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Carmen Congelli named MHAL softball player of the year

Justin Rodriguez — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 23:34:10 +0000

On some days last season, Manhattan traffic kept Carmen Congelli from getting from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center to Marlboro High in time for softball games.
And, even if her parents could get through all the rubbernecking in time, Congelli was too drained from the chemotherapy sessions to play: Reduced to sitting the bench in the dugout for most of the year.
However, still battling rhabdomyosarcoma – a rare soft-tissue cancer – Congelli played in all 20 of Marlboro’s games this season.
Not only that, Congelli, a junior shortstop, slapped the ball around and ate up grounders like she did two years ago when she was a Varsity845 first-team all-star. Mid-Hudson Athletic League’s coaches think so much of Congelli that they named her the league’s Player of the Year.
“Last year was really hard, just not being able to help your team,” Congelli said. “This means a lot after all I’ve been through. I see that I can still play and accomplish things.”
Congelli, who missed Marlboro’s run to the Class B state semifinals last year, hit .430 with 12 runs this season. She undergoes weekly chemotherapy treatments at Sloan-Kettering and St. Francis Hospital in Poughkeepsie. Doctors first diagnosed Carmen with early stage IV rhabdomyosarcoma in September 2008. There is no stage V.
Rhabdomyosarcoma is a fast-growing, highly malignant tumor. Back in November, Congelli thought she had beaten cancer. Tests revealed it was gone. However, two months later, the cancer returned.
“Carmen was the heart of our team and, no matter what, she picked up her teammates,” Marlboro coach Jen Veronesi said. “That drove our team, we all rallied around her. Carmen’s life is on the line, but she’s still battling, picking people up.”
Congelli said she feels good and plans on playing summer travel ball for the Mid-Hudson Rebels. Marlboro, Newburgh Free Academy, Highland and the Rebels held fundraisers for Congelli during the season. Kingston senior shortstop Ali Ferraro, a close friend of Congelli and a teammate on the Rebels, is trying to put together a Section 9 all-star game to benefit Congelli.
“I feel strong, to be honest, I feel good,” Congelli said. “I know that sounds weird coming from someone with cancer. But I feel real good. Last year, I was tired and beat up.”

Still looking for a college? SUNY Orange offering softball showcase

Justin Rodriguez — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 21:26:04 +0000

The SUNY Orange softball coaching staff is inviting any non-committed seniors and all college-bound juniors to a showcase at 3 p.m. on June 21 in Middletown.
Under the direction of Stacey Morris, Orange is usually a Region XV player. Players who attend will run through a series of drills.
After that, players will be divided up into two teams for a scrimmage, and evaluation. Players eceive a t-shirt for their participation. The fee is $45 and the rain date is set for June 23. If you have any questions, please call Morris at (845) 341-4215. For more info, check out: http://ociaa.ouboces.org/sunyorangesbshowcase2010.pdf

More schools step up to help Marlboro’s Carmen Congelli

Justin Rodriguez — Thu, 20 May 2010 21:12:13 +0000

These days, Marlboro athletic director Jonnah O’Donnell is getting a lot of calls from her Mid-Hudson Athletic League rivals.
And they all have one question – how can we help Carmen Congelli?
Support, already passionate for Marlboro’s starting shortstop, continues to grow. She has battled rhabdomyosarcoma – a rare soft-tissue cancer – for 20 months. Last week, Newburgh Free Academy coach Mike Truncale helped set up the “Strike Out Cancer” game between Newburgh Free Academy and Minisink Valley — which raised awareness and $5,990 for Congelli’s Carmenstrong fund.
Now, two more events have been set up to raise money for Congelli, 16, who undergoes chemotherapy sessions at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York once a week. Despite her grueling fight, she is still one of the best players in the MHAL.
Marlboro will host Beacon in a benefit scrimmage at 4 p.m. on Tuesday. Beacon coach Cathy Schetter is a friend of the Congelli family. Highland coach Mike Milliman helped set up a four-way scrimmage with his team, Kingston, Rondout Valley and host Pine Plains, starting at 4 p.m. Thursday, to benefit Congelli.
Each team will play two games on Pine Plains’ two fields.
“Everybody has rallied around Carmen and we’re going to continue to,” O’Donnell said. “Something like this happens and you look at the big picture. We’ve gotten so much support from schools like Highland and Pine Plains. It’s like the name on the front of your jersey doesn’t even matter.”
“Carmen is just such a strong-willed, wonderful person,” said Milliman, a transition coordinator at Highland and Marlboro, who has gotten to know Congelli. “We had to do something for her. She has really moved a lot of people.”

