Monika Kost

Induction Year: 2026

Categories: Basketball and Officiating

Location: Lindenhurst

Monika Kost was a three-sport standout at Lindenhurst High School, excelling in basketball, volleyball and field hockey. She remains one of the most accomplished girls basketball players in Suffolk County history and is Lindenhurst’s all-time leading scorer with 1,428 career points.

A four-time All-League selection, three-time All-County honoree and three-time All-Long Island pick, Kost made history as the first sophomore ever named to Newsday’s prestigious All-Long Island basketball team. During her legendary senior season, she averaged 20 points, 18 rebounds and six assists per game while leading Lindenhurst to an undefeated 14-0 League I championship, the Suffolk County title, the Long Island Class A championship and a berth in the New York State semifinals.

In 1987, she was named New York State Miss Basketball and the Gatorade New York State Player of the Year, capping one of the finest high school careers in Long Island history.

Kost continued her playing career at Duke University on a full basketball scholarship, where she earned team MVP honors. She later won a gold medal in team handball at the 1994 U.S. Olympic Festival and competed with the United States National Team program.

Following her playing career, Kost established herself as one of the premier girls basketball officials on Long Island. Over a distinguished 20-year career officiating in Section XI and the Long Island Catholic League, she was ranked Suffolk County’s No. 1 girls basketball official in 13 of her 15 varsity seasons.

Beyond athletics, Kost has dedicated herself to public service as a volunteer firefighter and Second Assistant Chief with the Cherry Grove Fire Department. Professionally, she is a respected healthcare leader and physician assistant, currently serving as Director of Advanced Clinical Providers at Northwell Health’s Huntington Hospital.