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Bill Landon

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Quarterback Kieran Clifford bolts out of the backfield. Photo by Bill Landon
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Liam Kershis tries to escape the backfield. Photo by Bill Landon
Shoreham Wading River’s Menelaos Almiroudis, No. 52, and Liam Taylor are in on the tackle. Photo by Bill Landon
Travis Finnegan punts the ball away. Photo by Bill Landon
Wildcat fans cheer on their team. Photo by Bill Landon
Quarterback Kieran Clifford bolts out of the backfield. Photo by Bill Landon
Shoreham Wading River’s Menelaos Almiroudis is in on the tackle. Photo by Bill Landon
Shoreham Wading River’s Wesley Hodun in on the tackle. Photo by Bill Landon
Quarterback Kieran Clifford looks downfield for the Wildcats. Photo by Bill Landon
Timeout, Wildcats. Photo by Bill Landon
Timeout, Wildcats. Photo by Bill Landon
Quarterback Kieran Clifford throws over the middle. Photo by Bill Landon
Photo by Bill Landon

Shoreham-Wading River’s journey to the Division IV county championship final began with the Wildcats winning their last three games of the regular season to enter postseason play with a 6-2 record.

The Wildcats picked off Center Moriches in the opening round of the playoffs, earning the No. 3 seed to advance to the semifinals with a road game against Babylon. Trailing most of the way, SWR rallied in the final minutes to win 36-35 in a nailbiter and punched their ticket to the championship round on Saturday, Nov. 18, at Stony Brook University to face top-seeded Bayport-Blue Point.

After a three-and-out opening possession, Bayport took over, scampering 23 yards for the score on their first possession of the game for the early lead. The Phantoms scored on their next possession and again late in the second quarter to take a 21-0 lead.

Bayport never looked back, blowing the game wide open for the 49-14 victory.

SWR senior Liam Kershis took the goose egg off the board with a 27-yard catch from Kieran Clifford and a second TD catch to conclude the Wildcats 2023 campaign.

— Photos by Bill Landon

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President John F. Kennedy's motorcade in Dallas on Nov. 22, 1963. Photo by Victor Hugo King/Public domain
By Bill Landon

On Nov. 22, 1963, I was a 7-year-old who had convinced my mother that I didn’t feel well enough to go to school that day. It was the Friday before Thanksgiving.

Not long after lunch, the TV began interrupting the regularly scheduled programs with news of a shooting in Dallas. No matter what channel I turned to — there were only 12 back then — it was the same. President John F. Kennedy (D) had been shot.

Later in the afternoon, my mother was talking with many people on the phone. As a 7-year-old, I didn’t understand what was happening other than my mother growing more hysterical as the day wore on. I faintly remember my older sister coming home from school early, but I still didn’t understand what was happening.

There was a palpable fog that hung over us that would just get worse two days later when we watched Dallas nightclub owner Jack Ruby shoot and kill Lee Harvey Oswald, the alleged assassin, on live television.

I don’t remember anything about our traditional Thanksgiving dinner that year, but I remember the fog lasting for weeks.

Bill Landon is a sportswriter and photographer for TBR News Media.

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Long Island Champions. Bill Landon photo
Long Island Champions. Bill Landon photo
Ward Melville’s Nick Ragonese keeps the ball in play for the Patriots. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville’s Kyle Fagan battles at net for the Patriots. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville senior Andrew Desimone sets the play for the Patriots. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville senior Andrew Desimone from the service line for the Patriots. Photo by Bill Landon
Long Island Champions. Bill Landon photo

By Bill Landon

The Ward Melville boys’ volleyball team finished the regular season in seventh place in Division I with an 8-6 record, entering postseason play as the No. 5 seed.

The road to the Long Island championship took the Patriots through Sachem North, the No. 4 seed, winning 3-0 Oct. 25 in the quarterfinal match which sent the Patriots to the semifinal round with a road game Oct. 28 against top-seeded Bay Shore. It would take five sets to determine the winner, but the Patriots prevailed with a 3-2 victory to advance to the Suffolk championship game with another road game against No. 2 West Islip Nov. 1. Again, it would take five sets in the Suffolk title game, but Ward Melville edged the Lions 3-2 to punch their ticket to the Long Island championship game against Syosset at Center Moriches High School Saturday, Nov 11.

