Deer Park wins first League title since '78

Deer Park’s 47-28 win over West Babylon coupled with Hauppauge’s 33-34 loss to Comsewogue gave Deer Park (10-0) the League IV crown – its first since 1978, according to coach Mike Gennaro. The Falcons got the good news via text message on the bus ride home and Gennaro was amazed at their subdued reaction.

“I was surprised they didn’t go nuts,” Gennaro said. “I said to them ‘I think it’s because they feel there’s more to be accomplished.’ They want to finish undefeated in the league and they want to go as far as they can in the [Suffolk] County playoffs.”

Deer Park is led by a group of four seniors who have played together for four years; Nicole Alvarez, Shayna Robinson, Felicia LaSora and Jasmine Gonzalez are what Gennaro calls Deer Park’s “Core Four.” The Core Four along with junior guard Andrea Desvignes have the Falcons aiming high as the playoffs approach.

“I think this year the experience, the maturity and the confidence have all come together at the right time,” Gennaro said.