Playoff season is here in Section XI for several of our teams this week!
Good luck to all of our student-athletes as they begin their postseason journeys.
Be safe, have fun, compete, and, most importantly, make memories that will last a lifetime.
Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance and check playoff brackets regularly for updated game times and locations.
🏆 Brackets & Tickets: https://sectionxi.org/builder/playoff-brackets/
The following story is from Section XI student reporter Keira Kenny from Ward Melville High School.
The Ward Melville boys baseball team has enjoyed a successful season and recently secured a spot in playoff contention. Along the way, longtime head coach Lou Petrucci reached an impressive milestone, earning his 300th career victory after a win over Sachem North on April 29.
Following the milestone, Coach Petrucci reflected on what the achievement means to him and the people who helped make it possible.
“The 300-win mark is one of longevity with great players and families who love the game of baseball,” Petrucci said.
Rather than focusing on personal accolades, Petrucci credited the players who contributed to the program throughout the years.
“I would have to live a million years to pay back all the players that made this possible,” he said. “I never got a hit, threw a strike or made a diving catch in the outfield. The players did everything and they deserve all the credit.”
His appreciation for his athletes has shaped his coaching philosophy throughout his career. Petrucci emphasized the importance of supporting players regardless of the outcome on the field.
“You have to love your players when you win or lose,” he said. “It is just a game played by billions of kids and people all across this great land.”
Petrucci believes creating a positive and enjoyable environment is one of the keys to building a successful program. By dedicating the season to the players and giving them memorable experiences, he said teams can achieve meaningful success both on and off the field.
When asked about the most important lesson baseball teaches young athletes, Petrucci pointed to humility.
“Baseball teaches young players to be humble,” he said. “The highs and lows of how the game is played can come inning to inning and pitch by pitch.”
He added, “Baseball truly is the greatest game on Earth.”
Although 300 wins is a remarkable accomplishment, Petrucci said his focus remains on continuing to positively impact his players.
“My goals are easy,” he said. “I need to continue to work to make positive moments for our players. I continue to look for ways to make every practice fun.”
He also hopes his athletes leave the program with a lifelong appreciation for the game.
“I hope that I have instilled the passion for the game in them,” Petrucci said.
Through his commitment to his players and passion for baseball, Coach Petrucci has built a program centered on teamwork, positivity and lasting memories — qualities that have helped lead Ward Melville to continued success.
Congrats to Todd Gulluscio on being named the new Athletic Director at East Hampton Schools!
Read more from The East Hampton Star.
The New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) has announced its 2026 Hall of Fame Class, which will be inducted on Wednesday, July 29, at the Hyatt Regency in Buffalo, New York.
The NYSPHSAA Hall of Fame, launched in 2002, is sponsored by Zolnier Championship Rings, Crown Awards and Pupil Benefits Plan, Inc. Ticket information and additional event details will be released at a later date.
The Class of 2026 includes Julie Stimik Bergman (Contributor, Section IV), Fred Fusaro (Coach, Section XI), Dan Gillespie (Coach, Section 2), Paul McClintock (Official, Section I), Walter Munze (Official, Section III) and Carla Tagliente (Athlete, Section IV).
Inductees were selected through a two-tiered screening and selection process involving both a screening committee and a selection committee. Each nomination was first endorsed by the inductee’s respective section before advancing to the NYSPHSAA Screening Committee and ultimately the Selection Committee.
Fred Fusaro is regarded as one of the winningest high school football coaches in New York State history and among the greatest to ever coach on Long Island.
From 1971 to 2002, Fusaro built one of the state’s premier football programs while leading Sachem High School. During his 31-year tenure, he compiled a 192-95 career record, captured six Suffolk County championships and 15 league titles, and guided Sachem to 22 consecutive playoff appearances.
Individually, Fusaro was named Suffolk County Coach of the Year 15 times, with the award now bearing his name. Sachem named its football field in his honor in 1999 and inducted him into the school’s Hall of Fame in 2016. He was later inducted into the Suffolk County Sports Hall of Fame in 2003 and the National Football Foundation Hall of Fame in 2005.
Following his retirement from teaching and head coaching in 2002, Fusaro served as an assistant coach at John Glenn High School through 2024. In 2025, he returned to his roots by joining the coaching staff at Huntington High School, his alma mater, as a line coach.
Throughout his career, Fusaro earned widespread respect for his disciplined approach, emphasis on character and commitment to developing young men into leaders both on and off the field.
