The Tigers defeated the Crusaders, 7-1, in the namesake Joe McAvoy (pictured center) city rivalry game. [L-r] Shortstop Nick Cutsumpas, pitcher Mike Meccia, outfielder Connor Davis with Head Coach Marcel Galligani, of the winning team. Photo credit: Albert Coqueran

The most obvious improvement of the White Plains Tigers Baseball Team this season is their ability to function as a disciplined and unified team. After posting an 8-12-1 record last season and 10-14 in 2008, the Tigers have an impressive, 8-3 record this season.  

“We have grown; matured and made a lot of strides,” stated senior Mike Meccia, after pitching a two-hit gem against Archbishop Stepinac High School, at White Plains High School, on Saturday, April 10.

 Meccia commanded the mound allowing only four batters to reach base, as the Tigers defeated the Crusaders, 7-1, in the city rivalry game, which honors Tigers’ legendary former coach Joe McAvoy.

Meccia was helped by two “big blast” off Stepinac starter Joe Monastero. Tigers’ junior outfielder Connor Davis slugged a three-run homerun in the first inning. Then senior shortstop Nick Cutsumpas followed suit with a three-run homer in the second inning.

Cutsumpas moving from catcher to shortstop at the end of last season is the captain of the Tigers. “I struck-out in my first at bat in the same situation (with two on base), I could not let the same thing happen again,” commented Cutsumpas.

Stepinac (4-2 CHSAA and 4-5 overall), are the defending Catholic High School Athletic Association (CHSAA) Division Champions, winning the crown two consecutive years 2008 and ’09.

A bright spot for the Crusaders against the Tigers was the performance of relieve pitcher James Roberts who retired 12 of 14 batters after taking over for Monastero in the third inning. “We ran into a good hitting team,” stated Stepinac Head Coach Pat Duffy, regarding the city rivalry contest.

More recently, on Wednesday, April 28, Stepinac beat Fordham University, 7-1, as sophomore Chris Huertas pitched a complete game, for the Crusaders. Seniors Steve Depompeis had two hits and three RBI and Steve Martinez went two-for-three at the plate with two RBI, for Stepinac.

           The Crusaders traveled to Cooperstown, NY, on April 24, to play Braircliff High School, on Doubleday Field, but lost, 6-3, in the non-conference game. The Iona Prep game, on April 16, at Iona was suspended after five innings because of darkness, with the score 4-3. The Crusaders and Gaels will resume the game, on May 7, at Stepinac before their regular scheduled game.

The Tigers have been the more impressive of the two city high school baseball teams thus far this season. They defeated Lincoln High School, 14-3, on Wednesday, April 28. Wanner Derrick and Craig Bruno both had three hits and three RBI, in the game.

The Tigers also logged convincing victories against division rivals, beating New Rochelle High School 21-7, on April 22 and Mt. Vernon High School, 11-2, on April 12.

Despite a disappointing lost to neighbor Mamaroneck H.S. 18-4, on April 24, White Plains Head Coach Marcel Galligani is very satisfied with the manner the Tigers have played this season. “I have had most of these players at the varsity level since they were sophomores. They have come a long way in terms of maturity, work ethic and dedication,” stated Galligani.                                                 

– White Plains Softball Team’s ace Lauren Sputo has an 11-0 record and pitched nine shutouts this season, as the Tigers sustain an 11-1 record, while focusing on a 2010 Section 1 Championship. Photo credit: Albert Coqueran

      Tigers Softball

The one thing that White Plains Softball Head Coach Ted O’Donnell can depend on the past three years is that ace pitcher Lauren Sputo will be “Lauren Sputo.”

After dominating Section 1-AA last season as a sophomore, Sputo now a junior, has comeback even stronger.

Sputo was the winning pitcher in the Tigers, 7-0 win against Stamford High School, at WPHS, on Saturday, April 10. This was the Tigers fourth shutout victory of the season and all pitched by Sputo.

Moreover, Sputo has pitched nine shutouts this far this season. She struck-out 18 batters, while no-hitting John Jay High School, for an 11-0, Tigers win. Then they blank Lincoln High School by the same margin, 11-0, with another 18-strikeout performance and back-to-back no hitters.

The Tigers sustained a, 7-0 record until they lost to Arlington High School, 15-0, on April 21. The Tigers “held their breath” when Sputo was relieved in the game in the second inning with an arm injury.  But they “exhaled” when the Tigers ace returned on April 22, to win her 11^th game of the season, against New Rochelle, 6-2.

“I feel good because I have a strong team behind me. We are physically and mentally prepared to do good things this year,” stated Sputo.

The junior strikeout ace certainly does have a premier team supporting her this season. With leadoff hitter Christina Coppola returning at third base, senior Christy Reina at shortstop and senior Stefanie Mendez in centerfield, the Tigers defense is solid.

The Tigers are 11-1, this season, after shutting out Lincoln High School, 18-0, on Wednesday, April 28. 

New York Knicks forward David Lee sat by his locker after the Knicks defeated the Denver Nuggets, 109-104, on Tues., March 23, at Madison Square Garden.

            As post-game interviews concluded, Lee’s facial expression did not reflect that the Knicks (26-45), in last place in the NBA Eastern Division, had just beaten the second best team in the NBA.

     At the start of this season, Lee, a White Plains resident, signed a one-year contract for $8 million with the Knicks and with less then 11 games remaining this season, he sits pondering his future in New York.

            “I am just going to finish these 11 games and go from there,” said Lee. “At this point I just want to let my agent do his work and have a couple of different options, then make the best decision.”

             The Knicks, through the outstanding leadership of President Donnie Walsh, is in an excellent position to acquire two marquee free agents after this season. And with LeBron James (cross your fingers), Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh available, the Knicks look to improve significantly next year.

     But what is puzzling, especially considering his proven abilities, is why the Knicks have not committed to resigning Lee, who will be an unrestricted free agent after this year.

    Lee grabbed 16 rebounds and scored 12 points against the Nuggets on March 23. This was his forty-eighth double/double of the year. Last season he led the NBA with 65 double/doubles, making him the first Knick since Patrick Ewing to record 45 or more double/doubles in back-to-back seasons.

             Furthermore, the Florida University graduate has started all 71 games for the Knicks this year, while averaging 37 minutes a game. He has also scored in double figures in all but five of those games, while averaging 20 points and 12 rebounds a game.

David Lee derserves to stay a Knick.

Photo credit: Albert Coqueran