Smithtown East’s Meredith Brennan banks two in a summer league matchup against Ward Melville. Photo by BIll Landon
Julianna Wankel scores for Smithtown East in a summer league matchup against Ward Melville. Photo by BIll Landon
Ward Melville’s Jenna Greek looks for a rebound at the free throw line in a summer league matchup against Smithtown East. Photo by BIll Landon
Quinlan Heilbron battles in the paint for the Patriots in a summer league matchup against Smithtown East. Photo by BIll Landon
Jaclyn Engel floats one in for the Patriots in a summer league matchup against Smithtown East. Photo by BIll Landon
Ava Giordano scores for Smithtown East in a summer league matchup against Ward Melville. Photo by BIll Landon
Ward Melville’s Molly Combs banks two for the Patriots in a summer league matchup against Smithtown East. Photo by BIll Landon
By Bill Landon
Ward Melville broke out to an early lead in Town of Brookhaven summer league action Monday, July 15, against Smithtown East and safely led until midway through the second half.
Smithtown East inched closer in the final minute of play when the Bulls drained a 3-pointer to trail by one promptly calling time-out. Both teams traded baskets and with 1.7 seconds on the clock, the Bulls inbounded the ball and threw the Hail Mary shot downcourt without success, falling to the Patriots 33-32.
The win lifts the Patriots to 3-2 in the large school varsity division and Smithtown East drops to 3-2 with four games remaining.
Smithtown West’s Necco Cottage battles Nick Palhares at face off in a Div-II matchup Apr. 6. Photo by Bill Landon
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Smithtown West senior midfielder John Savino fires at the cage in a road game against Comsewogue. Photo by Bill Landon
Comsewogue mid-fielder Hunter Marquardt scores for the Warriors in a home game against Smithtown West. Photo by Bill Landon
Comsewogue’s Dylan Rocchio gets checked by Carmelo Pace in a home game against Smithtown West. Photo by Bill Landon
Comsewogue attack Ryan Meyers gets double teamed in a home game against Smithtown West. Photo by Bill Landon
By Bill Landon
After narrowly winning their season opener, Comsewogue Warriors dropped their next two in a row and looked to get back to winning ways with a home game against Smithtown West, Saturday, April 6.
Fresh off their win against Westhampton, the Bulls led 5-2 at the halftime break on a cold and windy morning in the Division II matchup. After a scoreless 3rd quarter Comsewogue managed a pair of goals in the final 12 minutes of play as Smithtown West notched an insurance goal to hold on to a 6-4 victory.
Smithtown West senior John Savino had two goals and one assist as did teammate Liam Byrne. Dylan Bonasera had nine stops in net for the Bulls.
Connor Rocchio topped the scoring chart for the Warriors with an assist and two goals, Ryan Meyers and Hunter Marquardt both scored, and goalie Adam Wacholder had 13 saves between the pipes.
In their next games, April 8, both teams had crushing victories, with Comsewogue beating Center Moriches 17-4 and Smithtown West defeating West Babylon 21-4.
