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Ward Melville Patriots top Middle Country in girls lacrosse

by Bill Landon - May 12, 2021

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It was Ward Melville senior midfielder Summer Agostino who stole the show notching six goals for the Patriots in a Division I match up against Middle Country to lead her team to a 15-8 victory on the road May 10.

Kate Spinks’ goal with seven minutes left earned the freshman her hat-trick, and midfielder Amanda Lee and Jillian Gironda both scored twice.

Middle Country senior Alyssa Oddo found the back of the net on two occasions, as did sophomore’s Kate Timarky and Juliana Speziale. Sophomores Olivia Annuziata and Kaitlyn Ippolito each had one goal apiece.

Freshman goalie Ava Carillo had nine saves in net for the Patriots as Middle Country’s Tabitha Bernstein stopped seven.

The win lifts the Patriots 2-1 as the loss keeps Middle Country searching for their first win of this early COVID-compressed season.

Miller Place Panthers pounce on Kingsmen

by Bill Landon - May 10, 2021

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Kings Park stayed with Miller Place trading goal for goal to make it a one goal game at the half but it was Robbie Cunningham’s stick that ruled the day for the Panthers where the sophomore midfielder scored five goals to lead his team to an 11-7 victory in a League II contest at home May 7.

Miller Place co-captain Anthony Bartolotto notched a hat-trick, Nicholas Belvedere scored twice and teammate James Sternberg stretched the net.

Kings Park senior Paul Freyre had a pair of goals for the Kingsmen as did Dom Mastromonica and Nico Laviano as Chris Panetta found the back of the net.

The win lifts the Panthers to 2-0 in the division where Kings Park searches for their first win of this COVID-compressed spring season.

Phantoms overpower Warriors

by Bill Landon - May 9, 2021

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Jaidyn Donley breaks looks for an opening for the Warriors in a home game against Bayport Blue Point May 8. Photo by Bill Landon

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The Comsewogue Warriors struck first in a home game against Bayport Blue Point when Shannon Harrington’s shot found its mark in the opening minutes but the Phantom’s stood on the gas scoring several unanswered goals to top the Warriors 12-5, May 8.

It was Mackenzie Beck’s penalty shot that stretched the net to halt three straight goals by the Phantoms 12-minutes in, to trail 3-2. Bayport Blue Point rattled off three more before Comsewogue’s Danielle McGuire scored to trail 6-3.

Bayport Blue Point outscored the Warriors in the second half to secure the win in the Div II contest.

The win lifts BBP to 3-0 as the loss drops Comsewogue to 1-2 in the early going.

The Warriors are back in action when they travel to West Babylon May 13. Game time is 4 p.m.

Photos by Bill Landon

Ribbon cutting ceremony held for Rose Caracappa Baseball Field

by Press Release - May 6, 2021

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0-2 — Legislator Nick Caracappa (at podium on right) joins community members and local elected officials at the ribbon cutting event at Rose Caracappa Baseball Field in Farmingville.

This past Saturday, May 1, Suffolk County Legislator Nick Caracappa joined local leaders and elected officials to participate in the ribbon cutting for the League of YES’s Opening Day at Rose Caracappa Baseball Field, located on South Bicycle Path.

Legislator Nick Caracappa (at podium on right) joins community members and local elected officials at the ribbon cutting event.

The League of YES is a baseball league for individuals with special abilities in Suffolk County that operates on these fields currently in the Town of Brookhaven. Through grant funds and a private donation, the Rose Caracappa Baseball Field was recently upgraded to an all-abilities accessible 50-Foot baseball and multi-use Synthetic Turf Field, which is more accommodating for the handicapped and differently-abled population.

The town park was posthumously named after Legislator Caracappa’s mother, the former Suffolk County Legislator Rose Caracappa. “Obviously, any park or structure named after my Mom will be near and dear to my heart,” stated Legislator Caracappa.

“She was the most positive influence in my life, and would be proud of today’s event. I’d like to thank Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine, Councilman Kevin LaValle, JVC Broadcasting, Kristine Fitzpatrick and the League of YES, Brookhaven Town Parks Department, Girl Scout Troop 521, as well as all the parents and participants who helped make today’s ribbon cutting a reality. I hope the kids get many years of use and enjoyment at Rose Caracappa Baseball Field.”

Patriots lacrosse douses Flaming Arrows

by Rita J. Egan - May 6, 2021

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Photographer John Dielman captured the Ward Melville boys lacrosse team in action May 4. In their first game of the season, the Patriots beat Sachem East, 18-8.

