Jameson Corsillo, seven years old from White Plains was selected by former World No. 1 tennis player John McEnroe to receive partial scholarship to attend the John McEnroe Tennis Academy at Sportime at Randall’s Island.
Photo credit: Fred Levine/FALPhotography

White Plains Athletes Excel

By: Albert Coqueran

Published: August 02, 2010

Tennis

On July 14, seven-year-old Jameson Corsillo of White Plains and four other boys ages six to 16 were selected from open tryouts to receive scholarships to the John McEnroe Tennis Academy, which will open in September at Sportime on Randall’s Island.

Corsillo was chosen to receive a partial scholarship by former World No.1 player John McEnroe from over 200 boys who tried out. The other boys winning scholarships were: Aleksandar Kovacevic, 11, of Manhattan, who received the only full scholarship; Ethan Leon, 9, of Woodhaven; Mitchell Ostrovsky, 12, of Brooklyn; and Lamar Remy, 14, of Roslyn, who also won partial scholarships.

Corsillo and the four other winners also got the opportunity to demonstrate their tennis skills by playing in front of a sold-out crowd with McEnroe and Andy Roddick between events at the New York Sportime vs. Philadelphia Freedom match.

McEnroe also granted seven girls scholarships to the John McEnroe Tennis Academy. Among the winners was Loren Haukova, 11, from Elmsford, NY, who will receive a partial scholarship.

           

 Baseball

White Plains native Mike Gazzola graduated in May after a notable academic and baseball career at Manhattan College, in Riverdale. The left-handed starter was voted Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Pitcher of the Year in 2009. Gazzola is one of only three pitchers in Manhattan College history to earn that distinction.

During the 2009 Jaspers postseason, Gazzola gained notoriety by pitching four complete games for wins and being selected to the All-MAAC Tournament Team.

Rob Ardino from White Plains, a senior next semester at Manhattan College, pitched the Jaspers into the 2010 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Playoffs by retiring 9 of 11 batters faced in relief, without allowing a hit

Photo credit: Albert Coqueran

On May 21, Gazzola took the mound against Siena College seeking a victory and a MAAC playoff berth, as the Jaspers 2010 postseason hopes lay in the balance. It was “win or go home” for the Jaspers and for the Saints of Siena as well, as the winner clinched the last MAAC Playoff berth.

Gazzola started the game but was relieved after pitching just one and two-thirds innings. However, Gazzola’s troubled fate in the game created an opportunity for another White Plains athlete to excel. With the Jaspers losing 17-12, in the eighth inning, Leigthton called upon White Plains resident Rob Ardino to pitch.

Ardino, a junior last semester, entered the must-win game for the Jaspers, with no outs and a runner on first base. The lefty hit the initial batter he faced, to the dismay of the Jaspers hometown crowd in Van Cortlandt Park. But Ardino lifted the spirits of the Jaspers’ faithful when he retired the next five batters and went on to pitch three innings without relinquishing a hit. Ardino retired 9 of 11 batters in the game and was the winning pitcher, as the Jaspers rallied to defeat Siena 19-18 in 10 innings, believe it or not!

Congratulations to Friend and Colleague Bill Madden

I am dedicating this story to my friend Bill Madden, who was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, in Cooperstown, NY, on Sunday, July 25.

Teri Thompson, Managing Editor/Sports of the NY Daily News [left], with sports writers, Anthony McArron [second left] and Peter Botte [right], congratulate colleague Bill Madden [second right], on his induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, at the Hall of Fame Reception, in Cooperstown, NY, on Saturday, July 24.

Photo credit: Albert Coqueran

I have known and associated with Madden for about 12 years, while covering professional baseball in N.Y. Now he is honored as he should be in The National Baseball Hall of Fame. Congratulations to Bill and his wife Lillian!

Local Sports Honors

School teams End Year On High Notes

By: Albert Coqueran

Published: June 30, 2010

Stepinac Hardwood Club Honors Past & Present

The Third Annual Archbishop Stepinac High School Hardwood Club Dinner was held Thurs., June 24, at Stepinac High School. An audience of approximately 125 people welcomed the 2010 Hardwood Club inductees.

To be inducted into the Stepinac Hardwood Club is synonymous with being granted Hall of Fame status as an alumnus of Crusaders basketball.

The 2009-10 Crusaders Basketball Team that captured Stepinac’s first CHSAA City Championship since 1993, received their Championship Rings at the Hardwood Club Dinner, on Thursday, June 24.

Photo credit: Albert Coqueran

Another highlight of the evening’s festivities was the presentation of the Championship Rings to the 2010 Crusaders Basketball Team, who won this year’s Catholic High School Athletic Association (CHSAA) Class-A City Championship.

The 2010 Stepinac Hardwood Club Inductees include: The Hammel brothers, Bob, Brain and Bert (left standing), Thomas Parotta (front row second right) Frank Magaletta (right) and the 1991 Crusaders Championship Team.

Photo credit: Albert Coqueran

Frank Magaletta, the longtime White Plains Recreation Supervisor scored over 1000 points during his three varsity seasons at Stepinac. Magaletta was selected as All County and First Team All-CHSAA in 1966.