Smithtown East freshman Craig O’neill scores for the Bulls in a road game against Ward Melville. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East junior Benjiman Haug scores for the Bulls in a road game against Ward Melville. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville junior Lorenzo Beaton battles for the rebound for the Patriots in a home game against Smithtown East. Bill Landon photo
Smithtown East senior Chris Illari lays up for the Bulls in a road game against Ward Melville. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East senior Andrew Drost scores for the Bulls in a road game against Ward Melville. Photo by Bill Landon
Lorenzo Beaton and Benjiman Haug look for a rebound from the line in a Div II matchup Dec 17. Credit: Bill Landon
Smithtown East junior Benjiman Haug drives the lane for the Bulls in a road game against Ward Melville. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East junior Benjiman Haug goes to the rim for the Bulls in a road game against Ward Melville. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East senior Dominic Galati at the rim for the Bulls in a road game against Ward Melville. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville junior Lorenzo Beaton battles for the rebound for the Patriots in a home game against Smithtown East. Bill Landon photo
Smithtown East freshman Craig O’neill drives the lane for the Bulls in a road game against Ward Melville. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville junior Tyler Jean-Noel scores for the Patriots in a home game against Smithtown East. Bill Landon photo
Ward Melville junior Tyler Jean-Noel drives the lane for the Patriots in a home game against Smithtown East. Bill Landon photo
Ward Melville junior Tyler Jean-Noel goes to the rim for the Patriots in a home game against Smithtown East. Bill Landon photo
Ward Melville junior Tyler Jean-Noel drives the lane for the Patriots as Niko Skartsiaris defends. Bill Landon photo
Ward Melville junior Lorenzo Beaton shoots for the Patriots as Dominic Galati defends. Bill Landon photo
Smithtown East sophomore Niko Skartsiaris boxes out for the Bulls in a road game against Ward Melville. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville senior Dylan Moore boxes out for the Patriots in a home game against Smithtown East. Bill Landon photo
Smithtown East sophomore Gjon Lleshaj shoots for the Bulls in a road game against Ward Melville. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East sophomore Niko Skartsiaris scores two for the Bulls in a road game against Ward Melville. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East senior Chris Illari shoots for the Bulls in a road game against Ward Melville. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East sophomore Niko Skartsiaris scores two for the Bulls in a road game against Ward Melville. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East sophomore Gjon Lleshaj goes to the rim for the Bulls in a road game against Ward Melville. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East junior James Burton goes to the rim for the Bulls in a road game against Ward Melville. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville junior Aidan Kilduff lays up for two for the Patriots in a home game against Smithtown East. Bill Landon photo
Ward Melville senior guard Lorenzo Velez drives the baseline for the Patriots in a home game against Smithtown East. Bill Landon photo
Ward Melville junior Aidan Kilduff nails a three pointer for the Patriots in a home game against Smithtown East. Bill Landon photo
Ward Melville junior Devin Lynch shoots for the Patriots as Dominic Galati defends. Bill Landon photo
The Patriots of Ward Melville edged ahead of Smithtown East from the opening tip-off and never took their foot off the gas to keep the Bulls at bay to ink a 67-54 win at home Dec. 17.
Ben Haug led the Bulls with six field goals, a triple and four from the line for 19 points, teammates Dominic Galati netted 10 and Niko Skartsiaris banked 8.
Ward Melville senior Dylan Moore shared the top of the scoring chart with Devin Lynch, both scoring 12 points apiece followed by junior Tyler Jean-Noel who scored 11 with Lorenzo Beaton netting 10 along with 13 rebounds in the Division II contest.
The win lifts the Patriots to 4-1, and the Bulls, suffering their first loss of this early season, drop to 5-1.
Both teams retake the court with home games Dec. 20, where Smithtown East hosts Newfield at 5:15 p.m. and the Patriots take on Bellport at 4:15 p.m.
Smithtown West freshman Ben Rappa muscles his way to the rim for 2 on the road against Newfield Feb. 20. Bill Landon photo
Newfield’s Ziggy Hoe passes to the open shooter in a home game against Smithtown West Feb. 20. Bill Landon photo
Michael Agostino, a Newfield junior, sets up the play against Smithtown West in a league III matchup Feb. 20. Bill Landon photo
Smithtown West 6’6” sophomore Patrick Burke shoots from the paint in a road game against Newfield Feb. 20. Bill Landon photo
Newfield senior guard Jordan DeJesus drives the lane with Smithtown West’s Joe Mitchell in pursuit in a League III matchup Feb. 20. Bill Landon photo
