JAN. 14: RIVERHEAD 76, PATCHOGUE/MEDFORD 48

After getting a massive victory over Whitman earlier in the week, Riverhead put on a show against Patchogue-Medford to earn their fifth league win, leaving just one win to earn a playoff berth in their final six games. Deshawn Watkins was an absolute maniac on the court, scoring a career-high 40 points for the Blue Waves. He hit six triples and simply could not miss. Liam Lennon scored nine and Peter Lagnena added eight. Riverhead improved to 5-1 in League I and 8-6 overall.

UPCOMING SCHEDULE: Jan. 21: Brentwood at Riverhead, 4 p.m.

JAN. 13: MT. SINAI 69, SHOREHAM-WADING RIVER 43

The Wildcats have cooled off tremendously after their hot start which featured five consecutive wins. The loss against Mt. Sinai now marks three losses in a row for Shoreham-Wading River.

Skewing young at their skill positions, the Wildcats haven’t been able to score as much as they did in the beginning of the season. In the past three games, 43 has been the most they’ve scored. Max Boerum led the way against Mt. Sinai, netting 11. The Wildcats have a 8-5 overall record and a 3-4 split in League VI.

UPCOMING SCHEDULE: Jan. 17: Kings Park at SWR, 4 p.m.; Jan. 28: Hampton Bays at SWR, 4 p.m.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

JAN. 14: RIVERHEAD 41, PATCHOGUEMEDFORD 27

Riverhead got back on track against Patchogue-Medford in a game they had to have following two straight losses that severely damaged their playoff hopes.

Through the first half of the league season, Riverhead posted a 2-4 record after starting the non-league schedule out 4-0. Tuesday’s win brings them back into the playoff conversation needing three more wins before the season’s end to earn a spot. The Blue Waves had three double digit scorers with Adriana Martinez and Logan Pilon both scoring 11 and Kyleigh Lennon adding 10 more.

UPCOMING SCHEDULE: Jan. 21: Riverhead at Brentwood, 4 p.m.

WRESTLING

JAN. 9: JOHN GLENN 46, SHOREHAM-WADING RIVER 19

After a strong start to the season, Shoreham-Wading River fell in a matchup that essentially decided the league winner. The two top dogs in the league went at it and John Glenn emerged victorious.

The Wildcats earned victories at 101 lbs with Thomas Matias winning in a technical fall, at 108 lbs with Shane Cowan winning in a major decision, at 138 lbs with Gavin Mangano earning a pin, and at 152 lbs with Jacob Conti earning a major decision.

UPCOMING SCHEDULE: Jan. 30: SWR at Southampton, 5:30 p.m.

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“When we made that championship run two years ago, I expected for us to go undefeated,” SWR head coach Adam Lievre said. “We were just that good. This year has been a surprise. I didn’t expect us to be undefeated this deep into the season. Our defense has been carrying us all season long, and it showed up again today.”

Mt. Sinai, the second place team in the league at 6-1, did give the Wildcats some problems. They kept the game close from the start and at one point stretched their lead to as many as six points in the third quarter, behind the sharp-shooting of guard Mia Betancourt, who scored a game-high 15 points.

When the Wildcats needed help on the offensive end, Leslie Jablonski answered the call. The guard came off the bench and drained two three-pointers in crucial situations, contributing 12 points in a game that saw only two Wildcats score in double digits.

“I just made sure I was setting my feet before every shot, breathing and relaxed,” Jablonski said. “This game was a real eye opener. It felt like a playoff atmosphere out there.”

Ashley Bell, captain and senior point guard, was the only other Wildcat consistently finding the bottom of the net, adding 13 points as the defenses on both sides of the court really shined. “We lost to them twice last year, so for us to beat them now shows how much stronger we got,” Bell said. “Even though they didn’t have one of their starters, it was still a major test for us against a team we’re going to see in the playoffs.”

When the Wildcats began to fall behind in the third quarter, Lievre considered shifting to 1-3-1 zone on defense. Then Bell hit the first of two free throws, before Shealyn Varbero came up with the rebound on the second attempt and found Anabel Keegan in the corner for a three pointer to cut the lead to one.

“That play completely shifted the momentum,” Lievre said. “Instead of making a change we just stuck with what we were doing, and we were able to take back control of the game.”

