News by Tom Barton
News by Tom Barton on South Shore Press
A New Ice Rink Coming to Brookhaven
This week, Dan Panico announced that during the planning board portion of the Town Board meeting in March, there will be a site plan hearing for a proposed new hockey rink at the former Brookhaven campus of Dowling College.
Betting the World Baseball Classic
The World Baseball Classic begins Thursday, bringing together many of the top players in the sport for an international showdown to determine the world’s best baseball nation.
Tomcats Sign Smithtown Goalkeeper
American Soccer Club–New York has announced the signing of former Smithtown High School East goalkeeper Diego Flores to a one-year deal for the 2026 National Premier Soccer League season. Flores is currently a redshirt freshman at Southern Connecticut State University and will join ASC New York for the upcoming summer campaign.
Don't Buy the Pinstripe Hype ... Yet
Often in fantasy baseball, what we know and value in real baseball must be adjusted for the fantasy game. A great prospect built primarily on defense, for example, will not be nearly as valuable. Strong all-around players are often overhyped for fantasy purposes, even though they mean far more to an actual team. One of the biggest examples of this disconnect happens every spring training.
Phillips Headlines Impressive County Champions
Chase Phillips is officially the 2026 Section XI All-County Champion, and the title came with even more significance as he also secured a berth in the New York State Championships. Competing in the 118-pound weight class, Chase Phillips delivered a clutch overtime victory against Alex Hernandez to claim the crown.
Hernandez Sisters Lead Rocky Point
The Hernandez sisters have long been a model of excellence in Suffolk County and across Long Island, and this season they added another historic achievement to an already impressive legacy. For the first time, all four Hernandez siblings qualified for the Suffolk County wrestling finals in the same year, setting a benchmark that had never been reached before.
Mount Sinai Coach Passes Away
Former Mount Sinai coach Tom Walker passed away this week following a battle with cancer. Walker, 70, dedicated nearly four decades to education and coaching and left a lasting impact on generations of students and athletes within the Mount Sinai School District.
Scott Signed as the Newest Duck
The Long Island Ducks added a new played this past week when they announced the signing of right-handed pitcher Kristian Scott, adding an experienced arm to their bullpen ahead of the upcoming season. Scott begins his first season with the Ducks and his sixth in professional baseball, bringing a track record of consistency and reliability to the Atlantic League club.
American Pride is Back and It's Missing a Tooth
American pride surged back into the spotlight this weekend in a way many people feel has not been experienced since the 1980s. For those who remember that era, the Cold War years were marked by a powerful sense of national identity and unity, a feeling that being American meant something unmistakable and shared. Over time, that spirit has felt muted. This weekend, however, it returned in dramatic fashion.
The Big Upset
The Commack varsity boys basketball team pulled off a major upset to advance in the playoffs this weekend. Commack handed second-seeded North Babylon a tight and hard-fought 54-52 loss.
Farrow's Clutch Three Advances Floyd
The William Floyd girls’ varsity basketball team earned the right to continue its championship pursuit Friday night with a thrilling playoff victory over Huntington. The Colonials captured a hard fought 55-51 win in a quarterfinal matchup that remained tight from start to finish, matching the intensity expected at this stage of the postseason.
William Floyd Advances with a Defensive Clinic
The top-seeded William Floyd boys’ varsity basketball team is moving on in the playoffs after earning a convincing quarterfinal victory on Thursday afternoon. The Colonials leaned on their trademark defense to shut down Sachem East and secure a 58–46 win, advancing to the next round of postseason play.
William Floyd Celebrates the Olympics
This week, as Olympic fever swept across the globe, the William Floyd School District joined in the excitement with its own celebration of the Winter Games. While many of the world’s greatest athletes gathered in Milan Cortina, Italy, for the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics, William Floyd Elementary School hosted a memorable version of its own Winter Olympics opening ceremony.
Coaches of the Year and the Team to Beat
The William Floyd varsity wrestling team continues to impress. Less than a month after winning the League I dual meet championship for the first time in more than 40 years, the William Floyd boys’ varsity wrestling team made history once again by capturing the League I Tournament title for the first time since the 2001–02 season.
Bellport Runs to States
Bellport High School’s girls varsity track and field 4x200-meter relay team is headed to the New York State Track and Field Championships after an impressive first-place finish at the Section XI State Qualifier. The state meet will be held on March 6 at the Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex, one of the premier indoor track facilities in the country.
HR Futures Bring Fun and Value
Baseball is right around the corner, and while much of the sports world is still shaking off its Super Bowl haze and gearing up for March Madness, sportsbooks have quietly rolled out futures markets for America’s pastime. Among the most popular offerings are home run leader futures, a wager that blends star power, projection, and opportunity for value.
Is 3B the New Tight End?
Position scarcity is a major topic among fantasy baseball managers, and year after year the strategy pays dividends for disciplined owners. Much like having a dynamic tight end in football, rostering an elite bat at a premium position can feel like a cheat code. In the past, second base and catcher were the easiest spots to gain an edge, but this season third base looks like a barren wasteland.
Miller Leads Three Village Swim
The Three Village boys swimming and diving team captured its league championship and finished third at the County Championships last week, capping an outstanding overall season. The Patriots showcased depth and consistency all winter and were rewarded with multiple postseason qualifications and record-breaking performances.
Pat Med's Stars Choose Their Next Stop
Patchogue-Medford High School recently held a National Signing Day ceremony to recognize five student-athletes who officially committed to continue their academic and athletic careers at NCAA Division I and Division II institutions. The district congratulated Sophia Fox, Colin Jennings, Kayla Newman, Addison Ruland, and Hailey Stratton on reaching this important milestone in their athletic journeys.
Losquadro Takes Home the Bronze
Shoreham-Wading River sophomore Joseph Losquadro captured a bronze medal in boys sabre last week at the Suffolk County Individual Fencing Championships, delivering one of the most inspiring performances of the tournament.
Daily Feed
WFHS Showcases Programs at CTE Expo
William Floyd High School recently opened its doors to future career-minded students during its annual Career and Technical Education Expo, showcasing the breadth of opportunities available through its growing CTE program.