plate. Photo by Bill Landon
Miller Place sophomore Sadie Bryant throws the runner out at first. Photo by Bill Landon
Panthers WIN! Photo by Bill Landon
Panthers WIN! Photo by Bill Landon
Panthers WIN! Photo by Bill Landon
Panthers WIN! Photo by Bill Landon
Panthers WIN! Photo by Bill Landon
Panthers WIN! Photo by Bill Landon
Panthers WIN! Photo by Bill Landon

By Bill Landon

The Miller Place Panthers softball team made it look easy with a 3-0 shutout win over Nassau champion Mineola at Farmingdale State College to capture their second consecutive Long Island Class A championship on June 5.

Whether it was Breya Kesler’s two-out double to drive in two runs in the top of the third or Sadie Bryant’s RBI in the top of the sixth, the Panthers executed both on the field and behind the plate to hold Mineola scoreless. Pitching ace Ave Zicchinelli allowed just one hit. 

Zicchinelli, a senior, fanned eight batters to propel the Panthers for the second year in a row to the New York State regional final against Marlboro Central (section IX), on Sunday June 8 at the Martha Ave sports complex in Bellport. The win advanced the Panthers to the semi-final round on Tuesday where they made short work of Bayport-Blue Point with a 7-1 victory behind another stellar performance from Zicchinelli, who pitched a no hitter and fanned 13 batters.

The win propels the Panthers to the Suffolk Class A championship game on June 14 where they will face either Kings Park or a Bayport-Blue Point. First pitch is slated for 10:00 a.m.

–Photos by Bill Landon

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Ashley Mennella fires at the cage for Smithtown West. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown West attack Sidney Marks drives towards the crease. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown West attack Alyssa Lorefice looks up-field. Photo by Bill Landon
Ashely Mennella buries her shot for the Bulls against Eastport-South Manor. Photo by Bill Landon
Senior attack Kate Theofield passes to a cutter for Smithtown West. Photo by Bill Landon
Collision in front of the cage. Photo by Bill Landon
Ashlynn Renkowski fires at the cage for Smithtown West. Photo by Bill Landon
Kaitlyn Mennella gets checked in a division II quarterfinal. Photo by Bill Landon
Ashlynn Renkowski fires at the cage for Smithtown West. Photo by Bill Landon
West Wins. Photo by Bill Landon

By Bill Landon

The Sharks of Eastport-South Manor the No. 5 seed came calling on the Bulls of Smithtown West on May 27 and jumped out with a two-goal lead in the early going.

Ashley Mennella’s stick split the pipes three minutes into the second period to break the ice for the Bulls before Kate Theofield rattled off three unanswered goals before burying a penalty shot to give the Bulls a 5-3 lead at the 5:04 mark of the third quarter.

Mennella found the back of the cage for a second time with ten minutes left in regulation to give the Bulls six goal advantage before the Sharks could answer.

Smithtown West is the No. 1 seed in the division for a reason as they kept the ball running down the ninety second shot clock the rest of the way for the 11-6 victory.

Theofield topped the scoring chart with six goals and two assists and Mennella and Alyssa Lorefice scored two goals each. Goalie Maribella Marciano a junior had a quiet day in net with four saves.

Smithtown West advances to the county finals on Saturday, May 31 and will enjoy homefield advantage when they host Harborfields at 2 p.m. 

Tickets can be purchased at https://gofan.co/app/school/NYSPHSAAXI    

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Laney Vomero slides into 3rd base for the Panthers. Photo by Bill Landon
Miller Place shortstop Laney Vomero throws the runner out at first. Photo by Bill Landon
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Miller Place senior Emily Lopez hit a 2-run homer is congratulated by coach Timmons. Photo by Bill Landon
A Miller Place outfielder makes the catch in a shutout win against Islip. Photo by Bill Landon
Sophomore Sadie Bryant rips the cover off the ball for the Panthers. Photo by Bill Landon
Miller Place pitcher Ava Zicchinelli (l) gets decked by an Islip runner. Photo by Bill Landon
Miller Place winning pitcher Ava Zicchinelli delivers. Photo by Bill Landon
Laney Vomero hits a fly ball for the Panthers. Photo by Bill Landon
Miller Place outfielder Brooke Borkowski makes the play for the Panthers. Photo by Bill Landon
Miller Place senior Emily Lopez crushes the ball. Photo by Bill Landon
Laney Vomero scores for the Panthers. Photo by Bill Landon
Breya Kesler rounds second and heads to 3rd base. Photo by Bill Landon
Breya Kesler slides into 3rd base. Photo by Bill Landon
Miller Place sophomore Delaney Schleider hits a 2-run homer. Photo by Bill Landon
Miller Place senior Emily Lopez hits one deep. Photo by Bill Landon
Between innings. Photo by Bill Landon