The Wildcat defense toughened up and started pressing Mt. Sinai into turnovers. SWR held the Mustangs to just four points in the fourth quarter. Lievre kept Varbero and Jablonski on the court for the duration to help the defense respond. The duo combined for seven steals, including three in the final minute. SWR amassed 25 steals on the game.

The win over Mt. Sinai clinched the Wildcats playoff spot — for the 18th consecutive year.

“Going undefeated the rest of the year would be great, but it really doesn’t matter,” Lievre said. “Once the playoffs come, it doesn’t matter what seed you are or what you did during the regular season. It doesn’t matter what color jersey you’re wearing. Everyone gets a fresh chance out there. It’s just about being at your best come February. The important part was getting in. Right now for us, it’s imperative to get our offense going. Our defense is always going to keep us in games but we need to make our shots.”

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Riverhead lax alum Goodale training with Team USA

Growing up on her family farm in Riverhead shaped who Katie Goodale is as she blossomed into a prized Division I recruit. Being a natural defender vaulted her up the depth chart at Syracuse University and she left the school with a few records, including being the all-time leader in caused turnovers. Having graduated, she’s now onto a new goal: making Team USA’s roster. 

Blue Waves win PAL football titles

In the midst of the worst stretch in Riverhead high school football history, help is on the way. Both the 10u and 11u football teams won PAL championships under the leadership of two championship coaches. Rasheen Moore and Mike Heigh both won championships as members of the Blue Waves and now they’re trying to instill that old-school culture into the youth.

Freshman Wildcat Mangano wins national tourney

After winning his first state title during the school season, Gavin Mangano took it a step further and brought home a national title in April after wrestling at the National High School Coaches Association tournament in Virginia Beach. Eighty wrestlers from all over the country were in his weight class and Mangano stood above them all. It was a perfect cap to his freshman season at SWR.

Riverhead alum Julia Morrow earns Hall of Fame honors

After being one of the best pitchers in school history on the softball circle at Riverhead, Morrow continued her domination at the University of Tampa. She is the only pitcher ever to throw a perfect game at Riverhead — and produced two more in college. The two-time All-American was inducted into the University of Tampa Hall of Fame on Oct. 17.

Blue Wave alums make it to The Show

Two brothers from Riverhead’s graduating class of 2013 worked their way up from the lowest ranks of MLB back offices to now being prominent staff members for the Texas Rangers and Colorado Rockies. Tyler Carroll is tasked with scouting for Texas and Connor Carroll works on the player development side for the Rockies. 

Softball: Blue Waves cap historic season

For the first time in school history, Riverhead’s varsity softball team went a perfect 18-0 after defeating Half Hollow Hills West in the last game of the regular season. The game went into extra innings and the Blue Waves came out on top 5-6 after Mya Marelli smashed the game-winning hit. Marelli also won Big Schools Pitcher of the Year before Riverhead lost in the Suffolk County semifinal.

Riverhead boys lax squad among school’s best ever

After taking its lumps as a young team for a few seasons, the Blue Waves lacrosse team finally emerged with a strong senior class this year, taking the program to levels it hasn’t seen before. Griffin Sumwalt finished his career as the all-time leader in goals and points scored. The team ended up posting a 11-3 division record — the best in school history.

SWR girls soccer win another title

For the second year in a row, Shoreham-Wading River’s girls soccer team won the Class A Long Island championship, sending the team to play in the New York State Final Four in Cortland. The Wildcats accomplished this feat without their star player last year, Grace Hillis, which made this year’s run that much more remarkable. Mia Mangano scored the opening goal as the Wildcats prevailed over Wantagh, 2-0.

Riverhead alum takes over fledgling track program

Ryan Budd has been a champion at every level. He won a first-ever Long Island championship as a member of Riverhead’s football team. Then,  at Central Connecticut State, he helped the team win its first title in history. He went on to coach at Wagner College and that team also won their first-ever championship. Now he’s up for a new challenge: Budd recently took the head track and field coaching job at Western Connecticut State University – a team that never existed before.

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Since its inception, through ticket sales, a 50/50 raffle, merchandise sales, the concession stand and sponsors, the Riverhead Central Faculty Association has raised over $97,000 for scholarships and school-related items such as books and laptops. They’ve contributed money toward senior banners and elementary enrichment programs. Even during the COVID period, the RCFA scholarship fund was still able to issue scholarships with money they raised in prior years and depending on how much they raise from the event, the fund gives scholarships ranging from $7,000 to $10,000 every year.

