STATEN ISLAND N.Y. –– Sports around the borough came to halt in mid-March when the pandemic began.
After months of nearly no games, practices, or events, Staten Islanders were welcomed back to the field.
With new distancing and mask-wearing protocols, athletes of all ages returned to playing sports during these unpredictable times.
Check out some of the top sports photos from 2020.
January
Action from the 9/11 Winter Flag Football league in the FunPark Sportsplex, Castelton Corners. January 25, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Jason Paderon) Staten Island Advance/Annalise K
McKee/Staten Island Tech Masiah Gilyard (5) scored eight points against Monsignor Farrell in a SIHSL contest, held at the Seagulls gym, in New Dorp. January 27, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Derek Alvez) Staten Island Advance/Annalise K
Moore Catholic’s Jordan Welle (20) drives to the basket against St. Joseph by-the-Sea’s Kassidy Zieris in a CHSAA League contest, held at the Vikings’ gym in Huguenot on January 7, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Derek Alvez)
Lola Dinneen controls the pace in the 4×800. January 12, 2019. (Staten Island Advance/Jason Paderon)
February
Curtis sophomore Michael Oyekanmi is averaging 20.5 points per game against McKee/Staten Island Tech this season. The Warriors and Seagulls will lock horns in Sunday’s SIHSL Tournament quarterfinals at Petrides. (Staten Island Advance/Derek Alvez)
Staten Island Academy Nyema Lindsay (3) brings the ball down court against Half Hollow Hills East in the Coaches Choice USA Staten Island vs. NY/NJ Showcase Challenge, held at the College of Staten Island’s Sports and Recreation Center, Willowbrook. January 5, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Derek Alvez)
Anthony Zopich, the state’s No. 4 long jumper, took the Intersectional Championship with a mark of 22-5. February 8, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Jason Paderon)
March
Our Lady of Good Counsel is only in its second year of competition, but it finished atop the Debs Small Division at the Staten Island CYO Cheerleading Championships on March 7, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Derek Alvez)
Moore Catholic defeated St. Joseph by-the-Sea 47-41 to win the CHSAA A Archdiocesan Championship game, held at the College of Staten Island’s Sports and Recreation Center, Willowbrook. March 7, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Derek Alvez)
St. Clare’s performs its routine during Varsity Large Division action at the Staten Island CYO Cheerleading Championships on Saturday, March 7, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Alexandra Salmieri)
St. Joseph by-the-Sea’s Jamie Straham (44) slips between Cardinal Spellman’s Brianna Davis, left, and Shanice Sinclair to get to the basket during the Vikings’ 51-41 CHSAA A Archdiocesan semifinal game on March 3, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Derek Alvez)
Monsignor Farrell senior Justin Zieris, left, tied the score by hitting a free throw with 9.6 seconds left in Tuesday’s CHSAA A Intersectional semifinal contest against Fordham Prep. (Staten Island Advance/Derek Alvez)
Sierra Dinneen smiles atop the podium as she recieves her medal for her 1,000-meter win. March 7, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Jason Paderon)
Matt Reeves conducts an informal basketball training session at Midland Beach Park. March 21, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Jason Paderon)
April
NYC Parks and NYPD vehicles were present in front of the Grand Oaks country club although it appeared they were only enforcing social distancing guidelines as several groups played throughout the course. April 19, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Jason Paderon)
Officially golf courses weren’t named as one of the city’s mandated closures. “There’s really nothing going on. It’s just about the last thing we could still do,” said one golfer. April 11, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Jason Paderon)
Ray Masucci gets in his swings at the LaTourette GC Sunday after it was ruled that the public and private courses could reopen during the pause. April 19, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Jason Paderon)
May
Little League District 24 administrator Frank Cambria said he’s been conferring with the presidents of Staten Island’s seven leagues on a weekly basis about the future of the 2020 season. (Staten Island Advance/Derek Alvez)
June
As playgrounds, basketball courts and tennis courts remained closed, many athletes have turned to running. June 13, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Jason Paderon)
July
Neck garters appeared to be the face covering of choice at the Great Kils Little League season opener. July 6, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Jason Paderon)
