News by Tom Barton
News by Tom Barton on South Shore Press
Ducks Sign a Rookie of the Year
Getting a young superstar is always a big deal and this week that is exactly what the Ducks were able to do. Earlier in the week the Long Island Ducks announced that they signed infielder Henry Kusiak. Kusiak begins his first season with the Ducks and his third season in professional baseball. The 24-year-old brings a bat that will be very welcomed to the lineup, and he can play multiple positions, giving coach Ford many options, as the club prepares for another Atlantic League campaign this summer.
Back-to-Back Gold Medals
The Half Hollow Hills combined fencing teams put on an impressive display and delivered a strong overall performance at the County Championships. Competing against the top programs in Suffolk, the Hills fencers showcased depth, consistency, and high-level individual talent throughout the event.
Prediction Markets Lead the Big Game
The Nevada Gaming Control Board reported earlier this week that $133.8 million was wagered with the state’s sportsbooks on this year’s Super Bowl. It marked the weakest Super Bowl handle for Nevada since 2016, when $132.5 million was bet on the Broncos versus the Panthers. Nevada’s figures included both in-person and online wagering, as well as future bets that were placed throughout the year in Las Vegas.
Floyd Cheer Excels at Nationals
The William Floyd varsity cheerleaders have advanced to the semifinals of the 2026 UCA National High School Cheerleading Championship in Orlando, Florida.
William Floyd Sends Four Athletes to States
The William Floyd High School varsity indoor track team is sending four student-athletes to the Section XI state qualifying competition. Allana Morgan, Angelle Sainteus, Brianna Smith, and Coral Macchia each earned a spot at the meet.
New Royalty on the Sidelines
Port Jefferson School District has hired its new head football coach, as Craig Perrino will take the reins as the new leader of the Port Jefferson Royals varsity football program.
Replacing a Legend
There is a familiar face stepping into the role of new head coach at William Floyd High School. While it is never easy replacing a legend like former coach Paul Longo, the district has named a successor who will continue the program’s long-standing tradition of excellence.
Record Setting Rebounds
There is a new school record at Half Hollow Hills West following a fascinating and dominant performance under the boards. Senior forward Kamari Vernot set a new Hills West boys basketball single-game record with 27 rebounds in a 78–62 victory over Hauppauge last week.
A 7th Grader is Knocking 'Em Down
North Country Road Middle School seventh grader Rosalie Manfre enjoyed an outstanding season competing on the Miller Place/Comsewogue Combined Girls Bowling Team, establishing herself as one of the program’s top performers despite being one of its youngest athletes
Nobody Beats the Wiz
This past week, the world-famous Harlem Wizards visited William Floyd and put on a show for everyone in attendance. The Wizards are a professional basketball team that is much more than your normal pass-and-shoot style of play. They are a theatrically minded, high-flying and fun-filled group that puts the wow factor back into the game.
Hamate Gate
As players have begun to report to spring camp, there has already been a rash of injuries. This season, however, they are not only happening to some superstars, but they are also the same injury. Francisco Lindor, Corbin Carroll and Jackson Holliday all broke their hamate bone this week and will miss significant time this spring
Bad Bunny is a Bust
Bad Bunny’s controversial Super Bowl halftime show has generated nearly as much buzz after the performance as it did beforehand. In the immediate aftermath, social media rushed to frame the artist’s appearance as a triumph, with phrases such as “highest-rated show ever” and “a rousing success” circulating widely.
Ducks Sign a Former Snake
The Long Island Ducks have signed former major league right-handed pitcher Harrison Francis. This will be his first season with the Ducks and his eighth in professional baseball.
Smithtown's Fitzgerald Returns to the Fighting Tomcats
American Soccer Club New York has announced the re-signing of midfielder Sean Fitzgerald to a one-year contract for the 2026 National Premier Soccer League season.
The Jets Bring on a Familiar Face
The New York Jets offense was stagnant for much of last season, so a change was widely expected. The change the Jets made is one of the more highly regarded offensive minds in the league, and expectations are high for the unit’s new leader. The Jets have hired Long Island native Frank Reich to take over as offensive coordinator.
The Super Bowl Look Ahead
The dust has settled on the NFL season, or perhaps better said, the confetti has settled, and now it should be time to sit back and relax. That is not the case for sharp sports bettors, however, as they are already crunching numbers and looking ahead to next season to identify the next potential underdog to reach the Big Game.
Youth Leads Playoff Bound Floyd
The William Floyd girls’ varsity basketball team, led by head coach Rich Sinclair, finished the regular season with an impressive 16-4 overall record and a 13-3 mark in League I play.
Champions Once Again
The William Floyd boys’ varsity basketball team is back in the playoffs. While that may not come as a major surprise given the program’s sustained success, it is still an impressive accomplishment once again.
Real Life Impact, but a Fantasy Dud
Sometimes in fantasy baseball circles you’ll hear the phrase “he’s a better real-life player than fantasy player,” and there aren’t many who fit that description better than recently traded Brendan Donovan.
Sachem Star Has a Historic Day
It is one thing to win a single championship, but securing three titles in one day is nothing short of historic. That is exactly what Sachem East junior Bella Galeas accomplished this past weekend with a remarkable performance at the Suffolk Large School Indoor Track and Field Championships, held at Suffolk Federal Credit Union Arena on the campus of Suffolk County Community College in Brentwood.
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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.