News by Tom Barton
News by Tom Barton on South Shore Press
2025-26 Suffolk High School Boys Basketball Preview
The Suffolk boys' basketball season is set to get underway this upcoming week, and once again the county is divided into seven different divisions. Suffolk held its first annual Media Day this past week to get to know the teams, and the room was filled with excitement and optimism.
DiCaprio Finishes Best in Suffolk
Nicholas DiCaprio finished 15th in the Class B NYSPHSAA Championships held in Queensbury, New York. He was the top finisher from Suffolk County, earning All-State recognition for his outstanding performance.
Spallina is the Cover Girl
Alexa Spallina is the new cover girl of Inside Lacrosse, gracing the front of the magazine as one of the nation’s most exciting rising stars. The Mount Sinai standout was officially named the No. 1 incoming freshman in the country this week by Inside Lacrosse, a recognition that further solidifies her status as one of the most decorated recruits to ever emerge from Long Island.
Bet on Burrow?
After all the turkey and stuffing were eaten and the holiday delivered great family memories, there was still one more game to be played — and Joe Burrow reminded everyone why the Bengals shouldn’t be counted out this season. Many questioned whether Burrow should return to what was widely considered a lost season, but with their upset win, the Bengals are suddenly alive in a very weak AFC North race. Cincinnati entered the Thanksgiving Day game as more than a touchdown underdog, and not only did they cover the big spread, they won outright.
ESM's Soccer Star Plays for Ireland
Maeve Gayer, a standout senior at Eastport-South Manor, has earned an extraordinary honor by being selected to represent the Ireland U19 Women’s National Soccer Team.
Things are Sonny in Boston
This past week, the Boston Red Sox made a significant move, strengthening their pitching staff without sacrificing much quality from their current roster.
Giants Fire Another Coach
New York Giants defensive coordinator Shane Bowen couldn’t survive another late loss. The Giants have fired Bowen after New York dropped another game late.
East Islip Takes Home the Crown
The East Islip football team has captured the Suffolk County championship, delivering a memorable performance on Saturday night under head coach Sal J. Ciampi.
The Flashes Win Back-to-Back Titles
The Sayville Golden Flashes have completed one of the greatest seasons in school history by winning the Suffolk County Championship. Sayville defeated Smithtown West, 34–7, this past week to officially claim the title.
Ward Melville Wins a Nail Biter to Become Champs
It was fitting that one of the best games played all season in Suffolk County football came in the final matchup for the championship. That is exactly what we got when Ward Melville defeated William Floyd last week to capture the Suffolk County Division I title. Ward Melville won a nail-biter, 31–28, over their rivals, and the victory now sends them to the Long Island Championship.
Four Titles in a Row for the Phantoms
The Bayport–Blue Point Phantoms are officially your Suffolk County champions. The Phantoms defeated Babylon, 23–14, to capture their fourth straight Suffolk Division IV football championship last week at Stony Brook University.
Suffolk Soccer Honors Their All-Star Game MVPs
This week at the Senior All-Star Soccer Game, which showcased Suffolk County’s best players, Eli Rubio and Elliot Burgueno earned the Most Valuable Player awards.
Smithtown Swims to Back-to-Back Titles
The Smithtown/Hauppauge swim and dive team has captured its second consecutive and third state title in the last four years.
In Mahomes the odds trust
Last week, when the Kansas City Chiefs walked off the field in Denver, they held a record of 5-5. That meant the Chiefs were out of the playoffs, sitting in third place, and had effectively lost the division, with Denver at 9-2 and owning the tiebreaker.
The Grisham ripple effect
This week, Yankees outfielder Trent Grisham accepted the Bombers’ $22 million qualifying offer, meaning he will be with the Yankees for at least one more season.
Glenn says Boyd is upbeat after shooting
New York Jets coach Aaron Glenn says he has spoken with Kris Boyd and is confident the cornerback and special teams standout will be OK after being shot in midtown Manhattan early Sunday morning.
ESM's newcomer Maddie Laezza keeps impressing
Eastport–South Manor junior Maddie Laezza delivered another remarkable performance this past weekend, placing second in 17 minutes, 15.2 seconds in the Class B 5K race at the NYSPHSAA Public School State Championships at Queensbury High School. With this impressive finish, she has officially qualified for the prestigious State Federation Championships, which will be held this weekend at Bowdoin Park in Wappingers Falls.
Retooled Hills West gunning for another title
Last season, the Hills West Girls Volleyball Team clinched the NYSPHSAA Class AA Championship by defeating Fayetteville–Manlius in five games at the state tournament in Glens Falls, New York, earning the school’s very first state championship. That historic victory set a new standard for the program, and this year’s team has continued to build on that remarkable success
It's a 4-peat for Port Jeff
For the fourth consecutive year, the Port Jefferson Royals Girls Volleyball Team has been crowned County Champions, further solidifying their status as one of the most dominant programs in the region.
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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.”