Scenes from the Great Kills Little League 2020 Season Opening matchup between the Deluca Mets and Johnson’s Orioles. July 6, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Jason Paderon)
Members of the Marlins listen in at the opening ceremony of the Great Kills Little League. July 6, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Jason Paderon) Alexandra Salmieri
Stephen Tuite is second to tee off. The boys hit the links at Silver Lake Golf for the first time since the pandemic began for the Jody’s Junior Golf Tournament. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel)
August
A beautiful dive takes to the sky over the Great Kills Swim Club which held the Staten Island Inter-club Swimming Championship. Monday, August 3, 2020. (State Island Advance/ Jan Somma-Hammel)
Cara Patrissy, 17, Hillside. The Great Kills Swim Club held this summers Staten Island Inter-club Swimming Championship. Monday, August 3, 2020. (State Island Advance/ Jan Somma-Hammel)
The Great Kills Swim Club held this summers Staten Island Inter-club Swimming Championship. Monday, August 3, 2020. (State Island Advance/ Jan Somma-Hammel)Alexandra Salmieri
September
October
Great Kills celebrates the LL District 24 12s All-Star championship. October 21, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Jason Paderon)
Views from the CHSFL 7-on-7 Flag Football matchup between Monsignor Farrell and St. Peter’s. October 8, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Jason Paderon)
Jets vs. Patriots-Ross in 9-11 Flag Football League 5th-6th grade action, held at Midland Field, in Midland Beach. October 24, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Derek Alvez)
Panthers vs. Tigers in 9-11 Flag Football League Pre-K/K action, held at Midland Field, in Midland Beach. October 24, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Derek Alvez)
Action from the Ocean Breeze youth cross country series No. three meet, held Ocean Breeze Park in South Beach. October 11, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Derek Alvez).
Great Kills LL tops South Shore LL in the 12s division round robin to clinch the top seed. October 2, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Jason Paderon) Staten Island Advance
Great Kills tops South Shore 4-1 to capture the LL District 24 12s All-Star championship. October 21, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Jason Paderon) Staten Island Advance
Blessed Sacrament’s James Rockfeller (498) out kicked teammate Sean Gannon (499) on the final stretch to win the CYO youth cross country season opener fifth-sixth grade one-mile first wave race in 7 minutes, 3.4 seconds at Mt. Loretto, Pleasant Plains. October 4, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Derek Alvez). Staten Island Advance
Views from the CHSFL 7-on-7 Flag Football matchup between Monsignor Farrell and St. Peter’s. October 8, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Jason Paderon) Staten Island Advance
November
Warriors vs. Spartans in a Staten Island Boys Football League Senior Midgets Championship game, held at St. John Vianney High School turf field. November 21, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Derek Alvez). Staten Island Advance
Monsignor Farrell’s lone scorer Liam McGoveron (14) against St. Francis Prep in a CHSAA AA regular game, held at the Lions Oakwood field. November 7, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Derek Alvez) Staten Island Advance
Giants vs. Bandits in a Staten Island Boys Football League Flyweight Championship game, held at St. John Vianney High School turf field. November 21, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Derek Alvez). Staten Island Advance
Packers vs. Broncos in Next Level Sports Youth Flag Football League 3rd-4th grade North division action, held at the Corporal Thompson Park, in West Brighton. November 1, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Derek Alvez). Staten Island Advance
December
E-Hall’s Sebastian Sagar forces Tottenville’s Anthony Pucciarelli to rush his pass. December 4, 2019. (Staten Island Advance/Jason Paderon)
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SPT Tottenville Erasmus Championship
Tottenville QB Anthony Puccierelli tries to elude defenders in the fourth quarter. December 4, 2019. (Staten Island Advance/Jason Paderon)
Scenes from the Special Olympics New York 14th annual Staten Island Polar Plunge, held at South Beach. December 6, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Derek Alvez).
Scenes from the Special Olympics New York 14th annual Staten Island Polar Plunge, held at South Beach. December 6, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Derek Alvez). Staten Island Advance
