Can West Islip make it 9 straight titles?

CLASS A

Will nine be fine or is eight enough?

That question hangs in the spring air like a high, lofted clearing pass as No. 1 seed West Islip tries to add to its impressive run of eight consecutive Suffolk championships. The Lions have won four of the past six state Class A title and had a 40-game winning streak ended by Farmingdale in last year's Long Island championship. They have a potent offense led by the lefty-righty senior attack combination of Tom Moore and Brendan Smith. The dynamic duo totaled 13 goals in 16-2 and 15-3 victories to start the season.

There's more, of course. Shifty junior Nick Aponte, already committed to Penn State, is one of the best midfielders on Long Island. Anthony Santo is a defensive whiz at long-pole middie or close defense. Goalie Jack Kelly is one of several college-bound Division I players on the roster.

Ward Melville is a strong No. 2 seed, with exceptional midfield depth, led by Cornell-bound John Edmonds, Jimmy Coughlan and Frank Lucatuorto. No. 3 Smithtown West has a very powerful offense led by Virginia-bound attack James Pannell, finisher Matt Schultz, impressive sophomore Ryan Keenan and midfielder Alex Dodge. A not-so-secret-but-very-important weapon is faceoff specialist Craig Madarasz, headed to Johns Hopkins.

Sachem North lost high-scoring Dalton Crossan for at least two months, but still has plenty of offense with attack Kyle Rhatigan, Shawn Murphy and Cody Petillo and middie Jack Gannon.

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CLASS B

Comsewogue is a very motivated No. 1 seed, having suffered its only loss of last season, 12-11, in overtime to Huntington in the playoffs. The Warriors are particularly strong on defense, led by Jeremy Wiley, Devon Cruz and Ryan O'Donoghue. Offensively, Tom Hughes is a fleet triple-threat middie who works well with Matt Cossidente. Kenny Scotland, a LIU Post-bound football player, is a load to handle on attack.

Legitimate challenges will come from Eastport-South Manor, which features high-scoring Ryan Curley and an outstanding defensive corps. Sayville should be strong, led by Jake Sichenzia (12 goals in first two games) and Zach Sirico on offense, Stony Brook-bound Steven Ferreira on defense and Pat Fleming in goal. Hofstra-bound Sam Llinares leads playoff contender Hauppauge and Syracuse-bound Ryan Palasek hopes to get Rocky Point into the playoff mix. Dan Plant, who scored the winner against Comsewogue, returns for Huntington.

CLASS C

Because of a decline in enrollment, No. 1 Shoreham-Wading River moves down a class and should dominate, led by Maryland-bound junior Tim Rotanz, who led Long Island in scoring last year with 110 points. Notre Dame-bound middie Trevor Brosco has recovered from a severe hamstring injury and Chris Mahoney leads the defense. Defending Class C champion Bayport-Blue Point returns a tough attack duo in Brian White and Brian Ward. Athletic Maryland-bound midfielder Tom Forsberg makes Glenn a tough opponent. Mount Sinai features goalie Billy Poillon and lefty attack Chad Marino.