Unified Basketball Season Comes to a Successful Conclusion

The New York State Public High School Athletic Association and Special Olympics partnered to offer Unified Sports to NYSPHSAA schools, and the Connetquot Central School District jumped on board the project this school year. Due to the efforts of Director of Health, Physical Education, Athletics and Recreation Mark Dellecave, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Lynda G. Adams and the members of the Board of Education, this wonderful opportunity was offered for district students. The program combines athletes with special needs and mentors who played basketball together against a schedule of similar interscholastic teams.

The Connetquot Unified Basketball T-Birds played six games against Kings Park, Northport and Walt Whitman high schools this season, including three home games filled with loud and supportive fans. In addition to the fun aspect of the competition, the team provided opportunities for all students to experience regular practices, bus rides to away games, recognition of their classmates and the satisfaction of working together for a common purpose. Connetquot Unified Basketball coaches Kyle Black and Sarah Ecke worked on basketball skills, cooperation and just having fun throughout the course of the season.

A special thanks to all the students, classmates, friends and family that attended the home games and to the Connetquot cheerleaders who came to support their friends. Also on hand to support the inaugural season of Connetquot Unified Basketball were Superintendent of Schools Dr. Lynda G. Adams, Assistant Superintendent for Special Services Monica Manzi and Director for Special Education Louis Bonadonna.  

As with all Connetquot sports teams there is a beginning and then continued improvement, but always teamwork and enjoyment. Congratulations and thank you to the members of Connetquot’s first Unified Basketball team: Patrick Brunetti, Abby Conklin, Nicky DeVito, Angelina Espinal, Brianna Farrel, Andy Gil, Erica Jammiszyn, Nick Kennedy, Jack Marcinek, Nicco Mauro, Callie Messina, Gabrielle Ruivo, Jackie Smith, Austin Stipes-Brennen, Sawyer Streams, Nicole Thuman and Tyler Verdi. 


Boys Tennis Team Ends Fantastic Season in Playoff Round

One of the finest Connetquot High School boys tennis seasons in over a decade has come to an end in the playoff round, as coach Ryan Cavanagh’s T-Birds finished the regular season with an outstanding 13-2 record and qualified for the Suffolk County championship tournament, making this year’s team the most successful in the school’s history.   

Seeded sixth in the county, Connetquot traveled to Bay Shore High School to play the No. 3 seed on their home courts and finished second by a team score of 6-1.

Coach Cavanagh would like to thank all of the players and parents who made this season such an outstanding success. He would like to single out the seniors, whose leadership made coaching this team so rewarding: Victor Barsotti, Paul Chang, Dan Frohman, Kory Kaelin, William Kennedy and Aiden Spicciatie. 

Additionally, Connetquot junior Alan Savovic finished the regular season undefeated, with a record of 15-0, and was named the Suffolk County Singles champion.

Congratulations to the members of the Connetquot High School boys’ varsity tennis team for giving this community such an exciting season to be proud of!


Baseball Team Wins League II Championship

On May 15, the Connetquot High School varsity baseball team defeated Riverhead High School in the first of two games by a final score of 12-0. With the CHS baseball team’s recent wins over Riverhead High School, the T-Birds finished the regular season with an impressive record of 15-4 and have earned the Suffolk League II championship.

During the first of two games, Matthew Goodis gave up only two hits, striking out 13 batters for the win. Matt Brown-Eiring added a three-run home run, while Alex Ungar went 4-4 with two RBIs and three runs scored. 

The following day, Connetquot once again defeated Riverhead 11-2, with Anthony Trink earning the win for the team. James Goff went 2-3 with two runs and an RBI, Derek Yalon went 2-4 with four RBIs and Mike Barbara went 3-4 with three RBIs.

Congratulations to Connetquot’s League II champion baseball team, and good luck in the Suffolk County championship tournament. Coach Rob Burger reminds us that the opening round of the tournament will begin at Connetquot High School on Monday, May 20. Let’s all get out there and support our League II champion Thunderbirds!


Girls Track Team Finishes Season as Undefeated League Champions

The Connetquot High School girls track and field team remains successful as the season begins to inch its way toward the finish line. 

“On Monday and Wednesday, May 20 and 22, the Suffolk County championships (divisions) will be hosted by Ward Melville High School,” said girls track and field coach Jim Crowley III. “Additionally, New York State qualifiers will meet at Comsewogue High School on May 31 and June 1.”

Congratulations to the 2019 league champion team on their accomplishments thus far, and a sincere thank-you to the seniors for their commitment and leadership displayed this season: Hannah Ahmed, Emma Bartik, Madison Dailey, Emily Fieseler, Ali Hardie, Bryanna Holguin, Andrea Martino, Kaleigh McCormick, Emma McKean, Lexie Moore, Michele Muscolo, Abby Navaez, Amali Nunez, Julia O’Neill, Amanda Pisano, Athena Roopnarine, Serena Roopnarine, Celina Schenk and Sara Vincente.