2/27/10: Central Islip senior Andy Rodriguez came from behind in thrilling fashion to win his 2nd consecutive state title in wrestling. Rodriguez, wrestling at 145 in the Times Union Center in Albany, scored on an escape with two seconds remaining in the 2nd overtime period to send the championship match into sudden death. Rodriguez held his opponent down for 30 seconds to finish his career as Central Islip's most prolific wrestler ever and one of Suffolk Counties all time greats. Rodriguez, 35-0 this year, ends his career as a two time State Champion, three time County Champion and three time All-State selection.

Coaches Brad Brzozinski, Rick Brzozinski and Ato Thomas have put CI wrestling on the map and the Musketeers have three state titles since 2002 because of their dedication to the student-athletes of Central Islip.

2/13/10: Andy Rodriguez improved his record to 31-0 on the season with a tough 3-2 victory at Stony Brook University to earn his 3rd straight Suffolk County Championship. Rodriguez, wrestling at 145, will attempt to defend his state title February 26-27 at the Times Union Center in Albany. Rodriguez, who scored the only takedown of the championship match, used a third period escape for the final margin of victory.

Alan Gomez (103) placed 3rd and Byron Kesler (215) placed 6th at the county tournament. Both Gomez and Kesler earned All-County honors, giving Central Islip a very impressive three All-County wrestlers.

2/13/10: NEWSDAY: Bam Bam Bamiro of the Harlem Globetrotters used to be Solomon Bamiro of Central Islip, a nondescript walk-on at Stony Brook University. "He was an awful player and we were an awful team,' SBU basketball coach Steve Pikiell said good-naturedly. Bamiro, 25, chuckled at Pikiell's comment. "It definitely is amazing,' he said. "I didn't think anything like this would happen for me.'

The Globetrotters will perform at Nassau Coliseum Monday as Bamiro returns home during Black History Month. "So many players in those early years overcame significant racial and social barriers to pave the road for African-Americans both on and off the court,' the second-year Globetrotter said. "As a current player, it is important to understand our place in history.' Bamiro averaged only 4.6 points and 2.9 rebounds in his college career, but Pikiell got him a tryout with the Harlem Wizards, an offshoot of the Globetrotters. "The Wizards brought him in as a leaper,' Pikiell said. "They loved him and he parlayed that into an opportunity.'

At a 2008 tryout for the Globetrotters, the 6-6 Bamiro literally stood out by leaps and bounds.  "He gets up in the air and that's what we like,' said former Globetrotter Sweet Lou Dunbar, the director of player personnel. "When you see a guy throw it down from above the rim, that's the power that Bam Bam's got. If he was in the NBA [slam-dunk] contest, he might have a shot at it.' Former Stony Brook teammate Ricky Lucas said of Bamiro: "He could always jump out of the gym. He worked our camps and once he jumped over a kid.'

Jay Young, Pikiell's assistant, has watched Bamiro. "He's a big part of the show,' Young said. "He is very involved in their shticks and routines and every time they want one of those spectacular dunks, they give it to him.' Bamiro's job with the Globetrotters is full-time and he earns in excess of $100,000 per year. He is on the road for eight months a year and has visited six foreign countries.

Bamiro's role transcends basketball. "My part is to first entertain, keep a smile on people's faces, make the kids happy,' he said. Bamiro's younger brother Michael, who plays football for Stony Brook, said: "We are real excited and very proud of him. At home he is quiet, calm and chillin'. On the stage, he's a whole other person. He's a showman.'  The script always calls for the Globetrotters to win. That's fine with Bamiro. "We lost a lot of games at Stony Brook,' he said. "Coming to the Globetrotters rekindled my fire for winning. Why would I ever want to lose again?'
2/10/10: The Varsity Boys Basketball team finished the regular season with a 42-31 victory over Northport. The Musketeers finished the regular season with a 8-4 league record, which was good for a share of 2nd place. Reginald Augustus led the balanced scoring attack with 13 points. Derrick Franklin and Justin Harley scored six each in a strong defensive effort for CI.
 
