6560 BROOKLYN MEDIA GROUP • APRBIRL O29O -K MLAYYN 5 M, 2E0D16IA GROUP sports ROC 47 an absolute success! It was another sold-out show for Lou Neglia’s Ring of Combat as the Tropicana Casino played host to ROC 47 in January. The atmosphere was electric and fight fans packed the venue to show support for the long running promotion and to also cheer on their favorite fighter. “I am always proud for the support we get receive from the fight fans and the community, said Neglia, Ring of Combat president. “A lot of hard work goes into each and every Ring of Combat show and when you receive that kind of support from the fans, you just can’t say “thank you” enough.” Bonnies lose lead to Molloy in late innings At a time when MMA promotions are battling for the number two spot (behind the UFC) or busy calling each other out, Neglia’s Ring of Combat continues to stand behind its successful formula of keeping it simple and giving the fight fans what they pay to see — great, evenly matched fights from tomorrow’s superstars. This formula was again in play for ROC 47 as five fighters have earned the right to wear ROC gold in competitive and entertaining matchups. All titles were vacated by ROC alumni who now compete in the UFC such as current UFC Middleweight champion Chris Weidman and undefeated prospect, Ryan LaFlare, to name only a couple. Neglia feels this group of newly crowned champions will also go on to compete in the UFC just like their predecessors. Julio Arce fighting on his way to winning affirmed Neglia. “I have no fighters doubt that they will be getting where the call to compete in the UFC Ring and just to make it to the big announce stage alone makes the ROC •Chris team and me very proud.” Champion; At ROC 47, Neglia was joined •Julio by good friends and also former Champion; Ring of Combat alumni Weidman, •Elijah Frankie Edgar and Matt Serra, who all went on to become UFC •Keith “This group of new Ring of champions. All three are regular Champion; Combat champions is a very talented attendees at Ring of Combat •James group of fighters,” events as they always support the Fontbonne falls to St. John’s in Brooklyn/Queens semi-BY JIM DOLAN Fontbonne’s Adrienna Boumoussa (nine points) goes up for the high scorer (20 points) Amalia Downer. In the fourth quarter, Downer baskets that would propel St. Johns to a 47-43 win over Fontbonne Brooklyn/Queens semi-finals. MAJOR DIVISION – Director – Frank Bruno BRONCOS Coaches: Ben Watson and David Nisbet Players: Gaetano Napoli, Salvatore Napoli, Solomon Mercado, Xavier Cabellero, Emir Bojescu, Dillon Connell, Sakye Mercado, David Nisbet, Johnny Nisbet, Benjamin Watson, Kyle Duncan, Nicholas DiAngelis, Daniel Quintela, Justa Lata, Taso Stathopoulos, Brandon Diaz, Elija Challenger Lewis and Johnny Santiago. Special Awards All Star Game MVP – Elija Challenger Lewis; Team MVP – David Nisbet; Coaches Award – Benjamin Watson; Outstanding Offensive Lineman – Emir Bojescu; Outstanding Defensive Lilneman – Solomon Mercado; Outstanding Offensive Back – Elijah Challenger Lewis; Outstanding Definsive Back – Justin St. John’s Prep 47, Fontbonne 43 Earning a buy for the first round of this season’s CHSAA Division II Brooklyn/Queens playoffs, the first seeded Bonnies were naturally looking forward to cruising past their semi-final opponent to go straight to the championship game. After completing a strong 14-2 season for first place, the Bonnies never counted on fifth seeded (8-8) St. John’s Prep to come to the semis on fire. During Fontbonne’s two previous regular season encounters, the Bonnies had handily beaten the Red Storm twice, by 19 and 12 points respectively. Now the Bonnies were facing a re-energized team that gained a 10-8 lead in the first quarter. Although Fontbonne clawed their way to a 25-19 half time lead, the Red Storm played tougher than expected and managed to throw off the Bonnies’ offensive rhythm. Although the Bonnies held on to a 32- 28 third quarter lead, it appeared that the Red Storm was playing a more relaxed game while the Bonnies labored for each of their baskets. That relaxed game finally erupted for a stinging lead in the fourth quarter at the 5:14 minute mark when Amalia Downer drained a long three point shot for a 38-36 St. Johns lead. Downer (20 points), the Storm’s high scorer, struck like lightning twice more with a consecutive pair of three point shots to give the Red Storm a demoralizing 44-38 lead over Fontbonne with 1:32 left in the game. Still clawing to make a comeback in the last minute and a half, the Bonnies could only eke out five more points to the Red Storm’s three points for a final score of 47-43. Despite Kate Oliver’s usual strong scoring effort (17 points), the