The Patriots have peaked at the right time, sweeping Syosset and winning the Long Island title 25-20, 25-14, 25-22. Outside hitter Kyle Fagan was outstanding with 18 kills and seven digs. Ward Melville will compete for the New York State championship title game at the Albany Capital Center arena Saturday, Nov. 18.

According to New York State Public High School Athletic Association, “This is a digital-ticketed event. Cash sales will not be available on-site. Kids 5 and under are free.”

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Port Jeff senior Erin Henry with a return for the Royals. Photo by Bill Landon
Hannah Pflaster digs one out for the Royals. Photo by Bill Landon
Port Jeff sophomore McKayla Pollard from the service line for the Royals. Photo by Bill Landon
Port Jeff freshman Thea Mangels from the service line for the Royals. Photo by Bill Landon
Port Jeff senior Erin Henry with a kill shot for the Royals. Photo by Bill Landon
Hannah Pflaster keeps the ball in play for the Royals. Photo by Bill Landon
Port Jeff freshman Ava Reilly from service for the Royals. Photo by Bill Landon
Port Jeff senior Erin Henry from the service line for the Royals. Photo by Bill Landon
Port Jeff senior Erin Henry keeps the ball in play for the Royals. Photo by Bill Landon
Port Jeff senior Olivia Sherman battles at net for the Royals. Photo by Bill Landon
Port Jeff senior Olivia Sherman digs one out for the Royals. Photo by Bill Landon
Port Jeff senior Erin Henry keeps the ball in play for the Royals. Photo by Bill Landon
Port Jeff sophomore McKayla Pollard from the service line for the Royals. Photo by Bill Landon
Port Jeff senior Erin Henry with a kill shot for the Royals. Photo by Bill Landon
Port Jeff senior Olivia Sherman keeps the ball in play for the Royals. Photo by Bill Landon
Port Jeff senior Erin Henry digs one out for the Royals. Photo by Bill Landon
Hannah Pflaster puts the ball in play for the Royals. Photo by Bill Landon
Loose ball.

Port Jefferson, fresh off their Long Island championship sweep of East Rockaway two days earlier, looked to build on that momentum in the Southeast Regional final Saturday, Nov. 11, with home court advantage against Section IX winner Millbrook. The Royals hoped to make the trip back to Glens Falls for the NYS Class C championship final. It would have been the second year in a row, but it wasn’t to be as Port Jeff fell to Millbrook 25-23, 25-17, 25-15.

During the season, seniors Olivia Sherman and Erin Henry were the one-two punch for the Royals with Henry charting 13th in the county with 169 kills and Sherman placing 15th with 161 kills, as reported by Newsday. Sherman clocked in at No. 4 in the county with 57 service aces; Thea Mangels, a freshman, was No. 8 with 51; and sophomore McKayla Pollard No. 12 with 48.

The Royals conclude their 2023 campaign with a 17-3 record and will be a force to be reckoned with next season as they lose just three seniors to graduation.

— Photos by Bill Landon

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Embark on a journey with our reporter to Sherwood-Jayne Farm in East Setauket, capturing the intensity of protesters rallying against Preservation Long Island’s plan to remove its farm animals. Then, delve into municipal land-use policy as we dissect the Brookhaven Town Board’s consideration of a zone change for the Jefferson Plaza shopping center in Port Jefferson Station.

But that’s not all — dive into the excitement of Ward Melville and Earl L. Vandermeulen high schools’ postseason volleyball runs with our sportswriter. Then, join us in reflecting on the crucial role of local election inspectors and the urgent need for more volunteers to uphold our democratic process.