Having the Harlem Wizards back in town is always something the residents look forward to with the proof being the attendance — very few seats were left empty throughout the gym as the kids screamed in support. Wizards gear was on full display throughout the stands, and kids were eager to see one of their favorite teachers get dunked on.

“It’s a very nice community event,” Gregory Wallace said, who is the president of the RCFA and a physics teacher at the high school. “It’s an opportunity for the community to see teachers in a different light. We’re out here having fun and interacting with the community. Rather than the teacher-student relationship they typically see, they’re able to witness our idiosyncrasies on the basketball court.”

Before the teams took the stage, Cherese Foster, the former varsity girls basketball coach and Phillips Avenue physical education teacher was seen helping the other teachers out with their jump shot. According to Wallace, Foster was a major contributor to making this event happen in the manner it did.

“We absolutely enjoy doing this as teachers,” Ms. Foster said. “We have hundreds of our students in the stands and it allows us to loosen up and be ourselves and have a little fun. Things don’t always have to be so serious. It’s good to have a day to laugh and get a little competitive at times.”

With 21 teachers on the team, athletes in their own right, such as Patrick Fabian, the boys varsity basketball coach and Rich Vlacci, who coaches the varsity softball team, there were some shots made, believe it or not. Though the game wasn’t exactly competitive with the Wizards winning, 79-62, a good time was had with plenty of laughter involved.

In the third quarter, some of the Wizards switched teams to try to make it a little more competitive and Ms. Foster switched over to a Wizards jersey, letting her competitive side eek out a bit. The coach came up with a steal, knocked down a jumper from the outside and then threw a lob pass to “AIRTIME” who caught the ball and slammed it down. 

Before the game the Wizards called out all the “mommas” to come out and dance and picked the best dancer to win prizes. Based on how loud each section of stands were, prizes were constantly thrown out. With some of the antics of the Wizards, laughs just never ended. During the game “Big J” was apparently fouled by a teacher and grabbed his knee, yelling that his head hurt, bringing out “Giant” who happened to be the smallest guy on the court in a doctor’s outfit to assess the damage.

Though the final numbers haven’t been calculated, Mr. Wallace said that it was a “super successful” event. And it’s something that he wants to continue to do, year after year.

“I mean look at the amount of people that showed up,” he said. “Kids and parents both love this event. It brings the community together. I’m thrilled we’re going to be able to offer our hard-working seniors more scholarships this year and hope to continue to do so.”

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“Inconsistency,” Riverhead head coach Elwood Lamb said after Tuesday’s 68-64 loss to Walt Whitman. “That’s what it comes down to.”

After a back-and-forth first quarter at Riverhead High School, the Blue Waves started to pull ahead in the second quarter with hard-nose defense, quality shooting and aggressive rebounding.

Markus Grigg carried the team on his shoulders for most of the first half, scoring 16 points and pushing Riverhead’s lead to as much as eight points. Once the Blue Waves took the lead with six minutes left to play in the second quarter, they looked like the better team and kept adding to the deficit, though Walt Whitman always seemed to hang around and refused to let the game get out of hand.

“We got some big shooting from Grigg and [Deshawn] Watkins in the first couple quarters,” Lamb said. “That was huge for us as a team to put those points on the board.  Wat is a huge scorer for us and we knew he has it in him.”

Watkins ended the game with a team-high 18 points, scoring in a multitude of ways, whether driving to the lane, shooting three-pointers or coming up with put-backs on rebounds. The junior’s 18 points were his career-high on varsity. 

Riverhead (1-7 League I, 2-10 overall) had control of the game to start the second half, and behind Pete Legnena’s sharp three-point shooting, the Blue Waves were able to fend off Whitman for most of the third quarter. But Whitman’s answer came from Christopher DiLeo. Whenever Legnena hit a three, DiLeo answered at the other end.

“They had one shooter and we just couldn’t get out to him,” Lamb said. “He singlehandedly turned the game around for them.”

Legnena hit four three-point baskets in that second half. DiLeo drained seven.

By the end of the third quarter, Whitman (3-5, 5-7) had taken its first lead since early in the second quarter.

