Ward Melville High School sophomore captures action shots at NCAA men’s lacrosse quarterfinals

by TBR Staff - May 25, 2019

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Two thrilling overtime games send Virginia and Duke to lacrosse championship weekend

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By Robert Earl Pszybylski

Robert Earl Pszybylski, a sophomore at Ward Melville High School, attended the NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Championship quarterfinals May 18 at the James M. Shuart Stadium at Hofstra University in Hempstead. The 15-year-old budding photographer captured the action shots in the photo gallery above.

The Cavaliers of Virginia University and the Blue Devils of Duke University punched their ticket to Philadelphia in front of a crowd of more 8,000 fans Saturday, May 18 at James M. Shuart Stadium, Hofstra University in Hempstead. With both games requiring overtime to determine a winner, these quarterfinal games had fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle blew.

For the first of the two games, unranked Maryland took on No. 3 seed Virginia. The Maryland Terrapins had a 12-7 lead at 10:38 of the fourth quarter. With a five-goal lead, Maryland took their foot off the gas and started to run down the clock; not scoring at all for the remainder of the game. It looked like for yet another year they would head back to Championship weekend, but the Terrapins fell short, returning to College Park not making the semifinals for the first time in six years. Virginia came out on top, giving the Terps more than they could handle. Senior Ryan Conrad had four goals and an assist during the game, including three goals in the fourth to charge the comeback for Virginia. Michael Kraus cashed in with his game-tying goal with 1:14 left. Kraus had the assist on Matt Moore’s overtime game winner, his 40th of the season, ending this game at 13-12.

The second game of the day featured No. 2 Duke and No. 7 Notre Dame. No different from the previous two games earlier this season, where each team had won a game, it was back and forth until the very end. Duke went ahead and put four goals on the board to open this contest. However, the Fighting Irish fought right back. After being academically ineligible for the regular season, Ryder Garnsey was able to compete for the Irish in the postseason. During the first round game, Garnsey dropped a hat trick against Johns Hopkins in a convincing 16-9 win. Saturday, yet once again, Ryder Garnsey started the fire for the Irish putting in four and grabbing the helpers on another two goals. Bryan Costabile and Brendan Gleason had a pair of goals each, railing for five goals in the fourth quarter, grabbing their first lead of the game. Duke would not be stopped, bringing the game to thirteen apiece courtesy of a goal from Jake Seau. But in the end, sophomore, Joe Robertson capitalized being guarded by a short stick, and had the final blow against the Irish; with seconds winding down on the shot clock, he had his third goal of the game, with a final score of 14-13.

With this past weekend of play, we are in store for an exciting slate of games concluding on Memorial Day. No. 2 Duke takes on No. 3 Virginia. For the Blue Devils, they are competing in back to back semifinal games. Last year they lost in the Championship game to a hungry group from Yale. Virginia is returning to the Final Four for the first time since 2011, where they sealed the deal on the program’s fifth NCAA Championship. The winner of this game is set to face off with the victor of No. 1 Penn State and the reigning champs, No. 5 Yale.

Three Village Central School District students are invited to send their stories and photos capturing their perspectives of life to [email protected].

Bulls softball team tripped up in first loss of postseason play

by Bill Landon - May 24, 2019

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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.

Ward Melville Patriots 3rd quarter surge snare Tigers 11-8

by Bill Landon - May 24, 2019

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The Northport Tigers, the Division I No. 3 seed, went to the halftime break protecting a one goal lead, but the Ward Melville Patriots, the No. 2 seed, sparked to life in the 3rd quarter scoring four goals to take the lead for good in the Class A semifinal round winning 11-8 at home May 23.

Junior Jack Gillen led the way for the Patriots scoring three goals with one assist, seniors Dylan Pallonetti had two assists along with two goals and Brandon Aviles found the cage twice.

Sal Micco, a junior, topped the scoring chart for the Tigers stretching the net four times while senior captains Max Napoli and Liam Caulfield had two goals apiece. Northport concludes their 2019 campaign with a 10-5 record, 11-6 overall.

The Patriots will again advance to the Suffolk County championship round at Farmingdale State College May 29 where they’ll face the No.1 seed Smithtown West. Game time is at 6 p.m. Admission is $10 at the gate or can be purchased online for $8 here: https://gofan.co/app/school/NYSPHSAAXI

Port Jefferson Station protesters condemn abortion laws in southern states

by Kyle Barr - May 24, 2019

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Holding coat hangers and signs high above their heads, nearly 20 protesters stood at the corner of Nesconset Highway and Route 112 shouting “Keep your hands off our bodies,” and “We won’t go back.”