Newfield senior Ziggy Hoe drives the baseline in a home game against Smithtown West Feb. 20. Photo by Bill Landon
Newfield senior guard Jordan DeJesus with a set shot aginst Smithtown West in a League III matchup Feb. 20. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown West sophomore Patrick Burke lays up for 2 in a League III matchup on the road against Newfield. Bill Landon photo
Smithtown West junior Tyler Anderson passes to the open shooter on the road against Newfield. Bill Landon photo
Tyler Anderson goes to the basket for the Bulls in a road game against Newfield Feb. 20. Bill Landon photo
Smithtown West sophomore Patrick Burke lays up for 2 more in a League III matchup on the road against Newfield. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown West senior Jack Driscoll battles his way to the rim as Newfield’s Kendall Kendrick defends. Bill Landon photo
Newfield’s Isiah Brown attempts to block Smithtown West’s Patrick Burke in a League III matchup Feb. 20. Bill Landon photo
Smithtown West sophomore Patrick Burke lays banks in for 2 in a League III matchup on the road against Newfield. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown West junior Tyler Anderson lets a three-pointer fly in a road game against Newfield Feb. 20. Bill Landon photo
Smithtown West junior Brendon Tenety shoots from the baseline in a League III matchup against Newfield Feb. 20. Bill Landon photo
Newfield junior Michael Agostino drives on Patrick Burke in a home game Feb. 20. Bill Landon photo
Newfield’s Ziggy Hoe sets up the play in a home game against Smithtown West Feb. 20. Bill Landon photo
Newfield’s Isiah Brown drives the lane in a League III matchup at home against Smithtown West Feb. 20. Bill Landon photo
Newfield junior Hamza Yousef nails a three-pointer at home against Smithtown West Feb. 20. Billl Landon photo
Newfield senior Ziggy Hoe drives the lane in a home game against Smithtown West Feb. 20. Photo by Bill Landon
Newfield senior Ziggy Hoe lays up for 2 in a home game against Smithtown West Feb. 20. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown West’s Joe Mitchell goes to the rim for 2 in a League III matchup on the road against Newfield Feb. 20. Bill Landon photo
Smithtown West junior Tyler Anderson takes flight for the score on the road against Newfield Feb. 20. Bill Landon photo
Newfield’s Isiah Brown with a shot block in a league III matchup at home against Smithtown West Feb. 20. Bill Landon photo
Smithtown West freshman Ben Rappa muscles his way to the rim for 2 on the road against Newfield Feb. 20. Bill Landon photo
Quinn Albertson a Smithtown West junior drives his way to the basket on the road against Newfield Feb. 20. Bill Landon photo
The Bulls of Smithtown West were able to hold off Newfield despite a late game surge by the Wolverines, to cap a 55-45 road victory Feb. 20. The win lifts Smithtown West to 3-0, 4-0 overall for second place, one game behind Hills East for the League III title chase. Newfield falls to 0-3 in league in this COVID-19 shorted season.
Tyler Anderson topped the scoring chart for the Bulls with five field goals, a triple and three from the line for a team high 16 points followed by teammate Patrick Burke who banked 9 to go along with 9 rebounds.
Newfield senior Ziggy Hoe stood atop the leaderboard for the Wolverines with 12 points, Michael Agostino netted 9 and Jordan DeJesus tacked on 7. Teammates Isiah Brown the senior and junior Hamza Yousef banked 6 points apiece.
Both teams have three games left that they’ll play in five days-time before post season play gets underway Feb. 26.
Smithtown East Junior Forward Tristan Davis fights for a loose ball with Huntington's Kevin Drake. Photo by Steve Zaitz
Smithtown East Senior Tom Berdon drives past Huntington guard Chad Rowe for two of his 12 points. Photo by Steve Zaitz
Smithtown East Senior Ethan Cain attempts a layup as Huntington's Max Rentsch tries to stop him. Photo by Steve Zaitz
Smithtown East Junior Forward Tristan Davis slam dunks over Henry Vons during the second quarter of East's 49-43 victory over Huntington. Photo by Steve Zaitz
Smithtown East Junior Forward Tristan Davis grabs one of his 12 rebounds during East's 49-43 victory over Huntington. Photo by Steve Zaitz
By Steven Zaitz
It has been almost a full 12 months since Tristan Davis, and the Smithtown East boys varsity basketball team, have taken to the hardwood in a game that actually counted.
Despite the layoff, Davis showed not one bit of rust.
The 6’5” junior forward led all scorers with 16 points in the Red Bulls 49-43 victory over the Huntington High School Blue Devils on Wednesday, Feb. 10 at home. He also dominated on the glass and around the rim with 12 rebounds and 7 blocked shots.
“It feels great to be out here again,” Davis said. “It was great to start the season with a win.”
Two of his points came on a monster slam dunk in the second quarter.
“That dunk was fun,” Davis said. “I hope it’s the first of many.”
Smithtown East Coach Al Chandler was pleased with Davis’ offensive output. But he was even more impressed with how active he was in disrupting Huntington’s attack.