By Bill Landon

The Miller Place Panthers softball team lost no one to graduation from last years’ squad and entered post season play with a 18-2 record. The sit atop the Class A bracket as the number one seed.

Five-year varsity pitching ace Ava Zicchinelli did what she’s done for years: keep opposing batters off balance and struggling in the batter’s box. Whether it was Delaney Schleider’s sacrifice fly in the bottom of the third to put the Panthers out front by three or Breya Kesler taking a pitch with bases loaded to walk in a run in the bottom of the fourth or Evelyn Paul’s sacrifice fly to make it a six-run lead, the Panthers kept Islip the number five seed at bay.

Schleider’s bat did the talking with a two-run RBI in the bottom of the fifth inning who followed it with a two-run home run shot over the centerfield fence and Emily Lopez answered the call with a home run of her own to make it a 10-run lead in the bottom of the sixth.

The 2024 New York State semi-final winners were too much for Islip slamming the door with a 10-0 shutout win on May 23.

Zicchinelli allowed one hit, she walked three and struck out 12. 

The win advanced the Panthers to the semi-final round on Tuesday where they made short work of Bayport-Blue Point with a 7-1 victory behind another stellar performance from Zicchinelli who pitched a no hitter and fanned 13 batters. The win propels the Panthers to the Suffolk Class A championship game on May 31 where they will face either Kings Park or a Bayport-Blue Point. First pitch is slated for 10 a.m.

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Ward Melville midfielder Andrew Buscaglia fires at the cage for the Patriots. Photo by Bill Landon
Quinn McKay shoots for the Patriots. Photo by Bill Landon
Logan Ciniglio goes down shooting for the Patriots. Photo by Bill Landon
Sophomore goalie Jason Biondi with a save for the Patriots. Photo by Bill Landon
Eric DiPalma’s shot on goal for the Patriots. Photo by Bill Landon
Quinn McKay breaks from a defender for the Patriots. Photo by Bill Landon
Sophomore attack Louis Montellese shoots for the Patriots. Photo by Bill Landon
Sophomore goalie Jason Biondi with another save for the Patriots. Photo by Bill Landon
Eric DiPalma uncorks one for the Patriots. Photo by Bill Landon
Eric DiPalma takes flight for the Patriots. Photo by Bill Landon
Angelo Sorbera wins at “X” for the Patriots. Photo by Bill Landon
Patriots score. Photo by Bill Landon
Patriots win. Photo by Bill Landon

By Bill Landon

The boy’s lacrosse post season kicked off on May 19 at Ward Melville high school where the Patriots (No. 8) hosted Wm Floyd (No. 9) in a division I matchup where the winner would be decided in the final 3 seconds of the game. 

It was Ward Melville senior Bohdan McLaughlin’s goal with four minutes left in the third quarter that re-tied the game a 4-4. The Patriots rattled off four unanswered goals and looked to break the game wide open with 6 minutes left in regulation. William Floyd had other ideas as the slowly chipped away at the deficit to retie the game 8-8 with 1:25 left.

As the clock marched down to the threat of overtime play, it was Andrew Buscaglia’s stick that decided the game. His shot found its mark for the game winner as time expired, for a Patriot 9-8 victory in the Suffolk class A opener. It was Buscaglia’s fourth goal in the game, courtesy of an assist from McLaughlin, for the win. 

Sophomore goalie Jason Biondi had ten saves in net.

In victory the Patriots advanced to face the (No. 1) seed Half Hollow Hills in a road game on May 22.

