News by Tom Barton
News by Tom Barton on South Shore Press
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.
Danielle Gresalfi wins coach of the year
Sachem North’s Danielle Gresalfi has been officially named the Suffolk County Class A Cheer Game Day Coach of the Year, an honor that highlights her exceptional leadership, dedication, and unwavering commitment to her athletes.
SWR Cheerleading finishes strong in the championship
The Shoreham–Wading River Wildcats Game Day Cheerleading Team were named the runners-up at this year’s NYSPHSAA Game Day State Championships, marking another milestone in what has quickly become an impressive and rapidly growing program. The team has performed incredibly well throughout the season, showing dedication, spirit, and skill as they continued to build upon last year’s success. After placing fourth in 2023, the Wildcats made a significant leap this year, finishing second in Class C with an outstanding score of 85.90
Ward Melville cruises to the title game
The Ward Melville Patriots brought their A-game in every facet this weekend, dominating from start to finish as they crushed Sachem North in the Suffolk County Playoffs.
Ward Melville impresses at the State Tournament
The Ward Melville boys cross country team delivered an outstanding performance at the NYSPHSAA Championships this weekend, finishing an impressive second overall in the state.
Gold shoelaces campaign makes a L.I. impact
This September, in recognition of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, the Daniela Conte Foundation launched its 3rd Annual Gold Shoelace Campaign — and the response across Long Island was truly inspiring. More than 30 high schools and over 15 youth sports programs took part, with many hosting Gold-Out Games to honor children fighting cancer and to raise awareness within their communities.
Trevor Green swims to state honors
This week, Rocky Point High School senior Trevor Green delivered another outstanding performance at the NYSPHSAA Cross Country Championships at Queensbury High School. Trevor placed 17th overall in the competition, a finish that earned him All-State honors. This marks his third All-State selection in four years.
Commack should be renamed title town
We can now call Commack “Title Town.” After this past weekend, the name is more than fitting, as the community didn’t celebrate just one state title but two.
Port Jeff cross country goes back-to-back
The Port Jefferson cross country team are champions once again, continuing a tradition of excellence that has defined the program for years. Although the Port Jeff squad was moved to Division D this season, the shift did nothing to slow down their momentum or diminish their determination.
A three-year hockey game in the making
For the first time in three years, the long-awaited rematch finally took place — and it proved to be a classic worth waiting for. This weekend, the Suffolk County Police Department faced off against the Suffolk Sheriff’s Department in a charity hockey game that brought together first responders, families, and members of the community for a meaningful cause.
SWR gymnasts advancing to the County Championship
Shoreham Wading River's Gia Politi and Alyssa Wood are advancing to the Suffolk County Gymnastics Championships. As integral members of the combined William Floyd/Longwood/SWR team this season, their contributions helped the squad achieve an outstanding 9-1 record and earn a fantastic second-place finish in League 1.
The Colonials are now looking at a 3-peat
The William Floyd Colonials are heading back to the Suffolk County Championship game after defeating rival Longwood in a dominant 41-7 rout this weekend.
Smithtown is heading to the County Championship
Smithtown West football defeated West Islip 42-10 in Friday night’s Suffolk semifinal playoff game, securing a dominant victory and advancing to the first county championship game in program history. The Bulls will face Sayville next Thursday at 4 p.m. at Stony Brook University.
Daily Feed
Record Setting Maggie McCormick Competes at Nationals
The Bay Shore Schools Board of Education recently recognized and congratulated girls varsity cross country standout Maggie McCormick for her outstanding achievements on the track and on the national stage. McCormick, who has committed to the University of Florida, was honored for her performance at the Nike Cross Country Nationals, one of the most prestigious high school running events in the country.
Ducks Have First Signing of 2026
The Long Island Ducks have announced the team’s first signing of 2026, welcoming Major League veteran outfielder Jacob Robson. Robson will begin his first season with the Ducks, his second in the Atlantic League, and his 10th season in professional baseball.
The King is Back in the South Shore Press
The legendary Long Island journalist Karl Grossman’s latest column.