“Tristan has worked really hard to get where he is,” said Coach Chandler, who has been part of the Smithtown East program for close to three decades. “His timing is great when it comes to blocking shots. He took them (Huntington) out of what they wanted to do on offense, and he stayed out of foul trouble. I was really happy with how he played today.”
Senior Forward Tom Berdon chipped in 12 points, shooting 55% from the field and guards Ethan Cain and Jack Melore each sunk a pair of three pointers, both finishing with 6 points. Melore is a freshman. The Bulls opened up a double-digit lead early in the second half and held that lead until the final two minutes. The Blue Devils made a late run by forcing turnovers to cut the lead to six but got no closer.
“We need to protect the ball better there and finish,” Chandler said. “We have some work to do, but we’ll get there.”
Kevin Drake led Huntington with 14 points and was 3 for 5 from three-point range. Point guard Adrian Brooks had 13.
The Bulls go on the road to take on Copiague Friday, Feb 12, then play host to William Floyd Feb 14 and rival Smithtown West Feb 16. Unfortunately, no fans are allowed to attend games at this time.
As per the Section XI website, “Due to safety concerns outlined by the Suffolk County Department of Health and physicians on our safety committee, having no spectators at contests will give us the best chance for schools to complete their upcoming seasons,” said Tom Combs, executive director of Section XI. “The health and safety of our student-athletes, coaches and support staff are paramount in this endeavor of returning to play.”
Smithtown East sophomore Bridget Campanelli makes the play at 1st in a Suffolk class AA quarterfinal on the road against West Islip May 22. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East’s Courtney Hohenberger a senior in her 5th year on varsity from behind the plate in a Suffolk class AA quarterfinal on the road against West Islip May 22. Photo by Bill Landon
Courtney Hohenberger a Smithtown East senior and 5 year varsity player keeps the ball out front in a Suffolk class AA quarterfinal on the road against West Islip May 22. Photo by Bill Landon
Courtney Hohenberger a Smithtown East senior a five year varsity player smacks the ball straight away in a Suffolk class AA quarterfinal against West Islip May 22. Photo by Bill Landon
Hanna Brozyna a senior at Smithtown East drills the ball against West Islip in a quarterfinal double elimination game May 22. Photo by Bill Landon
Senior pitcher Marina Amicizia easily grabs the infield pop-up for Smithtown East in a class AA quarterfinal on the road against West Islip May 22. Photo by Bill Landon
Senior Marina Amicizia smacks a grounder for Smithtown East in a class AA quarterfinal on the road against West Islip May 22. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East conference on the mound May 22. Photo by Bill Landon
Marina Amicizia a senior throws the runner out at first for Smithtown East in a class AA quarterfinal on the road against West Islip May 22. Photo by Bill Landon
Hanna Brozyna a senior at Smithtown East tracks down a fly ball against West Islip in a quarterfinal double elimination game May 22. Photo by Bill Landon
A fast ball from Smithtown East senior Marina Amicizia a four year varsity player in a class AA quarterfinal round against West Islip May 22. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East junior Sammi Swenson a 4 year varsity player easily throws the runner out at first against West Islip May 22nd. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East junior Sammi Swenson a 4 year varsity player hits a dribbler down the 3rd base line against West Islip May 22nd. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East junior Sammi Swenson slides safely home for a 2-0 lead in the opening inning on the road against West Islip May 22nd. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East’s Savannah Coffelt with a deep shot to centerfield in a class AA quarterfinal on the road against West Islip May 22nd. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East junior Tori Hussey hits one deep in a class AA quarterfinal on the road against West Islip May 22nd. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East senior Savannah Coffelt grabs the pop-up in foul territory against West Islip May 22nd. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East senior Savannah Coffelt in her 5th season on varsity smacks one to left field in a class AA quarterfinal on the road against West Islip May 22nd. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East senior Savannah Coffelt in her 5th season on varsity makes the play against West Islip May 22nd. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East senior Savannah Coffelt throws to 1st against West Islip in a Suffolk class AA playoff game May 22nd. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East’s softball team broke out to a two-run lead in the top of the first inning and West Islip answered back in the bottom of the inning in a Suffolk Class AA quarterfinal round May 22, but from there the Bulls bats went silent. West Islip crept ahead scoring a run in the third, fourth and sixth inning to win the game 5-2. In double elimination play the Bulls, the No. 5 seed, went to the loser bracket where they hosted No. 11 seed Lindenhurst the following day in a must win game to stay alive in the postseason.