A graduate of Huntington High School in Section XI, Fusaro earned a bachelor’s degree from Ithaca College, where he played four years as a nose tackle, before earning a master’s degree from St. Lawrence University.
The latest from Orlin & Cohen Sports Medicine!
Amazing afternoon for the Section XI Athletics for All athletes on the track at Section XI Athletics and Riverhead High School.
From smiles at the starting line to cheers at the finish, today was a celebration of inclusion, sportsmanship, determination, and community. Every athlete competed with heart and reminded us what makes sports so special … opportunity, teamwork, and joy for all.
Bravo to the athletes, coaches, families, volunteers, and supporters who made this incredible day possible.
A remarkable high school lacrosse career continues to reach new heights for Port Jefferson senior Owen Whiffen.
Whiffen recently recorded his 800th career save for the Port Jefferson Boys Varsity Lacrosse team, cementing his place as one of the program’s most accomplished goalkeepers. Known for his toughness, leadership, and consistency in net, Whiffen has been a cornerstone of the Royals’ success throughout his career.
Coaches, teammates, and supporters have watched Whiffen develop into one of the area’s premier lacrosse players, delivering clutch performances and serving as a steady presence between the pipes.
The celebration comes alongside another exciting accomplishment for the standout student-athlete. Whiffen will continue both his academic and lacrosse career at SUNY Oneonta, where he plans to compete at the collegiate level while pursuing his education.
The Port Jefferson community praises Whiffen for not only his athletic achievements, but also for the leadership and determination he has displayed throughout his time in the program.
With 800 saves already to his name and collegiate lacrosse ahead, Whiffen’s journey is far from over, and the Port Jefferson community will be cheering him on every step of the way.
The New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Executive Committee met on Wednesday, May 6, at Embassy Suites in Saratoga Springs for its regularly scheduled spring meeting.
The Executive Committee received an update on the Schools Without Boundaries Ad Hoc Committee’s ongoing work. Following the discussion, a motion from Section I was introduced to continue discussions and reconvene the committee to explore additional options. The motion did not receive a second to continue toward a vote. President Tim Mullins directed that the Schools Without Boundaries Committee transition from an ad hoc committee to a standing committee of the Association.
During the meeting, the Executive Committee also reviewed and approved multiple action items impacting the administration of interscholastic athletics across New York State. Joshua Dann was approved as the next NYSPHSAA officer, with his term as Second Vice President set to begin September 1, 2026.
Several sports proposals were also approved, including a two-year pilot program in field hockey that allows 9 vs 9 play at the junior varsity and/or modified level, using a regulation field and adjusted rules. Additionally, the Executive Committee approved classification cut-off numbers for competitive cheerleading and, unanimously, selected Cortland (Section III) as the host site for the 2027-2029 NYSPHSAA Girls Soccer Championships. The Committee defeated the proposal to adopt a standardized pregame timeline and protocol for softball contests in a 10-12 vote.
“In each meeting, NYSPHSAA’s focus remains on supporting its member schools while continuing to evolve with the needs of education-based athletics,” said Dr. Robert Zayas, NYSPHSAA Executive Director. “The actions taken by the Executive Committee reflect a thoughtful, collaborative approach to enhancing opportunities and experiences for student-athletes across New York State.”
The Executive Committee also discussed several items that will be brought forward for potential action at the July meeting. These include a proposed revision to the girls’ volleyball classification formula that would place the top 70 teams in Class AAA, the bottom 90 teams in Class D, and evenly distribute the remaining teams among the middle classifications. In addition, we reviewed proposals for bowling, including increasing the maximum number of games allowed per day during postseason competition and modifying the state championship format from a six-game total pinfall format to a two-phase competition structure.
Reports from standing committees were provided, including Championship Advisory, Student-Athlete Advisory, Student-Athlete Development, Sportsmanship, Safety, and Modified, which highlighted ongoing efforts to enhance the student-athlete experience, promote sportsmanship, and ensure safety across all programs.
The meeting concluded at 11:23 AM, with the next Central Committee meeting set for July 28-29 at the Hyatt Regency in Buffalo.
You’re not misreading that headline. Those are real numbers.
Samantha Heyman from Hills East is on a legendary run with a prolific offense and has reached 10,000 career passing yards and 150 touchdowns with plenty of football this season to play.
Have a Section XI Milestone? Email SectionXIMilestones@gmail.com.