ball just wasn’t dropping as usual for the team, especially for Fontbonne’s recently hot scorer, freshman Meaghan Glynn, who scored only eight points. Besides their offensive swoon, the Bonnies entered this semi-final round without star center Kristen Sullivan who was out to a season-ending knee injury. Good for at least 10 rebounds and 10 points a game, it was evident that “Sully’s” game was sorely missing. After St. John’s “Cinderella win” over Fontbonne, the Red Storm cooled off in the CHSAA finals on Saturday March 1, when they were beaten by second seeded Bishop Kearney by the score of 55- 28. In addition to Kearney’s Varsity championship, the Tigers also brought home another championship when their underclassmen beat Fontbonne for the JV crown, 40-32. Commenting on the bitter loss to St. John’s, Fontbonne’s Head Coach Stephen Oliver stated, “We all took this loss very hard considering all the work we did this season to finish in first place with a 14-2 record.” Noting that this unexpected loss turned out to be a life lesson for him and his team, Oliver told his girls that this loss underscored the necessity to focus on issues at hand and not to be distracted by looking too far ahead. Still not out of the playoff picture, Fontbonne was awarded the number two seed for the School Diocesan of top Manhattan After capturing Queens Championship, Kearney will City wide tournament one seed. Photos courtesy of Lou Neglia Lou Neglia with Matt Serra, Frankie Edgar and Chris Weidman. By Jim Dolan Once again the Bonnies remained on the road and traveled to Queens to play their next league game against Molloy at Cunningham Park. Like their two previous wins to open the season, the Bonnies started this game by scoring early, only to lose their lead late in the game for their first loss of the season. Molloy 7, Fontbonne 5 After two outs to open the first inning, Natalie LaCognata stroked a double to left to start a four-run rally. Next up, Bianca Marletta followed with another double to left to score LaCognata, who in turn scored on a third consecutive double by Gabby Casagrande. Abigail Fogliano then followed with a single to give Fontbonne a 3-0 lead. Entering the game with an early 3-0 lead, Bonnies’ pitching ace Bianca Marletta maintained a steady 4-1 lead over the next four innings. By the fifth inning, the Marletta sisters increased the Bonnies’ lead once again as Bianca singled in Samantha for a substantial 5-1 lead going into the bottom of the fifth inning with only six more outs needed for the win. While only scoring just one run in the fifth inning to increase their lead to 5-1, the Bonnies missed a golden opportunity to add on some insurance runs by finishing the inning with the bases loaded. “Insurance runs” are very important when facing a team like Molloy – last season’s champs, said Fontbonne Coach Frank Marinello. The lack of insurance runs along with a total on nine Fontbonne errors; combined with Molloy’s Camille Sears’ pitching would eventually contribute to Fontbonne’s first loss over the next two innings. Unfortunately, the four-run lead did not hold up for Fontbonne as a combination of Molloy hits and sloppy infield play allowed three runs on three errors for the Stanners to creep back into the game within one run with the score now at 5-4. Sloppy play continued into the bottom of the sixth allowing Molloy to take a 7-5 lead, as Fontbonne’s last chance to bat came up in the top of the seventh inning. This time, the Bonnies couldn’t muster late inning heroics like they did to win their first two games, as the team could only manage a walk in a final attempt for a comeback win. This brings Fontbonne’s record to 2-1 for second place in their division. The Broncos. Photo courtesy of Anne Marie Marlettta As one of the top offensive contributors on the Fontbonne Varsity Softball Team, senior Gabby Casagrande is also one of two pitchers on this season’s 2016 squad. Parkville Youth Organization Football Awards The Falcons. Lata FALCONS Coaches: Steven DelGatto, Anthony DelGatto and Steven DelGatto Jr. Players: Angelo Gonzalez, Joseph Negron, Alphonse Russo, Patryk Szustka, Vincent DelGatto, Joshua Vega, Robert Knapp, Ryan O’Conner, William Soued, Dylan Bove, Jayden Goodman, Luca Tsitsushuclt, Robert Ferraioli, Joshua Navarez, Steven Navarro, Tyler DiPietro and Joseph Seykora. Special Awards All Star MVP – Ryan O’Conner; Team MVP – Alphonse Russo; Coaches Award – Jayden Goodman; Outstanding Offensive Back – Robert Ferraioli; Outstanding Defensive Back – Robert Knapp; Outstanding Offensive Lineman – Angelo Gonzalez; Outstanding Defensive Lineman – Joseph Seykora Continued next week
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