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Section XI News

Thank You, Bob Herzog!

This is the last week that Newsday writer Bob Herzog will work at the paper after 42 years of service.

The Suffolk County native and resident has spent the last decade or so writing about high school and college sports, positively impacting the lives of thousands of student-athletes and coaches with his words and fair and accurate reporting.

We salute Bob on an incredible career and wish him well in the next chapter of his life! Section XI will always be his home.

Section XI News

2018 Suffolk County Boy’s Lacrosse Awards

Here is a breakdown of the awards given out at the end-of-season Suffolk County Boys Lacrosse Coaches Association dinner …

2018 Awards – Specials

Raymond Enners Award

  • Zach Hobbes, Ward Melville

US Lacrosse Coach of the Year

  • Tom McCandless, Lindenhurst

John Fernandez Courage Awards

  • Brendan Reese, West Babylon
  • John Felice, Comsewogue

Louis J. Acompora Service to the Sport Awards

  • Bryan Lubitz, Floyd Youth Lacrosse
  • The Acompora Family

2018 Suffolk –  US Lacrosse Awards

All-American

  • George Wichelns, Connetquot HS, Attack, 12th Grade
  • Conor Calderone, Smithtown West HS, Midfield, 11th Grade
  • John Sidorski, East Islip HS, Attack, 11th Grade
  • Peter LaSalla, Rocky Point HS, Midfield, 12th Grade
  • Zach Hobbes, Ward Melville HS, Midfield, 12th Grade
  • Bobby Abshire, Commack HS, Midfield, 12th Grade
  • Ethan Rall, Islip HS, Long Stick Midfield, 12th Grade
  • Kyle Zawadzki, Smithtown West HS, Attack, 12th Grade

Honorable Mention All-American

  • Richie Lacalandra, Comsewogue HS, Attack, 12th Grade
  • Mike Bienkowski, Islip HS, Midfield, 12th Grade
  • Alex Mazzone, Ward Melville HS, Defense, 12th Grade
  • Matt Grillo, Ward Melville HS, Attack, 12th Grade
  • Xavier Arline, Shoreham-Wading River HS, Attack, 10th Grade
  • Mike Gomez, Half Hollow Hills East HS, Defense, 12th Grade

All-Academic

  • Zachary Gagnon, Comsewogue HS, Defense, 12th Grade
  • Craig Connor, Westhampton Beach HS, Midfield, 12th Grade
  • Noah Daniels, Lindenhurst HS, Midfield, 12th Grade
  • Zachary Yorio, Harborfields HS, Goalie, 12th Grade
  • Vincent Grazidei, Bayport-Blue Point HS, Attack, 12th Grade
  • Andrew Brust, William Floyd HS, Goalie, 12th Grade
  • Justin Weick, Eastport-South Manor HS, Attack, 12th Grade
  • Philip Clementi, Harborfields HS, Attack, 12th Grade

LIMLF Scholar-Athlete Scholarship

  • Zachary Gagnon, Comsewogue HS, Defense, 12th Grade

Bob Scott Award

  • Zach Hobbes, Ward Melville HS

Coach of the Year

  • Tom McCandless, Lindenhurst HS

2018 Awards – Division 1

Crosse Award

  • Bay Shore

Coaches of the Year

  • Tom McCandless, Lindenhurst
  • Mike Gongas, North Babylon
  • Tim Cox, Bay Shore

Assistant Coaches of the Year

  • Chris Nentwich, Riverhead
  • Mark Spruyt, Bay Shore

JV Coaches of the Year

  • Sean McAleavey, West Islip
  • Brian Henselder, Whitman
  • Anthony Muratore, Sachem North

Rookies of the Year

  • Reid Greco, Smithtown West
  • Sal Miccio, Northport
  • Julian Dugue, Floyd
  • Colin Krieg, Ward Melville

Most Outstanding Players

  • George Wichelns, Connetquot
  • Zach Hobbes, Ward Melville
  • Alex Mazzone, Ward Melville
  • Kyle Walker, Smithtown West
  • Connor Calderone, Smithtown West

2018 Awards – Division 2

Crosse Award

  • Mattituck

Coaches of the Year

  • Glenn Lavey, Harborfields
  • Mike Luce, Bayport-Blue Point
  • Keith Scheidel, Islip

Assistant Coaches of the Year

  • Brian Michalec, Comsewogue
  • Doug Meehan, Bayport-Blue Point

JV Coaches of the Year

  • Chris Winslow, Center Moriches
  • Jamie Carretta, Mount Sinai
  • John Holownia, Comsewogue

Rookies of the Year

  • Joey Spallina, Mount Sinai
  • Matt Knote, Eastport-South Manor
  • Tyler Gatz, Mount Sinai
  • Nick Cannetti, Sayville

Most Outstanding Player

  • John Sidorski, East Islip
  • Peter LaSalla, Rocky Point
  • Teddy McLoughlin, Isip
  • Thomas Heller, Comsewogue
  • Ethan Rall, Islip
Section XI News

Section XI Alumni News: Apuzzo Wins Tewaaraton Award

The highest honor in college lacrosse was awarded to a Suffolk County native.

