Spring sports bring variety of fun to New York high school sports

The spring season is now in full swing in New York, but one score was very fall-like. That's among some of the more interesting storylines from around the state.

An extra point could have tied it
Most did double takes when they saw the final score of a Section 1 boys lacrosse game at White Plains, where the hosts Tigers prevailed 21-20 over North Rockland (Thiells). That's no typo – actually, it was just the latest score-a-thon for White Plains, which racked up 57 goals in its first three games.

A North Rockland player – Kyle Michella – had stat totals some short-stick player might be happy with for a season, with five goals and 10 assists. Brendan Johnson (seven goals) and Nico Mancini (six goals) were White Plains' leading scorers in the game.

Kings of spring
If you're looking for the ultimate baseball/boys lacrosse success story at this point in the season, head for the hills. Half Hollow Hills East (Dix Hills) in Suffolk County on Long Island, that is.



The school's baseball and lacrosse teams started the week a combined 13-0, with the lacrosse team picking up seven of the victories and the baseball squad six. Syracuse University-bound junior defenseman Nicholas Dipietro is calling it a "spring sports takeover."

The lacrosse team's closest call so far was a 6-5 win over East Islip in which goalie Jordan Eichholz stopped a shot on a fast break to preserve the win.

The Thunderbirds' scoring leader is sophomore attackman Sean Lulley, with 17 goals and 35 points. Another feeder/finisher, Joe Wulforst, has 13 goals and 14 assists. Finisher Joey Tesoriero has 23 goals and 29 points.

The baseball team has been led on offense by seniors Rich Villa, Tom Oliveri, Matt Forelli and Matt Schwartz, plus freshman phenom Matt Hogan. The pitching staff features seniors Brandon Bonomo (Marist College), Joe Marzouk (Hofstra) and Kevin Jimenez, plus sophomore Pat Dooley.

It takes two for Marlboro
Starter Nick Mongelli and reliever Scott Oliver combined on a one-hitter in a 2-0 baseball victory for Marlboro Central (Marlboro) over Red Hook. Mongelli, who allowed the hit, struck out five and walked one in six innings. Oliver struck out two in the seventh.

Lacrosse for a cause
A record crowd converged upon Shoreham-Wading River on Long Island for the annual Lax Out for Cancer event. The festivities were capped by the varsity boys lacrosse game between rivals Miller Place and the host Wildats, with Shoreham, outfitted in pink jerseys, won 11-7. Cornell University-bound attackman Ryan Bray scored five goals.



Softball for a cause
Ten teams will be converging in Staten Island on Saturday, April 25, for the fifth-annual Breast Cancer Awareness Tournament, hosted by St. Joseph-by-the-Sea (Staten Island).

Matchups are as follows: Moore Catholic (Staten Island) vs. Tottenville (Staten Island), 9 a.m.; Port Richmond (Staten Island) vs. St. John Villa Academy (Staten Island), 11 a.m.; Fontbonne Hall Academy (Brooklyn) vs. St. Joseph by-the-Sea, 1 p.m. and Construction (Queens) vs. St. Joseph Hill Academy (Staten Island), 3 p.m.

All proceeds benefit breast cancer awareness.