Royals Basketball Champs To Be Honored by State Senate

State Sen. Kenneth LaValle R-Port Jefferson released a statement today saying that the New York State Senate will adopt a resolution to acknowledge the championship season of the Port Jefferson Boys Basketball team during its regular session. The reading of the ackowledgement will be available to view via a live webcast starting at 3 p.m.

The Royals won their division becoming the by defeating Greenport 56-53. They advanced to the against the Ross School, defeating them as well 69-46. In the , the Royals then defeated Mattituck by a score of 49-34. They lost in the game to the Friends Academy Quakers 54-47 at SUNY Westbury. They also lost in the at Stony Brook University against Harborfields 57-49.

During the Senate session, Center Moriches girls basketball team and Mattituck’s boys basketball will be acknowledged for their championship seasons as well.

“These champions–team members and coaches–demonstrate a superior commitment and dedication to their schools, teams and communities,” LaValle said. “And now their accomplishments will be a permanent part of the history and record of the Senate and New York State.”

You can watch the live webcast of the state Senate session by clicking here.

The text of the resolution is quoted below and attached to this article as a PDF.

LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating the 2010-2011 Port Jefferson High School Boys Basketball Team and Coach Michael Riley upon the occasion of capturing the Suffolk County Class C Championship

WHEREAS, Excellence and success in competitive sports can be achieved only through strenuous practice, team play and team spirit, nurtured by dedicated coaching and strategic planning; and

WHEREAS, Athletic competition enhances the moral and physical development of the young people of this State, preparing them for the future by instilling in them the value of teamwork, encouraging a standard of healthy living, imparting a desire for success and developing a sense of fair play and competition; and

WHEREAS, On February 22, 2011, the Port Jefferson Royals defeated the Greenport Porters by a score of 56-53 to win the 2011 Suffolk County Class C Championship; and

WHEREAS, In addition, Port Jefferson advanced to the Class C vs. Class D game and defeated the Ross School 69-46; following that particular game, the Royals played in the Class C vs. Class B game defeating Mattituck 49-34; the team also made later appearances in both the Small School and Long Island Class C Championships; and

WHEREAS, The athletic talent displayed by this team is due in great part to the efforts of Coach Michael Riley and his outstanding assistant coach, John Serignese, skilled and inspirational tutors, respected for their ability to develop potential into excellence; and

WHEREAS, The team's overall record is outstanding, and the members of the Port Jefferson High School Boys Basketball Team were loyally and enthusiastically supported by family, fans, friends and the community at large; and

WHEREAS, The hallmarks of the Port Jefferson High School Boys Basketball Team, from the opening game of the season to participation in the championship, were a brotherhood of athletic ability, of good sportsmanship, of honor and of scholarship, demonstrating that these team players are second to none; and

WHEREAS, Athletically and academically, the team members of the Port Jefferson High School Boys Basketball Team have proven themselves to be an unbeatable combination of talents, reflecting favorably on their school; and

WHEREAS, Coach Michael Riley and his dedicated assistant Coach have done a superb job in guiding, molding and inspiring the team members toward their goals; and

WHEREAS, Sports competition instills the values of teamwork, pride and accomplishment, and Coach Michael Riley and the outstanding athletes on the Port Jefferson Boys Basketball Team have clearly made a contribution to the spirit of excellence which is a tradition of their school; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to congratulate the Port Jefferson High School Boys Basketball Team; its members: Lloyd Cates, Mateo Cello, Braden Colucci, Drew Crovello, William Crowe, Brandon Fabbri, Anthony Lanieri, Philip Lanieri, Greg Nielsen, Brandon Reiter, Terell Rose, Alex Rubeck, Dan Serignese, Juwan Veneable, and Noah Whalen; Coach Michael Riley and Assistant Coach John Serignese upon the occasion of capturing the 2011 Suffolk County Class C Championship; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the Port Jefferson High School Boys Basketball Team and to the aforementioned coaches.