News by Tom Barton
News by Tom Barton on South Shore Press
SWR Wins the White Plains Tiger Invitational
The Shoreham-Wading River varsity wrestling team captured the team championship at the White Plains Tiger Invitational this week, delivering a dominant performance against strong competition. The Wildcats defeated 11 other teams representing Section I, Section IX, and the Catholic High School Athletic Association, showcasing their depth, toughness, and consistency throughout the tournament.
Perrino Wins #100
This week, Miller Place junior AJ Perrino reached a major milestone, earning the 100th victory of his high school wrestling career. Achieving 100 wins before the end of a junior season is a testament to Perrino’s consistency, dedication, and high level of performance on the mat, and it places him among the elite wrestlers in the program’s history.
Floyd Basketball Watches Two Success Stories
It’s rare for athletes to see firsthand how much success hard work can bring, but that opportunity came this past week for the William Floyd girls’ basketball team. The Colonials attended the Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Showcase at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, an annual event featuring elite Division I matchups.
Puerta Competes on the World Stage
Sachem’s own Vanessa Puerta has been called up to the Colombian U-17 Women’s National Team for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2025, marking a major milestone in her young soccer career.
Trump Hosts the Miracle on Ice Team
Last week there was a Miracle in the White House. That is because thirteen members of the 1980 U.S. men’s Olympic hockey team visited into the Oval Office wearing white cowboy hats, a callback to what they donned during the opening ceremonies of the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid.
The Ducks Announce Their 2026 Coaching Staff
The Long Island Ducks have announced their coaching staff for the 2026 season. Lew Ford returns for his third season as Ducks manager and is joined by returning pitching coach Bobby Blevins and newcomer Tim Battle Jr., who will serve as bench coach.
Smithtown's Marcus Wertheim Leads Team Australia
Former Smithtown lacrosse standout Marcus Wertheim is dominating on the world stage. The Smithtown alumnus, who currently attends Brown University, led all players at the Super Sixes tournament, delivering an elite performance against international competition.
Sachem's Coach Mercurio Elected to Lacrosse Board
Congratulations to Sachem Athletic Hall of Famer Rick Mercurio, who was elected to the World Lacrosse Board of Directors during the organization’s 2025 General Assembly. Mercurio fills one of two open Strategic Director positions, marking another significant milestone in his distinguished career in the sport.
LaFontaine Heads to the Isles Hall
Pat LaFontaine’s plaque has officially been added to the Islanders Hall of Fame wall, placing him among some of the most legendary figures in franchise history. The former star forward was inducted into the Ring of Honor at UBS Arena, becoming the 17th member to receive the prestigious distinction.
Are The Mets Going with a Youth Movement?
It’s hard to believe that the New York Mets, with a billionaire owner, might opt for a youth movement after spending so much on a star player like Juan Soto just last season, but that nightmare might become a reality for Amazin’ fans.
Bowl Season Brings Value
The new landscape of college football has brought many changes, and the transfer portal has significantly affected bowl games. More and more players are opting out of bowl games if their teams aren’t in the College Football Playoff, and while that is disappointing for fans, it gives sports bettors an edge.
Miller Place Student Athletes Decide on their Next Stop
The Miller Place School District recently held a National Letter of Intent signing ceremony to honor thirteen exceptional student-athletes who will continue their athletic and academic careers at the collegiate level after graduation. This special event celebrated years of dedication, hard work, and commitment both inside and outside the classroom.
Suffolk Wrestling Producing Stars
Earlier this month, Sports Illustrated released its updated National Pre-Season Rankings for both boys’ and girls’ wrestling, offering an early look at the top high school competitors across the country. Among the nation’s elite were 25 athletes from New York, each earning a place inside the top 30 and highlighting the state’s continued strength in the sport.
Addison Ruland Breaks Pat-Med's School Record
There is a new name atop the record books at Pet-Med. At the conclusion of the fall 2025 season, Patchogue-Medford High School senior Addison Ruland officially set a new school record for career goals, marking one of the most impressive accomplishments in the history of the program.
Pat-Med's Field Hockey Stars Take Home State Honors
Patchogue-Medford High School seniors Kate Comiskey and Sophia Fox achieved remarkable recognition this season, standing out as two of only eighteen field hockey student-athletes in all of Suffolk County to earn prestigious All-State honors.
Sayville Football Earns Rutgers Trophy
Sayville Football has won the Rutgers Trophy, awarded to the best team in Suffolk County. The Golden Flashes capped off an unforgettable season by finishing 12-0, securing their eighth Long Island Championship and bringing home the seventh Rutgers Trophy in program history. Sayville earned this prestigious honor at the Suffolk County Football Coaches Association dinner, where the program was officially recognized as Suffolk’s most outstanding team.
William Floyd Cleans Up at the Awards Dinner
The William Floyd Colonials football program had a big night this week earning a host of honors at the annual Suffolk County Football Coaches Association awards dinner held at the Hyatt Regency in Hauppauge.
Ja’Quan Thomas Wins the Hansen Award
Ja’Quan Thomas will need to find a place to put all his new trophies and awards after this week.
The Polar Bear Moves South
The Baseball Winter Meetings are supposed to ignite enthusiasm in fan bases and reconstruct rosters so that teams can contend. For the New York Mets, however, these meetings have become a string of nightmares and broken dreams. This week the Mets lost another beloved star when Pete Alonso signed with the Baltimore Orioles.
Donnie Baseball is Still Waiting
In yet another disappointing and frankly baffling outcome, Don Mattingly was once again denied election to the Baseball Hall of Fame this week. “Donnie Baseball” did not receive the 12 votes required from the 16-member Contemporary Baseball Era Committee at the Winter Meetings in Orlando, falling short of induction in what marked his 19th appearance on a Hall of Fame ballot.
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Insurance companies accuse medical providers of fraudulent billing and kickback scheme
A group of insurance companies has filed a lawsuit against several medical professionals and corporations, alleging a widespread scheme involving fraudulent billing for unnecessary treatments.