State softball rankings

Justin Rodriguez — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 23:02:58 +0000

CLASS AA
1: 12-0 Tottenville-PSAL
2: 10-0 Bay Shore-11
3: 5-0 Horseheads-4
4: 9-0 Columbia-2
5: 8-0 East Meadow-8
6: 12-0 St. Joe’s by the Sea-CHS
7: 4-0 Clarence-6
8: 4-0-1 Liverpool-3
9: 9-1 Commack-11
10: 6-0 Shenendehowa-2
11: 3-0 Williamsville North-6
12: 4-0 Webster Schroeder-5
13: 5-1 North Rockland-1
14: 8-0 East Islip-11
15: 3-0-1 Cicero-North Syracuse-3
16: 6-0 Ketcham-1
17: 7-0 Valley Central-9
18: 5-0 Bethlehem-2
19: 3-1 Arlington-1
20: 8-2 Long Beach-8

CLASS A
1: 7-0 Pearl River-1
2: 6-0 Elmira Free Academy-4
3: 10-0 Hauppauge-11
4: 10-1 Seaford-8
5: 4-1 Victor-5
6: 3-0 South Glens Falls-2
7: 5-0 Eastchester-1
8: 8-0 Cornwall-9
9: 3-0 Amherst-6
10: 9-1 Kings Park-11
11: 8-3 Floral Park-8
12: 4-0 Harrison-1
13: 4-2 Corning West-4
14: 3-2 Pittsford Mendon-5
15: 2-1 Johnson City-4
16: 5-0 Maryvale-6
17: 9-1 Plainedge-8
18: 6-2 Goshen-9
19: 7-1 Homer-3
20: 5-1 Rochester Mercy-5

CLASS B
1: 3-0 Mechanicville-2
2: 10-0 Marlboro-9
3: 6-1 Windsor-4
4: 0-0 Fredonia-6
5: 4-0 Mynderse-5
6: 5-1 Dobbs Ferry-1
7: 2-2 Chenango Valley-4
8: 6-1 Westhill-3
9: 6-0 Bishop Ludden-3
10: 4-3 Wayland-Cohocton-5
11: 3-1 Cohoes-2
12: 4-1 Susquehanna Valley-4
13: 5-1 Dunkirk-6
14: 3-0 Taconic Hills-2
15: 8-1 Babylon-11
16: 1-0 Canton-10
17: 5-2 Highland-9
18: 4-1 Schuylerville-2
19: 2-2 Buffalo Mount Mercy-CHS
20: 1-0 Salmon River-10

CLASS C
1: 4-0 Rhinebeck-9
2: 4-1 Hoosick Falls-2
3: 5-0 Tioga-4
4: 7-0 Lancaster St. Mary’s-CHS
5: 4-0 South Lewis-3
6: 3-0 Duanesburg-2
7: 6-0 Haldane-1
8: 3-2 Binghamton Seton-4
9: 7-0 Greene-4
10: 6-0 Gananda-5
11: 7-1 Immaculata-CHS
12: 2-0 Ticonderoga-7
13: 4-0 Sandy Creek-3
14: 6-2 Port Jefferson-11
15: 5-0 Elmira Notre Dame-4
16: 3-0 Tuxedo-9
17: 2-0 Keshequa-5
18: 8-0 Friends-8
19: 3-0 Lake George-2
20: 4-1 Chapel Field-9

CLASS D
1: 5-2 Afton-4
2: 1-0 Batavia Notre Dame-5
3: 6-2 Stockbridge Valley-3
4: 0-0 Forestville-6
5: 1-0 Heuvelton-10
6: 1-0 Crown Point-7
7: 5-0 Northstar Christian-5
8: 4-1 Livingston Manor-9
9: 0-0 Elba-5
10: 8-0 Schenevus-4
11: 4-1 Hamilton-3
12: 3-0 Hartford-2
13: 0-0 Maple Grove-6
14: 4-1 Downsville-4
15: 1-0 Harrisville-10
16: 2-1 Fort Ann-2
17: 6-1 Jefferson-4
18: 6-2 Deposit-4
19: 1-0 Madrid-Waddington-10
20: 0-0 Bolivar-Richburg-5

Goshen goal-scorer Esposito headed up north to play in college

Justin Rodriguez — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 00:03:13 +0000

Star Goshen striker Dan Esposito is going from one powerhouse to another.
Esposito, who led Goshen to consecutive Section 9 Class A titles (2008-09) will play at Division III national player SUNY Plattsburgh next year.
Plattsburgh finished last season 13-3-6, losing to Rochester 3-0 in the second round of the NCAA Division III tournament. The Cardinal enetered that game ranked 19th in the nation.
Plattsburgh coach Chris Waterbury, who just finished his 2th season, has led the team to 22 straight winning seasons, averaging 15 wins during that stretch.
“It’s a little intimidating,” said Esposito, who scored 18 goals in each of the last two seasons for Goshen. “But I’m used to pressure. I feel good. I don’t know how much I will play (as a freshman), but want to get on the field.”

