The top Long Island high school sports moments from the 2025-26 season

There were countless moments that left players, coaches and spectators alike with their hands on their heads and jaws dropped across the fall, winter and spring seasons. Here are the top 25 moments — listed in chronological order — from the 2025-26 high school sports year on Long Island. 

Great Neck South snaps Jericho’s 70-match boys badminton winning streak (Sept. 10)

One of Long Island’s most impressive winning streaks came to an end as Great Neck South’s boys badminton team defeated Jericho, 5-2, on Sept. 10 to break a winning streak that dated back to April 12, 2021.

The Jayhawks still went on to win their ninth straight Nassau championship by topping the Rebels before lifting Jericho’s fifth consecutive Long Island title by beating Half Hollow Hills.

Farmingdale’s Kama runs for LI-record 495 yards, 7 touchdowns

Despite much of his senior season being limited by injury, Josh Kama still starred when able as he rumbled for a Long Island-record 495 yards and scored seven touchdowns in the Dalers' 64-57 win over Oceanside on Sept. 19. 

Kama broke North Babylon’s Nathaniel Griffin’s record of 489 yards on 38 carries set on Oct. 1, 2022. Kama needs only 26 carries. 

Alongside Jovens Theodate’s six carries for 134 yards, Farmingdale tallied 701 rushing yards behind tackles Jack McCarthy and James Queen, guards Jordan Petzold and Aiden Thomas, center Jake Kunz and tight end Mateo Morales.

68-64! Valley Stream South prevails in record-scoring game 

Daniel Casey’s 1-yard rushing touchdown with 17 seconds left helped cap the highest-scoring game between two Nassau teams in Long Island history, as Valley Stream South beat Division, 68-64, on Oct. 17. 

The 132 total points broke the 127 in Syosset’s 64-63 win over Farmingdale in Spring 2021. The game lasted 3 hours, 15 minutes, featuring 1,120 total offensive yards between both teams.

Division led 44-42 at halftime as quarterback Tim Stanley completed 17 of 28 passes for 405 yards and two touchdowns, adding 12 carries for 78 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. Aidan Mirelis had seven catches for 201 yards and a score.

Valley Stream South’s David Brooks ran 22 times for 257 yards and three touchdowns, and Casey took 18 carries for 130 yards and five touchdowns.

Castka's comeback leads BBP girls tennis to title

Bayport-Blue Point’s girls tennis team won its fifth consecutive title on Oct. 25, but it was incredibly close to losing the streak. Castka trailed 5-0 in the second set against Ross’s Brooke Saracco after losing the first, with the match-clinching point up for grabs. Castka then battled back to win the set, 7-5, before winning the third set 7-5 to hand the Phantoms their county title.

Bayport-Blue Point advanced to beat Cold Spring Harbor, 4-1, in the Long Island small school championships before Castka delivered the clinching point against Section I’s Edgemont, winning 4-1, for the Phantoms’ first state title.

Cinderella stories: Herricks boys soccer, flag football win county titles

The Cinderella story is always a fan favorite, and Herricks enjoyed two within the same year as a pair of sixth seeds won championships. 

The boys soccer team won its first county title in 20 years with an impressive 3-0 win over Syosset on Oct. 31. The Highlanders had won seven of their 14 games before their storied playoff run, where they held opponents scoreless across three Nassau playoff games.

The girls flag football team won its first Nassau title ever, 21-0 against defending champions Plainview-Old Bethpage JFK on May 23. It was Herricks’ third shutout of the season as Regan Cottrell scored all three touchdowns for the Highlanders.

Commack boys soccer bests Brentwood en route to state title 

No soccer game had a bigger fan presence than Commack-Brentwood in the Suffolk Class AAA championship on Nov. 3. 

Two of Long Island’s titan programs met and filled the expansive stands at Islip High School as the Cougars won, 2-1, and went on to lift their first state title since 2014. Ryan Curcio and Ferenc Bagi scored for Commack before Cristian Banegas responded for Brentwood about a minute later, making for a nerve-wracking finish as the Cougars successfully held on to their lead.

The drum-beating Brentwood fans shared the same stadium with a Commack fanbase that waited over a decade for this moment. It made for an unforgettable atmosphere.

ESM's Laezza sets Suffolk record, then breaks it

What a season Maddie Laezza had in the fall. First, the Eastport-South Manor star set the Sunken Meadow course record for a Suffolk runner, finishing in 18 minutes, 9.1 seconds. on Nov. 6. Then, just 10 days later, Laezza completed the course in just 18:01.8 to break her own record and win the Class B girls cross country championship. 

The then-junior went on to win state titles in the 800M and 1500M.

Garden City football claims NY-winning streak

No team in New York high school football’s history has won more games in a row than Garden City’s 66, a streak the Trojans hold and will look to extend in fall 2026.