The locals, organized by the North Shore Peace group, came out in protest decrying several states’ moves to severely restrict abortion, including Alabama, Georgia, Ohio and Missouri. In Alabama’s case, abortion will be restricted to only in cases that the woman’s health is in danger. It also restricts abortion for people who are victims of rape, and doctors who perform abortions could face up to 99 years in prison.

The laws have largely been seen as attempts to move abortion to the plate of the U.S. Supreme Court in the hopes that landmark case Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortions, would be overturned.

Protesters held coat hangers high above their heads to symbolize the instrument used when abortions were illegal to perform
“backroom” unsanitary abortions, often out of desperation.

“I’m speechless, I just don’t know what to say anymore,” said Myrna Gordon, a protest organizer.

One protester, Janet Sklar, had a charm necklace that she plucked out of her shirt and laid over her sign. One charm, a coat hanger, had been on that necklace for close to 40 years.

“We were marching in the ʼ70s for this, and look how far we haven’t come,” she said.

Middle Country Mad Dogs too much for Bay Shore

by Bill Landon - May 23, 2019

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The Mad Dogs girls lacrosse team got off to a sluggish start against the visiting Bay Shore Marauders falling behind by three early in the quarterfinal round of the Class A playoffs May 20. But Middle Country, the No. 1 seed, got down to business, scoring six unanswered goals to tie the game at 7 to close out the opening half. The Mad Dogs let their sticks do the talking in the second half, scoring seven more goals than their opponent to win the game, 16-9.

Senior midfielder Sophie Alois found the back of the net four times along with an assist. Seniors Jennifer Barry and Sydney Juvelier both had three goals each. Eighth-grader Kate Timarky topped the chart with three goals and three assists. Senior Sydney Corley scored as did sophomores Alexa Cordingley and Alyssa Oddo. Senior goalie Elizabeth Pomaro had four saves on the day.

In victory, Middle Country, 14-2 in the league, advances to the semifinal round where they’ll host Riverhead May 23. Game time is 4 p.m.

Theater Review: ‘The Wizard of Oz’ is a wondrous affair at Theatre Three

by Heidi Sutton - May 23, 2019

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By Heidi Sutton

From now through June 22, children and adults alike are invited to follow the yellow brick road on Main Street in Port Jefferson (yes, there is an actual yellow road painted on the sidewalk) through the double doors of Theatre Three to see a wondrous stage version of L. Frank Baum’s “The Wizard of Oz.”

First published in 1900 as a children’s book titled “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” the classic story has given rise to many sequels, spin-offs and adaptations including radio shows, musicals and the iconic 1939 MGM film starring a 16-year-old Judy Garland.

When Dorothy Gale from Kansas is swept away by a tornado, she is dropped in the Land of Oz and must make her way to the Emerald City to ask the Wizard to help her and her dog Toto get home. Along the way she befriends alternate versions of her family and neighbors including The Scarecrow, The Tinman and Cowardly Lion who protect her from the Wicked Witch of the West who wants Dorothy’s magic ruby slippers.

Theatre Three’s stage version, adapted by John Kane with music and lyrics by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg, follows the original MGM screenplay, leaving in additional verses to the songs, secondary script and musical numbers like “The Jitterbug” that didn’t make the final cut in the film. We learn the backstory about The Tinman (a bit macabre) and The Cowardly Lion (think “The Lion King”) and why the Winkies always chant “Oh wee-Oh, we-ohhhhh um.” The result is a fresh take on a beloved favorite.

Presenting a mainstage production of “The Wizard of Oz” with numerous sets, song and dance numbers and costume changes is not an easy feat, but Director Jeffrey Sanzel has assembled a talented cast of over 30 actors who pull it off with ease.

Ashley Ferraro is perfectly cast as Dorothy and her rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” is enchanting. Dorothy’s faithful pet Toto is played by the adorable Miss Mia Donatuti who elicits many “Oh my’s” from the audience every time her four paws hit the stage or she peaks out of the basket.

So nice to see Jim Sluder back on Theatre Three’s stage, this time as Dorothy’s favorite, The Scarecrow, who is convinced he has no brain. Eric J. Hughes plays The Tinman who has plenty of heart but tends to rust a lot and Andrew Lenahan is the perfect Cowardly Lion and gives us a glorious performance of “If I Only Had the Nerve.”

