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Ward Melville too much for Centereach

by Bill Landon - December 2, 2021

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The Cougars of Centereach a League IV team took on the League I powerhouse Ward Melville in their season opener in a non-league matchup on the road Nov 30. The Patriots dominated the first 8 minutes of play but the Cougars chipped away in the second quarter to slow the Patriots surge. Ward Melville sophomore KJ Anderson had the hot hand in the second half on his way to a team high of 14 points to put the game away 68-34. Seniors Tommy Ribaudo banked 11 points and Tommy Engle and Frank Carroll netted 9 points apiece.

Timmy McCarthy led the way for the Centereach nailing 12 points with help from teammates Tariq Earl and Will Kiernan who scored 5 points each.

Centereach has another non-league contest before they host their League season opener at home against North Babylon Dec 7. Game time is 5:45 p.m.

The Patriots have three more non-league games before their League season opens at Connetquot Dec 14. Tip-off is 6:45 pm.

Vikings blank Wildcats in LIC

by Bill Landon - November 29, 2021

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Senior running-back Max Barone looks for an opening for the Wildcats in the Div IV Long Island Championship game against North Shore Nov 27. Bill Landon photo

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The Shoreham-Wading River Wildcats found themselves in an unusual position as the final minute ticked off at Lavalle Stadium in Stony Brook with a goose egg on the scoreboard in the Long Island Championship game against North Shore.

The Vikings were able to move the chains with their running game while containing the Wildcats one-two punch ground game for a 7-0 victory for the Div-IV title Nov. 27. It was the only time the Wildcats were shut out this season.

North Shore quarterback Daniel Quigley on a keeper found the endzone in the final minute of the opening quarter for a 7-0 lead that held up the rest of the way.

It was a tough weekend for Suffolk football where Nassau County captured all four championship games. Massapequa defeated Walt Whitman in D-I, Garden City beat Bellport in D-II and Plainedge edged East Islip in D-III.

It was the Wildcats sixth appearance in eight seasons having captured four Long Island Championship trophies.

— All photos by Bill Landon

Patriots win season opener

by Bill Landon - November 24, 2021

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The Ward Melville girls 2021-22 basketball season is back to a full slate of games unlike last “year” which featured all of five games in the COVID-abbreviated schedule.

The Patriots opened at home Nov. 23 with a non-league matchup against the West Hampton Beach Hurricanes where junior guard Julia Greek led the way in scoring for the 47-26 win. The Patriots retake the court with a scrimmage and three more non-league matchups before league play begins on Dec. 13, where they’ll host Connetquot. Tipoff is at 5 p.m.

Wildcats win 26-23

by Bill Landon - November 21, 2021

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Suffolk County Div IV champions – Shoreham-Wading River. Bill Landon photo

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Shoreham Wading River at 9-1 had a score to settle when they faced Bayport in the Suffolk County D-IV championship at the Kenneth P. Lavalle stadium Nov. 19.

Bayport, the only team that beat the Wildcats in week 6 of the regular season, seemed to have the measure of the Wildcats in the closing minutes of the game with four-point lead.

With 1:11 left on the clock and the hopes of another Suffolk Div IV championship fading, the Wildcats found themselves deep in their own territory when quarterback Dylan Zahn hit wide receiver Liam Leonard on a 33-yard pass who turned on the jets to go 71 yards for the TD to put the Wildcats out front for the 26-23.

Bayport didn’t go quietly throwing to the endzone in the final three plays of the game but the Wildcats defense held for the 26-23 win and with it advance to the Long Island Championship game.

Senior running-back Max Barone found the endzone three times rushed for 126 yards on 28 carries in the win. The Wildcats are back at Lavalle Stadium Nov. 27 where they’ll face North Shore. Game time is 4:30 p.m.

— Photos by Bill Landon

Northport Tigers field hockey ends perfect season

by Bill Landon - November 15, 2021

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Having won their New York State Class A field hockey semi-final by five goals the day before against Clarence High School, the Northport Tigers advanced to the championship round on Sunday, Nov. 14, against section 2 finalist Shenendehowa High School.

It would be Olivia McKenna’s stick that made the difference when the Northport midfielder rocked the box off an assist by senior forward Shannon Smith to put the Tigers up 1-0. Although Shenendehowa surged in the third quarter, the Tiger defense was able to keep their opponents at bay for what would be the final score to win the NYSPHSAA Class A tournament.

Senior co-captain Sophia Bica and McKenna were a potent one-two combination where both topped Suffolk County scoring charts with Bica tallying 17 goals and 22 assists for 39 points, and McKenna had 19 goals and 19 assists for 38 points.

Northport finished their 2021 campaign with a perfect 21-0 record.

