We're less than a month from competition in the high school season.
So it begs the question, who has the best team name in Westchester and Putnam counties?
With this poll, we tried to pick the 12 most unique names and want you to choose what you think is the best.
This poll will close at 3 p.m. Thursday, August 13.
Did we miss one? Email me at pstrum@lohud.com
Fox Lane Foxes
If you're Fox Lane High School in Bedford, why not be the Foxes? It's possible to see foxes on occasion in the Lower Hudson Valley, it makes for a cool logo and it's easy to remember.
Hastings Yellow Jackets
From some research on the Hastings Historical Society web page, it appears the first instance of the yellow jacket had to do with a yearbook that was released in the 1940s that had a yellow cover. From there, the district
was abuzz with bee puns. A name with some sting that might also be pun-based seems like a plus.
Keio Academy Unicorns
Having a team in our coverage named Unicorns is unique, just like the legendary single-horned creature itself. Keio, located in Purchase, is a private high school sponsored by Keio University in Tokyo.
Lakeland Hornets
Another team name with some sting, the Shrub Oak-based Lakeland Hornets get a spot on this list. The Hornets were a popular name when the NBA's Charlotte Hornets came into existence in 1988 and a ton of kids had their Starter jacket.
Mahopac WolfPac
Mahopac got to take a stab at a new nickname in the last three years and the WolfPac with the "pac" for Mahopac was an interesting choice for the Putnam County school.
Ossining Pride
Ossining is another school who had a recent shot at picking a new nickname and came up with Pride, along with a logo of a lion, as in a pride of lions.
Pelham Pelicans
The Pelham historian website lists the Pell family coat of arms as the reason that the Pelicans name is used in various forms around Pelham. Pelicans found its way into more of the public conscience when the original Charlotte Hornets of the NBA relocated to New Orleans and became the Pelicans.
Rye Garnets
Rye has one of the more interesting name we're certain many of their opponents and announcers around the state likely don't know the origin of without an online search. Common explanation is that a large number of garnets was found during the school's construction.
Sleepy Hollow Horsemen
This is among the most popular nicknames around, especially around Halloween. How can you have Sleepy Hollow (the village was originally North Tarrytown) without that character on the horse riding in. That's especially been an attraction at Sleepy Hollow football games.
Somers Tuskers
Among the more interesting backstories around, Somers is the Tuskers because Somers resident Hachaliah Bailey bought an elephant named Old Bet and eventually that led to the Bailey Circus, which in later years became the Ringling Bros. & Barnum & Bailey Circus.
Ursuline Koalas
A bear you don't see often, the private all girls school in New Rochelle went with Koalas. You can decide if that nickname Koala-fies as the best in the area.
Yorktown Huskers
Originally Cornhuskers and eventually shortened to Huskers, the Yorktown nickname has a history tied to the area's agriculture.
Phil Strum is local sports editor for The Journal News/lohud.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: What is best HS team name in Westchester/Putnam, sponsored by White Plains Hospital?