— Photos by Bill Landon 

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Collin Gerace pushes up-field for the Eagles. Photo by Bill Landon
Rocky Point goalie Brogan Casper with a save. Photo by Bill Landon
David Almeida battles to pass the ball. Photo by Bill Landon
Rocky Point’s Brennan Protosow looks up-field.
Nick Moore dives for a shot on goal for Rocky Point. Photo by Bill Landon
Collin Gerace pushes up-field for the Eagles. Photo by Bill Landon
Trevor Barrett fires at the cage for Rocky Point. Photo by Bill Landon

By Bill Landon

The Rocky Point boy’s lacrosse team struggled from the opening face off in a road game against Mattituck on May 16 where the Tuckers peppered the scoreboard with eight unanswered goals before the Eagles could answer.

It was Rocky Point attackman Trevor Barrett’s shot on goal the broke the ice for Eagles scoring with five minutes left in the opening half.

Robert Walker’s shot on goal found its mark late in the third quarter but that was all the Eagles could muster in the 10-2 loss in the division II matchup, to conclude their 2025 campaign.

Rocky Point goalie Brogan Casper had his hands full in net with twenty saves on the day.

— Photos by Bill Landon 

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Loose ball. Photo by Bill Landon
A stick check at midfield. Photo by Bill Landon
Lucas Diamond breaks up-field for the Wildcats. Photo by Bill Landon
A scene from the 16th annual LAX out Cancer event on May 10. Photo by Bill Landon
Comsewogue midfielder Hunter Marquardt fires at the cage. Photo by Bill Landon
A stick check at midfield. Photo by Bill Landon
Andrew Cimino rifles a shot on goal. Photo by Bill Landon
A scene from the 16th annual LAX out Cancer event on May 10. Photo by Bill Landon
A scene from the 16th annual LAX out Cancer event on May 10. Photo by Bill Landon
A scene from the 16th annual LAX out Cancer event on May 10. Photo by Bill Landon
A scene from the 16th annual LAX out Cancer event on May 10. Photo by Bill Landon
A scene from the 16th annual LAX out Cancer event on May 10. Photo by Bill Landon
A scene from the 16th annual LAX out Cancer event on May 10. Photo by Bill Landon
A scene from the 16th annual LAX out Cancer event on May 10. Photo by Bill Landon
A scene from the 16th annual LAX out Cancer event on May 10. Photo by Bill Landon
A scene from the 16th annual LAX out Cancer event on May 10. Photo by Bill Landon
A scene from the 16th annual LAX out Cancer event on May 10. Photo by Bill Landon
A scene from the 16th annual LAX out Cancer event on May 10. Photo by Bill Landon
A scene from the 16th annual LAX out Cancer event on May 10. Photo by Bill Landon
A scene from the 16th annual LAX out Cancer event on May 10. Photo by Bill Landon
A scene from the 16th annual LAX out Cancer event on May 10. Photo by Bill Landon
A scene from the 16th annual LAX out Cancer event on May 10. Photo by Bill Landon
A scene from the 16th annual LAX out Cancer event on May 10. Photo by Bill Landon
A scene from the 16th annual LAX out Cancer event on May 10. Photo by Bill Landon
A scene from the 16th annual LAX out Cancer event on May 10. Photo by Bill Landon
A scene from the 16th annual LAX out Cancer event on May 10. Photo by Bill Landon
A scene from the 16th annual LAX out Cancer event on May 10. Photo by Bill Landon

By Bill Landon

The Shoreham-Wading River High School community came together for the 16th Annual Lax Out Cancer fundraiser, an event dedicated to supporting local families impacted by cancer, on May 10. The highly anticipated lacrosse matchup between Shoreham-Wading River and Comsewogue High School drew a spirited crowd.

It was a day-long lacrosse event under brilliant sunshine that featured players of all ages from Rocky Point, Comsewogue, West Islip and Shoreham-Wading River at the Thomas Cutinella Memorial field.

The fundraising event featured hair braiding, face painting, arts and crafts, a dunk tank and tables covered in raffle baskets all donated by local businesses and individuals. The largest portion of proceeds (90%) go directly to five members of the community fighting various forms of cancer with 10% donated to the Shoreham-Wading River lacrosse programs.  

