Hampton Bays Student-Athletes Join, Improve South Fork Boys Lacrosse Team

Hampton Bays senior Stephen Sutton is pumped to finally be part of a varsity squad.

That’s because this season will be the first time Hampton Bays athletes, who haven’t had the ability to compete at that level since 2019, will be joining the South Fork boys lacrosse team.

“To know that we’re going to play top competition and really show what we have is super exciting,” Sutton said. “And being a senior, especially, makes me want to show what I have been working so hard for and make my last impression on high school lacrosse.”

And the merger couldn’t have come at a more important time, according to head coach Matt Babb.

That’s because the Islanders graduated 17, and lost a total of 19 athletes from last year’s group, which made the playoffs for the first time since programs from East Hampton, Pierson, Bridgehampton, Southampton and Ross merged to form one team in 2017.

“There’s a lot of new players, but Hampton Bays coming in replenishes us a bit and gives us a couple more pieces to work with,” Babb said. “We’ll be young, but we’re looking to maintain our competitiveness.”

Hampton Bays Athletic Director John Foster said he’s sending over 10 athletes, and the partnership will be evaluated on a yearly basis.

“Our kids can now play at their appropriate skill level,” he said. “It feels great to give them that opportunity.”

Babb said the transition has been seamless, but Sutton admitted there was a learning curve for his Baymen, though they benefit from having been on other Hampton Bays teams together in the past.

“It was a little bit of an adjustment, but didn’t take too much time. All of us from Hampton Bays have played together forever, so we were able to go in having chemistry between us already, and quickly gained that with the South Fork guys,” the senior said. “We click, and everyone on the team has been super inviting. I was familiar with some of them through lacrosse and hanging out outside of school, so it was nice to go in and see a couple of friendly faces.”

Sutton will be crucial for the Islanders in goal, according to Babb, as well as Hampton Bays senior midfielder Noah Thompson and sophomore attack Isaiah Lattanzio.

“We’ll be using the things that we do well to our advantage, for sure,” the coach said. “Transitions will be a big key for us this year, especially with Jack Cooper facing off for us again.”

Cooper and Charlie Corwin, both East Hampton sophomore midfielders, were tabbed first and second-team All-Division last year, respectively; were selected to represent Suffolk County in the Long Island All-Star Game; and to compete in the New York State Regional Lacrosse Tournament. Corwin was also chosen to represent Long Island in the Under Armour All-America Underclass Tournament. Chance Brindle, a junior and former Islander who was also selected to the county and state teams, transferred to Westhampton Beach.

Though young, Cooper and Corwin have been on the team the last two seasons and are uniquely qualified to lead their peers. What will also work to South Fork’s advantage is the pair will once again be competing alongside the guys they grew up playing with.

“It’s a nice mix,” Babb said. “I’m looking forward to starting game play next week.”

Sutton agreed, particularly with how things have shaped up on the defensive end, and considering Hampton Bays didn’t bring over any defensemen, so the guys on that end of the field have had to learn each other’s names and get used to each other’s playing styles. He and two other goalies will be competing for minutes, but the senior said no matter who is between the pipes, the Islanders will be in good hands.

“I have played goalie since I was young, and I love it, but I have total confidence in our defense,” Sutton said. “We’re solid, and we’ve been working hard.”

Also returning to the team are Southampton senior midfielder Justin Marro, East Hampton senior attack Colin Schaefer and East Hampton sophomore long stick midfielder Luke Castillo, who was called up for the playoffs last year.

“Luke Castillo has been doing well and shown a lot of leadership on the defensive side of the ball,” Babb said.

Southampton junior midfielders Ryan McDonnell and Dylan Koszalka, and East Hampton junior attack J.P. Amaden, who played on the South Fork junior varsity team last year, will be looking to make an impact at the next level this time around. The coach said Amaden, especially, has already impressed him.

“Out of necessity, we moved him to attack,” Babb said, “and he’s showing us a lot of good stuff there during practice.”

The South Fork team remains one of the largest in Division I due to the enrollment combination of all six schools. The Islanders kick off the year with a nonleague game at Westhampton, March 24, at 5 p.m., and travel to Longwood for their first division matchup Tuesday, March 29. That game is also scheduled to begin at 5 p.m.

The coach said after breaking through and into the postseason, his returners are even more motivated to make this year count.

“They’re going full speed, giving 100 percent and are out there before practice. They’re doing all the right things, which is exciting to see,” Babb said. “They know what it takes now and they’re showing that on the practice field. They’re taking this seriously and setting an example for the others to follow.”