Kings Park 8th grader Riley Currier battles for the rebound. Bill Landon photo
Kings Park senior Gianna Zawol scores. Bill Landon photo
Kings Park sophomore Avery Brown lets a three-pointer fly. Bill Landon photo
Shoreham-Wading River sophomore Shealyn Varbero shoots for the Wildcats. Bill Landon photo
Shoreham-Wading River senior Alyssa Bell lets a three-pointer fly for the Wildcats. Bill Landon photo
Shoreham-Wading River senior Haylie Abrams shoots from down low. Bill Landon photo
Shoreham-Wading River senior Alyssa Bell banks two for the Wildcats. Bill Landon photo
Haylie Abrams (l) wrestles Emily Clemens for the rebound. Bill Landon photo
Shoreham-Wading River junior Anabel Keegan drives the lane for the Wildcats. Bill Landon photo
Jump ball. Photo by Bill Landon
Kings Park sophomore Avery Brown down low. Bill Landon photo
Kings Park 8th grader Riley Currier lets a three-pointer fly. Bill Landon photo
Kings Park freshman Addison Kelly lays up for two. Bill Landon photo
Kings Park senior Gianna Zawol battles down low. Bill Landon photo
Kings Park sophomore Maddie DiRusso lays up. Bill Landon photo
By Bill Landon
The last time Shoreham-Wading River squared off against Kings Park was back on Feb. 28, in the Suffolk County Class A, semi-final round, where the Lady Kingsmen defeated the Wildcats, concluding their 2023-24 campaign at Centereach High School.
The wound was still raw for the Wildcats who looked to avenge that season ending defeat in a home game on Monday, Dec. 9. The score was close in the first 12 minutes of play, when the Wildcats surged in the closing minutes of the opening half, netting 10 points to alter the rhythm of the game.
The Kingsmen rallied too, coming within 7 points, with only 3 minutes left in the game. But the Wildcats were able to arrest the onslaught, winning the game 43-33.
Shoreham Wading River opened their season with a pair of non-league wins against Sachem East and Hauppauge, a league victory against Miller Place. They look to be on solid footing for another run at the Suffolk Class A title.
Kings Park senior Melanie New drains a three-pointer in the Suffolk class A final against Bayport. Photo by Bill Landon
Time out Kings Park. Photo by Bill Landon
Kings Park junior Gianna Zawol hits a three-pointer in the Suffolk class A final against Bayport. Photo by Bill Landon
Kings Park senior Ryan Currier banks two in the Suffolk class A final against Bayport. Photo by Bill Landon
Emily Clemens goes to the rim for Kings Park in the Suffolk class A final against Bayport. Photo by Bill Landon
Kings Park senior Ryan Currier lays up for two in the Suffolk class A final against Bayport. Photo by Bill Landon
Suffolk Class A champions. Bill Landon photo
Suffolk Class A champions. Bill Landon photo
By Bill Landon
It was a sloppily played game with turnovers, missed free throws and shots that just didn’t drop, but the Lady Kingsmen managed to keep the Bayport Mariners at bay when it mattered most in the Suffolk Class A final game March 3. Kings Park (No. 1) defeated Bayport-Blue Point (No. 6) 53-41 at Suffolk County Community College, Selden, and made history as they captured their very first Suffolk title in program history.
The win propels Kings Park to the Long Island championship.
Senior Ryan Currier, the backbone of the Kings Park offense, led the way scoring 22 points with Gianna Zawol adding 13.
The Lady Kingsmen retake the court Sunday, March 10, at SUNY Farmingdale where they’ll square off against Nassau champion Cold Spring Harbor. Tipoff is scheduled for noon.
Samantha Schultz lays up a shot. Photo by Bill Landon
By Bill Landon
In her last showing of the season, Kings Park’s Sam Schultz may be bummed about the loss, but she has a lot to brag about. The senior was held to 10 points, but they made all the difference as she finishes as the school’s all-time leading scorer, with 1,673 points. She broke the 2004 record of 1,515, set by Jen DiChiara.
“I feel awful for Sam that she’s going out like this,” Kings Park head coach Tom Edmundson said. “But unfortunately, that’s athletics and that happens.”
No. 2-seeded Kings Park trailed No. 6 Hauppauge most of the game in a 61-51 Class A semifinal loss Feb. 20. Leighann Perciballi swished a 3-pointer and followed it with a layup after an Eagles turnover to close the gap to three points with just over three minutes left, but it was as close as the Kingsmen would come.
Sam Hogan scores. Photo by Bill Landon
“Obviously they’re very good with their [tall players] — they have a 6-3 forward that we just don’t measure up with, and she had a nice game,” Edmundson said. “Their entire team played well. Every girl on the court did their job and we lacked in some areas today.”
Hauppauge keyed on Schultz, who was double teamed from opening tipoff. From a 12-all tie with 1:29 left in the opening quarter, Hauppauge dominated the boards, protected the ball and slowly edged ahead until the team led by nine at halftime, 31-22.
Schultz began the game ranked No. 2 in Suffolk County in scoring this season with 577 points. Unable to drive the lane or get clear looks to the rim, she was held well below her average 26.2 points per game.
In contrast, junior Sam Hogan was free to pick up the slack, netting seven field goals, a pair of free-throws and a triple to put her atop the scoring chart with 19 points. Perciballi and junior Izzy Buffa finished with seven points each, Haley Jette banked five and Julia Pellettieri netted three.
The League V champions entered the postseason 19-2 overall and 15-2 in conference action. The Kingsmen topped No. 7 Shoreham-Wading River, 77-62, in the first round of playoffs Feb. 17. Edmundson said the team expected to make a run at a state title, but said his girls have a lot to be proud of despite the loss.
“In the grand scheme of things, I think we over achieved this year when we lost so many players from last year’s team,” he said, adding how it was nice to see the younger girls step up and perform. “It never feels good when the season ends, but I’m so proud of them and their entire season looking back — we’re not going to remember this loss, we’re going to remember the last three months of what we’ve accomplished and be proud of that.”
