Girls’ Varsity Basketball 1927 – 1932

In sports, the word “dynasty” is reserved only for teams or athletic programs that achieve a status of unquestioned dominance over a period of years. Consider the New York Yankees’ dynasties and those of the New England Patriots, UCLA mens’ basketball (1964-75), and UConn womens’ basketball (2013 and beyond). Now let us add another dynasty to the list, for there is no better word to describe the Patchogue High School Girls’ Basketball program from 1927 through 1932. Under the tutelage of Miss Dora Ruland, the PHS Lady Red Raiders accomplished excellence that has gone unmatched in nearly a century of Patchogue-Medford sports history, by either girls’ or boys’ programs. Over those five basketball seasons Miss Ruland’s teams went a perfect five- for-five in winning league and sectional titles, and in four of those seasons went as far as any team could, culminating as champions of all of Suffolk County. The accomplishments of these young women and their great coach shall now live on forever in the Patchogue-Medford Hall of Fame.