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.
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.
The Section XI Tennis Coaches Association recently hosted the Coach Bob Davis Autism Tournament, bringing together student-athletes from across Long Island for a meaningful day of competition and community support.
The event, which honors the legacy of Coach Bob Davis, continues to highlight the power of athletics as a platform for awareness, inclusion, and compassion. Players competed with energy and sportsmanship while also embracing the tournament’s larger mission of supporting autism awareness.
Special recognition goes to Coach Sussin of Ward Melville High School and Coach Selaggio of Bayport-Blue Point High School, whose leadership and organization helped make the day a success. Their efforts ensured a well-run event that provided a memorable experience for all participants.
From competitive matches to moments of unity, the tournament once again demonstrated how high school athletics can bring people together for a greater cause, leaving a lasting impact both on and off the court.
