{"id":85617,"date":"2025-12-31T16:23:17","date_gmt":"2025-12-31T16:23:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/85617\/"},"modified":"2025-12-31T16:23:17","modified_gmt":"2025-12-31T16:23:17","slug":"the-2025-staten-island-sports-year-had-a-little-bit-of-everything-and-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/85617\/","title":{"rendered":"The 2025 Staten Island sports year had a little bit of everything and more"},"content":{"rendered":"

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Not everything was wonderful in Staten Island\u2019s sporting year 2025. But there was more good than bad, more productive than destructive.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve been around awhile, you know that\u2019s not always the case.<\/p>\n

So, when we start rummaging through our notebooks, our hard drives and our thoughts in considering the most noteworthy local sports stories of the year, there\u2019s a lot to weigh.<\/p>\n

For one thing, what defines noteworthy? Noteworthy isn\u2019t necessarily the same as biggest, or best. We could be discussing the success of the favorite. We could just as easily be examining the progress of the upstart. It could be the hottest-button topic. And it might not have anything to do with the final score.<\/p>\n

And, yes, that necessarily means we omitted something you might think deserves a mention. It\u2019s a subjective measurement, we\u2019ll grant you that.<\/p>\n

Like every year, we experienced the unsurprising and the unexpected, the heartbreaking and euphoric. In no particular order, here are the stories we\u2019ll remember most from 2025.<\/p>\n

\"BackTottenville’s varsity baseball team gets into celebration mode after winning its first PSAL city championship in 13 seasons two seasons ago.(Advance\/SILive.com)<\/p>\n

Year of the Pirates<\/p>\n

They play a lot of sports very well at Tottenville High School and 2025 offered the best evidence yet.<\/p>\n

The Pirates hung city championship banners in wrestling, softball, baseball, flag football, girls\u2019 soccer, girls\u2019 swimming, coed golf and boys\u2019 bowling. Its football and girls\u2019 lacrosse teams played in city title games and the girls\u2019 basketball team made the city final four.<\/p>\n

The softball championship was the 17 th in school history and the baseball crown was the 13 th.<\/p>\n

Is there a secret sauce? Maybe baseball coach Mike Grippo, also a former Pirate player, hit on something cultural that applies at the school in general.<\/p>\n

\u201cPrepare right, play this game as hard as you can and play with heart and do it all with class,\u201d Grippo said heading into that city title game in June. \u201cThat is the focus. Whether we come up short or don\u2019t come up short \u2026 that has to be the case. That has to be the foundational piece of this program. Because it always was.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"HeWest Brighton resident Liam Murphy, center, is in danger of missing Purdue University’s Big Ten opener at Rutgers University on Dec. 2.(Advance\/SILIve.com | Annie De Biase)<\/p>\n

Transfer portal gets Liam Murphy to nation\u2019s No. 1 team<\/p>\n

Lots of words and lots of bandwidth have been devoted to the state of college sports, the freedom of movement the athletes now have to transfer to places that might be better fits, and the ability of the athletes to prosper financially thanks to the brave new world of Name, Image and Likeness.<\/p>\n

For the traditionalists, the notion that the athletes should get more in compensation than tuition, room and board goes against the spirit of college sports.<\/p>\n

On the other side, there\u2019s the sight of billions being made by TV networks and universities, millions being earned by high-profile coaches in revenue-producing sports, and yet nothing from that windfall ending up in the pockets of the athletes who put on the show.<\/p>\n

Into the deep end of that pool jumped St. Peter\u2019s HS product Liam Murphy, whose long-range shooting ability got him on Purdue University\u2019s radar in the springtime, and landed him in West Lafayette, Indiana, on the basketball team ranked No. 1 in the nation in preseason.<\/p>\n

Murphy\u2019s role hasn\u2019t been large yet for the Boilermakers, but it\u2019s a long way to the finish line in the college hoop season. Nonetheless, Murphy\u2019s journey brings one of the nation\u2019s most significant sports stories this year right to our doorstep.<\/p>\n

\"PetridesThe Petrides varsity football team huddles up during the PSAL 1A Championship game on Nov. 29, 2025.Michael O’Brien<\/p>\n

HS football<\/p>\n

All season, Staten Island high school football teams were breathing the very thin air that comes with high statewide rankings.<\/p>\n

Monsignor Farrell lost to Iona Prep in the CHSFL\u2019s AAA title game, having defeated the Gaels during the regular season. Farrell finished fourth in the final state rankings. Farrell was a heavy underdog in that regular-season win over Iona, which was ranked No. 1 in the state at the time, and the Lion victory would have to rank as one of Staten Island\u2019s biggest in years.<\/p>\n

