Trio of RHS Athletes Sign on to Play at Next Level

Following the signing of lefty pitcher Matt Crohan on Wednesday, a few more Riverhead High School athletes signed their letters of intent to play college sports on Friday: Shanice Allen, Ryan Bitzer, and Sabina Dorr.

Bitzer has been the Blue Waves quarterback since his sophomore year, but has excelled in both basketball and the sport he'll be playing in college – lacrosse. The midfielder was named team MVP last spring.

“I really enjoy lacrosse,” Bitzer said. “It’s very physical, and uses a combination of skills. I like that.” Bitzer earned all-county honors and will be playing at Division I school Stony Brook University, where he plans to major in business.

Also coming from the local lacrosse fields, Sabina Dorr signed on to play Division I competition, for St. Francis University in Loretto, Penn. Dorr, a midfield/attack, has been playing since the district created its girls' lacrosse program, and earned Brine National High School All-American honors.

“St. Francis is the smallest NCAA Division I school in the nation,” she shares, “but it’s a perfect fit for me. When I visited the campus, I immediately liked the team, the coaches, and the university. The lacrosse coach at St. Francis, Gregg Gebhard, is a Long Island native, so that's good, too. Everyone at St. Francis is committed to giving athletes both a great playing experience and a great education. That’s what I really wanted.”

Girls' basketball guard Shanice Allen earned all-county honors each of her four years, and will be playing at the next level at Pace College in Westchester County. Allen, who is already putting her efforts toward someday becoming an anesthesiologist, was part of the girls' hoops team impressive Final Four run last winter, nearly winning a state title.

“I’m excited about playing for PACE,” said Allen. “I’m really happy that my mom and dad will be able to come to my games. They’ve always been there for me, and it will be nice to have them so close.”