2/6/10: The Varsity Wrestling team finished 2nd in the League II Wrestling Tournament and placed six wrestlers in the County Championships. The Musketeers were led by Andy Rodriguez (145), who was named Most Outstanding Wrestler (MOW) and Most Pins Least Time (4 in 8:00). Walter Ibanez (96), Alan Gomez (103) and Byron Kesler (215) all won league titles for CI. Julian Ming (171) finished as league runner-up and Giovanni Sanchez (119) placed third to advance to the County Championships. Mark Sanchez (112), Carlos Garcia (125), Rudis Portillo (135) and Dondre Bailey (189) placed 4th for Central Islip. The County Tournament begins Friday February 12 at Stony Brook University with a 10:00 AM start time.

2/2/10: The Varsity Boys Winter Track team had a successful day at the Suffolk County Championship meet at Suffolk Community College. Junior Ryan Satchell broke the school record in the triple jump (45' 9.5") and placed third in the county. Junior Tyree Webster posted his best mark of the season (42" 4") in the shot put. The 4x200 meter relay team of Anthony Reynolds, Ryan Satchell, Jameel Pierre and Darrel Flores placed second in the county. Satchell, Webster and the 4x200 team will all be competing at the State Qualifiers, with a chance to make it to the NYSPHSAA State Tournament.

2/2/10: The Varsity Boys Bowling team completed a successful season by placing 3rd in the Small School Division Championships, finishing only two pins behind 2nd place Comsewogue. CI was led by Maurice Hollaway with a 204 average on the day and a 235 high game. Matt DiGiantomasso averaged 197 on the day and Steven Morales averaged 195 in the four game tournament. Jermaine Merchant took high game honors for the Musketeers with a 254. Hollaway led CI with a 207 average for the season. DiGiantomasso (192), Jon Harding (187) and Morales (186) also had strong seasons for the Musketeers.

1/31/10: NEWSDAY "Taylor a Quick Study" - It's been a rough year for Central Islip (Girls Basketball). The Musketeers have lost three league games by two points or less, but a bright spot for CI (3-6 Suffolk League II) has been point guard Chastity Taylor. The eighth grader, who is averaging 14 points per game, put forth her first career triple double with 14 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in a 59-43 League II victory over Connetquot on Thursday. "She's so quick," Central Islip coach Paul Venturi said. "She's just fun to watch."

1/31/10: NEWSDAY "Black History Month All-Long Island Football Team" - ROY BARKER Central Islip, defensive lineman, 1987: All-Long Island, he played at North Carolina and had a nine-year NFL career, mostly with the Vikings and 49ers.  CLARENCE JONES Central Islip, defensive lineman, 1985: Jones played 10 years in the NFL, including three with the Giants. He was All-Long Island and All-State at Central Islip.

1/31/10: NEWSDAY: Honor Roll - Farmingdale State freshman Faustine Chukwuezi set a school record in the women's triple jump with a mark of 37 feet, 10 1/2 inches at the NYU Gotham Cup. The Central Islip graduate's distance qualified her for the NCAA Division III championships at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana.

1/30/10: The Varsity Boys Basketball team stayed in contention for a League 2 title with a tough 56-53 victory over Lindenhurst. The Musketeers league record stands at 7-3, putting CI in a virtual four team tie for first. Lindenhurst, Whitman and Bay Shore also have three league losses. Derrick Franklin led Central Islip with 21 points and six assists. Franklin hit a big basket with 1:50 remaining giving CI a 51-50 lead. Central Islip fought back from a seven point halftime deficit. Reginald Augustus scored eight of his 10 points in the 4th quarter to help ice the victory.

1/29/10: The Varsity Wrestling team completed the league season with a 40-20 victory over Whitman. The Musketeers finished with a 5-1 League 2 record, which was good for 2nd place. CI was led by Mike Figueroa (103) and Julian Ming (171), who won by pin. Walter Ibanez (96), Mark Sanchez (112), Carlos Garcia (125), Rudis Portillo (135) and Luis Colon (160) all earned decisions for Central Islip. Whitman forfeited at 145 and 189. 

