Authors Posts by Bill Landon

Bill Landon

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Shoreham-Wading River junior Alyssa Bell shoots for the Wildcats in the Suffolk A semi-final. Photo by Bill Landon

By Bill Landon

A year ago, Shoreham-Wading River ended the Kings Park girls basketball season with an impressive win in the Suffolk County Class A final at Stony Brook University to earn the Wildcats their first-ever county championship. 

At Centereach High School Feb. 28, Kings Park sought redemption in a rematch with SWR in the semifinal round, where the Lady Kingsmen ended the Wildcats season with a 48-34 victory.

Kings Park senior Ryan Currier topped the scoring chart with 13 points with teammates Emily Clemens and Gianna Zawol adding 11 points each.

A pair of sophomores led the way for the Wildcats where Kady Keegan banked 11 points and Leslie Jablonski netted 10.             

— Photos by Bill Landon 

By Bill Landon

It was the inaugural battle for the Cat Cup at Shoreham-Wading River High School Feb. 29, a fundraiser to kick off the traditional LAX Out Cancer campaign, a charity that helps local families fighting this insidious disease. 

The event pitted the faculty of Albert G. Prodell Middle School, Wading River School and Miller Avenue School along with the high school in a fun-filled Olympic-style competition. Included were a tug-of-war, beach ball relay, rope skipping relay and hockey shot competition among other events in the high school gym in front of a capacity crowd. There were food sales, raffle tickets, silent auctions and apparel sales in the hallways just outside the “stadium.” 

After the dust settled, it was the Miller Avenue faculty that stood above all others capturing the coveted Cat Cup.

At the last tally, the event raised $8,500 according to Lax Out Cancer committee member Melissa Brandt, adding that this year there are three recipients in the community that will benefit from this year’s effort.

The event bookends the LAX Out Cancer lacrosse event featuring local teams in a carnival-like atmosphere at Thomas Cutinella Memorial Field Saturday, May 4.

By Bill Landon

The Suffolk County Class AA championship final pitted Half Hollow Hills East (No. 2 seed) against top-seeded Smithtown West at Longwood High School March 2 for the right to advance to the Long Island championship round. It was a close game of give-and-take where one point separated the teams at the halftime break, with West leading 21-20. 

Hills East surged ahead in the third quarter to break out to an eight-point advantage at 36-28, but the Bulls battled back to tie the game at 39 all with just under three minutes left in regulation.

Hills East was able to stave off the late-game surge, thanks in part to hitting a 3-pointer in the final minute of the game, to earn a 43-40 victory over the Bulls.

Michael Cascione, a sophomore, topped the scoring chart for the Bulls with 13 points and senior Jack Melore netted nine.

Smithtown West concluded their 2023-24 campaign with an impressive 21-2 record.

Hills East advances to the Long Island championship round to face Elmont Saturday, March 9, at SUNY Farmingdale. Game time is slated for 3 p.m.

— Photos by Bill Landon 

By Bill Landon

It was a sloppily played game with turnovers, missed free throws and shots that just didn’t drop, but the Lady Kingsmen managed to keep the Bayport Mariners at bay when it mattered most in the Suffolk Class A final game March 3. Kings Park (No. 1) defeated Bayport-Blue Point (No. 6) 53-41 at Suffolk County Community College, Selden, and made history as they captured their very first Suffolk title in program history.

The win propels Kings Park to the Long Island championship.

Senior Ryan Currier, the backbone of the Kings Park offense, led the way scoring 22 points with Gianna Zawol adding 13.

The Lady Kingsmen retake the court Sunday, March 10, at SUNY Farmingdale where they’ll square off against Nassau champion Cold Spring Harbor. Tipoff is scheduled for noon.

Tickets can be purchased at: gofan.co/app/school/NYSPHSAAXI?gender=girls. division. 

— Photos by Bill Landon

Smithtown East senior Ben Haug drives the lane in the Suffolk Class AA semi-finals. Photo by Bill Landon

By Bill Landon

Smithtown East was hoping three times would be the charm when they faced their crosstown rival Smithtown West in the Class AA semifinal round at Longwood High School Feb. 27. East fell to West by 14 points in January, then nine points Feb. 5, and was hoping to upset the No. 1 seed when the score was 14 all at the end of eight minutes of play. Smithtown West showed why they’re the top seed as they stretched their legs the rest of the way running away to win the game 74-47 and, with it, punched their ticket to the county final round.

