Authors Posts by Bill Landon

Bill Landon

By Bill Landon

The Port Jeff Royals (3-8) were hungry for a much-needed win when Mattituck (4-6) came calling in a League VII matchup. While the Royals trailed by one point at the half and led by a single point to open the fourth quarter, neither team led the other by more than four points throughout the matchup. The Tuckers were able to keep the Royals at bay in the final minutes to hold on for a 44-41 victory Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 14.

It was Mattituck freshman Connor Searl who topped the scoring chart for the Tuckers with 19 points. Patrick Johnston, the senior, netted 17 points for the Royals, and sophomore Dan Rose added 11.

The Royals retake the court Jan. 16 when they host Center Moriches. Game time is slated for 4:30 p.m.

— Photos by Bill Landon 

By Bill Landon

With six minutes left in the fourth quarter of a League II matchup between the Patriots of Ward Melville and the Sachem East Arrows, the game began anew with both teams deadlocked at 49-49.

Ward Melville senior Neelesh Raghurama did what he’s done all season, seemingly able to score from anywhere on the court and looking particularly comfortable from long range. Whether it was knocking down seven free throws, hitting a trio of three-pointers, or making three field goals, the senior topped the Patriots’ scoring chart with 22 points to lead his team to a 63-56 road victory Thursday night, Jan. 9.

Teammates Eddie Shields and Jack Degen scored 9 points each, while Logan Seta and James Coffey netted 8 points apiece, and Brennan Kurts added 7.

The win lifts the Patriots to 4-0 in league play and 9-3 overall, while the loss drops Sachem East to 5-6.

— Photos by Bill Landon 

By Bill Landon

Mount Sinai took an 11-point lead into the halftime break keeping the Newfield Wolverines at bay in a non-league basketball matchup Jan. 3, but the Mustangs’ advantage evaporated in the third quarter. Newfield’s offense sprang to life to tie the game and then took the first lead of the game with 2 minutes left in the quarter. The Mustangs were able to shut down the Wolverines’ scoring frenzy in the final 8 minutes of play to hold on for a 76-73 victory.

Brian Vales led the herd for the Mustangs with nine field goals and three free throws for 21 points. Seniors Dominic Pennzello banked 17 points and Blake Kolsch netted 14.

Josh Hayes topped the scoring chart for the Wolverines with 23 points with teammates Marcus Petit-Frere notching 18 and Ranard Fields added 10. .            

– PHOTOS BY BILL LANDON

By Bill Landon

Both the Royals of Port Jefferson and the Miller Place Panthers were deadlocked at 39-39 through three quarters of play in the nonleague matchup on Dec. 14, and the outcome wouldn’t be decided until the final second of the game. Port Jefferson trailing by two points inbounded the ball, but couldn’t get a shot off when the buzzer sounded, falling to the Panthers 53-51.

It was the Panther’s second win of the season, having defeated Wyandanch earlier in the season. Senior Ava Zicchinelli led the way for the Panther, banking 9 field goals a three-pointer and 3 from the free throw line for a team high of 24 points, along with teammate Julie Orenzo, a sophomore who added 21.

Port Jeff senior Matreya Driscoll-Stremich led the way for the Royals with 20 points, and freshman Addison Tuttle notched 13.

— Photos by Bill Landon

By Bill Landon

It was the 6th annual Craft and Vendor Fair at Comsewogue High School, Saturday, Dec. 14. The event featured over 50 vendors, student club fundraisers and an opportunity to take a picture with Santa Claus.

— Photos by Bill Landon

By Bill Landon

It was Ward Melville’s Neelesh Raghurama who set the tempo for the Patriots in a home game against Commack, where the senior guard seemed to be able to score at will.

Whether it was driving the lane, shooting from long distance or being error free at the charity stripe, Raghurama led his team with 8 field goals, two triples and three from the free throw line, for 25 points defeating Commack 60-44 on Dec.16. Teammates James Coffey, the freshman point guard, netted 15 points, and Logan Seta and Jack Degen banked 6 points apiece in the League II matchup.

Jonny Ehlers topped the scoring chart for the Cougars with 10 points and Tyler Wilhelm added 9.

The win lifts the Patriots to 3-3 in the early season, while the loss drops Commack to 2-3.

— Photos by Bill Landon 

By Bill Landon

The Patriots of Ward Melville came calling on Comsewogue on Dec. 7, and the Warriors were able to stay toe-to-toe with their League I visitors, briefly taking the lead at one point in the non-league contest. The Patriots stretched their legs in the final eight minutes of play to edge the Warriors 51-41.

Julia Dank, the senior, led the way for the Patriots with three triples, a field goal and four from the free throw line for 15 points.

Jenna Greek inked a pair of three-pointers and three field goals for 12 points, and Addison Dellaporta banked 11.

Junior point guard Jayla Callender notched 14 points for the Warriors, and teammate Jalynn Kirschenheuter added 12.

— Photos by Bill Landon 

By Bill Landon

This past Saturday, Dec. 7, when Centereach came calling on Newfield, their crosstown rival in a non-league boys basketball matchup, the Wolverines controlled the tempo of the game from the opening tipoff, as the Cougars found themselves down 19 points at the half. Newfield’s dominant defensive performance the rest of the way inked a 71-37 victory over their visitors.

Newfield senior Ryan Hicks topped the scoring charts for the Wolverines with 17 points, with teammate Aiden Ifill adding 16.

Centereach senior forward Michael Edmond led the way for the Cougars, hitting four three-pointers, a field goal and three from the charity stripe for 17 points.

The win lifts the Wolverines to 2-0, while the loss drops Centereach to 0-2 in this early season.

— Photos by Bill Landon

By Bill Landon

The last time Shoreham-Wading River squared off against Kings Park was back on Feb. 28, in the Suffolk County Class A, semi-final round, where the Lady Kingsmen defeated the Wildcats, concluding their 2023-24 campaign at Centereach High School.

The wound was still raw for the Wildcats who looked to avenge that season ending defeat in a home game on Monday, Dec. 9. The score was close in the first 12 minutes of play, when the Wildcats surged in the closing minutes of the opening half, netting 10 points to alter the rhythm of the game.

The Kingsmen rallied too, coming within 7 points, with only 3 minutes left in the game. But the Wildcats were able to arrest the onslaught, winning the game 43-33.

Shoreham Wading River opened their season with a pair of non-league wins against Sachem East and Hauppauge, a league victory against Miller Place. They look to be on solid footing for another run at the Suffolk Class A title.

— Photos by Bill Landon 

By Bill Landon

The Three Village Historical Society hosted their annual Candlelight House Tours on Dec. 6 and 7. It was the 45th edition of the time-honored tradition where six historical homes opened their doors for guided tours, offering a glimpse into yesteryear. These windows into the past took place in the East Setauket historic district this year.

To learn more about the TVHS, visit www.tvhs.org or call 631-751-3730.