SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — Smithtown High School East boys lacrosse captured its first Suffolk County title since 2015, Deer Park celebrated 18 seniors continuing their athletic careers in college and a Smithtown sophomore continued making his mark on the international Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu stage.
Smithtown East Boys Lacrosse Wins First County Title Since 2015
For the first time since 2015, the Smithtown High School East boys lacrosse team is back on top of Suffolk County.
The Bulls defeated West Islip, 8-7, in the Class B Suffolk County championship on May 30 at Stony Brook University, earning the program’s first county crown in nearly a decade.
Sophomore Brock Bernhardt scored the game-winning goal with 37 seconds left to lift Smithtown East to the championship.
“I scored the goal but it could’ve been any of my teammates,” Bernhardt said after the game. “It was a total team effort.”
The title also carried historical meaning for the district. The last time Smithtown East won the county championship was in 2015, when current Smithtown Central School District Director of Athletics Jason Lambert was the head coach.
For current head coach Kevin Huff, the win marked a full-circle moment. Huff, who returned for a second stint as Smithtown East’s head coach, also won a county title as Smithtown’s head coach in 2003.
Deer Park Honors 18 College-Bound Athletes
Deer Park High School honored 18 seniors who committed to continuing their athletic careers in college during a June 1 ceremony hosted by Athletic Director Dominick Fontana in the school’s chorus room.
“You’re moving on to a new level, basically the same transition as moving up from middle school to high school sports,” Fontana said. “Just keep working hard, be very coachable, be a great teammate, take in everything and do whatever’s asked of you to the best of your ability.”
Recognized students
Fontana said the athletes represented Deer Park well and that the district is looking forward to seeing what they accomplish next.
“You were great for us, and you are going to be great at that next level as well,” Fontana said. “I am sure everyone’s going to do wonderful things, and we are looking forward to hearing about what you accomplish beyond here over the next four years.”
Smithtown Sophomore Competes On World Jiu-Jitsu Stage
At just 16 years old, Smithtown High School East sophomore Diamond Armello is building a reputation as one of the top young Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitors in the world.
Armello is ranked No. 2 by the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation for both 2024 and 2025, turning years of training into success at the international level.
What started five years ago as a way to “get a little tougher” quickly became a passion. Through daily training, Armello earned his blue belt at 15 and has competed across the United States and internationally, including Brazil, Portugal, Ireland, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Colombia, Canada and Puerto Rico.
This summer, Armello plans to compete in Texas, Brazil, across Asia and potentially Japan.
When asked the secret to his success, Armello said there is no secret.
“Practice,” he said. “I train every day of the week.”
Looking ahead, Armello hopes to continue competing at the highest levels and one day open his own Jiu-Jitsu studio to mentor the next generation of athletes.
Don’t See Your Team Highlighted?
Patch is gathering weekly high school sports results from districts across Suffolk County. Coaches, athletic directors, and school communications staff are encouraged to share scores, highlights, and postseason updates for inclusion in upcoming weekend wrap-ups.
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