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2023 Long Island Champions. Photo by Phil Armato
Ward Melville’s Peyton Costello looks up-field in the Long Island Championship game against Massapequa. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville’s Breena Harrington maneuvers mid-field in the Long Island Championship game against Massapequa. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville’s Samantha Ruffini throws in against Massapequa in the Long Island Championship game. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville’s Peyton Costello takes possession in the Long Island Championship game against Massapequa. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville’s Peyton Costello settles the ball in the Long Island Championship game against Massapequa. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville’s Aliyah Leonard settles the ball in the Long Island Championship game against Massapequa. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville’s Aliyah Leonard clears the ball in the Long Island Championship game against Massapequa. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville’s Marissa Tonic battles for possession in the Long Island Championship game against Massapequa. Photo by Bill Landon
Patriots WIN! Photo by Phil Armato
Coaches John Diehl, Louise Williams and Ward Melville athletic director Kevin Finnerty. Photo by Phil Armato

By Bill Landon

It was a clean sweep for TBR News Media’s varsity high school teams in the girls Long Island championship soccer games at the Thomas Cutinella Memorial Field at Shoreham-Wading River High School Saturday, Nov. 4. 

The Wildcats of Shoreham-Wading River defeated Plainedge 2-0, Smithtown West edged South Side 1-0 and the Patriots of Ward Melville defeated Massapequa 2-0, all to advance to the New York State championship games this coming weekend.

For the Patriots, after a scoreless first half, it was Peyton Costello who got things started when her shot found the back of the net off an assist by Adriana Victoriano to break the ice. Breena Harrigan scored the insurance goal for the 2-0 lead that would stand until the final buzzer. Kate Ronzoni had five saves in net.

It was also a clean sweep for Suffolk County as Babylon defeated the Nassau champion O’Neill 2-1.

All four teams will vie for the New York State championship round for the semifinals this Saturday, Nov. 11. The survivors will make it to the final round on Sunday. The state finals will be played at Cortland High School, Homer High School and Tompkins Cortland Community College.

According to New York State Public High School Athletic Association, “This is a digital-ticketed event. Cash sales will not be available on-site. Kids 5 and under are free.” Tickets can be purchased at gofan.co/event/1128589?schoolId=
NYSPHSAA.

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Ward Melville senior Robert Hauss pushes up-field in the Suffolk class AAA final against Brentwood. Photo by Bill Landon
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Ward Melville senior Robert Hauss pushes up-field in the Suffolk class AAA final against Brentwood. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville senior Robert Hauss heads the ball in the Suffolk class AAA final against Brentwood. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville senior Owen Haviland heads the ball in the Suffolk class AAA final against Brentwood. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville senior Wilman Castellon battles for possession in the Suffolk class AAA final against Brentwood. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville senior Sawyer Meckley settles the ball in the Suffolk class AAA final against Brentwood. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville senior Jack Zazzera heads the ball in the Suffolk class AAA final against Brentwood. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville midfielder Justin Clarke heads the ball in the Suffolk AAA final against Brentwood. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville sophomore Jack Salgado clears the ball in the Suffolk class AAA final against Brentwood. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville senior goalie David McElroy makes another save in the Suffolk class AAA final against Brentwood. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville midfielder Justin Clarke heads the ball in the Suffolk AAA final against Brentwood. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville senior goalie David McElroy makes the save in the Suffolk AAA final against Brentwood. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville senior Owen Haviland battles for possession midfield. Photo by Bill Landon

By Bill Landon

The Patriots of Ward Melville (No. 3) entered the final round of the Suffolk Class AAA championship soccer game against undefeated Brentwood, who had an 18-0 record and were looking to keep their spotless season intact. 

Patriots senior midfielder Wilman Castellon was the spark for their offense when he drilled a scissor kick that stretched the net giving Ward Melville the lead with eight minutes left in the opening half. 

Brentwood, finding itself in the unusual position of trailing at the halftime break, got down to business. In keeping the pressure upfield and scoring three unanswered goals, they clinched the Suffolk Class AAA championship game, 3-1, at Patchogue-Medford High School Thursday Nov. 2. 

Ward Melville senior goalkeeper David McElroy had two saves in net.

Ward Melville wrapped up its 2023 campaign with an impressive 13-3-2 record, concluding the varsity careers of its 15 seniors.

