Huntington freshman guard Max Rentsch battles his way to the rim between two Comsewogue defenders Feb 7. Photo by Bill Landon
Huntington sophomore Chad Rowe shoots for two Feb 7. Photo by Bill Landon
Comsewogue senior Charles Craig scores from the paint Feb. 7. Photo by Bill Landon
Huntington junior guard Daniel Danziger shoots from the paint Feb 7. Photo by Bill Landon
Huntington junior Daniel Danziger drives the lane Feb. 7. Photo by Bill Landon
Comsewogue junior Jaden Martinez hits a jumper for two of his team leading 17 points Feb. 7. Photo by Bill Landon
Huntington junior Lex Colato charges his way to the rim Feb. 7. Photo by Bill Landon
Huntington freshman guard Max Rentsch tries to get a shot off between two Comsewogue defenders Feb 7. Photo by Bill Landon
Comsewogue junior guard Michael McGuire drains a 3-pointer Feb. 7. Photo by Bill Landon
Comsewogue junior guard Michael McGuire muscles his way to the rim between 2 defenders Feb. 7. Photo by Bill Landon
Comsewogue sophomore Milan Johnson shoots Feb. 7. Photo by Bill Landon
Comsewogue sophomore guard Milan Johnson lays up against Huntington defender Chad Rowe Feb. 7. Photo by Bill Landon
Huntington junior Lex Colato scores on an up and under with Comsewogues Jaden Martinez in hot pursuit Feb. 7. Photo by Bill Landon
Huntington senior forward Ian Ardell lets a 3-pointer fly Feb 7. Photo by Bill Landon
Huntington freshman guard Max Rentsch lays up for 2 of his 11 points Feb 7. Photo by Bill Landon
Huntington freshman guard Max Rentsch lets a 3-pointer fly Feb 7. Photo by Bill Landon
Comsewogue senior night ended on a high note where the Warriors defeated Huntington 72-44 at home Feb. 7. Photo by Bill Landon
By Bill Landon
Near the close of the regular season, Comsewogue’s boys basketball team was already secure in the post-season berth being 8-7 in league, but they needed a win at home for a higher seed in the playoff brackets. They got that victory handily against Huntington, notching a 72-44 win on senior night Feb. 7.
Comsewogue junior forward Jaden Martinez led the Warriors in scoring with six field goals, a triple and two from the free throw line for a total of 17 points. In addition, Martinez was just as effective under the boards as he ended the game with 17 rebounds. Junior Mike McGuire followed up with four triples and three from the charity stripe for 15 points while senior guard Devin Rooney netted 11 and junior Nick Stiles banked 10.
Juniors Daniel Danziger and Lex Colato topped the scoring chart for Blue Devils with 15 and 12 respectively while freshman Max Rentsch followed up by netting 11. This game conclude their season at 2-15 in league.
With the win Comsewogue improves to 9-7 in league which makes them the 16th seed
in class AA and will face Longwood, the No. one seed, Feb. 13 at Longwood High School in the opening round of the playoffs. Game time is set for 5:00 p.m.
