Category Archives: Section XI News

Sachem East Girls Volleyball Coach Amanda Katz Earns Milestone 200th Career Victory

Sachem East girls volleyball coach Amanda Katz reached a career milestone, recording her 200th career win as the Arrows continue their strong season on the court.

Katz, a longtime leader of the Sachem East volleyball program, has built a culture of consistency, teamwork, and family through her years of dedication.

Since taking over the program, she has guided hundreds of athletes, more than 300, by her own count, while shaping not just skilled volleyball players but strong young women who represent Sachem with pride.

“I love this program and the over 300 SEGVV athletes who helped me learn and grow over the years,” Katz said. “I’m grateful for the coaches I am so lucky to have by my side, helping me make sense of madness, and helping me make sense in general — you are my people. Thank you for the celebration — my heart is full.”

Mount Sinai Celebrates Homecoming with Spirit and a Mustangs Victory

This is a report from Jacob Mendelson from Mount Sinai High School. He is part of the Section XI Student Media Team.

Homecoming is a cherished tradition at Mount Sinai, uniting athletes, students, families, and the community in a day filled with pride and celebration.

The festivities began with a parade leading to the high school, where streets were lined with cheering spectators. Each high school class designed a themed float, showcasing creativity and teamwork, while the North Shore Colts and Mustang cheerleaders energized the crowd along the route. Kindergarten classes marched proudly alongside their teachers as parents and friends applauded.

With the 31-6 win, Mount Sinai improved to 3-2 and looks to carry its momentum into the next matchup at home against Center Moriches.

Mount Sinai’s running game continued to impress, led by Dontae Spadaro with 193 rushing yards. Quarterback Max Sorrentino completed 10 of 12 passes for 299 yards and three touchdowns. Nicholas Vaccarro added a 56-yard touchdown reception, and Daniel Paelello had seven catches for 189 yards and two scores.

Defensively, Mount Sinai dominated, keeping Kings Park off the scoreboard for three quarters and forcing two interceptions and two sacks. Kicker Alex Bottomley added a 33-yard field goal and was perfect on extra-point attempts. Despite a few penalties that negated big plays, the Mustangs controlled the game from start to finish.

At the school, the Mount Sinai Booster Club hosted a vibrant celebration featuring bounce houses, great food, and local organizations offering face painting and fun activities for kids. The campus was a sea of red and black as nearly everyone sported their Mustang spirit wear.

While the atmosphere was festive, the highlight of the day was the football game. The Mount Sinai Mustangs faced a formidable opponent in the Kings Park Kingsmen, who were coming off a high-scoring win over Shoreham-Wading River. The Mustangs’ defense rose to the challenge, holding Kings Park to just six points.

Milestone: West Islip’s Steve Mileti Reaches 100 Career Wins

West Islip head coach Steve Mileti reached a career milestone Saturday, earning his 100th career victory as the Lions defeated Rocky Point, 14-7, in a Suffolk County Division III matchup.

Jake Kramer powered the offense with 109 rushing yards and a touchdown on 20 carries, while quarterback TJ Sonnenberg delivered in the clutch — completing 15 of 20 passes for 121 yards, including the game-winning 10-yard touchdown to Matt McDermott with just 26 seconds left in regulation.

The dramatic win improved West Islip to 4-1 on the season and marked another memorable chapter in Mileti’s 17-year tenure at the helm. Since taking over the program, Mileti has built a tradition of consistency and competitiveness, guiding the Lions to numerous postseason appearances and now boasting a career record of 100-54.

Section XI Launches Student Media Program to Empower Future Sports Journalists

Section XI has launched its inaugural Student Media Program, designed to engage the next generation of sports storytellers while enhancing the conference’s digital and social media presence.

This new initiative allows student reporters, photographers, and videographers from across Suffolk County to gain real-world experience covering high school athletics from the sidelines to the newsroom (remotely). Students are actively writing stories, capturing images and video highlights, creating collaborative social media posts, and participating in editorial discussions behind the scenes.

The program combines sports communication and digital storytelling, providing participants with valuable mentorship and exposure to the pace and professionalism of the sports media industry. By contributing directly to Section XI’s official platforms, students are learning to shape narratives that celebrate athletic excellence, teamwork, and community pride.

With the launch of this initiative, Section XI continues to innovate, strengthening its connection to the public while creating a meaningful pipeline for aspiring journalists, broadcasters, and content creators across Long Island.

FIRST LAST SCHOOL
Chloe Alonso Port Jeff
Ryan Auerbach Hills West
Spencer Austin Longwood
Gabby Barrett Bellport
Zach Berger Westhampton Beach
Tyler Gaisser Smithtown East
Jacob Dorsett Port Jeff
Lisseth Hernandez Central Islip
Emanuel Infante Whitman
Collin Jennings Pat-Med
Ryan Katz Longwood
Kennedy Lyden Bay Shore
John McKenna Rocky Point
Jacob Mendelson Mount Sinai
Tristan Olivio Lindenhurst
Dylan Paulsen ESM
Emma Polinsky Huntington

Whitman Wildcats Hold Off Huntington in Thrilling 3–2 Victory

It was a nail-biter as the Whitman Wildcats edged out the Huntington Blue Devils, 3–2, in an exciting matchup that kept fans on their feet until the final whistle.

Whitman came out strong, scoring three goals in the first half to establish what looked like a comfortable lead. Standout performances led the Wildcats’ offense from Alaina Pape, who netted two goals, and Kate Macaluso, who added another to round out the scoring. In net, goalie Andy Devinney came up big with nine saves, keeping the Wildcats in control early on.

But Huntington refused to back down. The Blue Devils battled back in the second half with goals from Caroline Mitek and Charlotte Kindelmann, cutting the lead to just one. Huntington’s relentless pressure tested Whitman’s defense, while goalkeeper Kathleen Cocoman made an impressive 15 saves to keep her team within striking distance.

In the end, Whitman’s defense held strong in the final minutes, securing a hard-fought 3–2 win and another statement victory for the Wildcats.

Both teams showed grit, skill, and determination in what proved to be one of the most competitive matches of the season.

This student media report is brought to you by Section XI team reporter Emma Polinsky.

Smithtown West Golfer Ryan Napolitano Records Hole-in-One

Smithtown High School West junior Ryan Napolitano delivered a moment to remember, recording a hole-in-one at Smithtown Landing Golf Club.

Napolitano aced the par-3 seventh hole, an accomplishment golfers at every level dream of. The shot came during team play and was witnessed by teammates, coaches, and competitors alike, making it even more special.

The achievement comes just days after Long Island hosted the prestigious Ryder Cup, and perhaps the excitement from that event provided some added inspiration.

Congratulations to Ryan on etching his name into Smithtown West golf history!

Sayville Varsity Boys Golf Breaks School Record in Victory Over West Islip

The Sayville Varsity Boys Golf team delivered a historic performance, shattering the school scoring record with an impressive team score of 176, finishing four under par.

Led by Coach McLaughlin, the group’s remarkable effort not only set a new program standard but also secured a dominant 9-0 win over West Islip.

The team’s balanced play and steady focus were the difference-makers, as each golfer contributed to the overall success. With this victory, Sayville remains undefeated on the season, showcasing not only its talent but also its dedication to raising the bar for future teams.