After a lost season last school year due to COVID-19, the Patriots were back in the game on their home field Tuesday. Attendance at the games are restricted to two guests per player due to pandemic guidelines.

The shortened season will consist of 14 games in 30 days followed by a playoff period that will go only as far as the Long Island championship.

Harborfields Tornadoes blow out Port Jeff Royals

by Bill Landon - May 5, 2021

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The Harborfields Tornadoes peppered the net early and often in their season opener at home against Port Jefferson winning the Division II contest, 16-2.

It’s been 23 months since either team has seen action, but Harborfields seamed crisp and up to the task leading by two goals two minutes in. The Royals struggled to keep the ball upfield when Harborfields senior attack Leah Hansen’s shot found its mark to put her team ahead 3-0. Harborfields sophomore Sia Markowski scored as did teammate Marina Bergin for a six-goal lead. With 13 minutes left in the half Hansen struck twice more for an 11-goal lead and with it a running clock.

Sophomore Julia Schiliro stretched the net for Harborfields two minutes later before Port Jeff senior Claudia Kountsantanou, took the goose egg off the scoreboard for the Royals. Teammate Katelynn Johnston’s shot found the back of the net a minute later to trail 12-2 at the half. Harborfields flushed their bench the rest of the way for the win.

Newfield softball rallies against Smithtown West

by Bill Landon - May 4, 2021

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After a 23-month hiatus it was time to play ball Monday, May 3, when the Bulls of Smithtown West opened their softball season at home against Newfield.

The Wolverines struck first and took a three-run lead in the top of the fourth before Smithtown West retook the lead in the bottom of inning when Brook DaSilva’s bat drove in Hailey Cinquemani to take the first lead of the game. The Bulls scored what they thought was an insurance run in the bottom of the fifth before Newfield exploded in with four unanswered runs in the top of the seventh to win the game, 8-6.

Both teams are back in action May 5 when the Bulls travel to Huntington, and Newfield plays their home opener against North Babylon. Start times are 4 p.m. and 4:15 p.m. respectively.

Northport Tigers crush Hills East to capture League Title

by TBR Staff - April 28, 2021

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By Steven Zaitz

To the very end, they protected the ‘N.’

In an emotional roller coaster of a football season, that had them battling COVID just as hard as their opponents, the Northport Tigers wrapped up their schedule April 24 with a rousing victory over the Half Hollow Hills East Thunderbirds. With the 34-13 win, the Tigers earned Suffolk County’s League III title and capped off the year on a well-deserved high note.

Northport finished with a 5-1 record and rolled up a 188-59-point differential. The one blemish, a heartbreaker of a loss at West Islip, two weeks ago in the Conference II semi-final, prevented them from earning a piece of the county crown, but all in all, the Tigers spring campaign was an inspirational success that has put them back on the map as a Long Island powerhouse.

Newsday listed them as the 9th best team on Long Island in their final rankings in 2021 — especially impressive considering they lost six games out of eight in 2019.

“Northport has a winning tradition, and it was cool being a part of a team that brought back that tradition,” said senior captain and star middle linebacker Anthony Canales, who played his final game as a Tiger on Saturday. “I’m also proud to have been able to show the younger guys what it’s like to be a Northport Tiger and the way of ‘Class and Character’, just like I was taught when I was in their shoes.”

Canales, in addition to earning first team All Suffolk County and All Division awards (see full list of Tigers below), is a finalist for the prestigious Bob Collotta award presented to the most outstanding linebacker in Suffolk. He is still in the running for the Rob Burnett Award for most outstanding defensive player in Suffolk County too.

“He deserves all the accolades he gets,” said Northport Head Football Coach Pat Campbell. “He’s had a fantastic season and he’s a great leader.”

Canales led a Tiger defense that had many star players and was an overwhelming and suffocating wall of blue all year. On this sun-drenched afternoon, they were provided an extra bit of motivation when they saw that the Hills East team was disrespectfully dancing on the Northport ‘N’ logo in the middle of the field in pre-game warmups.

“That wasn’t cool,” said Canales. “That fired our whole team up and they (Hills East) paid the price. We always protect the ‘N.’”

Senior defensive lineman Cole Ronan, who must have used that fuel, had a great game with seven tackles and a sack. He was instrumental in containing T-Bird star quarterback Leisaan Hibbert, who aside from a few spectacular juke moves, was held in check for much of the afternoon.

