Commack boys lacrosse handles Riverhead behind childhood friends Zachary Fishman and James Pagano
Commack midfield Zachary Fishman drives to the net as Riverhead midfield Jacob Ohlbaum stays close during a Suffolk lacrosse game, Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at Riverhead. Credit: George A. Faella
Zachary Fishman and James Pagano have been playing lacrosse with each other since they were around 5 years old. Those little kids have grown into high school seniors and their connection for Commack after all this time is undeniable.
“You can tell we’ve been playing together our whole lives,” Fishman said. “This is our last chance and we’re going to make it count.”
They took turns setting each other up over the course of the Suffolk I boys lacrosse game Tuesday at Riverhead’s Pulaski Sports Complex. They also scored without each other’s help and set up others, too.
Fishman finished with five goals and five assists and Pagano delivered four goals and four assists, and the Cougars rolled past the Blue Waves 16-3.
“They’re really strong players for us,” coach Billy Grant said. “They’re the foundation of our offense and for our team. They’re leaders on and off the field, really strong personalities and really good lacrosse players.”
Pagano has committed to Richmond and Fishman to Geneseo. Right now, the two attackmen/midfielders and captains are committed to helping Commack (3-5, 3-3) reach the Class A playoffs.
They know it’s about more than just them.
“That’s kind of always been the question with Commack, same thing as last year, we know our offense is great, but how are we going to do in between the lines and on the defensive end?” Pagano said.
He saw those other facets shine on this day.
James Brusca, who had two goals, fed Fishman for a shot up top from almost 20 yards out — 1-0, 1:37 gone. Then Fishman fed Pagano for a goal a minute later.
By the time 5:59 had passed, Pagano owned a hat trick and it was 5-0. After Logan Dempsey scored for Riverhead (3-6, 2-5), Pagano passed to Fishman, and it was 6-1 after a quarter.
The lead expanded to 10-2 by halftime, 13-2 after three and 15-2 after Pagano assisted on two Fishman goals in the first four minutes of the fourth.
“Just our connection together has really fired on all cylinders this year,” Pagano said.
Riverhead went 14-4 last year — the best record in program history — and eliminated Commack in the first round. But the Blue Waves lost a lot of offense on graduation day.
“A learning year,” coach Vic Guadagnino said. “We’re trying to build it up. They’re just bigger, faster, stronger. We can’t compete at that level right now.”