Ward Melville junior Sarah Bucher shoots from down low against Commack in a League I matchup Feb. 5. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville junior Sarah Bucher goes to the rim against visiting Commack Feb. 5. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville junior Sarah Bucher lays up for two points Feb. 5. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville senior Noelle Richardson scores a put back Feb. 5. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville junior Morgan Wenzler battles from the paint against Commack in a League I matchup Feb. 5. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville junior Molly Cronin looks for an open lane against visiting Commack Feb. 5. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville senior Lauren Walters with a reverse layup for the score in a Patriot victory over visiting Commack 59-40 in a League I matchup Feb. 5. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville senior Lauren Hansen lays up scoring two of her team high 24 points at home against Commack Feb. 5. Photo by Bill Landon
Senior point guard Lauren Hansen sets up the play where the Patriots edged Commack 59-40 in a League I matchup Feb. 5. Photo by Bill Landon
Senior point guard Lauren Hansen sets up the play Feb. 5. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville senior Lauren Hansen dribbles looking for an open shooter Feb. 5. Photo by Bill Landon
Senior point guard Lauren Hansen sets up the play where the Patriots edged visiting Commack 59-40 in a League I matchup Feb. 5. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville eighth-grader Julia Greek comes down with a rebound Feb. 5. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville junior Jamie Agostino lets a 3-pointer fly in a Patriot 59-40 victory over visiting Commack in a League I matchup Feb. 5. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville junior Jamie Agostino drains a triple in a Patriot win over visiting Commack 59-40 in a League I matchup Feb. 5. Photo by Bill Landon
It was all smiles at Ward Melville High School Feb. 5 where the community gathered to honor the Patriot seniors at home. Photo by Bill Landon
By Bill Landon
Ward Melville girls basketball hosted the Commack Cougars where the Patriots led from opening tipoff and never looked back, winning, 59-40, in a League I matchup on senior night, Feb. 5.
The Patriots led by five points after 16 minutes of play before they turned up the heat and outscored the Cougars, 22-10, in the third quarter.
Ward Melville senior Lauren Hansen sat atop the Patriot scoring charts swishing three from the foul line, nine field goals and a triple along with seven rebounds for 24 points. Junior Jamie Agostino followed with four triples and two field goals good for 16. Junior Morgan Wenzler banked five field goals and a free throw for 11 points, and led her team in rebounds gathering 13.
With the win, Ward Melville improves to 13-2 for second place in league behind undefeated Longwood with one game left Feb. 7 at Sachem East before postseason play begins.
Miller Place junior Timothy Hirdt scores against Sayville Feb. 1. Photo by Bill Landon
Miller Place senior Thomas Nealis keeps the ball in play Feb. 1. Photo by Bill Landon
Miller Place junior Thomas Cirrito elbows his way to the rim Feb. 1. Photo by Bill Landon
Miller Place junior Thomas Cirrito flies between two Sayville defenders Feb. 1. Photo by Bill Landon
Miller Place junior Thomas Cirrito scores 2 of his 12 points Feb. 1. Photo by Bill Landon
Miller Place junior Timothy Hirdt scores on a reverse layup Feb. 1. Photo by Bill Landon
Miller Place junior Thomas Cirrito scores 2 of his 12 points Feb. 1. Photo by Bill Landon
Miller Place senior Thomas Nealis powers his way to the rim Feb. 1. Photo by Bill Landon
Miller Place senior Thomas Nealis spends some quality time at the rim Feb. 1. Photo by Bill Landon
Miller Place senior Thomas Nealis scores 2 of his team high 18 points Feb. 1. Photo by Bill Landon
Miller Place junior Timothy Hirdt scores 2 of his 12 points Feb. 1. Photo by Bill Landon
Miller Place junior Justin Leichter with the no look pass Feb. 1. Photo by Bill Landon
Miller Place junior Matt Frank drains a 3 pointer Feb 1. Photo by Bill Landon
Miller Place junior Timothy Hirdt scores 2 of his 12 points Feb. 1. Photo by Bill Landon
By Bill Landon
The Miller Place Panthers boys basketball team scored first and never looked back, out-distancing visiting Sayville 59-52 Feb. 1. Senior forward Thomas Nealis led the way for the Panthers, topping the scoring chart with eight field goals and a pair of free throws for a total 18 points along with 16 rebounds and five assists. Junior Thomas Cirrito followed with three from the line and six 2-pointers for a total of 15 while junior Timothy Hirdt came up from behind banking 12.
With the win Miller Place improves to 12-2 in League V and 15-3 overall with one games remaining before postseason play begins. The Panthers retook the court Feb. 4 against Westhampton, which they won 71-50. The team is back home Feb. 7 where they’ll host Mount Sinai for their Senior Recognition Game. Tip-off is at 6:00 p.m.