Linda May is outstanding as Almira Gulch/ Wicked Witch of the West. Close your eyes and you’ll swear Margaret Hamilton is on stage. May’s rendition of the famous line “I’ll get you my pretty, and your little dog too!” followed by that shrill cackle will send chills down your spine.

Special mention should be made of The Munchkins, who, with their high little giggles, are a sweet addition to the story. Their big number, “Munchinkland,” complete with The Lollipop Kids and The Lullaby League, brings the house down.

The sets, designed by Randall Parsons, are impressive as well. Large painted panels slide back and forth, revealing the different scenes while posters depicting the cover and pages from the storybook adorn the edges of the stage. Taking a cue from the 1939 film, Uncle Henry and Auntie Em’s Kansas farm uses muted colors of browns and greens and then, in true Technicolor fashion, Dorothy and Toto arrive in Munchkinland where every color in the rainbow is utilized.

In a stroke of genius, Sanzel uses flower umbrellas as props which, when opened, are the perfect hiding spot for Munchkins and make for a beautiful field of poppies. And wait until you see the special effects!

Accompanied by a powerhouse orchestra led by conductor Jeffrey Hoffman, the show’s big musical numbers are wonderfully choreographed by Jean P. Sorbera. Costumes by Chakira Doherty are a work of art.

In the end, the adventures of Dorothy, The Scarecrow, The Tin Man and The Cowardly Lion reinforce the power of friendship and that there really is no place like home.

In his director’s notes, Sanzel writes, “In our mind’s eye, we see this unusual quartet, arms linked, traveling down an unknown road. And herein lies the heart: The emphasis is in the journey. Growth comes from the venture and the efforts we make not just for ourselves but for those who walk the road with us.”

Dedicated to the faithful and young at heart, L. Frank Baum’s “The Wizard of Oz” closes out Theatre Three’s 2018-19 season as a vibrantly colorful rainbow. Don’t miss this wonderful family show.

Magic wands are sold before the show and during intermission and photos with Dorothy, Toto, The Tinman, The Cowardly Lion and The Scarecrow are available after the show. Donations are being accepted for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Also, take a chance at a raffle to win Almira Gulch’s bicycle.

Theatre Three, located at 412 Main St., Port Jefferson will present “The Wizard of Oz” on the Mainstage through June 22 with a special evening start time of 7 p.m., Saturday matinees at 2 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 3 pm. Running time is 2 hours 10 minutes with a 15-minute intermission. Tickets are $35 adults, $28 seniors and students, $20 children ages 5 to 12. For more information or to order, please call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

All photos by Brian Hoerger, Theatre Three Productions Inc.

Long Island Museum in Stony Brook hosts plein air event

by Heidi Sutton - May 22, 2019

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On Saturday, May 18 the Long Island Museum invited members of its LIMarts collaborative arts group to participate in a plein air painting and sketching opportunity on the grounds and inside galleries.

Plein air painting is about leaving the four walls of the studio behind and experiencing painting and drawing in the landscape. It’s a technique that was made popular by French Impressionists (think Monet’s Garden at Givernay) in the 19th century.

Visitors to the museum enjoyed seeing the artists at work, taking inspiration from the museum’s beautiful gardens and world-class exhibitions. The day concluded with a reception where the artists had an opportunity to sell their work.

Brookhaven National Laboratory hosts Elementary School Science Fair

by Heidi Sutton - May 21, 2019

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Shoreham-Wading River, Hauppauge and Northport-East Northport schools take home honors

More than 440 science projects from 100 Suffolk County elementary schools filled the rooms of Brookhaven National Laboratory on May 4 for the research center’s 2019 Elementary School Science Fair. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Brookhaven National Laboratory and coordinated by the lab’s Office of Educational Programs, the projects were judged by Brookhaven scientists, engineers and technical staff, as well as teachers from local elementary schools. One student from each grade was selected as a finalist.

Connor Nugent, a kindergartner from Miller Avenue School in the Shoreham-Wading River school district, won first place for his project titled “Spaghetti Strength,” while first-grader Audrey Leo of Lincoln Avenue Elementary School in the Sayville school district beat out the competition with her project, “Knot Again.”