Garden City broke the state record, 63, with a 31-0 win over Baldwin on Nov. 7. The Trojans earned win No. 66 with a 10-7 win over East Islip in the Long Island Class B championship.

A thrilling non-league matchup against a Massapequa program that hasn’t lost since Sept. 6, 2024, awaits the Trojans this fall on Sept. 26.

Commack girls soccer wins its first state title as LI's first at-large state champion

With the new system of an at-large bid that rotates around regionally, Commack’s girls soccer squad became Long Island’s first team to win a state title via an at-large bid on Nov. 16. The Cougars lost to Northport in the county championship, but defeated Ithaca High School, Lancaster and Cicero-North Syracuse to win the program’s first state title.

It was also the first time since Massapequa in 2013 that a Long Island public school won boys and girls soccer state titles in the same season.

Floyd’s Thomas seals Hansen Award

The rematch of the 2024 county championship did not disappoint on Nov. 21.

Thomas, a 6-2, 225-pound running back, operated out of the Wildcat formation and ran 23 times for 184 yards and three touchdowns. He also completed 6 of 7 passes for 143 yards and a score, serving as a signature performance of his Hansen Award-winning season.

Ward Melville still held on to win, 31-28, as Hudson Philbrick completed 12 of 18 passes for 230 yards and two touchdowns, with 43 rushing yards on 10 totes to help Ward Melville win its first county title since 2022. Joey Karpowicz caught six passes for 141 yards and a score, and Joe Benedetto ran 19 times for 98 yards and two touchdowns. Benedetto also had three catches for 46 yards and a score.

Titletown: Massapequa has seasons to remember

Massapequa’s boys volleyball (Nov. 23) and football (Nov. 28) teams won their titles as undefeated champions to add even more shine to the crown atop the program’s head. The boys wrestling team won a dual meet state title on Jan. 31 and in June, the school added two more state crowns when the baseball (June 13) and boys lacrosse (June 14) teams ruled their respective classes. The softball team made it back-to-back Long Island championships.

That’s without mentioning county titles in field hockey, winter and spring girls track and field, gymnastics, and girls lacrosse.

South Side girls volleyball wins five-set thriller for state title 

For the first time since 1993, South Side’s girls volleyball team ended the season as state champions. The Cyclones did it dramatically in five sets (25-22, 18-25, 25-18, 18-25, 15-12) to top Williamsville South on Nov. 22. South Side even trailed 5-1 in the final set before digging deep to emerge victorious. Lena Miller had 20 kills, three blocks and an ace in the win.

Tommy Steyert's walk-off field goal gives BBP to LI title 

Down two with one second remaining, Bayport-Blue Point’s football season came down to the right leg of Tommy Steyert. His record-setting 47-yard field goal — the longest in a Long Island championship since they began in 1992 — gave BBP a 20-19 win over Seaford on Nov. 29 and will be remembered as the most iconic kick in program history.

Colin Clark’s 8-yard completion to Collin Most preceded the winning kick, which broke West Islip’s Scott Coppo’s record kick of 43 yards set in 1993. The win gave Bayport-Blue Point its third Long Island title in four years and spoiled a terrific performance by Seaford’s Brian Falk, who ran 21 times for 190 yards and a touchdown with three receptions for 54 yards.

Steyert went 2-for-2 on PATs and also kicked a 26-yard field goal.

Central Islip girls bowling snaps East Islip’s 178-match winning streak

One of Long Island’s most impressive streaks came to an end on Jan. 6 as Central Islip’s girls bowling handed East Islip a 25-15 loss. East Islip had won 178 consecutive regular-season matches prior.

Estefany Cruz bowled a 503 series.

Valley Stream North’s Naomi Gonzalez avoids pin, wins state wrestling title

Gonzalez placed in the top six in the state invitational tournament in 2023 and '24, as well as the inaugural state tournament in 2025. This year, the senior nearly got pinned in the final, but managed to slip free and pin reigning state champion Peyton Mullin of Dundee to become a state champion on Feb. 26. 

It was an exciting finish, but Gonzalez’s steady ascent to the top of the state made it all the more meaningful and memorable. She also led the tournament with the most pins in the least time (four in 3:39).

Garden City gymnast Seebrath wins state titles

Charlotte Seebrath, a junior who transferred from Valley Stream Christian, had an unforgettable day up in Utica on Feb. 28. Her 9.75 and 9.775 scores on vault and bars, respectively, saw her capture two state titles and place a Long Island-best fourth in the all-around (38.25). 

She was the first Garden City gymnast to compete at the state tournament in at least 10 years, according to assistant coach Jen Soper. 