Junior forward Matt Robbert shoots against visiting West Islip on senior night Feb. 4. Photo by Bill Landon
The Cougar Kickline team provides halftime entertainment on senior night Feb. 4. Photo by Bill Landon
Centereach senior forward Jay Idzinski lays up for two of his team-leading 17 points Feb. 4. Photo by Bill Landon
Senior members of the Centereach Cougars boys basketball team pose for a group shot. Photo by Bill Landon
Centereach senior Zach Cogliati shoots from long range Feb. 4. Photo by Bill Landon
Senior guard Zach Cogliati scores from the paint for the Cougars Feb. 4. Photo by Bill Landon
Senior Ryan Mahnke scores from down low in a 77-43 victory over West Islip Feb. 4. Photo by Bill Landon
Centereach senior Ryan DeCoursey goes to the rim for two Feb. 4. Photo by Bill Landon
Senior guard Ryan DeCoursey drives the baseline for the Cougars Feb. 4. Photo by Bill Landon
Junior forward Matt Robbert drives the baseline in a 77-43 victory over visiting West Islip Feb. 4. Photo by Bill Landon
Centereach senior Justin Fanesi gets mugged in the paint against visiting West Islip Feb. 4. Photo by Bill Landon
Centereach senior Justin Fanesi drives to the basket for the score in a 77-43 victory over visiting West Islip Feb. 4. Photo by Bill Landon
Centereach senior Justin Fanesi lets a 3-pointer fly in a 77-43 victory over visiting West Islip Feb. 4. Photo by Bill Landon
Senior guard Jonah George on a give-and-go dishes the ball off on senior night Feb. 4. Photo by Bill Landon
The Centereach Cougars boys basketball team capped off their senior night with a 77-43 victory over West Islip at home Feb. 4.
Scoring was spread among 11 different Centereach players where senior forward Jay Idzinski led the way with two triples, five field goals and a free throw for 17 points. Senior Ryan DeCoursey banked seven field goals for 14, followed by senior Justin Fanesi who netted 10. Also in the scoring mix were seniors Zach Cogliati with seven, Stephen Cartolano notching five, Ryan Mahnke netting four and Jonah George banking two.
The League III win put Centereach at 6-9, 7-12 overall. The team played Huntington High School Feb. 5. Results were not available by press time.
Centereach senior sabreist Jessica Keiser, right, is en-garde against her Sayville challenger Jan. 26. Photo by Bill Landon
Centereach freshman Ginel Lopez, right, faces off against her Sayville opponent in sabre against Sayville Jan. 26. Photo by Bill Landon
Catherine Dwulit, a senior, right, for Centereach is challenged in sabre on the strip against Sayville Jan. 26. Photo by Bill Landon
Centereach co-Captain Catherine Dwulit, right, competes in sabre against her Sayville challenger Jan. 26 at Sayville. Photo by Bill Landon
Eighth-grader for Centereach Gianna DiCanio, right, in her first year on varsity went undefeated 3-0 in foil on the road against Sayville Jan. 26 Photo by Bill Landon
Centereach eighth-grader Gianna DiCanio, right, in her first year on varsity went undefeated 3-0 in foil on the road against Sayville Jan. 26 Photo by Bill Landon
Centereach eighth-grader Gianna DiCanio, right, in her first year on varsity went undefeated 3-0 in foil on the road against Sayville Jan. 26. Photo by Bill Landon
Centereach junior Nadine Puglia, right, competes in épée Jan. 26 at Sayville. Photo by Bill Landon
Briana Maldonado, right, a junior for Centereach, battles on the strip on the road against Sayville Jan. 26. Photo by Bill Landon
First year épéeist, Briana Maldonado, right, battles on the strip on the road against Sayville Jan. 26. Photo by Bill Landon
By Bill Landon
Centereach girls fencing faced Sayville/Bayport/Connetquot at the old Sayville junior high school Jan. 26 with two matches remaining in the regular season.