Sam Apuzzo, a junior at Boston College, won the Tewaaraton Award as the top lacrosse player in the nation.

The West Babylon native is the first Long Island area product since Shannon Smith to win the honor. Uniquely, Smith also went to West Babylon.

Apuzzo led the team in goals (88), assists (41), points (129), draw controls (163), caused turnovers (31) and game-winning goals (9).  She was third in the nation in scoring and points scored, while leading the ACC in both categories.

Section XI News

2018 Suffolk Girls Lacrosse Honors

We’ve compiled a list of the recognitions given out at this year’s Suffolk County Girls Lacrosse Coaches Association dinner.

Have a look … and congrats to all!

 2018 US Lacrosse All American

  • Meaghan Tyrrell -Mount Sinai
  • Olivia Carner -Northport
  • Cassidy Weeks- Bayport
  • Emerson Cabrera- Northport
  • Kasey Choma -Eastport
  • Meaghan Scutaro- Mt Sinai
  • Courtney Weeks- Bayport
  • Isabelle Smith- Westhampton

SCGLCA Honorable Mention All American

  •  Shannon Brazier- Ward Melville
  • Kate Mulham- Ward Melville
  • Hannah Dorney- Comsewogue
  • Jaden Hampel- West Islip
  • Jennifer Barry- Middle Country
  • Kayla Kielbasa – Riverhead
  • Catherine Flaherty – Eastport
  • Emily Heller- West Babylon
  • Alexandra Beebe- Mattituck

2018 Academic All-American

  • Erin Tucker – Harborfields
  • Shannon Berry – Ward Melville
  • Kate Mulham – Ward Melville
  • Shannon Coughlan – Ward Melville
  • Chelsea Malborough – Mattituck
  • Grace Langella – Smithtown West
  • Casey Hearns – Commack

2018 Suffolk County All-County

  • Emma Ward, Erin MacQuarrie – Babylon
  • Caroline Casey, Lauren Hendricks – Bay Shore
  • Courtney Weeks, Cassidy Weeks, Madison Waters, Meghan Pickel – Bayport-Blue Point
  • Kara Rosenberg – Bellport
  • Casey Hearns, Katie Kelly – Commack
  • Hannah Dorney, Brianna Blatter – Comsewogue
  • Gina Barbera, Sydney Danseglio – Connetquot
  • Melissa Sconone,  Alyssa Levy – East Islip
  • Kasey Choma, Catherine Flaherty, Hope Steuerwald – Eastport-South Manor
  • Ashley Gonzalez – Half Hollow Hills
  • Gianna Bifulco, Stefanie Walsh – Harborfields
  • Danielle Waters – Hauppauge
  • Reagan Mullins, Kelsey Scheidel – Islip
  • Emma Greenhill, Abby Maichin – Huntington
  • Kat Henselder – Lindenhurst
  • Christen Lapple – Longwood
  • Mackenzie Hoeg, Alexandra Beebe – Mattituck
  • Jennifer Barry, Emily Diaz, Sophie Alois – Middle Country
  • Hailey Duchnowski – Miller Place
  • Meaghan Tyrrell, Meaghan Scutaro, Camryn Harloff, Morgan Mitchell – Mount Sinai
  • Emerson Cabrera, Olivia Carner, Claire Morris, Danielle Pavinelli – Northport
  • Caitlin Dellecave – Pat-Med
  • Katelynn Johnston – Port Jefferson
  • Madison Sanchez, Brianna Lamoureux – Rocky Point
  • Kayla Kielbasa, Katherine Goodale – Riverhead
  • Kristen Shanahan, Mackenzie Murphy – Sachem East
  • Hailey Rhatigan, Grace Lipponer – Sachem North
  • Madeline Schaefer – Sayville
  • Erin Triandafils, Isabella MelI – Shoreham-Wading River
  • Patricia Werker, Gabriella Schneider – Smithtown East
  • Grace Langella, Taylor Mennella – Smithtown West
  • Jillian Becker, Shannon Brazier, Shannon Coughlan, Kate Mulham – Ward Melville
  • Kayla Downey, Emily Heller, Hannah Heller – West Babylon
  • Jaden Hampel, Danielle Marino, Lauren Di Stefano – West Islip
  • Isabelle Smith, Hollie Schleicher – Westhampton