“When things get tough we get nervous,” Lamb said. “Because we’ve lost so many games this year it’s almost like they expect the other team to come back and win.  When we’re ahead and things are going well, it’s all good. Once the other team starts coming back, I see heads down. We have the talent; we just need the fire to want and need to win.”

Even so, Riverhead fought back to take a four-point lead with five minutes to go, but turnovers and rushed possessions ended up sinking the team in the final stretch. The Blue Waves tried to lean on freshman point guard Anaais Mitchell and senior captain AJ Austin to calm the game down but unfortunately Austin, who scored seven points, couldn’t play much of that last quarter due to foul trouble.

“We need five guys out there with chemistry,” Lamb said. “And we need to close out these games. It’s not the first time we’ve been ahead and have not been able to close the game out. We need to change the mentality here. You have to believe you can win, otherwise things will never go your way.”

Riverhead will host Patchogue-Medford Thursday with tip-off scheduled for 4:30 p.m. The Blue Waves lost 54-52 to the Raiders early in the season in another game they had a good chance of winning. 

“We still have time to turn this around and win the rest of our games,” Lamb said. “That is what would make this season a success. And hey, crazier things have happened.”

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Wins and the girls basketball team haven’t exactly been synonymous over the last few years as head coach Cherese Foster attempts to return the program to its glory days, when the squad was winning league championships under former coach David Spinella. Budget cuts and COVID 19 shutdowns left the team reeling, but with momentum returning to the program, the future is bright.

“It’s been a slow grind,” Foster said of the rebuilding effort. “But things have been looking up this year and I think this year’s success will set us up for years to come. When I got here I knew it wasn’t going to happen overnight but I believed in this program and it’s starting to pay off.”

After winning just one game last year, none during league play, Riverhead has finally found its focus: strong defense. The defensive intensity was on full display Saturday afternoon as the Blue Waves notched their fourth win of the season, 45-26 over Central Islip at Riverhead High School.

Over the course of the game, Riverhead (2-3 League I, 4-3 overall) forced 38 turnovers and held the Musketeers to just 17% shooting from the field. Logan Pilon and Adriana Martinez led the way defensively, snatching seven steals each.

“Defense has been a major point of emphasis in practice,” said Pilon, who also scored 15 points in the victory. “We have to get to every loose ball and cause turnovers because it gets us points at the other end. We have to be stronger and faster and that’s what’s going to set us apart.”

Before Christmas, Riverhead defeated a strong Brentwood squad by 15 points before matching up against first-place Ward Melville. And in a game that in years past would have never been close, the Blue Waves were only three points down going into the fourth quarter. 

“The coaches at Ward Melville were shocked with how strong our defense was,” Foster said. “We’re starting to compete now. The goal this year was to compete, and, hey, the wins will come.”

The defense was so suffocating on Saturday, Central Islip didn’t even score a point until 5:18 left in the second quarter.

“Everything we practice on the defensive end always translates to the game,” Martinez said. “We always keep our hands up and close down any space for the ball handlers to move. And at the end of the day it’s all about communication.”

Pilon and Martinez have formed a 1-2 punch on the offensive attack. Both guards scored a team-high 15 points in the game against Central Islip. Their ability to work off each other and get inside the paint have been key factors in putting points on the board. 

“Those two work so well with each other because they’re both super athletic,” Foster said. “They both just know how to be that athlete on the court at any given time. They know what it takes to win and they put their heart into it.”

“We’ve been playing basketball together since we were 11 years old,” Pilon said. “We boost each other up every time one of us scores. The best thing about our team is that nobody is selfish. We’re just trying to win the game regardless of who scores.”

Another welcome addition to the lineup has been Kyleigh Lennon. The sophomore was a rebounding machine on Saturday, hauling in 15 boards. She also got her hands in the passing lane and came away with four steals.

“Lennon is a huge piece to this puzzle,” Foster said. “In order for us to win, she has to continue to defend and crash the boards. She’s a big lacrosse player but I think she can be a great basketball player too.

“Defense, defense, defense,” Foster said of the team’s focus for the upcoming schedule. “Our defense will always be what ignites our offense. And honestly, I’m not afraid to say we’re the best defensive team in our league.”

