News by Tom Barton
News by Tom Barton on South Shore Press
Ward Melville Badminton Wins the Suffolk Title
The Ward Melville High School badminton team has reached the top of Suffolk County, capturing the county championship and adding another impressive achievement to the school’s athletic legacy.
Senior Night is Truly Unified
As the season begins to wind down, there is still plenty to celebrate across the Unified League, and Longwood High School did just that in memorable fashion this past week.
Stony Brook Gets the World Cup
If you weren’t able to secure tickets to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, there’s still a way to be part of the excitement right here in Suffolk County. Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium at Stony Brook University will host one of two free, large-scale World Cup viewing events as part of a statewide initiative designed to bring the global tournament experience closer to home.
Double Dose of History
It was a week to remember for the Sachem East High School baseball program, as the team delivered not just one milestone moment, but two in a single game. In a dominant 10-0 victory over cross-town rival Sachem North High School, the win carried far more significance than just another tally in the standings. With the victory, head coach Coach Schnupp recorded his 250th career win at the helm of the program, a remarkable achievement that reflects years of dedication, consistency, and leadership.
Resiliency is Synonymous with this Sachem Alum
A former Sachem standout has overcome more than her share of obstacles, and now she’s headed to the biggest stage in college lacrosse. Kristen Shanahan has played a major role in Maryland Terrapins women's lacrosse’s success this season, emerging as one of the team’s key contributors as they prepare for the NCAA Final Four.
Let's Get Ahead of the Curve
Bullpens remain one of the most unpredictable areas in baseball, and for fantasy players, tracking potential closers has become almost a daily exercise. Roles can shift quickly, and the most successful managers are often those who stay ahead of the curve—identifying “closers in waiting” before the rest of the field catches on.
Floyd Has Late Season Scoring Surge
The William Floyd Boys Lacrosse team closed out its season on a high note, riding a late scoring surge to finish with momentum and confidence. The Colonials wrapped up the year with a 10-6 overall record and an 8-6 mark in league play, but those numbers only tell part of the story.
A Double Dose of History
History was made twice on Saturday as American Soccer Club New York earned its first victory of the 2026 National Premier Soccer League season with a dominant 5-0 win over AC Newport at LaValle Stadium on the campus of Stony Brook University. The match marked the club’s first-ever game in Suffolk County and proved to be a memorable one.
Let's Call it Lax Island
You might as well start calling it “Lax Island” with what Stony Brook Seawolves has accomplished this season. In a remarkable showing, the program captured both the men’s and women’s CAA lacrosse championships on the same day, cementing Stony Brook’s place as a true powerhouse in the sport. For the women’s team, success has become the standard.
Mount Sinai and Rocky Point Seniors Earn Prestigious Honors
At this week’s Town Board meeting, Dan Panico joined Jane Bonner and the entire town board to recognize two outstanding local student-athletes for their remarkable accomplishments. Madison Grego of Mount Sinai High School and Yuuki Donnelly of Rocky Point High School were honored as recipients of the prestigious News 12 Scholar Athlete Award.
Sachem Sets a School Record with League Title
The Sachem North Softball team delivered a championship performance this week, clinching the Section XI League title in confident fashion and capping off one of the most successful seasons in program history.
Suffolk Softball are Champions
The Suffolk Sharks softball are heading to the national stage after a historic and hard-fought postseason run. The Sharks recently captured both the NJCAA Region XV Championship and the District Championship, officially punching their ticket to Syracuse for the NJCAA Division III Softball National Championships.
Hills East Wrestling Honored
The Half Hollow Hills East High School wrestling program had plenty to celebrate recently, as four of its student-athletes were honored at the annual Suffolk County Wrestling Coaches Association All-County Dinner.
Sachem Seniors Earn Zone Awards
Four seniors from the Sachem Central School District have earned prestigious recognition for their excellence both in and out of the classroom. Recently, Hannah Barkin and Dominick Rienzi of Sachem East, along with Henry Sarro and Alyssa Tappin of Sachem North, were named Suffolk County Zone Award winners by the New York State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.
Disc Golf Comes to Suffolk
Disc golf has officially arrived in Suffolk County, and local leaders are welcoming the new addition with enthusiasm. This past week, Jim Mazzarella joined community members and organizers to celebrate the debut of a brand-new disc golf course at Southaven County Park. The opening marks an exciting step in expanding recreational opportunities across the county.
Suffolk Hall of Fame Opens a New Exhibit
The third Suffolk County Sports Hall of Fame library exhibit has officially opened, continuing a growing tradition of celebrating local athletic history throughout the community.
There's a New School Relay Record
History was made last month at the Penn Relays, and a group of talented student-athletes from Port Jefferson delivered a performance to remember. The Port Jefferson 4x100-meter relay team, made up of Salome Maginier, Veronica Shretengas, Nina Gnatenko, and Alexa Jacobs, etched their names into the record books with an outstanding run. The quartet clocked an impressive time of 50.94 seconds, setting a new outdoor track school record in the process.
Betting Markets Move in Favor of the GOP
Things can shift quickly in prediction markets, and as many sports bettors know, momentum can change in an instant. That same volatility has been on display this week in political betting markets, where new numbers suggest a notable swing. According to Polymarket, Republicans have recently moved ahead of Democrats in the U.S. Senate midterm odds.
Hills East Claims the Conference Championship
The Half Hollow Hills East boys tennis team is celebrating another standout season, earning a share of the Conference 1 title and continuing a run of excellence that has become the program’s standard.
Seniors Shine as the Colonials Dominate in Win
This past Friday night, the William Floyd Colonials varsity flag football team delivered one of the most impressive performances in program history, cruising to a dominant 50–0 victory over Lindenhurst Bulldogs. The win carried extra meaning as it came on Senior Night, giving the home crowd plenty to cheer about as they watched their seniors shine on both sides of the ball.
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Joe the Box Celebrates America First Spirit
“Joe the Box” has become one of Suffolk County’s most recognizable America-First personalities, turning The America First Warehouse in Ronkonkoma into what supporters call “the most patriotic venue in all the land.”