According to Centereach Coach Cristina Piraino, her squad wasn’t at full strength with missing a few starters who were competing in the Science Olympiads event.
Despite the spotty roster the Cougars managed to win 10 of 27 bouts where Kayley Otero won all three of her matches in foil, as did eighth-grader Gianna DiCanio.
The Cougars rallied back later in the day to beat Brentwood/Bay Shore 15-12 to remain in second place at 5-2 in League II. Centereach is back out on the strip at home Jan 31. First bout is at 5 p.m.
Smithtown East junior forward Katie Bigliani lays up for the score Jan. 31. Photo by Bill Landon
Comsewogue sophomore forward Annalise Russo fights for a rebound Jan. 31. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East eighth-grader Ava Mueller passes inside for an assist Jan. 31. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East junior guard Brianna Durland drives to the basket Jan. 31. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East junior Brianna Durland scores two of her team high 12 points Jan. 31. Photo by Bill Landon
Comsewogue eighth-grader Danielle McGuire pushes the ball up court Jan. 31. Photo by Bill Landon
Comsewogue senior guard Julianna Watson lets a three pointer fly Jan. 31. Photo by Bill Landon
Comsewogue senior guard Julianna Watson shoots Jan. 31. Photo by Bill Landon
Comsewogue senior guard Julianna Watson drives the baseline Jan. 31. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East junior Brianna Durland shoots and scores another two of her team high 12 points Jan. 31. Photo by Bill Landon
Comsewogue’s Samantha Andresen lets a three pointer fly Jan. 31. Photo by Bill Landon
Comsewogue senior guard Julianna Watson shoots for three Jan. 31. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East senior guard Katie Illari scores from long range Jan. 31. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East senior forward Kayla Syrbe battles down low Jan. 31. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East sophomore guard Paige Doherty drives drains a three pointer Jan. 31. Photo by Bill Landon
Comsewogue sophomore forward Samantha Andresen sets up the play Jan. 31. Photo by Bill Landon
Comsewogue sophomore forward Samantha Andresen grabs a rebound guarded by Smithtown East junior Katie Bigliani Jan. 31. Photo by Bill Landon
Comsewogue sophomore forward Annalise Russo battles in the paint Jan. 31. Photo by Bill Landon
By Bill Landon
The Comsewogue Warriors girls basketball team came out strong for the first three quarters Jan. 31, but visiting Smithtown East Bulls put their foot on the gas in the final 8 minutes of play outscoring Comsewogue, 19 to 13, to snatch a 40-33 victory.
Smithtown East junior Brianna Durland led the Bulls in scoring with 12 points. She was followed by junior Katie Bigliani and sophomore Katie Illari who banked seven each.
On the Comsewogue side, sophomores Samantha Andresen, Annalise Russo and eighth-grader Danielle McGuire all notched seven points apiece.
With the win, Smithtown East improves to 6-7 in league with three games remaining before the postseason. The Bulls are set to take on the undefeated North Babylon Feb. 5 at 5:45 p.m.
The loss drops Comsewogue to 3-10 in league with three games remaining in the regular season, the last game of which is on the road against Huntington Feb. 7. Tipoff is at 5:45 p.m.
