John Hagen fights for yards. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Nico Laviano takes on tacklers. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Nico Laviano takes on tacklers. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Nico Laviano makes a move, Photo by Steven Zaitz
Nico Laviano breaks a tackle. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Nico Laviano takes on tacklers. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Hills East quarterback Leisaan Hibbert, who rushed for four touchdowns in Hills East's 35-4 victory over Kings Park. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Hills East QB Leisaan Hibbert, breaks the tackle of Cole Iglio. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Kings Park receiver John Dowling is tackled by John Isaacs. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Nico Laviano hauls in a pass. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Nico Laviano wards off Jared Gallub with a stiff arm. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Nico Laviano wards off Jared Gallub with a stiff arm. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Hills East QB Leisaan Hibbert is sacked in the end zone. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Senior Appreciation Day at Kings Park High School March 20. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Jimmy Brauer Jr. presents his mother with flowers as he was recognized at Senior Appreciation Day at Kings Park High School March 20. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Cole Iglio presents his mother with flowers as he was recognized at Senior Appreciation Day at Kings Park High School March 20. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Dan Lopez stiff-arms the Half Hollow Hills East defense. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Dan Lopez takes a screen pass for a first down. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Jared Gallub outruns the Kings Park defense. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Hills East quarterback Leisaan Hibbert runs for 15 of his 185 yards in Hills East's 35-4 victory over Kings Park March 20. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Cole Iglio fights for yards. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Hills East quarterback Leisaan Hibbert breaks the tackle of Kings Park cornerback John Matthews. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Halftime flag and marching band show at Senior Appreciation Day at Kings Park High School March 20. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Halftime flag and marching band show at Senior Appreciation Day at Kings Park High School March 20. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Hills East quarterback Leisaan Hibbert fires downfield. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Kings Park receiver John Dowling fumbles. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Kris Tillis breaks around left tackle for 25 yards in Half Hollow Hills East's 35-4 victory over Kings Park March 20. Photo by Steven Zaitz
By Steven Zaitz
The Kings Park defense did something of a rarity on March 20 against Half Hollow Hills East.
They scored four points on two safeties. That’s a pretty neat trick.
Unfortunately for the Kingsmen, Hills East superstar Quarterback Leisaan Hibbert rushed for four touchdowns, as the Thunderbirds cruised to a 35-4 victory in this non-league matchup in Kings Park on Senior Appreciation Day. Touchdowns are much better than safeties.
The Kingsmen, having drawn two tough matchups to start the season, are now 0-2 and have been outscored by a combined 93-10. They lost this year’s opener to Sayville in a rematch of the 2019 Suffolk County Division III semifinal playoff game. In so many ways, that playoff game seems like it was a 100 years ago.
As for Hills East, in their two games, Hibbert has rushed for seven touchdowns with three against Malverne and four on this day against Kings Park. He rambled for 195 yards against the Kingsmen, running around, through, and over the K.P. defense in a variety of ways. The Kingsmen had no answer for running backs Jared Gallub and Kris Tillis either, as the Thunderbirds rolled up over 300 rushing yards on the afternoon. Tillis took the second play from scrimmage 45 yards for a touchdown and Hills East never looked back.
On this spring-like Saturday, the artificial turf and the sun might have been a factor in conditioning, but both teams had to play on the same field. The Kingsman simply got their crowns handed to them.
Kings Park starting quarterback Jonathan Borkowski was harried and hassled all day, with defensive linemen Obiri and Konadu Boadu setting up shop in the Kingsmen backfield from the opening gun — both of whom refusing to leave. Hills East had six sacks and Middle Linebacker Josh Isaacs had one of those sacks. The leading tackler on Hills East Team was Gallub with 11 tackles. James O’Melia replaced Borkowski in the 4th Quarter but fared no better.