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But before the school year started, Lievre committed to another season at the helm. His earlier decision to step down was based on wanting to watch his son, an eighth grader, play on SWR’s varsity boys basketball team. When Kevin Culhane, the boys varsity coach, finagled the schedule so that it didn’t conflict with the girls’ games, Lievre decided to come back for one more year.

It was a welcome sight to have Lievre man the sidelines once again. But the task of rebuilding a winner will certainly be daunting. With Sophie Costello, Grace-Ann Leonard, Annie Sheehan and Colleen Ohrtman all graduating, only Juliana Mahan remains from last season’s championship starting five. 

But Mahan too missed the Wildcats opening 50-29 non-league loss to William Floyd with a foot injury that occurred during the soccer season. In addition to her absence, Grayce Kitchen, a new member of the starting lineup, was also out due to a lacrosse commitment. Lievre was also expecting a breakout season from Anabel Keegan, but the sophomore tore her ACL, which ended her season. That meant the gaps that were left following last season’s run to the county crown were laid bare Monday afternoon.

Alyssa Bell, a major contributor off the bench last year, was the lone bright spot in the loss, netting 19 of the Wildcats’ 29 points.

“We did no summer league this year and we did no fall league either,” Lievre said. “So most of the girls are picking up a basketball for the first time this year. There were a lot of lacrosse conflicts that interfered with us bringing a whole team together so we’re definitely behind the eight ball.”

Those conflicts, along with the injuries, have continued, and the Wildcats have still yet to have a practice with every member present. 

“We had two girls out of practice one day and then four girls out of practice for two days,” Lievre said. “This is about as unprepared for a game as I’ve ever been. I did the math, we’re at a 60% attendance rate so far. So yeah, we’re definitely behind.”

The good news is that Mahan is scheduled to come back before their next non-league game against Cold Spring Harbor. It will be Mahan’s team this year so having her back on the court, even at 50%, will do wonders for this young squad that only counts two seniors.

“Last year was really the first time in my coaching career that I had a real big [player] in Mahan,” Lievre said. “I really felt comfortable giving her the ball in sets specifically designed to get the ball down low. She definitely benefited with the talent around her and this year she is going to be our focal point.”

Mahan’s role will be much different this year. The scoring load will fall on her shoulders. The senior had her moments last year and scored as many as 18 points twice over the course of the season. But the team will need her presence on the court not only as a scoring option but also to take control in sticky situations with her experience in big spots. 

“She’s our leader,” Lievre said. “We’re going to count on her to be that dominant force for us all season long.”

Though some questions have been answered, many remain. The good news is the Wildcats’ league season doesn’t start until Jan. 3. They’ll play a handful of non-leagues leading up to the opener and hopefully by then, the picture of what the reigning Suffolk County champions look like will start to get clearer.

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“We gave out scholarships in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, so we were able to continue with the money we had raised in the past,” Mr. Wallace said. “We now reinstituted the program and it was another successful evening … We are going to clear $15,000.”

The Harlem Wizards, formed in 1962, have raised money for school districts nationwide. They left the Riverhead court victorious, 114 to 90, but the home team certainly put up a fight. Sure, teachers missed some layups, but they also took their chances at three-pointers and found the net. They also leaned into the playful dances and comedic bits the Wizards are known for, from lining up mid-game for a football-style skirmish to taking the announcer’s teasing, such as asking if their missed shots were passes, in stride.

Fifty-two district faculty members made the evening possible, according to Mr. Wallace, both by running up and down the court and by volunteering for other duties, such as running the concessions stand and selling souvenirs.

“It was about the kids; it wasn’t about us or the Wizards,” Cherese Foster, the Riverhead girls basketball varsity coach and a physical education teacher at the Phillips Avenue Elementary School, said after the game. “I think we did well because we were smiling at the end. It’s about teamwork and when you have a team that is enjoying their time on the court together that is the most important thing. It’s not about the score all the time, it’s about getting better and being a great team.”

The crowd filling the bleachers cheered affectionately for players on both teams. While some sports audiences’ enjoyment of a game might hinge on its outcome, those in attendance last Thursday were simply looking for an evening of family entertainment.

“[My son] goes to Aquebogue school and this was a fundraiser for the school so I figured I’d bring him out,” said Eddie Perry, standing alongside his -5-year-old son, Emir, who was holding a new Wizards basketball. “Plus, he’s never been to a basketball game, so we’re having fun.”

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