News by Tom Barton
News by Tom Barton on South Shore Press
NFL Future Plays - Don't Go For The Big Cashout
As with College Football, most of the public bet on things like MVP and Super Bowl winners. While they are 'fun' bets, they also come with some pretty weak values. The MVP award has been awarded to a QB in 11 straight years and 16 of the past 17 seasons, while the Super Bowl has been won by a top 4 favorite in 5 of the last 7 years. That means there is only small value on these long term futures.
A Nightmare Week For Harris
What was said at the Democratic National Convention might not have hurt Harris as much as what was not said, and according to many that was very little by Harris and her policy. For Democrats the DNC was a party of their ideology that was on full display from a Planned Parenthood truck outside to promises of a surprise guest who never showed up. The week's events hurt the Harris/Walz ticket as much as we have watched in a while.
Rookie Of The Year?
Austin Wells came into the season best known to many Bombers fans as the man who ate chicken parmigiana with Anthony Volpe, but those who followed the minor leagues closely knew that Wells was a perfect fit for New York. Austin Wells' signature lefty swing was tailor made for Yankee Stadium, and his leadership and defense behind the plate were welcome additions to a team that was lacking in both.
Does The Preseason Matter?
The New York teams battled each other this weekend and for one team they had better hope that the preseason means nothing, while the other certainly will preach that this is just a precursor to the type of good season that lies ahead.
Big Play Lapp Turns Heads
Lapp caught a deep 47-yard pass from backup QB Stetson Bennett. He finished the game with two catches for 50 yards and that long, highlight reel touchdown.
The Ducks Keep the Belt Home
The Ducks won 6-2 to take two of the three games in the series. They were led by a home run by Aaron Antonini, a dominant pitching performance by Ellis, who notched his first Ducks win, and the bullpen trio of Peyton Williams, Jake Fishman and David Griffin closed it out.
Add Another Hall of Fame For Rotanz
Rotanz won the Long Island Coach of the Year award three times over his career (2001, 2003, 2007). He has 256 career wins in his 18 seasons at Shoreham-Wading River, to just 99 losses, and led the Wildcats to state championships in 2001, 2007 and 2012. Rotanz said "I brought a lot of playing experience with me to Shoreham-Wading River, a new program, in 1995, and within 7 years we went from a scrappy upstart to New York State champions with a top-10 national ranking."
Saving Lives For Team USA
While the Olympics in Paris might be over that doesn't end the proud Suffolk county athletes representing the United States all over the world. This past week Colin Veit of Port Jefferson represented team USA in Australia at the Lifesaving World Championships.
College Football Future Plays
The NCAA will now move to a 12 team playoff and that causes a disruption in the betting strategy. More variables and more unknowns are bad for bettors, especially when it's a vote that will determine not only who gets in, but also seeding. The same can be said for the Heisman trophy and it's voting. With that said it's safer to stick with known commodities. Things like what team will make the playoffs are tempting, but team total wins are always a safer bet, but a lesser payout. Here are the top future plays for this season:
The Seawolves Men's and Women's Teams Get Preseason Nods
Men's forward Jonas Bickusd was named to the Preseason All-CAA team, while defender Bas Beckhoven was recognized as an Honorable Mention. Beckhoven led the team to a third place finish last season.
Aaron Judge Hits HR #300, How Many More Are Coming?
When we begin to talk about greatness the discussion veers into a different category for the greats of the greats. With Aaron Judge he has cemented himself into that sort of conversation. When baseball historians begin questioning a man's Hall of Fame resume while he is still playing and just 32 years old, we are now in the territory of the greats of the game. But, how great is Judge, and more so how will he be perceived.
The Longwood Game Day Experience
Longwood held their annual Game Day Experience, where they invited 170 future studentathletes to participate in the activities. The Varsity Football Youth Clinic were able to see where the football team plays and got to meet the athletes. In addition, they were able to tour the weight room, locker room, and film room.
William Floyd Serves Up A Winner
Under the direction of advisors Salvatore Alfredson and Rebecca Penney, the event, organized by Class of 2024 alumnus Gabriel Holfester, raised $1,300, which will go toward the Tourette Association of America. The organization's mission is to provide help and hope to those affected by Tourette Syndrome, tic disorders and associated conditions through awareness, research and support.
Golfing For Scholarships
The annual event has now raised more than $620,000 in student scholarships for William Floyd students since its inception. It was held at the beautiful Bellport Country Club. The all day event started with breakfast followed by tee off, lunch on the turn, and then a dinner.
The Jets Take A Stand
Reddick has requested the trade after failing to report to camp and being upset that there has not been any movement on a new contract with him and the Jets. New York however, has decided to take a stand against his request.
Here Comes The Future
Longwood held their annual Gameday Experience where they invited 170 future student-athletes to participate in the activities. The Varsity Football Youth Clinic were able to see where the football team plays and got to meet the athletes. In addition they were able to tour the weight room, locker room, and film room.
Logan O'Hoppe A Wanted Man
The Cubs need the help behind the plate. On the season Cubs catchers are batting under .200 collectively with a just over .300 on base percentage. Simply terrible numbers for a team that was hoping to compete for the division this season. You might pause and argue that catchers are a defense first position and you can live with a bad bat in the lineup, but that argument falls apart when you look at the numbers and see that they are bad defensively as well, ranking in the bottom 10 in both runs saved and fielding run value in the league. To put it in simpler terms only the White Sox, who are on a historic losing pace, are worse behind the plate this season.
Longwood Wins It All
The Lions were the #2 ranked seed and went on to win the Brookhaven Summer Soccer championship. Patchogue-Medford was the #1 ranked team, with Centereach and Rocky Point finishing #3 and 4.
St. Joe's Gets a New Head Coach
Director of Athletics Melody Cope appointmented Knote following an impressive collegiate career at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, where he served as captain of the men's lacrosse team in both 2023 and 2024. While there he became a two-time All-American while being recognized as one of the top players in the country and was named the 2024 Atlantic 10 Goalkeeper of the Year.
The Junior Ducks Are All Smiles
St. Joseph's University's head baseball coach Tom Caputo leads the camp and he explained that he hand selects every staff instructor, as they are all former players for the esteemed coach. Caputo said that the camp has been going strong now for 18 years and it hosts children from age 3 to age 12.
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Stony Brook students blend fitness and ecology in 3K EcoWalk
Stony Brook University students participated in the "Running Wild 3K EcoWalk," a new Earthstock event conducted on April 21 at the Ashley Schiff Preserve.
Justice in Motion: Five MS-13 Gangbangers Indicted in Blue Point Beach Killing
Lopez-Lopez, 27, of Central Islip, was a former MS-13 member suspected of turning informant. His body was left on the shoreside (pictured) at the end of Blue Point Avenue back in early March.
Leave Fireworks to the Pros or Risk Tragedy This Fourth of July
Suffolk officials warn against illegal fireworks, want residents to enjoy the July 4th holiday without blowing themselves up.