Andrew Brennan had a wish. The Shoreham-Wading River High School sophomore wanted to feel like a true basketball player. He wanted to hear the crowd go crazy when he made a basket. He wanted to feel the floor bounce as the fans cheered his name. He wanted high-fives and pats on the back from his teammates.
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Willie White, Three Village Legend, Passes Away
Three Village Central School District and Ward Melville High School’s Athletic Department’s long-time friend and colleague, Willie White, passed away a few days ago. Willie had been battling cancer for the last few years and, more recently, kidney failure.
For those of you who never had the chance to meet Willie, he was a fixture and a legend who was very passionate about Three Village and Ward Melville Athletics. Willie worked for almost 40 years for the district in many capacities until he retired in 2007. Even after officially retiring, he continued to work at athletic contests, always there to help or be a fan.
“He worked and supported the athletic program right up until the last year,” said Three Village Athletic Director Kevin Finnerty. “Willie worked, supported Ward Melville athletics, and was a huge sports fan for over 50 years, even during his last years while battling cancer. He was the kindest man and always put a smile on the faces of everyone around him. The Three Village Central School District and Athletic Department will miss him dearly, and we are so sad to see him leave us.”
In 2008, Three Village named one of its turf fields in his honor after he retired.
“Willie is and will forever be a Patriot in our hearts,” said Finnerty.
Services will be held Thursday, January 18 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at Bryant Funeral Home in East Setauket. There will be a funeral mass on Friday, January 19 at 10 a.m. at Bethel AME Church in East Setauket. He will be laid to rest at Washington Memorial Park Cemetery in Mount Sinai.
Stalyn Acosta Named Suffolk County Boys Soccer Player of the Year
Brentwood’s Stalyn Acosta turned in one of the best seasons in Suffolk County history and was recognized for his efforts as the Suffolk County Boys Soccer Player of the Year. He was honored at the year-end Suffolk County Boys Soccer Coaches Association dinner.
This season, he was also named All-American, All-State, All-Region, All-County, and All-League.
Brentwood finished 22-0.
Comsewogue Boys Hoops Volunteers at Local Toy Drive
Comsewogue boy’s basketball joined in on the 10th annual Jackson’s Toy Drive, expanding the toy drive’s reach through social media. Donations were collected at school and during games.
Bay Shore Legend Jumper Leggio Passes Away at 89
Bay Shore wrestling legend Jumper Leggio passed away last week. He was 89.
Besides being a standout wrestler and longtime coach at Bay Shore, Leggio is known as the “Father of Kid Wrestling” on Long Island for his vision of building the structure of youth wrestling that so many communities use today.
He was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame, and Bay Shore Athletic Hall of Fame.
Services for Leggio will be held at Chapey & Sons Funeral Home in East Islip on January 9 from 4-8 p.m. A funeral mass will be held at St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church in Bay Shore on Wednesday, January 10, at 10:15 a.m. He will be laid to rest at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Bay Shore. In place of flowers, please donate to the Jumper Leggio Scholarship Fund. Checks can be sent to 155 3rd Ave., Bay Shore, NY 11706.
Orlin & Cohen Sports Medicine Tips and Tricks: Skin Lesions
2024 Starts Strong with Section XI Athletics for All Bowling
It was a great start to 2024 for more than 150 student-athletes participating in the Section XI Athletics For All Bowling Day!
Brentwood’s Ron Eden Named National Soccer Coach of the Year
Capping off a 22-0 perfect season is another remarkable feat for the Brentwood boy’s soccer program. Head coach Ron Eden continued to add to his hall of fame resume too after he was named National Boy’s Soccer Coach of the Year by United Soccer Coaches.
Coach Eden posted a heartfelt note on social media about the team’s accomplishments:
“To the Brentwood Boys Soccer family it takes an army of people and players doing their jobs that helped me win this prestigious award . I want to thank all my players past and present for their amazing skill but more important their friendship. I want to thank all the coaches club , middle school
JV and Varsity past and present as I share this award with you . I want to thank all the parents who sacrificed to help their sons along the way without that we have nothing. I would like to thank the fans you are the best and you inspire the players to play harder. I would like to thank the school and Administrators who helped and hired me every year along the way. Last but not least my family who have sacrificed so much to let me do what I truly love, especially my loving wife Jeanette. In closing Ray Perez and Mr. Lown this is for you for believing in me .”
Longtime West Islip AD Jack Braddish Passes at 85
Longtime West Islip athletic director Jack Braddish passed away on January 2. He was 85.
Braddish served as AD in West Islip from 1981 to 1996. He is an inductee of the West Islip Athletic Hall of Fame.
Services will be at Chapey’s Funeral Home in West Islip on Friday, January 5, from 3 -5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m., and the mass will be on Saturday, January 6, at 9 a.m. at St. Patrick’s in Bayshore.
In place of flowers, donations can be made in Jack’s loving memory to the Jack Braddish Scholarship fund through the West Islip Athletic Hall of Fame. Checks can be payable to WIAHOF 1 Lions Path West Islip, NY 11795 ATTN: George Bostch Memo: Jack Braddish Scholarship.
Ward Melville Football Visits Stony Brook Children’s Hospital
The Ward Melville High School Football Team volunteered at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital and donated 90 boxes of crayons and coloring books to the kids.
Hudson Philbrick, a freshman on the team, worked hard to design a football-centric book as a very unique gesture.
This is an excellent showing of community service and support from the Patriots, especially during the holiday season.