Megaletta’s Crusaders team of 1966 snapped Lou Alcindor (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) and Power Memorial High School’s three-year CHSAA 66-game winning streak.

“It was 44 years ago when I was here (at Stepinac).  I remember when we played White Plains High School in the first White Plains inner city basketball game,” reflected Magaletta.

Parrotta who now coaches Canisius College with former White Plains High School star Rishawn Johnson on his team, was elated about his Hardwood Club induction.“ When you have fond memories of a place like Stepinac and they bestow an honor like this on you, it is very touching. It is a good warm feeling,” expressed Parotta.

Former Fairfield University Head Coach Tim O’Toole (’82), now a college basketball analyst for CNTV, was the Mater of Ceremonies. O’Toole proclaimed, “What this tradition symbolizes is what Stepinac has to offer especially in high school basketball.”

“Team Up for Turf”

The Stepinac Fundraiser to raise money for a new athletic facility is well underway having raised over $900,000 to date.

However the new athletic facility is estimated to cost about $1.9 million. Stepinac is hoping to raise the other $1 million to start the project by May 2011 and to have the facility completed by the start of the September 2011 sports season.

Anyone interested in donating to “Team Up for Turf” contact Stepinac Athletic Director Michael O’Donnell at 946-4800/ Ext. 373 or Paul Thomas at 946-4800 or pthomas@stepinac.org. For more information on “Team Up for Turf” log onto turf@stepinac.org

Lauren Sputo an All-Time Winner

The White Plains High School Softball Team lost this season in the second round of the Section-1 Playoffs to The Ursuline School. However, the Tigers ace pitcher Lauren Sputo, after only her junior year, has left a legacy that is unprecedented and may never be surpassed.

Sputo was named to the Second Team All-New York State this year, while her 2010 pitching statistics would scare any team scheduled to play the Tigers next year.

Pitcher Lauren Sputo (left) broke the All-Time Wins and Strikeouts records for White Plains High School Softball throwing to battery-mate catcher Emily Frawley this year Sputo selected to Second Team All-NY State.

Photo credit: Albert Coqueran

In her 22 games pitched in 2010, Sputo gave up a measly six earned runs, which equaled a .30 earned run average. She also had four Perfect Games, seven no-hitters and12 shutouts this season.

Sputo with 31 career-shutouts also broke the Tigers shutout record in her junior year. However, what is most impressive about the Tigers fireball throwing ace, is she now maintains the All-Time Wins Record for WPHS Softball with 60 wins in her junior year.

“It is an honor to break any record that Tara (Pollard) set. She was incredible, when I was younger, I would watch her pitch and think that is how I want to pitch.  It is a good feeling but I could not have done it without a strong team behind me,” commented Sputo.

The Tigers ended their 2010 campaign 17-5, and were ranked 23^rd in New York State.

Stepinac Honors Best of Championship Team

By: Albert Coqueran

Published: June 01, 2010

Archbishop Stepinac High School held their annual Basketball Awards Dinner, to honor the best of the best of the 2010 Class-A City Championship Team, on Mon., May 3. “I enjoyed watching you play on all levels because you played with dignity,” recited Stepinac President Monsignor Anthony Marchitelli, before his prayer to begin the ceremony.

Head Coach Tim Philp led the Crusaders to their first City Championship since 1993. Philp distinguished with the Westchester County and Catholic High School Athletic Association (CHSAA) Coach of the Year Awards, presented the Varsity Team Awards to his outstanding players from 2010.Stepinac’s junior center Conroy Baltimore was selected as the Most Valuable Player. “Conroy altered games with his rebounding and defense. Conroy not only altered the games, he controlled games,” admired Philp.

Stepinac High School’s 2010 Most Valuable Player Conroy Baltimore (right) presented his award by Head Coach Tim Philp, the CHSAA Class-A and Westchester County Coach of the Year.

Photo credit: Albert Coqueran

Senior Kadeem Francis was honored as Offensive Player of the Year and senior Richie Whitten, Defensive Player of the Year. Senior Thomas Decker, who was honored with the Con Edison Award this season, presented the 2010 Crusader Award.

- Head Coach Tim Philp (left) with 2010 Honorees from the Crusaders CHSAA A-City Championship team: Left to right, Richie Whitten, Defensive Player of the Year, Thomas Decker, Crusader Award, MVP, Conroy Baltimore and Offensive Player of the Year, Kadeem Francis.

Photo credit: Albert Coqueran

The Freshman Team (19-5), competed in the Championship game this season but were defeated by Cardinal Hayes High School. Freshman Head Coach Jason Douglas honored: M.V.P., Shane Hogan, Offense, Josh James, Defense, Malik Omess and Brain Ray received the Crusader Award.

The Cheerleading Squad coached by Roxanne Calvello and assembled of students from Maria Regina, Our Lady of Victory and Good Counsel High Schools, were all honored with Stepinac Varsity Letters.

 The Crusader Basketball Awards Dinner was accentuated by a film edited by Paul Burack displaying highlights from the Varsity’s regular and postseason Championship year. Stepinac Athletic Director Mike O’Donnell even took a moment to recognize the White Plains Times for our coverage of the Crusaders City Championship season.