The fall 2013 season was a bittersweet experience for Westhampton Beach. Many teams consisted of a core base of seniors that have been playing the sport since a young age. Although only one team made it to playoffs, every squad created and shared memories that will last forever.

The football team had a tough beak this year after failing to make playoffs by 1.07 power points. The Canes defeated Hauppague 23-19 to end with a league record of 4-4. In order to have made play offs, we needed Comsewogue to beat Amittyville (which would have happen).

During the second quarter though both teams were involved in a brawl that resulted in SectionXI, forfeiting both teams. This disqualified the Canes and ended a three year playoff run. Most of the team had been playing together since second and third grade, making our family come to an end.

The boys’ soccer team was very different from the football team. The Canes finished with an overall record of 0-11-2. Much of this was due to a very young squad, having only three senior starters, with the rest of the eight being sophomores and a freshman. Seniors Eric Hayes, Matt Higgins, and myself have been playing together since first grade and were very sad to have the season end. Higgins said, “I’ve been playing with Max and Eric since my first ever travel team in first grade. It was an amazing experience and I am never going to forget the memories I’ve created with them and the rest of the squad.”

The girls’ soccer team had a similar season to the boys team, finishing the season with a 2-11-2 overall record. Jules Robbins and Brooke Alpert have been playing together since a very young age. They played on the same travel team that was nationally ranked and were considered the “dynamic duo” until Arianna Cascone joined the varsity squad when she was an eighth grader creating the “Dynamic Trio.”

The girls’ volleyball team was the most successful team this year as they went on to make playoffs. The squad unfortunately lost to ESM (our biggest cross town rivals) in the first round of playoffs, in an upset win. Previously in the season, the Lady Canes beat ESM in a non-league match. The team this year was led by seniors Morgan Tiska, Alexa Smith, Brenna Hogan, and junior Sarah Culver.

The boys’ volleyball team was unsuccessful as they finished with a 1-11 league record. The boys volleyball JV program was cut short this year because of budget cuts causing the varsity squad to be completely filled up. They also played in a mix league because of boys volleyball not being common in small schools.