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Senior running back Liam Kershis looks upfield. Photo by Bill Landon
Seniors Brendan Meskill and Liam Taylor in on the tackle. Photo by Bill Landon
Quarterback Kieran Clifford drags a defender out of the backfield. Photo by Bill Landon
Quarterback Kieran Clifford bolts out of the backfield. Photo by Bill Landon
Touchdown Wildcats. Photo by Bill Landon
Travis Finnegan kicks off for the Wildcats. Photo by Bill Landon
Michael Casey finds an opening. Photo by Bill Landon
Alex Kershis leads the way for the Wildcats. Photo by Bill Landon
Sean Casey drags a defender. Photo by Bill Landon
Timeout, Shoreham-Wading River. Photo by Bill Landon
Senior running back Liam Kershis pushes upfield. Photo by Bill Landon
Wildcat Cheer. Photo by Bill Landon
Wildcat Cheer. Photo by Bill Landon
Wildcat Cheer. Photo by Bill Landon
Timeout Wildcats. Photo by Bill Landon
Quarterback Kieran Clifford finds the end zone. Photo by Bill Landon
Touchdown Wildcats. Photo by Bill Landon
Defensive back Sean Casey breaks up a pass. Photo by Bill Landon
Touchdown Wildcats. Photo by Bill Landon
Wildcats score. Photo by Bill Landon
Quarterback Kieran Clifford bolts out of the backfield. Photo by Bill Landon

Shoreham-Wading River, the No. 4 seed, hosted Center Moriches (No. 5) in the Suffolk quarterfinals round of Division IV postseason play Friday night, Nov. 3, at Thomas Cutinella Memorial Field. Center Moriches drew first blood on a broken play to find the end zone early in the opening quarter. Shoreham-Wading River senior quarterback Kieran Clifford evened the score on a keeper to tie the game and with the point after took the lead. 

From there, the Wildcats never looked back. Running back Liam Kershis did what he’s done all season finding the end zone for a touchdown, and Clifford punched in from short yardage to open the second half. Senior Travis Finnegan followed when he nailed a 25-yard field goal. The Wildcats would make the final buzzer with a 38-12 victory.

The win lifts the Wildcats to 7-2 to advance to the semifinals round Friday, Nov. 10, with a road game against No. 2 seed Babylon. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. 

— Photos by Bill Landon

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Meet your new Suffolk County Class A champions. Photo by Bill Landon
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Kings Park sophomore Nikki Caratozzolo crosses midfield. Photo by Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River senior Naomi Harris crosses the ball for the Wildcats. Photo by Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River sophomore Mia Mangano settles the ball for the Wildcats. Photo by Bill Landon
Kings Park midfielder Mia Plutzer looks to the wing. Bill Landon photo
Shoreham-Wading River senior Bella Sweet settles the ball for the Wildcats. Photo by Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River senior Naomi Harris settles the ball for the Wildcats. Photo by Bill Landon
Kings Park forward Victoria Menzies looks to trap the ball in the Suffolk Class A final against Shoreham-Wading River. Bill Landon photo
Shoreham-Wading River sophomore Mia Mangano crosses the ball for the Wildcats. Photo by Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River senior Grace Hillis pushes upfield for the Wildcats. Photo by Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River senior Bella Sweet passes to the wing. Photo by Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River goalie Morgan Lesiewicz with a save for the Wildcats. Photo by Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River goalie Morgan Lesiewicz deflects the ball. Photo by Bill Landon
Kings Park forward Victoria Menzies pushes upfield. Phot by Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River senior Grace Hillis breaks toward the goal. Photo by Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River sophomore Olivia Pesso looks to settle the ball. Photo by Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River defender Johanna Ochsenfeld heads the ball. Photo by Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River sophomore Olivia Pesso traps the ball. Photo by Bill Landon
Kings Park junior Gianna Zawol clears the ball upfield. Photo by Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River senior Grace Hillis scores off a penalty shot. Photo by Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River sophomore Mia Mangano clears the ball. Photo by Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River senior Bella Sweet clears the ball. Photo by Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River senior Grace Hillis her second goal of the game. Photo by Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River senior Grace Hillis her second goal of the game. Photo by Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River senior Grace Hillis her second goal of the game. Photo by Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River goalie Morgan Lesiewicz with another save. Photo by Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River senior Grace Hillis takes flight. Photo by Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River freshman Shealyn Varbero flies over Kings Park goalie Alex Scott. Photo by Bill Landon
Bella Sweet, left, goes head-to-head with Kings Park defender Megan Kearny. Photo by Bill Landon
Meet your new Suffolk County Class A champions. Photo by Bill Landon
Meet your new Suffolk County Class A champions. Photo by Bill Landon
Meet your new Suffolk County Class A champions. Photo by Bill Landon
Meet your new Suffolk County Class A champions. Photo by Bill Landon