Northport senior forward Ian Melamerson powers his way to the rim for the score against Hills East Jan 25. Photo by Bill Landon
Northport senior forward Ian Melamerson battles his way to the rim scoring 2 of his 13 points Jan. 25. Photo by Bill Landon
Northport senior forward Ian Melamerson battles his way to the rim scoring 2 of his 13 points Jan. 25. Photo by Bill Landon
Northport senior guard Larry Citrola with a jumper. Photo by Bill Landon
Northport sophomore guard Pat Healy scores from down low on the road against Hills East Jan 25. Photo by Bill Landon
Northport sophomore guard Pat Healy shoots from the top of the key Jan 25. Photo by Bill Landon
Northport sophomore guard Pat Healy drives the base line Jan. 25. Photo by Bill Landon
Northport sophomore guard Pat Healy scores from the paint. Photo by Bill Landon
Northport sophomore guard Pat Healy scores from the paint on the road Jan. 25. Photo by Bill Landon
Northport guard Sean Walsh scores while falling down Jan. 25. Photo by Bill Landon
Northport sophomore guard Pat Healy scores from the paint Jan. 25. Photo by Bill Landon
Northport junior Sean Walsh drains one of his three triples on the road against Hills East Jan. 25. Photo by Bill Landon
By Bill Landon
The Northport Tigers stood alone atop the League II leaderboard at 9-2 when they hit the road against Half Hollow Hills East, 8-2, who looked to displace the Tigers for the top spot. Displace them they did when the Thunderbirds defeated Northport,64-50, Jan. 25 on their own home court.
Northport’s defense struggled to contain Hills East’s Shamar Moore-Hough who led the Thunderbirds in scoring with 19 points.
Northport sophomore guard Pat Healy led the Tigers in scoring with 15 points, senior forward Ian Melamerson followed adding 13 and junior guard Sean Walsh banked 11.
The loss bumps Northport from their perch to second place in league with four games remaining before the postseason begins. The Tigers will retake the court Jan. 31 hosting Lindenhurst at 6 p.m.
Mount Sinai junior Adham Shata in the final match of the championship. Photo from video by Mount Sinai School District
Several days after Mount Sinai’s wrestling team won the state championship, coach Matt Armstrong was still basking in the glow of the victory.
“It was really something coming back to school,” Armstrong said. “It was one of those things being a state champ really means
something.”
More than 800 spectators came out to watch their schools compete at the New York State Wrestling Dual Meet Championship at the SRC Arena and Events Center at Onondaga Community College Jan. 26 where 12 of the best Division 2 teams squared off.
Mount Sinai’s wrestling team crowds onto the mat. Photo from video by Mount Sinai School District
Mount Sinai, victors in the 2018 state championship, was No. 5 seed and received a bye for the first match. Mount Sinai started off seemingly unstoppable, first competing against Cold Spring Harbor, beating them, 47-27, then against Pleasantville which the Mustangs took to the mat, 57-27, to advance to the semi-finals.
“I knew we could beat the first two, but the semi-finals were pretty interesting,” the wrestling coach said. “We had seen them last year and we knew how competitive they were.
That’s where they met the No. 1 seed Tioga. Mount Sinai had a balanced line-up and were able to deliver a 34-27 win, advancing then to the finals against Central Valley Academy from Ilion, the No. 2 seed.
Out the gate things took a turn for the worse for Mount Sinai and after falling behind ,31-12, it appeared they were headed for defeat. Suddenly it all came around, and Mount Sinai went on a scoring run. Junior Brendan “Goody” Goodrich started it off with a win and was then followed by wins by brothers Mike and Joe O’Brien. Then it was victory after victory with fellow teammates Ryan Shanian and Matt Campo.
Campo, wrestling at 152 pounds, won acrucial match with Hunter Shaut, the former New York State Champion from Central Valley Academy in overtime 4-2. This was followed by a win by Joe Goodrich, at 160 pounds, who brought Mount Sinai even with Central Valley, 31-31. Central Valley won the next match taking the score to 34-31 with one match remaining.
The final match fell on the shoulders of junior Adham Shata at 182 pounds. With the whole team cheering him on, Shata pinned his opponent and the entire arena erupted in wails and shouts of victory, as Shata brought his team up to 37-34 and won a 2nd consecutive championship. The entire team rushed onto the mat and piled onto Shata, cheering their victory.
You could say something great about every single kid.”
— Matt Armstrong
Armstrong couldn’t pick one person out amongst the team. He was adamant that every student played their part in the win.
