The Center Moriches, Eastport/ South Manor and Westhampton Beach wrestling teams
dominated the postseason honors this year.
Center Moriches seniors Anthony Leone and Matt Stewart became the school’s first-ever
county finalists when the pair reached the finals of the Suffolk County Division II Tournament.
Teammates Pat O’Brien, Brenden Tyson, Rich Gandolfo and Dan Himmelstein earned All County honors after placing
in the top four at the county tournament, while Billy Widenor, Andrew Leone and Lou Luigini were named All League.
Two Westhampton Beach wrestlers were named All County in Division I after placing
in the top six positions at the county tournament. Jason Herrick, a senior, earned All County honors for the second
straight season when he finished in fifth place at 275 pounds. Teammate Nick Broccoli placed fourth at 140 pounds
at the county tourney. Herrick and Broccoli each won their respective League VI titles.
For Eastport/South Manor, Chris Amato, the League VI champion at 130 pounds, Matt
Berretta, league champ at 145 pounds, Ken Cassara, R.C. Manion, Scott Bukowski, Alex Rojas, Tom Englehardt and
Ercan Tutku all scored All League honors for placing in the top six at the league tournament.
Eastport/South Manor’s Alyssa Tillinghast and Sarah Vivonetto were named All County
and Brooke Nowakowski earned All League honors.
The Center Moriches girls team did not qualify for the postseason, but the Red Devils
still had two players honored by the county. Junior Natasha Davis earned All County honors and Colleen O’Brien
was named All League.
It was a rough season on the hardwood for the local boys teams, though each squad
still had players earn postseason honors.
Eastport/South Manor’s point guard Eric Monpetit, a sophomore, earned All Conference
honors, while Dan Thilman was named All League and received a scholarship from the Eastern Suffolk County Boys
Basketball Officials Association. Teammates Buddy Murphy and Greg Smith were named All League Honorable Mention.
Michael Murphy and Timmy Jackson from Center Moriches were also named All League.
At the bowling alley, All League honors went out to Eastport/South Manor’s Amanda Kempa and R.J. Sheron.
Maureen LaClair of Center Moriches found the most success on the indoor track this
winter, placing fifth in the state at the New York State Championships in early March. She was named All State.
Teammate Marissa Banducci was named All County, and Caitlin Burke and Susan Mullane were named All League. Taylor
Murcaria was the only member of the boys team to be honored with a postseason honor, scoring All League.
