Bayport-Blue Point Tops Wantagh to Win Long Island 'C' Title

This 2024 Class for Bayport has come close for the past three years, but couldn't win a title on the lacrosse field. As seniors, they finally completed two of their goals: a county championship and now a Long Island championship. The Phantoms defeated Wantagh 9-7 to come away with a Long Island Championship. A herculean effort by senior long pole Michael Luce and junior [player_tooltip player_id='31298' first='Traigh' last='Tomassone']'s hat trick helped guide the Phantoms to their first Long Island Class C title since 2011.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Bayport's Top Performers</h2>    You could make an argument that Luce was the top player in this game, as the 6'4 longpole was all over the field. He had the responsibility at the faceoff X and he did an excellent job mucking it up and hounding Will Greaves. Luce finished this contest with six ground balls and two caused turnovers. He had an electric start to the contest, showcasing all the different aspects of his game, and used his length to intercept a pass early in the first quarter leading to Bayport's second goal. He won multiple faceoffs with incredible stick checks to keep the ball on the ground and make it a true 50-50 opportunity for him and his wings. And at the start of the second quarter, he laid a huge body check that was clean and he picked up the ground ball to give his team possession. Luce followed all of this up with great 1v1 defense and seemed to constantly stop whoever he was guarding.     The junior midfielder had a special championship performance. Many people thought it'd be one of the senior stars making the most noise, but Tomassone went on to be named MVP, finishing with three goals and putting together an incredible day shooting the ball. Tomassone got lost off-ball where he hammered a righty step-down shot that went top shelf for his first goal of the game. Tomassone then did a great job cutting through the middle after his defender slid to the ball. His cut was well-timed where the “2” slide was late and nobody picked him up inside, so he was able to get an easy finish. His third goal might have saved the Phantoms in this game. Wantagh had all the momentum and was on a 5-0 run with the game tied. Tomassone was feeling it and stepped in from 15 yards, placing a bouncer into the low corner. This ended Wantagh's big run, and Bayport would go on to slowly get back in control of this game.     The senior netminder had seven saves in this contest and stood tall when it mattered most. Bayport held a 9-7 lead with just under seven minutes to go in the game, when Smith made a clutch save on the doorstep to deny a golden opportunity for Wantagh. After that save, due to a couple of penalties and a good job securing the ball, Bayport ran out the last six minutes of the clock en route to a title. The Phantoms got out to a 5-0 run early to put Wantagh in a hole, and during that run, Smith had a couple of big saves. Those stops included a great foot save and a difficult play made on a high bouncer to keep Wantagh off the board the entire first quarter. When the game was tied at five goals apiece, Smith ate up an underhand shot, and Bayport went down the field and scored to retake the lead.     The Navy-bound senior had a game-changing sequence that was one of the difference makers in this game. Morris was playing defensive midfield when the Phantoms were leading 8-7 with just under nine minutes left in the game. Morris would do an amazing job pinching inside and checking the stick of Wantagh player on the crease to break up a pass that would've most likely resulted in a game-tying goal. After his great defense, the referee ruled the Wantagh player in the crease, giving Bayport possession. On the Phantoms' next offensive possession, Morris would go to work up top. His defender elected to get high in an attempt to completely take away the middle of the field, and Morris then dodged hard down the alley. The crafty lefty connected on an incredible twister on the run that went in between the goalie's legs to give Bayport a 9-7 lead for the final goal of the game. Morris also contributed two assists to finish with 3 points.     Along with Mikey Luce, Athearn was a great defender for the Phantoms all game long. He had to guard Jake Martini throughout this game and rose to the occasion. He did a great job staying with the oldest Martini, who is a very twitchy dodger able to run by almost anybody on Long Island. Athearn's footwork and patience stood out and he played an overall solid game. Athearn picked up a couple of ground balls throughout this one and was reliable down low for Bayport after having Luce mainly run LSM. He also probably had the best stick check of the day after de-twigging Wantagh's top attackman and sending his stick flying but it didn't matter due to a penalty away from the ball.

This 2024 Class for Bayport has come close for the past three years, but couldn't win a title on the lacrosse field. As seniors, they finally completed two of their goals: a county championship and now a Long Island championship. The Phantoms defeated Wantagh 9-7 to come away with a Long Island Championship. A herculean effort by senior long pole Michael Luce and junior Traigh Tomassone Traigh Tomassone 6'0" | 190 lbs | M Bayport-Blue Point | 2025 NY 's hat trick helped guide the Phantoms to their first Long Island Class C title since 2011.