The Island Trees Boys Varsity Basketball Bulldogs played a tremendous game in front of an overflow gym of Island Trees students and fans. Rival North Shore was in town and both teams were prepared for war. This huge game was not only the final home game of the season (Spotlight Night), but also the game which determines the Bulldogs' playoff position. Every player stepped up. Gerard VanLeuvan, Jonathan Sguigna and Damon Moore ran the show. Norberto Cabarcas and Brian Mastro owned the paint and seniors Santiago Venegas, James Healy, Mike Sroga and Anthony Pena were crowd favorites. It is obvious that this team is prepared for their playoff game against Westbury. The wrestling team began its season with a commanding win over Valley Stream Memorial. The Bulldogs established a lead with wins by Tom Cipley, Mike Cama, Ryan Aguirre, Tom Carroll and James Habermehl. The wrestlers then ran away with the lead with pins from Tom Murphy, Shawn VanHouten, Chris Pazmino, Pete Eisele, Evan Mastro, Kevin Yank, Greg Schwab and Anthony Vecchione. Congratulations to all wrestlers and keep the wins coming.

The 7th grade girls basketball team played a spectacular game against Hicksville. Although the girls did not win, they came back from a 20 point deficit to make the game within eight. The Hicksville team was shaking at the end when they saw the fine basketball the Lady Bulldogs were playing. The girls' offense was led by Gina Brewer's driving game which gave her eight points. Colleen Fenton added six points with two beautiful outside shots. Kate Beale also added six points with her drives to the hoop. Also scoring for the Lady Bulldogs was Nicole Carrazana with 3, Jamie Lent with 3, Heather McCarthy with 2 and Lauren O'Shea and Gina Dziuba each added a foul shot. Nicole Carrazana and Jamie Lent each had 11 rebounds. Hillary Sciacca added four rebounds, as did Gina Brewer. Jackie Augner, Lori Brennan, Megan Carlson, Nathaly Estrada, Korin Jordan, Michelle McGurk and Jessica Ostrowski did a nice job hustling and fighting throughout the game. The girls played a tremendous game and should feel like true champs.

The girls 8th grade basketball team jumped out to an early 1-0 lead against a very large and aggressive Grand Ave. team on a foul shot by Shannon McAdam. The height advantage proved too much for the girls to overcome, although they fought and battled all game long. Alyssa Fleming led the way with eight points. Scoring a basket each were Kaitlin Schamberger, Gina Lippert, Stefani Caminiti and Lisa Provenzano. Great effort girls, keep working hard.

The 8th grade Lady Dawgs trailed Seaford by as many as 13 points with seven minutes to play in a very lackluster performance. The girls refused to quit and turned in one of the most memorable fifth periods in years. Spearheaded by Alyssa Fleming's six points and lightning quick defensive strikes and Lisa LoFaso's four point, 13 rebound outing, the girls played as hard as any team could. Lisa Provenzano led all scorers with 10 and pulled down huge rebounds in the final minutes. Smothering defense by Kaitlin Schamberger, Jessica Galella, Stefani Caminiti and Gina Lippert gave the Lady Vikes all that they could handle. The crowd was screaming at a deafening pitch as the Lady Dawgs, trailing by two with nine seconds left, intentionally missed a free throw in an attempt to get the rebound and tie the score. The girls did just as they planned and were able to get three shots off, but to no avail, as the final horn sounded in an emotional roller coaster ride that came up just short. Lisa LoFaso and Jessica Galella each scored four, while Rachael LoGatto added a bucket. This was as exciting as it gets. Congratulations girls on playing like true champions right until the final horn.

The 8th grade Lady Dawgs again played an extremely aggressive game against a very large and talented Hicksville team. Although totally outsized, the girls held the lead after three periods and trailed by only one entering the critical fifth. Though coming up short, the team's intensity level was incredible. Alyssa Fleming scored six. Kate Ludewig added four and with two each were Jessica Galella, Lisa LoFaso, Kate Schamberger and Lisa Provenzano. Mary Seremeta added a foul shot to round out the scoring. Great defense by Rachael LoGatto, Stefani Caminiti, Gina Lippert, Danielle Baglivo, Jaclyn Mullervy and Stephanie Farag kept the game close throughout. Great job girls!