It doesn’t get any easier for Kings Park, as they host Westhampton Beach Friday, March 26. The Hurricanes blew away Centereach 48-0 on Saturday, have won both their games and are ranked fourth in Newsday’s Top Ten Small School poll for all of Long Island.
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.
Matt Grillo moves the ball into Connetquot's zone. Photo by Bill Landon
Michael Giaquinto wins a faceoff and sets up the play. Photo by Bill Landon
Dylan Pallonetti drives around a defender. Photo by Bill Landon
Malachy McAvoy shoots. Photo by Bill Landon
Michael Giaquinto races to the crease. Photo by Bill Landon
Dylan Pallonetti and Liam Davenport celebrate a goal. Photo by Bill Landon
By Bill Landon
A strong dose of Dylan Pallonetti is just what the doctor ordered.
With his No. 1-seeed Ward Melville boys lacrosse team down 2-0 in the first quarter, the junior scored three straight for a lead his Patriots would not let go of, and capped off the game with another three to seal the deal in a 14-8 Class A semifinal win over No. 5 Connetquot May 24.
Pallonetti ended with a game-high nine goals and one assist on the evening at Islip High School.
“We came out a little slow, but we started moving the ball well in the second half when we figured out their zone,” Pallonetti said. “And we scored some goals.”
He said his team will take the momentum built in this game and transfer it on to the next. Ward Melville faces No. 3 Half Hollow Hills East at Islip High School in the Class A title game May 30 at 7 p.m.
“We’ll have a couple days of practice,” Pallonetti said. “We’ll practice hard, go hard and just keep going.”
Ward Melville head coach Jay Negus said the team didn’t change its game plan when facing the Thunderbirds and will treat Wednesday’s game against the Colts the same way.
“We were a little impatient at first, but we came back to our game plan,” Negus said, noting playmakers on the field, especially on the defensive end, that made some of Pallonetti’s goals possible. “Ethan Larson, Frank Ciniglio, Alex Mazzone and Collin Krieg played well and Patty O’Neill made some unbelievable takeaways that sparked some transition goals.”
Seniors Matt Grillo (two goal, two assists), Zach Hobbes (two goals) and Lucas Flynn (one goal) also found the back of cage for Ward Melville. Senior Ryan Pallonetti, Dylan’s older brother, added an assist.
Ward Melville (16-1 overall, 13-1 in Division I) will look to avenge its only loss of the season. The Patriots fell to Hills East, 7-6, even after scoring three straight goals with 55 seconds left to close what was a 7-3 gap. Ward Melville is vying for its third straight county crown.
“We’ve got our work cut out for us against Hills East,” Negus said. “So we’re going to dig in the next couple of days and be prepared.”
This version has been updated to correct the amount of goals that Pallonetti scored.
Iris Sovocchi goes for a layup. Photo by Bill Landon
By Bill Landon
Northport’s girls basketball team was unable to keep up its streak of close games against former League II foe Half Hollow Hills East, as the Tigers fell 59-45 to the now League III Thunderbirds on the road Dec. 11.
Even so, Northport sophomore guard Danielle Pavinelli did what she could to counter Hills East’s leading point scorer Alexa Wallace, matching her with a game-high 21 points.
Danielle Pavinelli reaches over blockers to make her shot. Photo by Bill Landon
Northport head coach Rich Castellano said the result was not indicative of how the Tigers typically play, noting junior Hannah Stockman’s early foul trouble.
“Hannah [Stockman] … she’s our biggest scorer and our top 3-point shooter, and Shelby [Maldavir], our senior captain, I don’t think she hit one 3-pointer today,” Castellano said. “I think Kerry [Dennin] and Danielle [Pavinelli] — those two carried us for several long stretches.”
Pavinelli, who is following her sister Allie, a 2014 graduate, by committing to play lacrosse at the University of Florida next year, nailed two free throws to give Northport its first lead of the game, 6-5. But it was short lived, as the foul trouble led to a collection of free points for the Thunderbirds, which led 26-11 at the end of the first quarter.