It was the SWR boys junior varsity team taking on Comsewogue at 10 a.m. The girls hosted West Islip at 11:30 a.m. before the varsity squads took the field at 1:30 p.m. The Wildcats concluded the day-long event with a varsity matchup against Comsewogue.

For more information about Lax Out Cancer and ways to contribute, visit LaxOutCancer.Org.

– Photos by Bill Landon

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Ward Melville midfielder Mia Modica breaks free for the Patriots. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville midfielder Kiera Pirozzi fires at the cage for the Patriots. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville senior Olivia Zummo attacks a loose ball for the Patriots. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville midfielder Kiera Pirozzi at draw for the Patriots. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville midfielder Kiera Pirozzi pushes up-field for the Patriots. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville senior attack Olivia Zummo buries her shot for the Patriots. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville midfielder Mia Modica passes to a cutter. Photo by Bill Landon
Sadie Banks stretches the net for the Patriots. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville goalie Delaney Florio with another save for the Patriots. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville goalie Delaney Florio with a save for the Patriots. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville senior Peyton Phillips rifles a shot on goal. Photo by Bill Landon

By Bill Landon

It was all Ward Melville girl’s lacrosse when Walt Whitman came calling on May 12. The Patriots peppered the scoreboard with 10 unanswered points by the four-minute mark of the opening quarter to force a running clock.

The Patriots were loose and seemed to be able to score at will, keeping Whitman on their heels. Senior attack Olivia Zummo had her hat-trick with seven minutes left in the opening quarter that would set the tone for the Patriots the rest of the way.

Zummo finished the day with four goals and two assists with Ava Simonton adding three and Sadie Banks inked three assists and two goals in the 17-3 victory.

Goalie Delaney Florio notched a single save in the Division I matchup. 

The win lifts the Patriots to 9-5 with two games remaining before post season play begins Tuesday May 20. 

— Photos by Bill Landon 

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Eric Hurnyak and other riders on the North Shore Rail Trail heading to Greenport. Photo by Bill Landon

By Bill Landon

For Eric Hurnyak, the battle with glioblastoma was a personal one when he lost his mom, Barbara Johnson Hurnyak, to this insidious disease in March. The Sound Beach resident wanted to raise awareness by doing what he did when he was his mother’s primary caregiver for the better part of two years: by riding his bike to clear his head. 

The May 4 fundraising event started from the Stony Brook Village Center and took the North Shore Rail Trail from Port Jefferson to Wading River, which marked the 20-mile mark with 35 miles to go until Greenport.

“My mother wanted to find a clinical trial or advanced research program, but her case was so far advanced there weren’t a lot of options,” Hurnyak said. “So, after two years it’s hard to give up the fight. So raising money to further the research into this dreaded disease is what I’ve turned to, as we’ve passed the six-thousand-dollar mark as of yesterday morning.”

The balance of the ride included stops at On the Docks in Aquebogue and the Love Lane Kitchen in Mattituck before finishing at Andy’s restaurant on Front Street in Greenport.

Proceeds benefit the Glioblastoma Research Organization, For more information visit https://www.gbmresearch.org/.

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Craft Fair at The Shoppes at East Wind May 4. Photo by Bill Landon
Craft Fair at The Shoppes at East Wind May 4. Photo by Bill Landon
Craft Fair at The Shoppes at East Wind May 4. Photo by Bill Landon
Craft Fair at The Shoppes at East Wind May 4. Photo by Bill Landon
Craft Fair at The Shoppes at East Wind May 4. Photo by Bill Landon
Craft Fair at The Shoppes at East Wind May 4. Photo by Bill Landon
Craft Fair at The Shoppes at East Wind May 4. Photo by Bill Landon

By Bill Landon

The craft fair at The Shoppes at East Wind in Wading River was in full swing Sunday, May 4 where local craft vendors flocked to showcase their wares. The day featured a bounce house for the kids and the ever-popular carousel, a family favorite that was met with warmer temperatures.

Craft Fair Weekends continue at The Shoppes at East Wind on June 7 & 8, July 12 & 13, August 2 & 3 and September 6 & 7, October 4 & 5, and November 1 & 2 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

If interested in becoming a vendor, contact  [email protected] or click here.

 

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