Banner year for sports

It was a banner season for many high school sports teams in the Herald’s coverage area. Rather than break down the hundreds of individual and team accomplishments from September-June, here’s our pick of the top dozen in chronological order. 

1. South Side boys’ soccer

South Side captured its first Nassau championship since 1999 on Nov. 11 at Adelphi, knocking off previously undefeated Garden City in the Class A title game, 1-0, in double overtime on a goal by junior Ben Tetelman. It was Tetelman’s first-ever varsity goal. Senior goalkeeper Paul Casazza was spectacular in making 16 saves for the Cyclones’ eighth shutout in a row.

2. South Side girls’ soccer

Senior Crystal Dunn scored four goals and senior Carly Beyar added two as the Lady Cyclones captured their fifth New York State Class A championship in the last six years with a 6-0 victory over Greece Arcadia on Nov. 21. Senior goalkeeper Mersina Onesto posted her fifth shutout in seven playoff games. South Side won its 13th straight Nassau and Long Island titles as well.

3. Lawrence football

Lawrence scored three first-quarter touchdowns and never let off the gas in knocking off Lynbrook, 41-7, in the Nassau Conference III championship game on Nov. 21 at Hofstra. The Golden Tornadoes, who lost 49-35 to the Owls during the regular season, were led by senior Kenny Barnett’s 162 yards rushing and four touchdowns and senior quarterback John Kinder’s touchdown run and touchdown pass.

4. Oceanside gymnastics

Oceanside totaled 42.4 points on vault, with each of its six participants scoring at least an 8.0, on the way to capturing its second county title in three seasons on Feb. 9. The Lady Sailors held off Plainview-JFK, 170.675-165.925, after dropping the regular-season meeting. They were led by seniors Paige McCarthy, Tara Wischerth, Diana Tolaj and Brianna Grimaldi, and juniors Cheyenne Blumberg, Casey Block and Jenna Blackman.