Long Beach’s Dunia Sibomana-Rodriguez keeps on winning

No athlete personifies perseverance like Long Beach’s Dunia Sibomana-Rodriguez, who completed his legendary high school career with a third state Division I title in five years on Feb. 28 after joining Long Beach’s Jacori Teemer and Syosset’s Vito Arujau as the only wrestlers to win five Nassau Division I titles. He also became the first Congolese wrestler to win gold at the U20 freestyle African Championships in Alexandria, Egypt, on May 2. He then won Newsday's 13th annual Marcus A. Henry Award, presented to a student-athlete who excels in the classroom and athletics and displays character and leadership in the community.

Sibomana-Rodriguez suffered an attack by a troop of chimpanzees when he was 6 years old while playing with family outside his village near the Virunga National Park in the Congo. His brother and cousin were killed, and Sibomana-Rodriguez suffered traumatic injuries to his lips, face and right year that resulted in 21 facial reconstruction surgeries.

The UNC commit’s story inspires all as Long Island continues to follow his career, both at college and on the international stage.

Leary's four-point play lifts Frogs

It’s been a busy year for Ryan Leary, who won a court case in the fall that allowed him to play football and soccer for his varsity teams.

Yet his most memorable play came on the hardwood with 4.4 seconds left at Farmingdale State, where he drained a three-pointer to tie the state regional match against Section I’s Woodlands and hit the ensuing free throw after he was fouled on the shot to set up a 54-53 win on March 14. 

Newsday’s overall player of the year and Carle Place’s all-time leading scorer (2,064), Leary made his final year an unforgettable one with the Frogs.

Kellenberg snaps St. Anthony’s softball's 67-game streak

Hailey McGreevy allowed two runs and five hits in six innings before Molly Silecchia pitched a scoreless seventh for the save, helping Kellenberg snap St. Anthony’s dominant 67-game winning streak in league play on May 8. 

Lauren O’Brien delivered three RBIs with a two-run homer in the win. St. Anthony’s went on to beat Kellenberg for the NSCHSAA title before winning the state championship against Moore Catholic, but that regular-season meeting with Kellenberg still lives on as one of the most memorable games of the year.

St. Anthony’s boys lax rallies for seventh straight CHSAA state title

One of the country’s most highly awaited boys lacrosse championships did not disappoint as St. Anthony’s continued to flex its iron grasp atop New York lacrosse.

For the third consecutive time, the Friars outscored the Flyers 6-1 in the third quarter to overcome a halftime deficit and win, 13-12, at Hofstra on May 13. Whether it’s Owen Duffy, Gary Merrill or Danny Rooney leading the attack, St. Anthony’s continues to find a way to win under coach Keith Wieczorek.

Wantagh’s Lucy Olore: Perfection! 

With no margin for error in a 1-0 win, Lucy Olore twirled a perfect game in Game 1 of the Nassau Class A softball final against Seaford on May 25. She threw 94 pitches and struck out 10 without allowing anyone to reach base. 

Wantagh won the series in three games before topping Miller Place for the Long Island Class A title, the program’s first since 1990.

Manhasset’s Leder stuns Garden City

No lacrosse game was more dramatic than Manhasset’s 9-8 triumph over Garden City in the Nassau Class B boys lacrosse championship at Hofstra on June 1. 

Tommy Leder, a team captain who underwent midseason knee surgery for his torn meniscus with the hopes of returning for the playoffs, scored with 5.9 seconds remaining in overtime to lift Manhasset on the way to its first state title since 2023.

Pick-6! SWR flag football advances to state final 

Shoreham-Wading River debuted its flag football team this spring, and the Wildcats didn’t waste any time making an impact. With Suffolk and Long Island titles already secured, Shoreham-Wading River sat tied at 8at the end of both the fourth quarter and the first overtime period against Westlake in the state semifinal round on June 6. 

In the second overtime period, Brenna Molinelli made the play of her life as she snagged an interception and returned it 75 yards for the game-winning score in a 14-8 win.

Manhasset's Liu wins state golf title in playoff

Few sports enjoyed a more dramatic finish than the boys' golf championships at the Championship Course of Mill Creek Golf Club in Churchville near Rochester. Manhasset’s Ryan Liu and Friends Academy’s Charles Nevin finished tied at the end of Day 1, and were tied after the 36th hole on Day 2. Liu and Nevin both parred in four strokes when replaying the 18th hole, forcing yet another do-over.

Finally, Liu took the state title on June 8 with a birdie. He had 11 birdies and an eagle over the two-day tournament.

Huntington girls lax wins first state title

The Blue Devils prevailed in thrilling one-goal games against powerhouse programs in Northport and Ward Melville to win the Suffolk Class A title before topping Massapequa, Suffern and Penfield to bring the program’s first state title home to Huntington on June 13.