The Glen Cove varsity wrestling team traveled to Mamaroneck on Saturday, Dec. 19, for a 12-team tournament. The Big Red narrowly missed winning the team title for a second consecutive year, losing to Somers, NY (214 to 212). Their second place finish is very impressive considering the team had two seniors and eight sophomores and/or freshman in the starting lineup. Twelve wrestlers placed in the tournament, Mike Smith (119), Peter Loiodice (112), Cesar Flores (135) and Jeff Rudloff (145) took fourth place. Placing third were Ken Engel (96) and Mike Petikas (152). Six wrestlers fought their way to the finals, sophomore Steven Sarmiento was crowned champion in his weight class a second consecutive year, defeating his opponent from Goshen High School, 14-6. Senior Matt Capobianco, wrestling in his first tournament final, lost a close decision, 5-2, to the top wrestler from the host school, Mamaroneck. Sophomore Tim Charon was the surprise of the tournament, unseeded, wrestling from an outerbracket, Tim knocked off the #2 and #3 seed before losing to Somers High School's best wrestler in the final.

The final three weight classes contested - 189, 215 and heavyweight, contained Glen Cove wrestlers from the championship Big Red football team. Champions will be champions, and the three easily won their final match. Dave Graziosi handily out-pointed his opponent from Fordham Prep using an impressive fireman's carry and double leg takedown to win his first tournament final 8-3. Carmine Portaro followed with an equally impressive win turning his opponent to his back several times before finally winning 14-3. Honorable Mention All-County Lineman, Angelo Filippone, closed out the Big Red scoring by pinning his Mount St. Michael opponent in the first period. Angelo pinned all three of his opponents in the first minute of the match, earning him one of the Outstanding Wrestler Awards given at the tournament's conclusion.

The Big Red will host their first-ever tournament on Wednesday, Dec. 30, at the Glen Cove High School gymnasium. The tournament will run from 9:30 a.m. until 7 p.m. - Spectators and support are welcome and needed!

Coming off a tough loss to Catholic high school powerhouse Chaminade, the Big Red played a thrilling come-from-behind game against yet another Catholic school, Kellenberg - winning 77-60. Glen Cove had an overpowering fourth quarter, out-scoring Kellenberg 28-12 after fighting an uphill battle from the opening tip and trailing 18-6 at the end of the first quarter. The Big Red was ignited by the play of their sixth man, Joe Carrotta, who scored 10 of his 19 points to close the gap before the half ended, 33-30. In the third quarter, led by Dustin Grosso (10 points), and Cliff Davenport (nine points), Glen Cove now took the lead by one point to set up the explosive fourth quarter. All-Conference player Todd Johnson took over scoring 14 of his game high 29 points to overtake the scrappy Kellenberg team. Glen Cove, using 10 players most of the game, led by Adelki Paulino and company, helped wear down a bigger Kellenberg team for the victory.

This year's boys JV basketball team is very talented and consists of eight sophomores and four freshmen. Returning from last year's 7-9 team are sophomores Joe Johnson, Andre Marston, Craig Frederic and freshman Allan Seaman.

The first game of the season (non-league) against a very tough Chaminade was a 62-42 loss for the Big Red. The score was Chaminade 32-18 at the half. Joe Johnson led the scoring with 15 points. Allan Seaman pitched in 10 points and freshman point guard Ivan Rivera had 11 points and six assists.