One of best softball pitchers in Section 9 done for season

Justin Rodriguez — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 01:57:53 +0000

Roosevelt ace Jenn Reitemeyer shut down Valley Central in last year’s Section 9 Class AA championship.
And, perhaps, Valley Central would have to go through Reitemeyer – one of the top pitchers in the area – for the title again this spring.
However, now Valley Central, and the rest of Section 9, won’t have to worry about Reitemeyer’s lights out stuff ever again.
According to Roosevelt coach Pat Moshier, Reitemeyer is no longer on the team. Moshier said Reitemeyer is suffering from a torn labrum in her right shoulder which will require surgery. He had moved her to play first base and designate hitter.
But Moshier said that he, Reitemeyer and her parents agreed mutually that she should leave the team after the parties couldn’t agree on when her surgery would be scheduled. Reitemeyer went 21-4 with a 0.76 ERA last year and tossed a four-hitter in a 2-0 win over Valley Central in last year’s Section 9 Class AA title game.
“I don’t agree with the middle of the season because there are commitments to the team,” Moshier said. “I wish Jenn all the best. I hope she breaks every record (at Division II East Stroudsburg) next year. But you can’t break the rules for one player.”
Added Valley Central coach Frank Jordan, whose team is now even more of a favorite to win the Class AA championship: “On one end, it helps us. But we still want to play the best. We were prpearing for her. My heart goes out to her for all the hard work she’s put in.”
In my opinion, Reitemeyer is the second best pitcher in Section 9, behind Livingston Manor’s Marissa Diescher. Valley Central’s Jane Pinckney is a close third.
According to Jordan, Pinckney was hoping for a rematch with Reitemeyer. It should be noted that, even with Reitemeyer, Rossevelt wasn’t a lock for the title game. The Dutchess County school lost six starters from last year.

Atticus DeProspo to play in big-time youth tourney

Justin Rodriguez — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 20:49:17 +0000

Global soccer superstars like Landon Donovan, David Beckham and Wayne Rooney have played in the tournament.
Now, it’s Atticus DeProspo’s turn.
DeProspo, a defender from Goshen, has made the IMG Soccer Academy’s Under-17 roster for the prestigous Dallas Cup. He has trained at IMG in Bradenton, Fla. since August of 2008.
IMG opens group stage play on Monday. The Dallas Cup was first held in 1980 and, since its inception, has played host to teams from 45 states, 100 countries and six continents. The event draws an average of 160,000 spectators each year.
Boys’ – ages 12-19 – participate in seven age groups at the tournament.
DeProspo played for Don Bosco Prep, a private Catholic school in Ramsey, before arriving at IMG. Several Ivy League schools are interested in DeProspo, a junior.

All-state hockey announced

Justin Rodriguez — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 20:02:55 +0000

The New York State High School Hockey Coaches Association has announced the 2009-10 All State Hockey Team.

Division 1

First Team

G Dakota Sharp Canton SR
D Ryan Michel West Genesee SR
D Kevin Norwin Suffern SR
F Erich Haney West Genesee SR
F Zach Lewis West Genesee SR
F Jake Jaeger Suffern JR
F Cody Nizolek Saratoga SR

Second Team

G Mark Miller Baldwinsville SR
D Ryan McGee White Plains SR
D Connor Bertrand Baldwinsville SR
F Willy Baker Suffern JR
F Josh Baker Frontier Sr
F Richie Prunesti New Rochelle JR

Honorable Mention

G Devin Arnold Canisius SR
D John Fuchs Suffern JR
D Nino DiPasquale Pittsford Soph
F Matt Oliverio Scarsdale SR
F David Everett Niagara-Wheatfield SR
F Jake Rosen Williamsville North Soph

Division 2

First Team

G Chris Harper Ogdensburg SR
D Anthony Soprano Queensbury SR
D Chris Luker New Hartford SR
F Kevin Valenti Queensbury JR
F Clayton Whittemore New Hartford SR
F Matthew Casillo Webster-Thomas SR
F Jason Fitzgerald New Hartford SR

