Category Archives: Section XI News

Lt. Ray Enners Award Winner Profile: Chris Gray

Each year the winner of the Lt. Ray Enners Award is profiled on RayEnnersAwardWinners.com.

Chris Gray did a Q&A about his lacrosse career, his future and the overall meaning of the award in his eyes.

“Receiving the Raymond Enners Award has been a great personal experience. Not because of the individual accolade but because it inspired me to really learn who Ray Enners was,” he said. “Being mentioned in the same sentence as Ray Enners is a great honor. His accomplishments in the class, on the field and in battle inspire me to live my life as Mr. Enners did each and every day.”

CLICK to read the full profile!

7-on-7’s Kick Off Around Suffolk County

It’s almost that time of year! 7-on-7 football sessions have kicked off around Suffolk County.

Check out some images from recent action at Connetquot including the Thunderbirds, Sayville, Brentwood, Kings Park, William Floyd, Pat-Med and Hills East.

Photo Credit Bob Sorensen

Two from Section XI Tabbed for NYSPHSAA Student Advisory Committee

Two student-athletes from Section XI have been selected for the 2017-2018 New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).

Amanda DiDonato from Mount Sinai High School and Matt Weltmann from Half Follow Hills High School East earned the honor.

This year 13 new members will join the SAAC teaming with the nine returning members who served as juniors last year. Members were chosen based on an academic resume which included GPA, extracurricular activities, and participation in sports. In all, the SAAC is made up of two student-athlete representatives from each of the eleven sections in New York State.

The SAAC was developed to give student-athletes a voice within the NYSPHSAA. Over the course of the school year, the committee will discuss topics relevant to high school student-athletes and develop ways to maintain a positive athletic experience. Each committee member is expected to exemplify leadership while providing feedback of NYSPHSAA special programs including, but not limited to, Scholar-Athlete, Sportsmanship, Life of an Athlete, Student Leadership, and Community Service. A total of 88 student-athletes applied to be members of this years SAAC.

“We are looking forward to working with the new members and returning members of the SAAC this school year,” said Robert Zayas NYSPHSAA Executive Director. “Having student voices in our organization is key to providing feedback to further enhance and improve our programs with our member schools. We congratulate the members of the SAAC on their selection to this committee.”

The SAAC will meet via tele conference during the school year. The first meeting will take place Sunday, September 24.

Recruiting News: Ruckert Commits to OSU

Lindenhurst native Jeremy Ruckert has committed to play football at Ohio State University.

Ruckert made the biggest splash of the summer in terms of local high school news with his decision that went viral on social media Monday afternoon.

He was choosing between Ohio State, Michigan, Wisconsin and Notre Dame.

“They always were a step ahead of everybody else,” said Ruckert, who had 117 receptions for 1,624 yards and 13 touchdowns in his last two years at Lindenhurst, told Newsday. “All four schools were very similar on the field and education-wise, but the way they were really interactive with my family and all my close friends, they stuck out, and that was one of the main reasons there.

Read the full story on Newsday!

Suffolk County Natives Drafted by MLB Teams

Suffolk County faired very well during the 2017 Major League Baseball draft, netting seven players who were selected by pro teams.

A handful will likely stay the course and play collegiate baseball, but many were selected out of college and will enter the professional ranks this summer.

Here’s a look at who was selected:

  • Jesse Berardi: Commack HS / St. John’s – Indians, 10th rd., 312 overall
  • Michael Donadio: Mt. Sinai HS / St. John’s – Marlins, 30th rd., 899 overall
  • Ben Brown: Ward Melville HS – Phillies – 33rd rd., 983 overall
  • Ricky Negron: Babylon HS – Braves – 34th rd., 1010 overall
  • Dan Jagiello: West Islip HS / LIU Post – Dodgers, 34th rd., 1030 overall
  • Brian Morrell: Shoreham-Wading River HS – Phillies, 35th rd., 1043 overall
  • Tyler Osik: Shoreham-Wading River HS / Chipola College  – Pirates, 40th rd., 1198 overall

Of course Suffolk County is well represented with the emergence of Marcus Stroman and Steve Matz over the last few seasons.

The northeast continues to be a hotbed of talent that has increased in recent years.

Congratulations to all players who were drafted, and good luck to everyone who is angling to sign free agent contracts this month!

Suffolk County Lacrosse Championship Week

It’s lacrosse championship week in Suffolk County!

Girls’ championship game results:

  • Class A: Middle Country 13, Northport, 3
  • Class B: ESM 15, Rocky Point 8
  • Class C: Mt. Sinai 9, Bayport 6
  • Class D: Mattituck already clinched victory!

Boys’ championship game results:

  • Class A: Ward Melville 9, Smithtown East 8
  • Class B: ESM 7, East Islip 5
  • Class C: SWR 13, Islip 7
  • Class D: Babylon already clinched victory!

Brackets: Click to review all previous games and results from this year.

Follow @SectXISuffolk on Twitter for updates!