The Bulls won out against Lindenhurst, and will face Bellport May 25 to see if they will move on in the bracket May 25 with start at 2 p.m.
Smithtown East junior Tori Hussey hits a fly ball in a home game against North Babylon May 14. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East senior Savannah Coffelt, a five year varsity player handles a bunt and fires to first base in a home game against North Babylon May 14. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East junior Sammi Swenson drills one deep against North Babylon at home May 14. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East junior Sammi Swenson hits a long ball against North Babylon at home May 14. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East junior Sammi Swenson tosses the ball to second base for the out against visiting North Babylon May 14. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East senior Hanna Brozyna, a 5 year varsity player throws in from outfield in a home game against North Babylon May 14. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East senior Hanna Brozyna makes the catch against North Babylon at home May 14. Photo by Bill Landon
Freshman outfielder Kayleigh Makarick makes the play for the Bulls in a home game against North Babylon. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East sophomore Jackie Pedley makes the play for the out against visiting North Babylon May 14. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East junior Sammi Swenson is greeted at the plate after a home run against visiting North Babylon May 14. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East senior Hanna Brozyna, a 5 year varsity player makes the catch in a home game against North Babylon May 14. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East junior Caitlin Wilkinson with a big hit against visiting North Babylon May 14. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East’s Caitlin Wilkinson fouls one off to stay alive against visiting North Babylon May 14. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East senior Brianna Nelson unloads from the circle against visiting North Babylon May 14. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East senior shortstop Ashley DeGiorgio fires to 1st base in a home game against North Babylon May 14. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East senior shortstop Ashley DeGiorgio grabs the infield grounder against North Babylon May 14. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East senior shortstop Ashley DeGiorgio drives in a run against North Babylon May 14. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East senior shortstop Ashley DeGiorgio turns the double play at home against North Babylon May 14. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown East managed a one-run lead after the opening inning, but the North Babylon bats came alive in the top of the second, scoring three and from there the Bulls’ bats went silent. North Babylon plated two in the top of the fifth as Smithtown East scored a run in the bottom of the second, but it was too little too late as the Bull’s fell 6-3 in a home game May 14.
The bright spot for the Bulls was Sammi Swenson, who ripped a homer over the centerfield fence driving in a run. With the win North Babylon stays atop the League III leaderboard with West Islip in second place and at 11-4 the Bulls are third, two games back.
Smithtown East plays its final game of the regular season May 16 where they’ll host Newfield before they ready their bats for postseason play. Game time is set for 4 p.m.
Smithtown West senior midfielder Taylor Mennella drives towards midfield in a steady rain on the road against Huntington in their league opener March 21. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown West senior midfielder Taylor Mennella looks for an open player in a steady rain on the road against Huntington in their league opener March 21. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown West celebrates after one of their ten goals against Huntington on the road in their season opener March 21. Photo by Bill Landon
Freshman midfielder Samantha Jones passes towards the sideline for Smithtown West on the road against Huntington in their season opener March 21. Photo by Bill Landon
Freshman midfielder Samantha Jones looks towards the sideline for Smithtown West on the road against Huntington in their season opener March 21. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown West senior Regan Kielmeyer draws against Huntington’s Notre Dame bound Abby Maichin in both teams league opener March 21. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown West senior Regan Kielmeyer sets up the play against Huntington in their season opening victory March 21. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown West senior Regan Kielmeyer pushes up field in a steady rain on the road against Huntington in their season opener March 21. Photo by Bill Landon
Nicholle Marshall a Smithtown West junior clears the ball against Huntington in their season opener on the road March 21. Photo by Bill Landon
Cornell commit junior midfielder Marissa Stafford passes in the Blue Devil’s league opener against Smithtown West March 21. Photo by Bill Landon
Huntington junior Lena Annunziata clears the ball up field in the Blue Devil’s league opener against Smithtown West March 21. Photo by Bill Landon
Senior attack Lauren Coletti crosses midfield in wet conditions on the road against Huntington in their season opening victory March 21. Photo by Bill Landon
Huntington sophomore Jordan Forte crosses midfield in the Blue Devil’s league opener against Smithtown West March 21. Photo by Bill Landon
Midfielder Holly Wright pushes the ball up field for Huntington in their league opener against Smithtown West March 21. Photo by Bill Landon
Huntington junior Holly Wright crosses midfield in the Blue Devil’s league opener against Smithtown West March 21. Photo by Bill Landon
Huntington sophomore attack Charlotte Maggio passes up-top in the Blue Devil’s league opener against Smithtown West March 21. Photo by Bill Landon
Smithtown West sophomore attack Olivia Riportella looks for the open cutter in a steady rain on the road against Huntington in their league opener March 21. Photo by Bill Landon
By Bill Landon
Smithtown West’s girls lacrosse had the upper hand in the first half March 21 as Huntington was unable to overcome a deficit in the final 25 minutes of play. The Bulls notched their first league victory of the early season downing the Blue Devils 10-4 on the road.
