Category Archives: Section XI News

Community Service, Section XI News

Middle Country and Longwood Recognized by Team Up 4 Community

Middle Country and Longwood placed second and third, respectively, in the winter Long Island Holiday Sports Heroes Challenge hosted by Team Up 4 Community.

The final stats for winter 2024: 36,429 athletes dedicated 198,831-plus hours to community service, giving back $1.8M in impact!

Middle Country hosted a Hoops for Hope event to raise awareness of cancer. Coach Andrew Gallo conceived the idea for Hoops for Hope during his wife’s third day of chemotherapy treatment. He was inspired to give back to the community that had shown immense generosity during such a challenging time. Choosing Positively Pink as the event sponsor was a meaningful decision, as its founder, Maria McMullen, is a close friend of his wife and a former Middle Country teacher.

Throughout October, Longwood’s Junior High, Junior Varsity, and Varsity cheerleaders turned each home football game into a celebration of support for breast cancer awareness with their “Tuck for a Buck” fundraiser. The cheerleaders took their spirit beyond the sidelines, rallying fans and collecting donations in the stands with pink pom poms in hand.

Section XI News

Section XI Mourns Loss of Smithtown Coach Jacque LaPrarie

Section XI is saddened by the sudden passing of Smithtown West football coach Jacque LaPrarie. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this very difficult time.

LaPrarie, 61, a physical education teacher at Tackan Elementary School in Smithtown, was recently inducted into the Sachem Athletic Hall of Fame. He was an All-State quarterback for the Flaming Arrows in the early ’80s and played four years at Rutgers; two as a quarterback and two as a safety.

He is survived by his wife Cynthia and children Dana, Jenny, and Jacque Jr.. Instead of flowers, family and friends are being asked to donate to Jacque Jr.’s college fund. He is a sophomore wide receiver at Stony Brook and will transfer to play at Cortland next season.

Services will be held on Sunday, December 29, from 2-6 p.m. at Branch Funeral Home of Commack on Jericho Turnpike. A mass will be held on Monday, December 30, at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Church in Kings Park.

Section XI News

2024 United Soccer Coaches All East Region Selections

Congrats to the many All-Region boys and girls soccer selections from Section XI for the 2024 season!

2024 United Soccer Coaches Fall Girls High School All-Region

  • Maddie Costello, Ward Melville
  • Olivia Pesso, Shoreham-Wading River
  • Evangeline Perdomo, Bay Shore

2024 United Soccer Coaches Fall Boys High School All-Region

  • Vincent D’Antona, Kings Park
  • Juan Gonzalez, Deer Park
  • Josue Granados, Brentwood
  • Jake Hutter, Smithtown West
  • Ryan Lazaridis, Pat-Med
  • Ryan Levy, Hills West
  • Michael Mannino, Whitman
  • Brayden O’Boyle, Commack
  • Tyler Ziminski, John Glenn
Section XI News

Three From Section XI Named Soccer All-Americans

United Soccer Coaches announced the association’s 2024 High School Boys and Girls All-America Teams for the Fall 2024.

Among the 142 High School All-Americans (79 boys, 63 girls), three were from Suffolk County.

Congratulations to Maddie Costello (Ward Melville), Ryan Levy (Hills West), and Michael Mannino (Whitman)!

Players on this year’s United Soccer Coaches High School All-America Teams will be recognized for their accomplishments at the United Soccer Coaches All-America Ceremony on Saturday, Jan 11, 2025, at the McCormick Convention Center in Chicago.

Section XI News

Southampton’s Darren Phillips Named President of NYS Council of Administrators

Southampton School District’s Director of Athletics Darren Phillips has been named the New York State president for the Council of Administrators. In this two-year role, he will represent the council at meetings of the New York State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.

“I am honored to serve, and I look forward to working with directors of physical education and health across New York State,” he said.

Phillips, of Southampton, has served as Southampton’s athletics director for the past 24 years, during which time he has worked tirelessly to bolster the district’s athletic program. In the past, he has been recognized as the NYS AHPERD Director of the Year.

He has also served as the Suffolk Zone president for the Council of Administrators, co-chaired the Southampton School District Wellness Committee, and has spoken at the NYS AHPERD conference multiple times. He previously earned the Suffolk Zone award for Director of the Year.

Phillips holds a bachelor’s degree from Wake Forest University and a master’s from the University of Richmond.