1/28/10: The Varsity Boys Basketball team clinched a playoff birth and improved to 6-3 in League 2 with a 75-66 victory over Connetquot. The Musketeers took a 14 point halftime lead and held on despite a Connetquot rally that narrowed the lead to four points. Reginald Augustus scored a career high 23 points to lead CI. Tim McKenzie scored seven of his career high 11 points in the 4th quarter for Central Islip. Justin Harley added 10 points for the Musketeers, who hit six three-pointers on the night.

1/28/10: The Varsity Girls Basketball team avenged an earlier loss to Connetquot with a 59-43 victory. Chastity Taylor had a triple-double with 14 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. Janiece Jenkins added 16 points and 10 rebounds while Michelle Fredericks also grabbed 10 rebounds. Brenda Hornedo hit both of CI's three-pointers en route to scoring 16 points. 

1/22/10: The Varsity Wrestling team won in dramatic fashion to increase their dual meet win streak to seven. CI was down by six points with only two matches to go. Rudis Portillo (135) won an important bonus point with a major decision (13-4) and Josh Duperoy (140) earned a 4-0 decision to give the Musketeers a 28-27 victory over Sachem North. Alan Gomez (103) pinned his opponent with only 16 seconds left in his match thus earning a bonus point that would prove to be the difference. Andy Rodriguez (152) earned a technical fall and Giovanni Sanchez (119) won by major decision. Julian Ming (171) and Byron Kesler (215) won close decisions for Central Islip. The Musketeers improved their dual meet record to 11-2 on the season.

1/21/10: The Varsity Boys Bowling team defeated Bayport-Blue Point by a 28-5 score. The Musketeers were led by Matt DiGiantomasso with a 646 series, including a 257 in the first game. Jon Harding bowled a 223, Maurice Hollaway had games of 209 and 206 and Steven Morales bowled a 202. The Musketeers are currently in 4th place and can only qualify for the County Tournament with a three game sweep of 3rd place Sayville in the final match of the season.

1/20/10: The Varsity Wrestling team won its 6th dual meet in a row with a close 31-28 victory over Lindenhurst. The Musketeers improved their League 2 record to 3-1. CI's Sanchez brothers, Mark (112) and Giovanni (119), both won decisions in overtime to help CI pull through. Carlos Garcia (125) and Andy Rodriguez (145) won by pinfall. Alan Gomez (103), Julian Ming (171), Dondre Bailey (189) and Byron Kesler (215) won by decision for the Musketeers.

1/19/10: The Varsity Girls Basketball team defeated Sachem North (64-62) in a thrilling overtime contest. Chastity Taylor hit a jump shot with two seconds remaining in overtime to win the game for Central Islip. Taylor also sent the game into overtime with seven seconds left in regulation. Janiece Jenkins led CI with 23 points and eight rebounds. Brenda Hornedo nailed three treys for the Musketeers and finished with 11 points.

1/16/10: The Varsity Wrestling team went 3-0 to earn the championship at the Colts Cup Dual Meet Tournament. CI beat Mattituck (37-13), Half Hollow Hills East (56-11) and Half Hollow Hills West (46-27). Alan Gomez (103, 112), Giovanni Sanchez (119), Carlos Garcia (125), Rudis Portillo (135), Andy Rodriguez (145) and Julian Ming (171) all went 3-0 on the day. Joseph Sanchez (285) won both of his matches for CI with quick pins, Louis Colon was 2-0 on the day while allowing only one point and Mike Figueroa (103) won his first varsity match.

1/16/10: The Varsity Boys Basketball team escaped with a 47-44 victory over Northport to improve their League 2 record to 5-1. The Musketeers were down by six points with under a minute to go in the 3rd quarter. Justin Harley swished a three at the buzzer to even the score going into the fourth. CI then scored the first six points in the 4th quarter to cap their 12-0 run. Northport closed to within one but could never take the lead, despite poor 4th quarter free throw shooting by Central Islip. The Musketeers were led by Harley with 13 points and nine rebounds. Derrick Franklin had seven points to go along with his five assists and five steals. Kenya Howard also scored seven points for CI, who had nine different players score in the game.