Zachary Lister, a second-grader from Miller Avenue School, Shoreham-Wading River school district, wowed the judges and captured first place with “Slippery Sock Science,” while third-grader Matthew Pokorny of Norwood Avenue Elementary School in Northport-East Northport school district grabbed first in his grade for “Rock and Barrier Waves.”

Liam Dwyer, a fourth-grader from Norwood Avenue Elementary School in the Northport-East Northport school district garnered first for “Rip Rap Paddywhack,” and fifth-grader Pranav Vijayababu, from Bretton Woods Elementary School in the Hauppauge School District won for his project titled “Race to the Future Hydrogen Fuel Cell.”

James Bulger, a sixth-grader from Robert Moses Middle School in the North Babylon School District rounded out the top six with “Nano-Remediators: Using Nanotechnology to Remediate Oil Spills.”

In addition to the first-place winners, selected students received honorable mention for projects that ranged from “Rubber Chicken Olympics” to “Voice Recordable Smoke Detectors.”

Ella Henry, a fifth-grader from J.A. Edgar Intermediate School in the Rocky Point school district, said she did her project on acid rain because she loves plants and cares about the environment. “My project took me 14 days to do. I didn’t win today, but I had fun and I loved caring for the plants,” she said. “Science is my favorite subject and I hope to be a zookeeper when I grow up.”

Ella’s brother, John, a kindergartner who attends Frank J. Carasiti Elementary School in the Rocky Point school district, also had a project in the lab’s science fair. “I used LEGOs to learn that earthquakes can knock over towers,” he said.

Lucas Renna, a fifth-grader from East Moriches Elementary School, was excited that he got to attend the lab’s science fair. “My project was about creating bioplastic spoons to help reduce waste pollution in our environment. I really care about the animals in the ocean, so I want to find a way to help reduce trash. I hope I can be a veterinarian when I grow up.”

While students and parents were waiting for the award ceremony to start, the lab held a science expo with hands-on science activities.

“There is some ‘down’ time while the projects are being judged and we are waiting for the awards ceremony to start,” explained David Manning, director of the lab’s Stakeholder Relations Office.

“We thought this was a good opportunity to share the excitement of some of the science being done here … and encourage these young students to think about a career in science, technology, engineering, or math,” he said, adding, “We were happy that many of the students and their families participated in the expo. It was a great day at the lab.”

For more information, please visit www.science.energy.gov.

Wildcats advance to semi-finals with one impossible shot

by Bill Landon - May 20, 2019

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It was a back and forth battle between the Shoreham-Wading Wildcats and visiting Sayville in the Div-II class C quarterfinal playoff round May 18 with both tied at four goals each at the half. Junior attack Hayden Lachenmeyer scored the go ahead goal for the Wildcats with a seemingly impossible goal for SWR. She lay on the ground but yet managed to get a shot off for the goal. With just over two minutes left, Shoreham-Wading River netted an insurance goal and from there let the clock upwind for a 9-7 victory.

Senior Isabella Meli topped the scoring chart for the Wildcats with an assist and three goals as her younger sister Gabby Meli had an assist and netted two goals. Senior Nicollette Constant scored as did Lachenmeyer with her out-of-nowhere shot while freshman Catherine Erb along with teammate Amanda Padrazo, a junior, had a goal apiece.

The Wildcats as the No. 4 seed advances to the semifinal round and will face top seeded Mount Sinai on the road May 22. Game time is 4 p.m. with a $10 admission ,or tickets can be purchased online for $7at: https://gofan.co/app/school/NYSPHSAAXIWildcats advance to semi-finals with one impossible shot

Ward Melville Patriots punch postseason ticket

by Bill Landon - May 17, 2019

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It’s been a long time since the Patriots softball team has made the playoffs and it all came down to the last game of the regular season at home against Sachem East on senior day.. It would take extra innings to decide the game but Ward Melville punched their ticket to make the postseason on a passed ball in the bottom of the ninth, winning the game, 8-7.

According to head coach Joseph Burger, the Patriots last postseason appearance was back in 2002. Ward Melville senior Kristina Maggiacomo went the distance for the win, pitching nine complete innings striking out six. Maggiacomo had two RBI’s on two hits and eighth-grader Alicea Pepitone drove in two runs on three hits.

At 8-8 in Suffolk league I, the Patriots will be a low seed and have their work cut out for them as there are four out-bracket games May 18 with the opening round of the playoffs Monday, May 20.

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