“I think I could go up and down the entire lineup,” the coach said. “You could say something great about every single kid. Some were just outmatched, and even though they were they wouldn’t get pinned.”
Several students gained standout wins during the tournament, with the O’Brien brothers, Shanian, Campo and Goodrich each going up to 30 season wins. Senior Mike Sabella at 195 pounds, won all his matches by pinning his opponents.
“There might have been some people who though the first time was a fluke,” Armstrong said. “To do it back to back is pretty incredible.”
The season is not yet over for the Mount Sinai wrestling team with the team gearing up to compete in the individual county and state tournaments. The individual county tournament takes place Feb. 2, and those who win in that or get a wild card will have the opportunity to head back upstate and compete in the State Wrestling Championship at Times Union Center in Albany Feb. 22 and 23.
Ward Melville senior Ray Grabowski drives the baseline against Central Islip Jan. 29. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville senior Ray Grabowski with a no look pass against Central Islip Jan. 29. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville junior Myles Brown lets one fly against Central Islip. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville junior Myles Brown from the free throw line against Central Islip Jan. 29. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville’s Jack Holland with a long distance strike good for three against Central Islip. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville junior Giancarlo Serratore with the jumper against Central Islip. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville senior Chris Foglia hits from the 3-point range against Central Islip. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville fell to Central Islip 70-53 in a League I matchup Jan 29 at home.
It was a two-point game at the half when Ward Melville tied in the opening minute of the third quarter, but the Patriots couldn’t contain Central Islip’s Ty-Shon Pannell who exploded hitting eight 3-pointers, seven field goals along with four at the line, topping the scoring chart for the Musketeers with 42 points.
Ward Melville senior Ray Grabowski and junior Jack Holland led the way with 10 points each with Giancarlo Serratore netting seven.
The loss dropped Ward Melville to 6-7 in their division with three games left, forcing the Patriots to win two out of three to make the postseason.
Port Jeff freshman Drew Feinstein lets a 3-pointer fly Jan. 28. Photo by Bill Landon
Port Jeff junior Sam Florio shoots from down low Jan. 28. Photo by Bill Landon
Port Jefferson eighth-grader Mano Idir fights one on one Jan. 28. Photo by Bill Landon
Port Jefferson eighth-grader Mano Idir pushes up court Jan. 28. Photo by Bill Landon
Port Jeff senior Jonathan Bachman lays up for the score Jan. 28. Photo by Bill Landon
Port Jeff senior Jonathan Bachman lays up for the score Jan. 28. Photo by Bill Landon
Port Jeff senior Jonathan Bachman scores from the paint netting 2 of his 11 points Jan. 28. Photo by Bill Landon
Port Jeff’s John Shields lays up for two Jan. 28. Photo by Bill Landon
Port Jeff’s John Shields shoots from outside Jan. 28. Photo by Bill Landon
Port Jeff senior Grant Calendrille goes to the rim for the score Jan. 28. Photo by Bill Landon
Port Jeff senior Grant Calendrille takes flight for the score Jan. 28. Photo by Bill Landon
Port Jeff senior Grant Calendrille shoots from the paint netting 2 of his 12 points Jan. 28. Photo by Bill Landon
Port Jeff senior Grant Calendrille lays up for 2 of his 12 points Jan. 28. Photo by Bill Landon
By Bill Landon
The Port Jefferson boys basketball team had their hands full when Southampton came knocking Jan. 28. The Royals were able to stay within striking distance for the first 16 minutes, but the Mariners poured it on in the second half outscoring the Royals by 30 points to put the game away 99-56.
Atop the leaderboard for the Royals was eighth-grader Mano Idir with 15 points. Seniors Grant Calendrille and Jonathan Bachman netted 12 and 11, respectively, and eighth-grader Drew Feinstein banked eight. The Royals retake the court Jan. 31 on the road against John Glenn searching for that elusive league victory with three games remaining. Game time is 6:00 p.m.