1/15/10: The Varsity Wrestling team emerged victorious (31-23) in a close match vs. Northport. The win improved the Musketeers league record to 2-1 and their overall dual meet record now stands at 6-2. Byron Kesler (215) pinned his opponent with only 30 seconds left in the match and Carlos Garcia (125) scored a pin with only eight seconds to go in his match. Those extra bonus points were enough to help CI garner a tough win. Andy Rodriguez (145) won by injury default. Walter Ibanez (103), Alan Gomez (112), Giovanni Sanchez (119) and Dondre Bailey (189) won decisions for the Musketeers.

1/14/10: The Varsity Boys Bowling team scored a 31-2 victory over Babylon. Jon Harding led the way with a high game of 236 and a 639 series. Matt DiGiantomasso was CI's most consistent bowler with games of 199, 198 and 193. Maurice Hollaway bowled a high game of 224.

1/13/10: The Varsity Wrestling team defeated Bay Shore (36-24) in a League 2 dual meet. Alan Gomez (103), Giovanni Sanchez (119), Manny Maldonado (130), Andy Rodriguez (152) and Julian Ming (171) all won by pin. Marc Sanchez (112) and Byron Kesler (215) won close decisions.

1/13/10: The Varsity Boys Bowling team's Matt DiGiantomasso finished 5th in the Section XI Singles Tournament. DiGiantomasso averaged a 238 in the first round for an incredible 713 series. DiGiantomasso bowled a 213 in the rolloff to finish an outstanding day.

1/12/10: The Varsity Girls Basketball team snapped a losing streak with a 62-54 victory over Bay Shore. CI opened up a close game by outscoring Bay Shore 21-12 in the 4th quarter. Chastity Taylor scored 19 points and added two blocks for the Musketeers. Janiece Jenkins had 14 points and eight rebounds. Brittany Fenner scored 11 points and grabbed five rebounds. Brenda Hornedo chipped in with nine points.

1/9/10: The Varsity Wrestling team placed 3rd at the Rocky Gilmore Tournament in East Islip. The Musketeers placed five wrestlers in the finals, winning two individual championships. Alan Gomez (103) defeated his Brentwood opponent by a 4-0 score in the championship match. Andy Rodriguez (145) won his title via a forfeit in the championship match. Walter Ibanez (96), Giovanni Sanchez (119) and Byron Kesler (215) finished 2nd after losing in the finals. Other outstanding performances were turned in by Mac Rhetto (160) and Julian Ming (171), with 3rd place finishes and Manny Maldonado (130), with a 4th place finish.

1/7/10: The Varsity Boys Bowling team defeated Harborfields 28-5. Matt DiGiantomasso led Central Islip with a high game of 223 en route to a 637 series. Jermaine Merchant gave the Musketeers a lift by responding with games of 234 and 198 in his first start of the season. Maurice Hollaway contributed a high game of 216 for CI. The Musketeers are currently in 3rd place in League 4 with 201.5 points.

1/5/10: The Varsity Boys Basketball team played another defensive gem in upsetting Lindenhurst by a 45-44 score to improve to 4-0 in League 2. The Musketeers held Lindenhurst to their lowest point total of the season. In fact, CI has yet to allow more than 46 points in a league contest. Central Islip overcame a sluggish start, trailing 14-7 after the first quarter. The Musketeers chipped away at a nine point halftime deficit by holding Lindenhurst to only two 3rd quarter points. CI was down by five with 2:30 to go in the game when Tim McKenzie scored four straight points. Kadeem Barnes sealed the win for CI by hitting two free throws with 29 seconds left. Reginald Augustus led a balanced scoring attack with 11 points and Justin Harley added eight points and 10 rebounds for Central Islip.

1/5/10: The Varsity Boys Bowling team defeated Bellport 31.5-1.5. The Musketeers were led by Jon Harding with a 620 series, including a 232 in the first game. Maurice Hollaway rolled a 592 series for CI and  Steven Morales chipped in with a total pinfall of 588.