Senior Regan Kielmeyer led the way in scoring for Smithtown West with a pair of goals and five assists with teammates and fellow seniors Lauren Coletti and Taylor Mennella netting three goals each.
On the Blue Devils’ side, junior Abby Malchin, senior Maire Brown, senior Paige Lennon and sophomore Charlotte Maggio each scored a goal apiece for Huntington.
The Huntington girls lacrosse team is took the ield again at home against Farmingdale March 25, and will soon take be taking the long road to Riverhead March 29. Game time is set for 4 p.m.
President of Strong Island Rescue Frankie Floridia stands with the Bakewicz family after delivering the calves to the farm Feb. 13. Photo from Frankie Floridia
A North Shore-based animal rescue group has managed to save two young calves before they were slaughtered at a New Jersey farm, and now the animals have found sanctuary with a Wading River farm.
The young Calves Woody (green) and Buzz (blue). Photo from Justin Bakewicz
Frankie Floridia, president of the nonprofit animal rescue group Strong Island Rescue, said he learned about one of the animals from being tagged in a Facebook post. The four-day-old calf was born in Amish country in New Jersey, but was to be sent off to slaughter to not waste the mother’s milk production. Floridia drove up there and learned there was another calf, roughly the same age, that they could also save from the slaughterhouse.
“The Amish had taken [it] away from its mother because it was a male, and they don’t need the calves — they don’t want to waste the milk they’re selling.,” he said.
Back on Long Island, Justin Bakewicz, a member of the family-owned Bakewicz farm in Wading River, had recently experienced a terrible loss. Bakewicz had purchased two, four-month-old calves in January. The health of one of them, named Bo Duke, started to fail. The family brought the calf to Jefferson Animal Hospital in Port Jefferson, and then brought him home and kept it in their kitchen while theyconnected him with an IV and gave him constant shots. Unfortunately, the calf passed away Feb. 8.
“It was a real big disappointment to me, my family and the community — everyone was a big part of it,” Bakewicz said.
Only a few days later, people started to tag the farm owner on the Facebook post about the calves Strong Island Rescue had saved. Bakewicz said his mother, Marianne, thought it might be too soon for new calves, but once he saw the scampering young Jersey bull calves he knew they were right for him.
“We heard that Bakewicz had a calf that passed away a couple days ago, and [Justin] was saying ‘it was like fate,’” Floridia said.
Justin Bakewicz, left, helps feed the calves Woody (green) and Buzz (blue). Photo from Justin Bakewicz
Bakewicz said the two young animals are full of energy.
“The two babies — they’re like puppies,” he said. “One is one week old he’s so full of Vitamin D and I turned around, and there was the other one. I said, ‘well I can’t say no. I got to take them both.’”
The farm owner has taken to raising the calves in his own house where he feeds them from large milk bottles three times a day. Bakewicz has even taken them out for walks.
“I’m walking these things like dogs,” Bakewicz said. “I walked them around my block today and every neighbor was sticking their heads outside going ‘what the hell is that I thought it was a Great Dane.’ Everybody in the neighborhood is excited to watch them grow.”
It will be another week or two of watching the young bulls grow large enough they can move out to the farm.
The farmer asked the community for suggestions of names, and it has settled on Buzz and Woody, after the movie “Toy Story.” The names were suggested by Christin Paparelli Santillo who will receive a free t-shirt.
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.