LILJ News
Follow the Action
No. 9 Ranked Sayville Golden Flashes Team Preview
Staying in Suffolk Class C for number nine in the LILJ top 24 preseason rankings we have the Sayville Golden Flashes. This year they have a new head coach as Gary Jensen takes over the program and looks to take this team the next level after some great regular seasons but tough exits in the playoffs. Coach Jensen and the Golden Flashes utilized the offseason by taking part in the HSWL where they showcased why they could be a tough out this spring. Continue Reading
No. 10 Ranked Bayport Blue Point Phantoms Team Preview
The Bayport Blue Point Phantoms land at number 10 in the LILJ top 24 preseason rankings after a 14-2 regular season last year and a trip to the Suffolk Class C semifinals. They were defeated by the Wildcats in the semis, but they have a large number of returning players that keeps them in contender status as they look to compete for the county championship and possibly more. At the helm for Bayport is Doug Meehan who has been the head coach for the past six seasons and shared what excites him about his Phantoms team and what the keys to success will be this season.
No. 10 Ranked Westhampton Beach Hurricanes Team Preview
Now we get to the top 10 of the LILJ top 24 preseason rankings, and coming in at number 10 are the Westhampton Beach Hurricanes of Suffolk Class C. In 2023 the Hurricanes went 10-6 in the regular season with an appearance in the playoffs but were defeated in the quarterfinals against sixth seeded Mount Sinai 7-6 in a nail biter that went right down to very end. Although last year didn’t end the way they had hoped, they graduated very few players and bring the majority of the team back for a chance to turn the page and flip the script this season.
No. 11 Ranked East Islip Redmen Team Preview
Coming in at number 11 in the LILJ top 24 preseason rankings are the Redmen of East Islip. Since Head Coach Thomas Zummo took over the program two seasons ago, they’ve made the playoffs in consecutive seasons and last year as a four seed they went all the way to the Suffolk Class B County Finals where they played a hard fought game but were defeated by rival West Islip 10-6. With very few players in the 2023 graduating class, this is arguably East Islip’s best opportunity to get back to the county finals and win the county title with a chance to play for a Long Island Championship. Coach Zummo shared what excites him about the upcoming season and what the keys to success will be.
No. 11 Ranked Rocky Point Eagles Team Preview
Continuing to climb the ladder in the LILJ top 24 preseason rankings, we get to number 11 which is the Rocky Point Eagles. This Suffolk Class C contender enters the season under new leadership as Kaitlyn Montalbano takes over as the new head coach of what is a very talented program. Last season they won 11 games during the regular season and appeared in the playoffs, but were narrowly defeated in the quarterfinals in an 8-7 game against Shoreham. The Eagles utilized the offseason by playing in the HSWL to prepare for a season that they hope sees them bounce back in the playoffs and go on a deep playoff run looking to be the last team standing.
No. 12 Ranked Wantagh Warriors Team Preview
At number 12 in the LILJ top 24 preseason rankings is one of Nassau’s Power Conference teams the Wantagh Warriors of Class C. As one of the teams that can say they’ve been knocking on the door of winning a county championship, this looks to be Wantagh’s best opportunity to do that with the current players they have on their roster. They were in the county final last season where they pushed top seeded Manhasset to the brink through three quarters. Now with Manhasset moving up to Class B, the time is now for this talented Wantagh team to establish themselves as the team to beat.
No. 12 Ranked West Islip Lions Team Preview
The defending Class B Suffolk County Champion West Islip Lions come in at number 12 in the LILJ top 24 preseason rankings. The Lions, led by Head Coach Joe Nicolosi made their 2023 season one to remember with a remarkable turn around after having missed the playoffs the year before, and now the opportunity to defend their title begins. They did lose some key players as part of the 2023 graduating class, but have a young nucleus that has and will continue to be standouts on the island for the next three years.
No. 13 Ranked West Islip Lions Team Preview
The West Islip Lions come into the preseason at number 13 in the LILJ top 24 rankings. They are the defending Suffolk Class B County Champions in what was a season to remember in 2023. Coming into the new season they’ll look much different with a high number of graduates in the 2023 class, but with those that do return, West Islip has high hopes for another memorable season, led by longtime Head Coach Tom Corcoran.
No. 13 Ranked Smithtown West Bulls Team Preview