Tottenville was undefeated heading to the PSAL\u2019s top-tier title game and ended up losing to Erasmus 34-27 in the final. The Pirates, who beat Erasmus in the regular season, landed in the No. 6 spot in the final state rankings.<\/p>\n

St. Joseph by-the-Sea was shooting for a second straight CHSFL AA-I championship, but dropped a 28-7 decision to Xavier in the title game.<\/p>\n

Petrides won the PSAL\u2019s 1A title, capping a 13-0 season \u2013 the first undefeated season in school history \u2013 with a 14-6 win over East Harlem Pride. It\u2019s the second city title for Dave Olah in his 18 seasons. He\u2019s been the head coach since the program\u2019s inception.<\/p>\n

The Island football ranks were thinned by one team when Moore Catholic announced in the spring that it was suspended its program\u2019s operations.<\/p>\n

More college sports<\/p>\n

Wagner College made headlines for the wrong reasons just before this basketball season began when men\u2019s head coach Donald Copeland was suspended pending an investigation into his treatment of players.<\/p>\n

Assistant coach Dwan McMillan is serving as the interim head coach.<\/p>\n

The College of Staten Island\u2019s men\u2019s and women\u2019s basketball teams continued to solidify their positions in Division II as the women advanced to the East Coast Conference championship game and the men made the ECC semis.<\/p>\n

\"LittleSouth Shore left fielder Anthony Arnone runs out of room as St. James-Smithtown’s Jeremy Katz hits his second homer of the game in the finals of the NY State Little League 12s Tournament at the Great Kills Little League Complex on Friday July 25, 2025. (Advance\/SILive.com | Jason Paderon)(Advance\/SILive.com | Jason Paderon)<\/p>\n

Youth baseball and softball<\/p>\n

Staten Island continues to be a hotbed for Little League softball and baseball. The LL baseball 12-year-old state tournament was held on Staten Island for the third straight year. The 10-year-old softball Eastern Regional was also held here.<\/p>\n

Maybe we\u2019re getting spoiled, but it seems noteworthy when the Island\u2019s LL baseball 12-year-old championship team does not threaten to make a LL World Series run. South Shore, hoping to go to the LLWS in back-to-back years, had an excellent summer, but lost to Long Island\u2019s St. James-Smithtown in the state tourney final.<\/p>\n

However, consider yourselves warned. Mid-Island won the 11s baseball state and East Regional tournaments. South Shore\u2019s 10s were the sectional champs.<\/p>\n

\"FrankFrank Cambria is in a legal battle with the state to keep the New Springville Little League complex operating as a youth sports complex. (Staten Island Advance)<\/p>\n

Community concern<\/p>\n

A 31\/2-year dispute over the rights to the property that was home to now-defunct New Springville Little League could potentially be resolved in 2026.<\/p>\n

The Staten Island United Federation Baseball League, which has maintained the site, and the State of New York are at odds over the property, which contains four baseball\/softball fields.<\/p>\n

Frank Cambria, president of the SIUFBL, says his group has been maintaining and using the facility and hopes to find a resolution that gives access to the grounds to the community for recreational use. A hearing is scheduled for next month.<\/p>\n

\"MavsMoore Catholic’s girls’ basketball squad won numerous crowns last season. (Photo courtesy of Gene Henderson)Gene Henderson<\/p>\n

HS girls\u2019 basketball<\/p>\n

Tottenville\u2019s rise to prominence was only part of the girls\u2019 hoop story this year, as Island teams continued what has been a five-decade legacy of success.<\/p>\n

St. Joseph by-the-Sea won the Archdiocese of New York\u2019s top-tier title for the second straight season and Sea\u2019s Angelina Hodgens, now at Northwestern, became the ninth multiple winner of the Jaques Award.<\/p>\n

Moore Catholic won multiple titles, taking the CHSAA Archdiocesan, CHSAA city and Catholic state Tier 2 titles, then downing Murry Bergtraum in the PSAL-CHSAA Championship.<\/p>\n

\"FarrellThe Monsignor Farrell soccer team lets everyone know who’s No. 1. (Photo courtesy of Ed Hynes)Ed Hynes<\/p>\n

Getting some kicks<\/p>\n

Monsignor Farrell won its second CHSAA AA city soccer title in four years, capping the run with a 3-1 win over Xavier in the title game.<\/p>\n

St. Joseph by-the-Sea\u2019s boys finished an unbeaten season by topping St. Peter\u2019s, 1-0, for the CHSAA A Division title. The Vikings went 16-0-1 overall.<\/p>\n

That Tottenville PSAL girls\u2019 city title was the program\u2019s first since 2006 and the 11 th in program history. The Pirates topped it off by beating St. Francis Prep in the Mayor\u2019s Cup. St. Joseph by-the-Sea won the CHSAA Archdiocesan top-tier girls\u2019 title and earned a spot in the state Catholic final four.<\/p>\n