2018 All-County Honorable Mention

  • Amanda Guerra – Babylon
  • Kerry Walser – Bay Shore
  • Ailish Kelly – Bayport-Blue Point
  • Emma Pliszak – Bellport
  • Madeleine Juliano – Center Moriches
  • Cathleen Deutsh – Commack
  • Ava Fernandes – Comsewogue
  • Marina Skelly – Connetquot
  • Kasey Dorney – Deer Park
  • Lucy Emptage – East Hampton
  • Kendall Mittleman – East Islip
  • Hannah Kenneally – ESM
  • Samantha Leva – Half Hollow Hills
  • Cassidy Moore – Hampton Bays
  • Erin Tucker – Harborfields
  • Shannon Tuozzo – Hauppauge
  • Cathryn Ricciardelli – Huntington
  • Kristen Scheidel, Riley Coleman – Islip
  • Cassidy Evans – John Glenn
  • Lexie Kotsailidis – Kings Park
  • Skylar Steinberg, Kiara Gomez – Lindenhurst
  • Lindsay Schuster – Longwood
  • Riley Hoeg, Jane Digregorio – Mattituck
  • Nicole Beck – Miller Place
  • Kirsten Scutaro, Jenny Markey – Mount Sinai
  • Kailyn Hart – North Babylon
  • Nicole Orella – Northport
  • Kenedy Petersen – Pat-Med
  • Holly D’Accordia – Port Jefferson
  • Christina Bellissimo, Nicole Taveras – Rocky Point
  • Megan Kielbasa, Christine Thomas – Riverhead
  • Morgan DeBenedictis – Sachem East
  • Carolyn O’Brien, Ashley Perrini – Sachem North
  • Bella Coan – Sayville
  • Mikayla Dwyer, Gabrielle Cacciola – SWR
  • Alyana Costa – Smithtown East
  • Nicholle Marshall – Smithtown West
  • Desiree Kleberg – Walt Whitman
  • Shannon Berry, Kerri Thornton – Ward Melville
  • Jessica Smith, Caitlin McGuire – West Babylon
  • Sam Blair, Emma Hampel – West Islip
  • Emilee Downs, Hailey Daleo – Westhampton
  • Makayla Willets, Keanna Sarmiento – William Floyd

2018 All Division – Division 1

  • Amy Hoeffner, Ali Susskind, Kiersten DeCamp – Bay Shore
  • Crystal Benavides, Sofia Millan – Brentwood                       
  • Emma Downey, Lauren Maline – Commack
  • Julia Napolitano, Emma McLoughlin, Haley Weltner – Connetquot
  • Tamara Washington – Copiague
  • Kelly Sullivan, Christina Badaracco, Megan Lulley – Half Hollow Hills
  • Sarah Agrillo, Isabella Piccola, Maya Santa-Maria – Huntington
  • Rachel Lombardi – Lindenhurst
  • Jasmin Brown, Janelle Brown – Longwood
  • Sydney Juvelier, Emily Timarky, Kate Timarky, Lindsay Scally – Middle Country
  • Emily Valensky, Nia Griffith – North Babylon
  • Kate Boland, Kate McLam, Katherine Meyer, Chloe Hoschel, Isabella Hubbard – Northport
  • Kylie Peregoy, Alexa Maggiacomo – Pat-Med
  • Emma Conroy, Sofia Salgado – Riverhead
  • Marissa Cuevas, Abigail Carroll, Kaylee LaMonica – Sachem East
  • Cassidy Griffin – Sachem North
  • Isabella Costa, Annie Freshour, Katie Curran, Ella Whitehouse – Smithtown East
  • Gabrielle Marshall, Jaimie Bell, Janine Suris, Regan Keilmeyer – Smithtown West
  • Mary Teresky, Hannah Stasko – Walt Whitman
  • Courtney Carollo, Alexis Reinhardt – Ward Melville
  • Carley Patwell, Isabelle Sarle – West Isip

2018 All Division – Division 2

  • Dana Bushery, Anna Schipf – Babylon
  • Katelyn Eames, Brooke Sparacio, Julia Steneck, Sarah Most – Bayport-Blue Point
  • Mia Suarez, Casey Myers, Hannah Shuren – Bellport
  • Kelsey Maxwell – Center Moriches
  • Julia Fernandes, Claire Ronan,
  • Olivia Fantigrossi – Comsewogue
  • Samantha Giroux, Alexa Skoubas – Deer Park
  • Elizabeth Bistrian – East Hampton
  • Lindsay Guzzetta, Hannah Calarco, Alexa Fusco – East Islip
  • Jaime Biskup, Jordyn Biskup, Ellie Masera, Lluna Katz – ESM
  • Colette Levine – Hampton Bays
  • Hallie Simkins, Layla Morris, Colleen Dwyer, Riley Dash – Harborfields
  • Briana Farren, Alexa Waters, Kelsey McCarthy – Hauppauge
  • Casandra Schmoger – Islip
  • Michelle Torzilli, Victoria Cacioppo – John Glenn
  • Zoe Dougherty, Kiara Feibusch – Kings Park
  • Chelsea Marlborough, Ashley Burns – Mattituck
  • Ava Burns, Madison Murphy, Ally Schreck – Miller Place
  • Emma Tyrrell, Gabby Sartori,Emily Seiter – Mount Sinai
  • Phalina Sciara – Port Jefferson
  • Delaney Vu – Rocky Point
  • Gabby Thornton, Meg Collins – Sayville
  • Julie Kadletz – SWR
  • Grace Guglielmo, Delilah Doyle – West Babylon
  • Gianna Murphy, Maureen Duffy – Westhampton
Section XI News