Junior guard Iris Sovocchi attempted shift momentum Northport’s way, nailing back-t-back 3-pointers to close the deficit to 12 points both times, and Pavinelli added a three of her own, but it was Kerry Dennin that was able to break through. The sophomore forward drove the lane and wouldn’t be denied the scoring opportunity, as she added a bucket that brought the Tigers within 10, 32-22, at the break.
Dennin matched a Hills East 3-pointer with one of her own to start the scoring for the third as minutes ticked off the clock, but Northport was not able to chip away at the 10-point margin. The Thunderbirds diligently drove the baseline, drawing fouls as they continued to collect points from the charity stripe.
Kerry Dennin pushes past Half Hollow Hills East defenders to take a shot. Photo by Bill Landon
“This was not a normal games for us — we didn’t shoot well tonight,” said Castellano, who was recently inducted into the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame and begins his 39th year at the helm of the Northport program. “But I give [Half Hollow Hills East] credit; they did a great job on defense against us, they worked hard and they played better. They did what they had to do to win the game.”
Behind Pavinelli was Dennin with eight points and Sovocchi added six.
“We usually have a strong three-point game, but tonight we didn’t,” the head coach said despite the Tigers matching the Thunderbirds with six 3-pointers. “Our offense stalled a little, but Kerry Dennin played a great game for us tonight.”
Northport has two more nonleague contests, against Smithtown West and Massapequa, before opening league play hosting Bay Shore Dec. 19 at 6 p.m.
Keren Collins is surrounded by her teammates following her three-set win to propel Ward Melville to a county team title. Photo by Bill Landon
By Bill Landon
The Patriots had been in this position before, but this time, all eyes were on senior Keren Collins.
Keren Collins returns the ball. Photo by Bill Landon
The Ward Melville girls tennis team’s chance at redeeming last season’s finals loss to Commack for the Suffolk County team title came down to the third singles match, and Collins came from behind 4-6, 6-0, 6-4 to claim the crown for the No. 1 Patriots with a 4-3 edging of No. 2 Half Hollow Hills East Oct. 23.
“At first, the pressure was nonexistent, but when I found out [I was in the last match of the day] and up by three or four games, I said to myself, ‘I’m going to use that advantage and get this, right here,’” Collins said. “Last year we made it to the finals and lost to Commack, but this year we were determined to make it happen and I wasn’t going to let the chance slip away.”
While Collins was competing on the William Floyd court, third doubles pair Ellie Berger and Sam Sloan were playing alongside her. The Patriots duo dropped the second set 1-6 after winning a commanding first 6-1, and eked out a 6-4 win in the third over Lauren Kornfeld and Emily Me taxas.
Denise Lai volleys. Photo by Bill Landon
After the win and even with the mounting pressure, Collins kept her pace and her power stroke strong as she wore down her opponent.
“I was able to hit down the middle and I kept going to every possible corner that I could,” she said. “But [Melissa Chen] was extremely athletic — she was able to get to almost everything, she was like a ball machine, so I had to tire her out as much as possible.”
Ward Melville head coach Erick Sussin said his three-time All-County player was a game-changer.
“Keren was able to change the dynamic of the game. What she lacks in mobility on the court she makes up with power,” he said. “With power — putting the slice in every so often — she mixed it up so that pace went from really fast to really slow, and that caught her opponent off=guard.”
Earlier in the match, Anna Ma won her fourth singles match 6-3, 6-1 and Denise Lai did her part in first singles, defeating Alexis Huber in convincing fashion 6-0, 6-2. But the two-time All-State player admitted she was nervous about whether her team could pull out a victory.
“I had some doubts,” Lai said. “Last year was kind of sad, we lost big time, but I’m so happy that we finally won.”
Julia Hu serves the ball. Photo by Bill Landon
Sussin said that changing wind conditions presented a problem, especially during Collins match, but said she seemed to take the gusts of wind in stride.