1/2/10: The Varsity Wrestling team placed 2nd in the Westhampton Dual Team Tournament. CI defeated Mattituck (36-21), Newfield (39-16) and Deer Park (56-3) before falling to Westhampton (44-18) in the finals. Byron Kesler (215) had a tremendous meet by going undefeated, including a 4-3 victory over the current #1 ranked heavyweight in Section XI. Andy Rodriguez (145) went undefeated on the day, including a tough 7-5 decision over a ranked Deer Park opponent and a 10-8 win vs. a solid Westhampton wrestler. Alan Gomez (103/112) also went undefeated on the day, including two pins. Other top performances were turned in by Giovanni Sanchez (119) (3 pins), Julian Ming (171) (3 wins) and Dondre Bailey (189) (3 wins).

12/30/09: The Varsity Wrestling team placed 3rd in the West Islip Wrestling Tournament. Andy Rodriguez (145) was named Most Outstanding Wrestler (MOW) and won the championship match with a pin at the 1:38 mark. Giovanni Sanchez (119) took first with a 15-5 decision and Byron Kesler (215) won gold by a 7-4 score. Alan Gomez (112) took home 2nd place for CI. Manny Maldonado (130), Rudis Portillo (135), Joshua Duperoy (140), Julian Ming (171), Dondre Bailey (189), John Salguero (285) and Joe Sanchez (285) all made the semi-finals for the Musketeers.

12/30/09: The Varsity Boys Basketball team defeated East Islip by a 50-32 score in a non-league contest. The Musketeers took a one point lead at half and then came out strong in the 3rd quarter. Miles Neil scored 8 of his 10 points in a 18-3 quarter for CI. Reginald Augustus led Central Islip with 12 points and 6 assists. Justin Harley added 8 points and 8 rebounds and Tim McKenzie scored 9 points for CI.

12/23/09: The Varsity Wrestling team defeated Copiague (49-9) in their opening dual match. Andy Rodriguez (160) won by technical fall to lead the Musketeers. Walter Ibanez (103), Gio Sanchez (125), Rudis Portillo (140), Dondre Bailey (189) and Allan Pierre (215) all won by pin. The Musketeers Alan Gomez (112), Mark Sanchez (119), Dan Walsh (152) and Julian Ming (171) won by decision. Bailey and Pierre closed out the evening with impressive pins, 38 and 22 seconds, into the match. 

12/22/09: The Varsity Girls Basketball team lost a thriller to Connetquot by a 61-59 margin. CI came back from a 8 point 4th quarter deficit to take the lead with less than a minute to go. Connetquot trailed by two when Raychel Diver nailed a 3-pointer with 12 seconds left to seal the win for Connetquot. Janiece Jenkins scored 25 points to lead the Musketeers. Chastity Taylor had 15 points and Brenda Hornedo hit three 3-pointers for CI and finished with 9 points.

12/22/09: The Varsity Boys Basketball team defeated Connetquot 53-41 to improve their league record to 3-0. The Musketeers were led by Derrick Franklin who had 19 points and 6 assists. Miles Neil and Reginald Augustus each chipped in with 10 points. Justin Harley had 10 rebounds for Central Islip.

12/18/09: The Varsity Boys Basketball team improved its League 2 record to 2-0 with a strong defensive effort against Whitman. The Musketeers held Whitman to 4 points in the 4th quarter in a 53-38 victory. Derrick Franklin scored the first 5 points of the 4th quarter to help break the game open and finished with 17 points for CI. Tim McKenzie (8), Justin Harley (8), Reginald Augustus (7) and Miles Neil (7) led Central Islip in a balanced scoring attack. Harley added 7 rebounds and 3 blocks for the Musketeers.

12/17/09: The Varsity Boys Winter Track team posted some top performances at the Crossover C meet at Suffolk Community College in Brentwood. The 4x200 Meter Relay team finished 2nd with a time of 1:37.82. Saliu Salau won the shot put (46-07) and Ryan Satchell placed 1st in the Triple Jump (43-11.75). Anthony Reynolds placed 6th in the 300 Meter Dash.

12/16/09: Velez Invited to Puerto Rico U21 National Team Tryouts