“All week in practice the guys were preaching that we were so thankful that we’re getting to play one more game with each other,” Ronan said. “We wanted to give it everything we had this week and go out with a win. I’m glad we did.”

“He should get the Player of the Game,” said Campbell of Ronan. “He gets off the line of scrimmage and he knows how to get great pad level. He’s a big kid but he gets low and gets to where he needs to be to make plays. Great job by Cole.”

By losing to West Islip and Hills East’s loss to Bellport in the first round of the playoffs, the Tigers and T-Birds were able to compete for the League III championship. The two teams were scheduled to play in Week 2, but that game was erased due to a Section XI mandated quarantine. That was the start of a series of events that put the program on a never-ending obstacle course, as they lost between 12-15 players due the coronavirus and injury over the next five weeks.

“You can sit here and do the ‘what-ifs,’ said Campbell. “But there’s nothing we can do to change it. We still had a great year.”

What wasn’t so great was the way Saturday’s game started. T-Bird running back Louis Mathurian ran around right tackle and sliced through the Tiger Defense for 60 yards, defensive backs Rocco Stola and Tom Tini finally tracked him down deep in Tiger territory.

“I probably ran 100 yards chasing that guy, but I knew Rocco and I were going to catch him,” said the speedy cornerback Tini. “We weren’t going to let him score.”

Stola and Tini’s persistence paid off as Canales recovered a fumble three plays later and the Tigers soon stamped their imprint on this game.

Running back Rafe Carner ran the ball for 34 yards on the next two plays and quarterback Conner Gallagher finished off a 10-play drive with a 2-yard sneak, giving the Tigers a 6-0 lead. The offensive line, including tight end Wade Holden, opened up huge holes on this drive and throughout the entire season, bludgeoning hapless defenders to the tune of 7.8 yards a carry. Seniors Carner, Andrew Argyris, Stola and junior Jack Sandrib amassed over 1,300 yards rushing, due in no small part to the big guys up front.

Offensive linemen rarely get noticed unless they commit a penalty, but to not give citation to Ryan Wagner, Ronan, Ryan Farrington, Stylianos Poilitidis, Jack Pokowicz, Tom McDonagh, Andrew Canales, Joe Keller-DelPrete, Chris Bolitho, Gavin O’Malley and Luke Lamendola would be an injustice — especially on a team whose style is to cement-mix the opposing defense into submission and dominate the line of scrimmage. Holden, who is the quintessential blocking tight end, was selected as an All-Division player despite not having gaudy receiving numbers.

“Our offensive line was great all year,” Canales said. “We lost Joe (Keller-DelPrete) to injury twice. A few kids had COVID, but it was next man up.”

Farrington, who played center against Hills East in addition to his duties as a defensive lineman, was on the field essentially the whole day.

“We do everything we need to win,” Farrington said. “We prepared hard this week knowing it was our last game. We wanted this one.”

Stola, who fittingly ended his Tiger career with a fourth quarter touchdown catch from Gallagher, is the last in a bloodline of three brothers to play at Northport. They all represented the team and school with class and excellence throughout their football careers according to Campbell.

“That kid is a superior athlete and an incredible competitor,” Campbell said. “I’ve had a Stola on my team for eight years and I can’t remember what it’s like to not have a Stola on my team. All three of them have been gems to our program and it goes beyond the football field. Rocco is a great, great kid and I’m going to miss having him.”

“Northport football has been our family for the past eight years,” said Stola, who will be attending Middlebury College in the fall. “My brother Frank started the legacy, then Ben, and I was honored to finish it.”

Stola, and the entire Northport team, certainly finished the 2021 football season in style. After the final gun, they had a prolonged and tearful celebration amongst themselves and family members as they climbed up into the bleachers.

“Playing my last game as a Tiger, I had mixed emotions,” Stola said. “Getting that touchdown and the win was great, but then with all the hugs and realizing it’s my last time in the uniform it was sad, but a good kind of sad.”

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Suffolk County honors for the Northport Tigers

ALL COUNTY-ALL DIVISION

Anthony Canales – LB

Cole Ronan – DL

Rafe Carner – RB/DB

Rocco Stola – RB/DB

ALL DIVISION

Dan Lugo – DL

Andrew Argyris – RB

Owen Johansen – LB

Wade Holden – TE

Tom Tini – DB

2nd TEAM ALL DIVISION

Tristan Triolo – WR/DB

Ryan Farrington – OL/DL

Conner Gallagher – QB

Town of Smithtown park is ready to play ball

by Rita J. Egan - April 26, 2021

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RibbonCuttingFlynn — Elected officials and the family of Daniel Flynn get ready to cut the ribbon at the grand reopening of the Daniel J. Flynn Memorial Park. Photo from Town of Smithtown

A baseball field stands as a reminder of the sacrifice of one former Kings Park resident.