“It was a factor early on, especially in that second set, and she used the wind when she needed to —when the wind was at her back her slice was dropping in,” Sussin said. “And when the wind was at her face she was able to hit through it with all her pace.”
Julia Hu, a three-time All-County player, said she did not doubt Collins in the nail-biting contest, even through standing still in silence with her teammates.
“I knew she could pull it out — she has that amazing mental strength,” Hu said. “She’s been playing tennis for so long and she knows she has to get the job done, and won’t let her emotions interfere with what she has to do.”
Ward Melville now turns its attention to winning the Long Island title. The undefeated, 18-0 Patriots will play Port Washington at Half Hollow Hills West Oct. 25 at 3 p.m.
The Ward Melville girls tennis team took the Suffolk County team title with a 4-3 win over Half Hollow Hills East Oct. 24. Photo by Bill Landon
Hansen, Hudzik head girls and boys teams to victory
Lauren Hansen maintains possession during a previous game. File photo by Desirée Keegan
It was a winning weekend for Ward Melville.
First, the No. 2 girls’ basketball team trampled No. 18 North Babylon, with sophomore Lauren Hansen putting up a game-high 35 points in 20 minutes Feb. 17. The Patriots demolished North Babylon 93-24.
“Lauren played great like always and her putting up 35 points in 20 minutes is something really special,” said senior Taylor Tripptree, who finished with 15 points.
Taylor Tripptree dribbles around a defender during a prior matchup. File photo by Desirée Keegan
Hansen scored more than half of the team’s first-quarter points, banking 15 of the 24, while the Patriots held their opponent to just five points.
Twelve different Patriots managed to show up on the score sheet, including a few junior varsity players who got the call to join the varsity squad, which impressed the veteran Tripptree.
Junior Bre Cohn chipped in 12 points, which would have been enough to lead North Babylon in scoring.
But to Hansen, who made eight shots from beyond the arc, the first-round win is only the first step.
“We’re looking to win the whole thing,” she said. “We have to stay locked in each moment in practice and in preparation for the very next game.”
She said she liked the way her team bounced back from its 38-33 loss to Brentwood in the last regular season game.
“It was what we had to do,” Hansen said. “I give a lot of credit to my teammates. Without them, it wouldn’t be possible. I thought a lot about what I could’ve done better individually after the loss to Brentwood, and I let the loss soak in and the feeling of it, and I did a much better job in preparation before I even put the jersey on for game day. In practice, and out of it.”
She said her team will use the first-round win as motivation when it moves on to No. 7 Half Hollow Hills West for a home game Feb. 22 at 6 p.m.
Mat Hudzik moves the ball up the court during a previous contest. File photo by Desirée Keegan
“The game made a statement, showing that we are definitely on a mission,” Hansen said. “We call this a second season, and we’re focused on not dwelling on our accomplishments or obstacles in the regular season. Going into the second round I think it’s definitely time to amp our intensity up even more, and accomplish all that we have set out to do.”
The next day, the No. 6 boys’ basketball team hosted No. 11 East Islip and also made short work of its opponent, with the Patriots bouncing the Redmen out of the postseason with a 66-34 victory.
Ward Melville nearly doubled East Islip’s first-quarter score, leading 17-9 after eight minutes.
“I think we had a big first quarter because we were all excited to go out in front of our home crowd and win for them,” said senior Dom Pryor, who finished with a double-double on 14 points and 14 rebounds. “What really helped us get the win was our coaching staff making sure we were all prepared before the game even started. Coach made it specific that we were not doing anything different than we have all year, and that we just needed to play like we always do.”
Dom Pryor leaps up for the layup during a previous game. File photo by Desirée Keegan
Like the girls, the boys also put forth a total team effort with nine different scorers.
“I thought we all came together as a team and executed in all parts of the game,” Pryor said. “It’s always more comfortable when you have so many threats on offense, especially ones that are rarely off their game.”
