Bay Shore boys basketball's Corey Faines is Newsday's Athlete of the Week
Corey Faines of Bay Shore in the Suffolk Class AAA championship against Floyd on March 7, 2026. Credit: Michael A. Rupolo Sr.
When Corey Faines joined the Bay Shore boys basketball team, he was a rotational player. Now a senior, he became the No. 1 option and someone coach Gary Williams calls "the blueprint."
"He's a sponge," Williams said. "Everything we teach him he implements it immediately. He truly loves the game, and he's still learning it. Even when we butt heads, it's out of passion because I know how bad he wants it."
At first, Faines struggled with ballhandling. "I used to say if he dribbles more than three times, it's a turnover," Williams said. But instead of being down on himself, Faines worked in the gym day by day to get better.
"I remember the exact moment (Williams) told me that, and I took it personally," Faines said. "I told myself I have to work on my ballhandling. I'm now at a point where it's natural to me."
Faines used to record himself every day to track his progress developing his skills and learning to dunk. Now the 6-2 shooting guard is a three-level scorer and gets to the rim with ease.
"I definitely got my athleticism from my dad," Faines said. "A big part of it is genetics and DNA. I'm super blessed even to have this athletic ability because not a lot of people have it."
His athleticism was on full display last Wednesday. The Newsday Athlete of the Week had 25 points, 10 rebounds, and three assists to lead Bay Shore to its second Long Island Class AAA championship in three years in a 66-62 victory over Baldwin.
"His athleticism is off the charts," Williams said. "I told him at the beginning of the season, 'You're too athletic not to get 10 rebounds a game.' When he gets 20 and 10, we won't lose."
He added, "He's just the total package. He's the prototype of a great player, and I wish I had 20 Coreys."
Williams praised Faines' ability to be a leader and hold everyone accountable in the locker room.
"All the middle school kids look up to him like he’s, their idol. They always ask for an autograph, and he's just a great kid overall," Williams said.
"We're a super talented group, so when guys get nervous, I usually say, 'Why are you nervous? They're the same age as us.' That usually fires us up." Faines said.
In addition to his performances on the court, Faines maintains an 88 GPA and has had perfect attendance since kindergarten.
"It's not hard to do the bare minimum in school, just be present, listen, and do your homework," Faines said. "My mom kept me in school, she pushes me and keeps me on the right path."
Now that the season is over, Faines is looking forward to starting a new chapter in his life: attending Nazareth University to play Division III basketball.
"They were actually the first that ever showed interest in me," Faines said. "They stayed in contact with me and showed me the utmost love compared to any school. I still have levels to go, and coach (Kevin) Broderick is going to take me there."
Jonathan Ruban covers high school sports for Newsday after graduating from St. John’s.
