Top 10 Fall/Winter Sports Stories of 2010

1.

On a dark September night - literally, dark after one of the lights went out around the field - McGann Mercy football team picked up its first win of the 2010 season in overtime against Wyandanch. The win proved extra special after 2009's winless campaign. 

2.

After the Blue Waves' football team's first 0-2 start in eight years, sophomore quarterback Ryan Bitzer broke out of his shell on Sept. 25. Bitzer threw four touchdown passes and 189 yards after tossing four interceptions in the previous game.

3.

On the coldest night to date in an early 2010 winter season, McGann-Mercy running back Pat Stepnoski lifted the Monarchs to their second victory of the season. Playing on the road at the Stony Brook School, Stepnoski had a night to remember, galloping for close to 350 yards on the ground.

4.

McGann-Mercy's appearance in the Suffolk County quarterfinals was the furthest it had ever gone before, said head coach Mike Clauberg. Their run capped a season that also saw the program's third straight League VIII title.

5.

Former Blue Wave running back and Hansen Award winner Miguel Maysonet earned Big South Conference Offensive Player of the Week at the end of October after galloping for close to 200 yards on the ground. He would go on to lead the conference in rushing yards. 

6.

Further upstate, another former Riverhead football player was arrested on felony burglary and grand larceny charges. Malcolm Cater, the former success story who followed in Maysonet's footsteps and went on to play at Syracuse, was dismissed from the team after his arrest.

7.

Ally Doscinski, a 16-year old junior with the Blue Waves' field hockey team, led her squad as goalkeeper throughout the season - for the third straight season. Though the team fell just short of the playoffs, Doscinski did her best to bring a positive attitude to the field day in and day out.

8.

Whoever said the end of October is too late for a skate competition hasn't seen the passion these kids have for skating. On a brisk fall day the popular skate park hosted a competition with a sizable turnout - check out these photos for some great action shots.

9.

Remember the infamous contract dispute between Cablevision and one of its cable companies? Which one, you ask? Oh, yes - Fox. The inability for both sides to come to terms cost thousands of fans across Long Island time and money out of their pocket, as they were forced to take to the streets and find the nearest location with satellite coverage of the game. More often than not this meant going to a bar. Get their thoughts on it here.

10.

Some people want their two front teeth for Christmas, others want an X-Box 360. Marty Johnson of the Long Island Motorsports Association wants a race facility at EPCAL, the former Grumman property in Calverton. Comments show he isn't the only one - also, that a fair amount of people aren't asking for that from Santa.