The Year In Photos: Sports

Knock, Knock August 22 -- Southampton graduate Julius Anglickas has made a name for himself in the tough MMA circuit. Eventually he was signed by well-known fighting promoter Bellator.

With Heavy Hearts September 19 -- Jaden AlfanoStJohn (2) raises his helmet at the of the national anthem. Jaden, and his twin brother Jesse, both lost their mother Rose Alfano, less than a week before playing in the Hurricanes football season opener. They both played and helped lead the team to a blowout victory over Harborfields.

The Cup Is Reclaimed October 10 -- The Hampton Bays football team defeated Southampton to reclaim the Mayor's Cup.

It All Came Together November 13 -- At the Section XI Championships, also known as the state qualifier, at Sunken Meadow Park in Kings Park, the Lady Bonackers proved they should have been in the conversation all along by winning the program’s first-ever county title, winning the Class B race with 61 points, six ahead of both Bayport/ Blue Point and Sayville, which tied for second place.

Banner Year Continues November 21 -- The Westhampton Beach boys volleyball team had its best season ever winning both Suffolk County and Long Island Division II Championships.

Boxing Is Booming 
February 28 -- Hill Street Boxing has found success with its fitness model, said founders Thomas Haynia and Avery Crocker and manager Renata Munoz.

Bee Win First L.I. Title March 7 -- The Bridgehampton boys basketball team defeated Academy Charter for its first ever Long Island Class D Championship. Head coach Ron White hoists the trophy.

Emotional End For Lady Whalers March 14 -- The Pierson/Bridgehampton girls basketball team lost to Millbrook in the Regional Final at SUNY New Paltz. The Lady Whalers won the county title. George Kneeland is hugging his daughter Katie Kneeland as she walks off the court for the last time.

A Big Hit June 27 -- Keith Hernandez signed his booked, "I'm Keith Hernandez: A Memoir," and other memorabilia at Sag Harbor Books. Here he is with Will Husband of Sag Harbor and Declan Cody of Water Mill.

Aces In The Hole July 11 -- Oz Pearlman won this year's Firecracker 8K. Even though he led from start to finish, holding about quarter mile lead for most of the race, Pearlman closed in a 5:10 mile, leaving no doubt, as he crossed the white tape first in 27:36.68. Residing in Manhattan, Pearlman, 36, was unaware about the big gap he had on the rest of the field before the last mile, stating that, “I don’t like looking back because I’ve had so many races where I’ve been edged out in the last half mile.”

Soaring To The Title August 1 -- The Westhampton Aviators celebrate their fourth HCBL Championship after a 7-3 victory over the Riverhead Tomcats.

Headed To The Hall November 14 -- Bridgehampton's Carl Johnson will be inducted into New York State Basketball Hall of Fame in March 2020. “I was speechless. I had to look at the text again,” Johnson said. “I was like, this is crazy. It’s an unbelievable honor. I never thought it was going to happen. Most coaches go into coaching because you love the game, and we’re not thinking about anything but trying to help kids out and win a championship and help the kids be the best they can be and reach their goals.”

Tops On The Island November 21 -- Pierson coach Donna Fisher, center, celebrates with her team after the Lady Whalers defeated Oyster Bay to win the Long Island Class C Volleyball Championship at Hauppauge High School.

Getting Clean For The Classic August 29 -- Trip to Paris gets a nice washdown by a groom on Opening Day of the Hampton Classic in Bridgehampton. Anything you want to pull from this issue from the Hampton Classic.

Bees Best In County February 21 -- The Bridgehampton boys basketball team defeated Shelter Island for the Suffolk County Class D Championship, then upset Greenport in the C/D Qualifier and Academy Charter to win its first ever Long Island Championship. The Killers Bees then defeated Roscoe in the Regional Semifinal before losing to Marathon in the Regional Final, finishing one win away from reaching the New York State Final Four.

Make It Five In A Row November 7 -- Seniors Mahlia Hemby, left, and Joyce Arbia celebrate after their team’s 1-0 victory over Babylon in the Suffolk County Class C Championship game at Patchogue-Medford High School on Saturday.

Whalers Are Heading To State FInal Four June 13 -The Pierson/Bridgehampton baseball team made its improbable run all the way to the New York State Class C Final Four this past season.

Living A Dream January 17 -- Southampton native Mandel Pettus with his wife Carmen Pettus and friend and sponsor Michael White. Mr. Pettus won the 2018 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Championship that jump started his professional career in bass fishing.

Banner Season Ends On High Note March 7 -- The East Hampton/Pierson/Bridgehampton boys swimming team had its best season in 2018-2019, going undefeated to win the League II title, winning the League II Championship meet, placing second in the county meet and sending six to the state meet, all program firsts. East Hampton boys swimming head coach Craig Brierley, far left, with Pierson's Ryan Duryea, East Hampton's Owen McCormac, Ethan McCormac and Aidan Forst.

Welcome To Hansenville December 5 -- Jaden AlfanoStJohn of Westhampton Beach became the third consecutive Hurricane to win the coveted Carl A. Hansen Award, named after former Westhampton Beach varsity head coach and athletic director and given to the top player in Suffolk County football.

A Dream Come True June 20 -- Isabelle Smith of Westhampton Beach endured a 10-month process of trying out for the U.S. Lacrosse U19 team. Smith was named to the final squad and competed in the 2019 Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) Women’s U19 World Championship in August in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.

Sweat And Tears August 22 -- Dawn Moore of Hampton Bays receives the “Golden Acorn” before this year's Ellen’s Run. The award is given to one breast cancer survivor each year.

Living The Dream June 6 -- Pierson graduate Kyle McGowin enjoyed a lengthy stay this past season with the Washington Nationals.

Count 'Em: Six Straight League Titles October 24 -- Southampton boys cross country team members Griffin Schwartz, Artemi Gavalas, Billy Malone and Zac Mobius hold up six for the amount of consecutive league titles the Mariners have won.