Kings Park ended their regular season atop the Division III leaderboard having suffered its only league loss to Shoreham-Wading River back in September. The Lady Kingsmen looked to settle that score in the Suffolk Class A championship final with a rematch with the Wildcats at Diamond in the Pines Wednesday night Nov. 1.

After a scoreless first half, it was Shoreham-Wading River’s Grace Hillis who would write the Kings Park epitaph first with a 30-yard free kick that found its way in the upper far corner of the net. Then the senior scored the insurance goal 11 minutes later. Despite a ferocious late-game surge by the Lady Kingsmen that kept Wildcat goalie Morgan Lesiewicz busy the rest of the way, Shoreham-Wading River prevailed with a 2-0 victory.

Lesiewicz finished with seven saves in the win to punch the Wildcats ticket to the Long Island Championship round where they faced Plainedge on Saturday, Nov. 4. Yet again the Wildcats rose to the occasion with another 2-0 victory to advance to the New York State championship round in Cortland Nov. 11.

— Photos by Bill Landon

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Sophomore Mia Mangano heads the ball. Photo by Bill Landon
Sophomore Olivia Pesso with a clearing kick. Photo by Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River sophomore Mia Mangano eludes a defender. Photo by Bill Landon
Wildcats score. Photo by Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River senior Grace Hillis maneuvers midfield. Photo by Bill Landon
Bella Sweet scores. Photo by Bill Landon
Wildcats score. Photo by Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River senior Grace Hillis sprints upfield. Photo by Bill Landon
Bella battles. Photo by Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River senior Juliana Mahan settles the ball. Photo by Bill Landon
Freshman Shealyn Varbero heads the ball. Photo by Bill Landon
Goalie Morgan Lesiewicz makes the save for the Wildcats in the Long Island Championship game against Plainedge. Photo by Bill Landon
Freshman Shealyn Varbero pushes upfield. Photo by Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River senior Grace Hillis with a clearing kick. Photo by Bill Landon
Freshman Shealyn Varbero battles for possession. Photo by Bill Landon
Senior midfielder Naomi Harris heads the ball. Photo by Bill Landon
Wildcats WIN! Photo by Bill Landon
Wildcats WIN! Photo by Bill Landon
Wildcats WIN! Photo by Bill Landon
Wildcats WIN! Photo by Bill Landon

It was the duo of Grace Hillis and Bella Sweet, the Shoreham-Wading River seniors, who made their mark in the Class A Long Island championship game at the Thomas Cutinella Memorial Field Saturday morning, Nov. 4, against Plainedge with the Wildcats defeating the Section VIII champions 2-0. 

Before the season began Shoreham-Wading River High School was selected as the location for the New York State Regional Finals, otherwise known as the Long Island championship round, so the Wildcats enjoyed a home-field advantage in their quest for another New York State championship title.

Hillis struck first at 11 minutes scoring off a corner kick to break the ice for the Wildcats for the early lead. With 17:30 left in the first half Sweet scored off an assist by Hillis for the insurance goal for the 2-0 victory.

Plainedge, who came into the game with 13-2-3 record, wouldn’t go quietly as they pressed the Wildcats relentlessly until the final buzzer.

Morgan Lesiewicz had four saves in the win.

The Wildcats will board the buses and make their way to Cortland High School for the New York State semifinal round Saturday, Nov. 11, where they will face Section III champions New Hartford. Game time is slated for 5 p.m. 

According to New York State Public High School Athletic Association, “This is a digital-ticketed event. Cash sales will not be available on-site. Kids 5 and under are free.” Tickets can be purchased at gofan.co/event/1128589?schoolId=NYSPHSAA.

— Photos by Bill Landon

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