Sayville's James Giattino wins LaBue Award as Suffolk football's top scholar-athlete
Photo credit: George A. Faella | Sayville receiver James Giattino takes the pass and heads downfield as Miller Place's Austin Yezarski goes for the tackle. (Oct. 13, 2012)
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Where others could see an excuse, James Giattino saw a purpose.
His mother, Deborah, was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer when he was in eighth grade, and rather than giving up or slowing down, Giattino, a promising student and talented two-sport athlete, doubled down on his efforts. If his mom had to go through that much pain, then he would give her a reason to smile.
"The way some...