Town of Smithtown Supervisor Ed Wehrheim and Daniel Flynn’s family view the new memorial stone at the park dedicated to the fallen Vietnam solider. Photo from Town of Smithtown

Town of Smithtown Supervisor Ed Wehrheim (R) and town officials were on hand Friday, April 23, for the ribbon cutting and grand reopening of the Daniel J. Flynn Memorial Park on Old Commack Road. They were joined by members of Flynn’s family, the Vietnam Veterans of America, Kings Park civic and chamber.

The ballpark, which was constructed in 1979, was recently renovated with four resurfaced synthetic turf fields that feature a built-in drainage system, warning tracks and pitchers’ warm-up mounds. LED energy-efficient sports lighting was also added to the park, and a two-story air-conditioned building includes a concession stand, pro shop and handicapped-accessible bathrooms on the first floor. The second floor features a press box.

Wehrheim said he knew Flynn growing up.

“I think you will agree what a beautiful facility this is for the honor of someone that’s been close to me,” the supervisor said. “I grew up as a very young child with the Flynn family. We played together. We went to school together. Truth be told, Danny always was the best ballplayer.”

Flynn was a member of the 720th Military Police Battalion, C Company, and was a private first class. Just 20 days after his arrival in Vietnam, he was killed in action May 25, 1968, after taking the place of a friend on an escort assignment.

The Kings Park High School graduate was a member of the school’s varsity baseball team, and he played semi-professional baseball on the grounds of Kings Park State Hospital. He received tryout offers from the St. Louis Cardinals but instead enlisted in the U.S. Army

Wehrheim said that the ballpark deteriorated greatly since it was built in 1979. He added the project was budgeted for $4.2 million, however, the town went over the projected costs by approximately $3 million. He thanked the town’s Comptroller’s Office for finding the money to complete the project. Wehrheim added that the renovations were supposed to be completed in 2022, and they were a year ahead of schedule.

Dennis Flynn thanked those who made the renovations of the ballpark named in his brother’s memory. Photo by Rita J. Egan

He said, in addition to honoring Flynn, the park was renovated for the children and families in the community.

“It had to be top notch and that’s exactly what we did,” he said.

Richard Kitson, president of the Suffolk County Chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America, congratulated the town on the job.

“I come from Levittown where you have a little sign in front of the library, and it’s very nice, but it’s not this,” he said.

Kitson said the rededication of the ballpark was an important event.

“Nothing more meaningful is happening on this Island than what’s happening here, and the reason it’s happening is because patriots like the people behind me never forgot the only way to honor Daniel is to never forget him,” he said.

Flynn’s brother Dennis Flynn, who Wehrheim described as the patriarch of the Flynn family, took to the podium before the ribbon cutting. In addition to introducing his family members and thanking the Town Board and departments involved in the renovation, he had a message for his deceased brother.

“Thank you for sacrificing your life to make this country stronger,” he said.

Wildcats perrr-fect their season

by Bill Landon - April 25, 2021

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Shoreham-Wading River running-back David Tedesco cuts to the outside in the Wildcats 34-20 D-IV championship win April 24. Bill Landon photo

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It was Shoreham-Wading River’s Jake Wilson who put the exclamation point on the Wildcats undefeated season, when the running-back powered his way into the endzone four times to lead his team to a 34-20 victory in the D-IV Suffolk Championship against Mount Sinai April 24.

Wilson a senior went out on top compiling 106 yards rushing on 13 carries to conclude his high school varsity football career. Senior quarterback Chris Visintin shined putting the crown on his varsity football career with a 30-yard touchdown run while amassing 114 yards on 9 carries.

Mount Sinai seniors Matthew Graffeo and Derek Takacs both found the endzone as did teammate Gavin Takacs for the Mustangs. The team concludes their 2021 campaign at 3-2 as the Wildcats finished at 6-0.

With this COVID-shortened season, Saturday completed the “fall” season for all Suffolk County varsity sports where competition for spring sports begins May 3.

Photos by Bill Landon

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