Second Team

G Trevor Diamond Skaneateles Soph
D Lucas Hay Queensbury SR
D Trevor Clark Williamsville South SR
F Mark Arnone Kenmore East SR
F Michael Iuiianello Webster-Thomas SR
F Erik Whitcombe Ogdensburg SR

Honorable Mention

G Alex Cooper Bethlehem Central SR
D Stephen O’Sick Glens Falls SR
D Brett Pesce Sleepy Hollow/Irvington Soph
F Taka Katsuta Rye SR
F Paul Mundinger Rye SR
F Josh Koerner Burke Catholic JR

One of area’s top hockey players lighting it up in Jersey

Justin Rodriguez — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 03:24:48 +0000

He scores a lot, a hat trick waiting to happen almost every game.
He sets up his teammates with dazzling assists.
He could be the best high school hockey player in the area.
Meet Chester’s Connor Leen – a senior center at Don Bosco Prep in Ramsey, N.J.
Leen, who hopes to take his game to a Division I college, has 32 goals and 20 assists for Don Bosco this season. He’s put up another 15 goals and 38 assists from his junior team – the Jersey Hitmen of the Eastern Junior Hockey League.
Best part about putting the puck in the back of the net: “I’d just say getting the team in the lead, or putting the team ahead, or turning the game with little time to go. Just scoring, it’s the best feeling.”
If he could beat one defender: “Eddie Burch from Monroe-Woodbury. He is my good friend, but I would burn him.”
Favorite move: “The backhand toe drag. I’m a lefty and I push the puck to my left side. I pull it across my body with my backhand and beat the defender wide right. The defender usually goes one way and, before he knows it, I go the other way.”
Who he patterns his game after: “I like St. Louis center T.J. Oshie. I just like his offensive skills and he has good hands.”
Favorite athlete in another sport: “I like Reggie Bush, I like his running speed and how he carries the ball. He’s real swift.”
Worst habit: “I would say snapping my gum. It drives my mom crazy, she has an ear for it.”
Favorite video game: NHL 10 on Xbox 360. I play it with my friends when I have nothing else to do.
Dream date: The girl from the movie “Transformers” (Megan Fox). No, actually, it’s my girlfiend, Elsa Javenes.
In five years, he will be: “Playing hockey in the Hockey East.” Leen plans on playing another year of junior hockey before college.
Justin Rodriguez

Alex Bramall named Gatorade boys’ soccer state player of the year

Justin Rodriguez — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 23:37:18 +0000

He’s the only two-time Varsity845 boys’ soccer Player of the Year and Alex Bramall was named a first-team all-American this fall by ESPN Rise and the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.
However, even Bramall, who led Newburgh Free Academy to the Class AA state title in November, knows what it feels like to be snubbed.
Shortly after the season, Brentwood’s Andrew Jean-Baptiste was named the New York State Sportswriters Association player of the year. Bramall, a midfielder, scored the game-winning goal in Newburgh’s 2-1 win over Brentwood of Long Island in the state championship.
And while Jean-Baptiste, a talented midfielder, has the NYSSWA award, Bramall was named the Gatorade boys’ soccer player of the year (2009-10) on Thursday. He is now a finalist for the Gatorade national player of the year to be announced in May.
“I feel a lot better now,” said Bramall, who will play at St. John’s this fall. “After the season, I thought about it, and I felt I deserved the (NYSSWA) award. We won and I scored the game-winning goal. But different people see the game different and Andrew is a great player.”
Added Newburgh coach Matt Iorlano: “This award carries more clout as far as recognition. The sportswriters’ poll, Long Island has a lot of pull, there is a lot of politics. The fact that Alex didn’t get that award, I thought it was an injustice. He definitely deserves this.”
The Gatorade award recognized, not only Bramall’s play, but his academics and character off the field. He has maintained a B average in the classroom and volunteers working with autistic children in Newburgh with the club team Soccer Plus Academy.
The player of the year selection process is run by ESPN RISE and Gatorade’s high school sports leadership team. Past state award-winners in 12 different sports include Derek Jeter (1991-92, Kalamazoo High, Mich.), Mark Sanchez (2004-05, Mission Viejo High, Calif.) and Kevin Garnett (1992-93, Maudlin High, S.C.)
“Soccer means the most to me,” Bramall said. “But it’s nice to win an award that recognizes you on and off the field. I’ve never done that before, but maybe this is the start of something.”