\"FlyingSt. Peter\u2019s Malcolm Ford rises for a jumper against Monsignor Farrell in the Borough President Vito Fossella SIHSL Tournament Championship game held at the College of Staten Island in Willowbrook on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025. Ford scored 23 points and was named tourney MVP. (Staten Island Advance\/Jason Paderon)Staten Island Advance\/Jason Paderon<\/p>\n

HS boys\u2019 basketball<\/p>\n

St. Peter\u2019s had to replace all five starters but still ended up winning its seventh straight SIHSL Tournament title in February behind a stellar performance from eventual Jaques winner Saliou Diokhane.<\/p>\n

St. Joseph by-the-Sea made a rousing comeback but ended up losing to St. John\u2019s Prep 46-43 in the CHSAA A Division title game.<\/p>\n

\"StatenSt. Joseph by-the-Sea head coach Neslon Ortiz talks with Vincent Petruzzelli and Anthony Molinini during a game against St. Peter’s on May 16, 2025.Michael O’Brien<\/p>\n

HS baseball<\/p>\n

Tottenville\u2019s 3A city title wasn\u2019t the only high note for Island high school baseball. McKee\/S.I. Tech lost in the 2A title game. It was the program\u2019s first city title game appearance. St. Joseph by-the-Sea won the CHSAA Archdiocesan title. <\/p>\n

\"NDANotre Dame Academy’s Katelyn Kliesch led wire-to-wire for the win at the SIHSTFA XC Championship on Oct. 18, 2025 to become the first four-time individual champion in history.Michael O’Brien<\/p>\n

Good year for HS track and X-C teams<\/p>\n

One of the top highlights of the year was St Joseph by-the-Sea winning the Nike Indoor Nationals 4×800 title in an Island-record time last March. <\/p>\n

The Farrell boys and Susan Wagner girls continued their Staten Island championship runs, winning both the indoor and outdoor team titles, respectively. <\/p>\n

In cross country this past fall, the MSIT boys and NDA took the team titles. Katelyn Kliesch notably became the first four-time individual champion in history. <\/p>\n

\"TheThe lost an ambassador for everything that was good in sports when Jack Minogue, center, passed away in 2025.(Advance\/SILive.com | Derek Alvez)<\/p>\n

Departed friends<\/p>\n

Pardon us for this segment being a little personal, but this was a tough year for those of us who bring you the Advance and SILive.com\u2019s sports coverage.<\/p>\n

Four of our tribe \u2013 Jack Minogue, Stephen Hart, Tom Flannagan and Bill Huus \u2013 passed away in 2025, leaving gigantic voids.<\/p>\n

Jack, for decades the conscience of Staten Island sports, held city and state officials to account for any transgression that diminished athletic opportunities for girls, boys, women and men. That story above about the former New Springville LL would have been right in Jack\u2019s wheelhouse.<\/p>\n

\"SteveSteve HartStaff-Shot<\/p>\n

Steve used his keen eye and writing talent to tell so many wonderful stories, all leavened with his occasionally eccentric but always charming sense of humor.<\/p>\n

\"flannagan\"Tom Flannagan was most comfortable around his family and on the golf course. advance<\/p>\n

Tom, a gentleman\u2019s gentleman, was the voice of the Island\u2019s golf community and a gifted illustrator whose drawings added life to every section of the newspaper.<\/p>\n

\"huus\"Bill Huus (Staten Island Advance\/ Jan Somma-Hammel) Staff-ShotStaff-Shot<\/p>\n

Bill, our managing editor for so many years, always had other newsroom things to juggle along with looking after his crazy sports guys, but his guidance in our corner of the room was always wise and welcome.<\/p>\n

Steve would always leave us with a smile. Jack\u2019s parting words would often be \u201cKeep the faith.\u201d Tom always encouraged us to \u201cKeep swinging.\u201d Bill always wanted us to tell interesting stories. In their honor, we hope to keep on keeping on.<\/p>\n

(Carmine Angioli, Joe D\u2019Amodio, Charlie De Biase Jr., Michael O\u2019Brien, Jason Paderon and James Speciale of the Advance sports staff contributed to this year-end story.)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Not everything was wonderful in Staten Island\u2019s sporting year 2025. But there was more…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":85618,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[39],"tags":[9,24,63,134,136,135],"class_list":{"0":"post-85617","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-staten-island","8":"tag-new-york","9":"tag-new-york-city","10":"tag-nyc","11":"tag-staten-island","12":"tag-staten-island-headlines","13":"tag-staten-island-news"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/85617","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=85617"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/85617\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/85618"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=85617"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=85617"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=85617"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}