Ben Rappa along with Michael Cascione topped the scoring chart for Smithtown West netting 16 points apiece, Jack Melore added 14 and Matt Bannell netted 12.

Craig O’Neill led Smithtown East in scoring with 11 points, Ben Haug netted nine and Tom Fanning added eight.

Smithtown West (No.1) returns to Longwood High School Saturday, March 2, where they will face Half Hollow Hills East (No. 2) in the county championship title round. Game time is slated for 2:30 p.m.

— Photos by Bill Landon

By Bill Landon

It was Neelesh Raghurama’s long-range shooting prowess that powered the Patriots (No. 9) over the Wolverines (No. 8) with four triples and five field goals for a team high 22 points, leading Ward Melville in a 62-38 win over host Newfield in the opening round of Suffolk AAA playoff action Feb. 21. 

Newfield stayed within striking distance trailing by eight points to open the second half but struggled to gain traction against a potent Patriot offensive press in the final 16 minutes of play.

Rounding out the scoring for the Patriots were Devin Lynch with 14 points and Lorenzo Beaton netted 12.

Josh Hayes topped the scoring chart for the Wolverines with 12 points.

Newfield concludes its 2023-24 basketball campaign with a 10-6 league record, 12-8 overall.

Undefeated Bay Shore ended Ward Melville’s run with a 60-40 win in the quarterfinals Feb. 23. The Patriots took home a 9-7 league record, 12-10 overall.

Mt. Sinai junior Brock Kolsch drives the lane in the Suffolk Class A playoff opener. Photo by Bill Landon

By Bill Landon

When Mount Sinai’s Dominic Pennzello went to the free-throw line shooting two with just over a minute left in the second quarter, he calmly sank in the front end and when he netted the back end, the junior recorded his 1,000th varsity career point in the opening round of the Suffolk Class A playoff round. 

Despite this personal milestone, the visiting Mustangs (No. 5) struggled to keep pace with Bayport-Blue Point (No.4). Mount Sinai fell 69-59, ending their 2023-24 campaign Saturday, Feb. 24.

Pennzello finished the game with five field goals, three triples and three free throws for 22 points followed by teammate Blake Kolsch who netted 13 and Brian Vales with 10.

Pennzello ranks third in Suffolk scoring leaders this season with 122 field goals, 45 triples and 62 free throws averaging 22.1 points per game, as reported by Newsday.

Mount Sinai finishes its season with a 10-6 league record, 13-8 overall.

By Bill Landon

Comsewogue Warriors (No. 4) hosted Bellport (No. 5) in the opening round of the Suffolk County class AA basketball title chase, with both teams deadlocked at 21-21 at the halftime break. The Warriors led by one point after three quarters of play at 33-32, but Bellport exploded in the final eight minutes of play, defeating Comsewogue 51-39.

Comsewogue senior Vienna Guzman netted 11 points as did teammate Jalynn Kirschenhueter and senior Hannah Ellis banked eight in the Feb. 23 contest.

Comsewogue concludes the 2023-24 campaign with an impressive 11-3 league record, 13-7 overall.

By Bill Landon

Shoreham-Wading River Wildcats made short work of Southampton to close out their regular season play on senior night. Both seniors Tiana Barone and Juliana Mahan were honored midcourt in a pregame ceremony and were joined by their parents Thursday afternoon Feb. 15. The Wildcats, No. 2 seed at 13-6, set the tone early, easily out pacing the Mariners in a game where everyone had playing time in the 59-16 League VI victory.

Mahan the team leader did what she’s done all season long, topping the scoring chart with 22 points this time. A pair of sophomores Kady Keegan netted 16 with Leslie Jablonski adding seven while Barone and junior Alyssa Bell banked four points apiece.

Clinching second place at 10-2 in their division behind league leader Mount Sinai, the Wildcats now participate in postseason play. As No. 4 seed, SWR hosts No. 5 seed Islip Friday, Feb. 23, at 5 p.m.

By Bill Landon

It was the elite 11 cheerleading teams who made it to the Suffolk County finals at Sachem East High School Saturday, Feb. 17, in the Class A and coed competitions looking to punch their ticket to the state championship round next month.

Centereach High School team dazzled the fans in their 2 1/2 minute routine followed by Commack in front of a capacity crowd. Smithtown East took to the mat for their time in the spotlight in a spirited routine clearly happy with their performance.

Ward Melville stole the show in the coed division with an inspiring demonstration scoring 92.6 to capture the Section XI crown and with it will make the journey to the Visions Veterans Memorial Arena in Binghamton for the state finals March 2.