Walt Whitman Wildcats outlast Ward Melville Patriots

by Bill Landon - November 14, 2021

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Ward Melville junior Nick Gaffney drew first blood in the Suffolk Division 1 semifinal playoff road game against Walt Whitman on a 16-yard run to put the Patriots out front, 7-0. Walt Whitman is the No. 1 seed for a reason as they matched the score on an 80-yard run from the line of scrimmage at the 8:15 mark of the opening quarter.

On a trick play Ward Melville quarterback Chris Prussen lateralled the ball to tight end Kevin Dolan who threw to a wide-open Frankie Carroll in the endzone to put his team out front.

After Whitman matched the score, Prussen, on a keeper, eluded three would-be tacklers, to put his team ahead, 21-14, but the lead was short lived. Whitman scored two unanswered touchdowns to take a 28-21 lead into the halftime break. After a scoreless third quarter, Whitman struck again in the fourth to lead by two scores before Frankie Carroll caught his second touchdown pass, but it was too little too late as the Patriots fell to the Wildcats, 35-29.

Ward Melville concludes their 2021 campaign with a 7-4 record.

Shoreham-Wading River Wildcats claw Panthers

by Bill Landon - November 13, 2021

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The Wildcats of Shoreham-Wading River did what they usually do, struck first in the Suffolk Division IV semi-final game at Thomas A. Cutinella Memorial Field for a 6-0 lead against Miller Place Nov 12. The Panthers answered the call with a touchdown of their own at the 5:40 minute mark in the first to tie the game, 6-6, on a 10-yard run by Scotty Seymour but that would be the last time the Panthers picked up the phone.

Senior running-back Max Barone on the Wildcats ensuing possession punched in from 12 yards and then ran it in for the two-point conversion for a 14-6 lead. From there it was all Shoreham-Wading River who led 29-6 at the half. Quarterback Dylan Zahn, a senior, found the endzone three times, as did Barone for the 43-6 final.

Zahn covered 170 yards on 29 attempts and Barone pounded out 148 yards on 22 carries. The Wildcats return to Stony Brook University Friday Nov 19 where they’ll face Mt Sinai/Bayport for the Suffolk County Division IV championship game. Kickoff is 4 p.m..

Smithtown West boys volleyball moves on to state finals

by Bill Landon - November 12, 2021

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Bulls down Massapequa

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After losing the first set, 23-25, to the Nassau County Division 1 champions, the Bulls of Smithtown West rallied in the second edging Massapequa, 25-23, to even the match in the Long Island Championship game at Longwood High School Nov. 11

It was a lop-sided third set where the Bulls won it decisively, 25-15, looking for the win in the best of five games. The Bulls did just that with a 25-23 victory in the fourth set for a 3-1 victory and with it, punched their tickets to the State Finals at the Albany Center Nov. 20.

The win lifts the Bulls to 11-4 on the season and will begin with pool play at the Albany Center at 10 a.m. followed by the NYS semi-final round of the Division 1 finals at 3 p.m..

There are no tickets sold at the gate as all tickets must be purchased in advance here: https://gofan.co/app/events/406559?schoolId=NYSPHSAA

Smithtown West boys volleyball wins Suffolk title

by Bill Landon - November 10, 2021

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The Northport Tigers, the No. 1 seed, faced the No. 3 seed Smithtown West in the Suffolk AA Championship game at Longwood High School Nov. 9. West won the first two sets before Northport won the third forcing a game four. The Bulls took the fourth set to win the game 25-22, 26-24, 15-25 and 25-20 and will advance to the Long Island Championship (regional final) Nov. 11.

Senior Daniel Shanley led the way for the Bulls with 20 kills. Smithtown West returns to Longwood High School where they’ll face Massapequa. Game time is 11 a.m.

Wildcats crush Red Devils

by Bill Landon - November 9, 2021

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Senior running back Max Barone finds a hole in the Wildcats 70-13 rout over Center Moriches in the out-bracket playoff round Nov 5. Bill Landon photo

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When Center Moriches the No. 8 seed met Shoreham-Wading River the No. 1 seed in the opening round of the football playoff season, the results were predictable.

But the Red Devils ran into a freight train Friday night at Thomas A Cutinella Memorial Field when the Wildcats crushed their visitors 70-13.

Leading the way for the Wildcats was freshman Will Hart who found the endzone four times, seniors Max Barone scored three with teammate Liam Leonard punching in twice.

Ryan Herr the junior rounded out the scoring for the Wildcats who are now 8-1 and will host the semi-final round Nov. 12.

Game time is set for 7 p.m. and tickets can be purchased online at gofan.co/app/school/NYSPHSAAXI for $8 or $10 at the door.

— All photos by Bill Landon

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