Long Island Edges NYC in Empire Challenge

It was a barn burner for sure and it ended just how we wanted it to, with Long Island on top!

Long Island edged New York City, 28-27, in the 23rd annual Empire Challenge, one of the nation’s premier high school football all-star games.

New York City scored as time expired but opted for a two-point conversion that was ultimately stopped and led to the victory for the boys from Nassau and Suffolk. You can read the game story here.

Outstanding work as always from Section XI Assistant Director Pete Blieberg, who has served as the game coordinator of the Empire Challenge since day one. Section XI Executive Director Tom Combs also serves as a game coordinator.

Section XI News

Unified Basketball, A Game Changer in Section XI

It’s worth noting that Section XI put in another incredible season’s worth of unified basketball.

If you’re not familiar with this, the New York State Public High School Athletic Association and Special Olympics New York offer Unified Sports to NYSPHSAA member schools. Project Unify is made up of three main components:

1. Inclusive Sports: combines athletes (players with intellectual disabilities) and athletes (players without intellectual disabilities) to create athletic teams for training and competition. Participation is rooted in the principle of meaningful involvement which ensures that every player is given an opportunity to contribute to the success of his or her team through their unique skills. Inclusive activity is among the most condusive ways to break down sterotypes and foster relationships.

2. Youth Leadership & Advocacy: provides students with and without intellectual disabilities opportuities to take on leadership roles in promoting Project Unify activities in their schools and in their communities.

3. Whole-School Engagement: provides opportunities for all students to participate in school-wide campaigns and activities such as Fans in the Stands, Pledge and Plunge, and the R-word Campaign.

Section XI News

Center Moriches Spirit Captured by AD via Twitter

Over the last week, Center Moriches Athletic Director Jeremy Thode has taken to Twitter to capture the spirit, heart and every move of the Red Devils’ baseball team on their way to a New York State championship.

Perhaps I’m biased because I appreciate good social media and digital story telling, but as someone who lives and breathes Suffolk County sports content and digital media, it’s worth talking about what Thode has done the last week as he followed his school’s most historic baseball season yet.

Some folks see social media as some what of an annoyance, others embrace its power to promote positive and impactful news so others can learn, grow and feel engaged. Thode gets it and here’s why: for more than 72 hours he shared almost every meaningful moment from practices to inning-by-inning recaps to celebratory imagery.

If you couldn’t make it to Binghamton for the semifinals and championship, the best spot to find info on the games was his Twitter account, @RDEVILATHLETICS.

This is what I’m talking about …

It started with highlighting the bus ride from Center Moriches to Binghamton, a 4.5 hour ride without traffic, which is almost impossible because this is Long Island and there is always traffic.

He captured their practice session at a nearby high school once they arrived.

There were dozens of posts just from practice, like this one.

It carried over to indoor batting practice prior to the semifinal match-up.

This is where he started shooting video and flexing the multimedia.

It was on to the field for the game where he immediately went for the landscape stadium shot.

Warm ups and handshakes for pre-game? Yeah, he got that too.

Game time. The Red Devils and Thode were ready.

With dozens and dozens of in-game tweets about the play-by-play and score, I’ll just put one here as an example. But go to the account to see full recaps of both games.

The mandatory team collage to remember the semifinal win forever.

Sharing and retweeting posts from Section XI, NYSPHSAA and local media like this …

Getting in on the post-game chat.

Same deal with the championship from start to finish. Warmups on video all the way to the celebratory pile at the end.

The tension grew as the comeback started. Here down, 7-5, in the sixth.

Then the tables turned. Center Moriches on top.

Collecting some hardware.

The most important and deserving team celebration shot.

Then with the scoreboard to add a nice artistic touch.

The pile.

The coaches.

The community sentiment.

The hometown welcome (seriously, how cool is this?).

He found time to thank the community, parents, seniors, everyone involved in the journey. It really does take a full group like this to win it all.

And then just a few hours ago, he started the morning off with some inspirational love.

https://twitter.com/ThisInspiresUs/status/1005818116658683904

Great job by Center Moriches baseball and thanks to Thode there will be a digital footprint about this historic moment forever, or as long as Twitter exists anyway.