Classmate Matt Hudzik liked what he was seeing from his teammate.
“Dom works really hard,” Hudzik said. “He is everywhere on the court, is really good at playing defense and grabbing rebounds and loose balls.”
Hudzik led all scorers with 21 points —18 on 3-pointers — and senior Alex Sobel banked six field goals and a free throw for 13 points.
“My outside shot was feeling good and my teammates just kept finding me on the wing,” Hudzik said. “Before the game, we just talked about everyone doing their job. If everyone on the team does what they are supposed to, we play to the best of our ability.”
Ward Melville will travel to No. 3 Half Hollow Hills East Feb. 21 for a 2 p.m. tipoff.
Pryor said he sees smooth sailing in Ward Melville’s future.
“I feel very confident in our next match up,” he said. “I don’t think any team can keep up with our offensive threats, and when we play defense like we did today, I don’t think there’s a team that can stop us.”
Eddie Munoz celebrates a goal. Photo by Clayton Collier
By Clayton Collier
With 13 goals in the first half, the No. 4-seeded Ward Melville boys’ lacrosse team made quick work of No. 5 Half Hollow Hills East in a 17-1 routing Tuesday in the Suffolk County Class A quarterfinals.
Ward Melville head coach Jay Negus stressed to his team the need for a full 48 minutes of quality play to best their opponent.
“I’m very, very happy with the team’s effort today,” he said. “All year long I’ve been on them to play four quarters of Ward Melville lacrosse together, and today was it. … We put it all together today and at the perfect time. This is a very dangerous team when we can do that.”
Hills East head coach Gordie Hodgson said the Patriots were in control of the game the whole way through.
“I thought Ward Melville dominated in every aspect of the game,” he said. “They dominated on the faceoff and counter possession, and we weren’t able to generate offense because of it.”
Dan Bucaro maintains possession with Half Hollow Hills East players racing to stop him. Photo by Clayton Collier
In retrospect, all the Patriots needed was a 10-minute stretch to put the game out of reach for the Thunderbirds.
Ward Melville senior attack Dan Bucaro notched the first goal of the afternoon with just over five minutes remaining in the first quarter, muscling past a pair of Hills East defenders to sneak one past Thunderbirds goaltender Jordan Eichholz on the left side of the net. The goal was Bucaro’s first of four on the day.
“I came out fast and ready to go — the team really got me going,” he said. “Everyone came together today.”
The Georgetown University-bound senior said his work isn’t done with Ward Melville, and his goal opened the floodgates for the Patriots, as they tacked on an additional eight goals over the next 10 minutes of play.
Sophomore midfielder Eddie Munoz, who was responsible for two of those eight goals, said Negus told the team at halftime that the kind of offensive output the Patriots had has always been possible for the team.
“He said this was one of our first games this year that we played a full half,” Munoz said of Negus’ message to the team, while up 13-1. “We started off slow this season, so he said it was the first time that we started a first half well, and told us to just keep going.”
Senior attack Billy McGinley had a trio of goals, while classmates and midfielders Jake McCulloch, James Kickel and John Burgdoerfer each scored twice as well.
The lone Thunderbirds goal came on a deflection from Ward Melville junior goaltender D.J. Kellerman.
“He had a goal,” Bucaro said, with a laugh. “He played great, really. He’s just got to keep it up.”
Kellerman made eight saves on the day.
The Patriots will head to Northport Friday for the semifinals, taking on the No. 1-seeded Tigers at 4:15 p.m. at Veterans Park. Ward Melville will enter the game with a chip on their collective shoulder. The last time the two teams matched up, Northport scored four goals in the final quarter to edge out the Patriots, 7-6. Bucaro said his team is hungry to get the win the second time around.
“I’m expecting a really tough game,” he said. “They’re a very good team. We’ve got to get payback; we’ve got to get angry and be ready to play.”
