The Post looks at noteworthy Long Island sporting events this week:
Controversy on the track
They were caught flat-footed.
A Long Island track prodigy and her family were shocked to learn she was banned from racing in an upcoming New York state championship over a razor-thin technicality.
William Floyd High School senior Zariel Macchia, a prospective Olympic hopeful, was deemed ineligible after competing in the recent Boston University David Hemery Valentine Invitational with collegiate athletes.
The loophole, according to the New York State Public High School Athletic Association handbook, is that the athletes Macchia raced against were “representing a college.” Had the same runners entered independently, Macchia would have had no violations, according to her father, Peter Macchia, who is investigating legal action and appeals ahead of the March 8 competition on Staten Island.
“We believe Zariel should not be penalized for the decisions of other entrants,” her father told The Post, adding that she planned to run three events, one as a relay anchor for her team.
Macchia remains eligible for her final spring season.
Hoops for a great cause
Garden City High School is hosting a challenger basketball game for handicapped individuals Tuesday afternoon at 3 in honor of 2015 alumnus and multi-sport athlete Bobby Menges, who died of cancer at 19 while attending Duke University in 2017.
“He just was just such a go-getter,” Bobby’s mother, Liz Menges, told The Post of her son, who fought neuroblastoma at ages 5 and 10 as well.
Menges, who said the entire town comes out in support — some principals will even order no homework on the day of the event — said Bobby would love nothing more than to know this game, Hoops For Hope, has been played in his honor since 2019.
Proceeds go to the I’m Not Done Yet Foundation, which was named for Bobby and collaborates with the NYU Langone Cancer Center for Kids.
“He was always trying to get people together and work with all different kinds of kids and people,” Menges said. “He was very interested in community service and a friend of the friendless.”
What to watch
Boys high school basketball playoffs roll along this weekend as eighth-seed Massapequa travels to top-ranked Port Washington for a 2 p.m. Friday quarterfinal game.
Hempstead, the fourth seed, hosts the No. 5 seed Farmingdale on Friday at 5 p.m. as well.
