Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Mustangs Show Heart

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Mustangs Show Heart: Claw Back to Win Round 1 By Gary Axelbank BRONX, NEW YORK, March 20 - It looked for all the world like the dream of a three-peat was dying....

Mustangs Show Heart

Claw Back to Win Round 1

By Gary Axelbank

BRONX, NEW YORK, March 20- It looked for all the world like the dream of a three-peat was dying. Flat-footed and down by 22 points to a top-flight (#8 seed) Iowa Central team in the first half of their first round game in the NJCAA Division II Women's Basketball National Championships, the (#9 seed) Monroe Mustangs women's basketball team hustled and clawed their way back to an 87-84 win that spoke volumes about their resolve and their moxie as defending two-time national champs.  

The Tritons led 31-9 with 8:52 to go in the first half as Monroe was being out-classed by Iowa Central shooters who seemed to be hitting from all corners of the court.

"In these games you have to reach inside yourself and decide how you want it to go," said Coach James Robinson Jr. "We decided we weren't going to try to come back all at once, but chip away as best we could. Getting it down to nine points at the half let us know that we could get it done. There's no doubt the experience of our sophomores was a big factor."

Predictably, Monroe's comeback was led by All-American Jasmine McRoy, who was the game's high-scorer with 24 points, despite an uneven first-half and off night from the foul line (1/6). But McRoy's stablity and leadership in handling the ball and creating on offense was indispensable. When she hit a four-point play (a three-pointer and foul shot) to cut the lead to 52-51 with 12:55 left, the signal was sent that the game was up for grabs.

Even though Iowa again extended the lead to nine, Monroe got a big contribution during crunch time from sophomore Ly'Nasha Frazier, who had her biggest game of the year, scoring 19 points and dishing for four assists. The best of it was in a stretch in the second half when she found the stroke on two three-pointers and showed confidence in the lane and at the line. It was a sign that Frazier had come all the way back from a difficult knee injury that sidelined her for last year's nationals and forced a lengthy rehab that lasted well into this season.  

Another soph who showed her big-game savvy, undoubtedly picked up in part from last year's championship run, was Christina Jones, who had 12 points and five rebounds, much of it during Monroe's furious second half run.

Monroe had a huge rebounding advantage in the game, 56-40.  Brianna Perlmutter nabbed 14 of them.

"Anyone who thinks this is not a team sport, doesn't know Monroe women's basketball," Coach Robinson said. "You can look up and down our bench and see contributions from everyone. We look at obstacles and as a team navigate our way around them or through them and that's why we won today."

The task for the 23-7 Mustangs is about to get tougher. After a day off on Wednesday, they will face Mesa (AZ), the tournament's #1 seed in round two on Thursday beginning at 6:00pm (7:00pm EST). 

The Mustangs will be making good use of their time off on Wednesday. They plan to visit the South Side Mission to support the youngsters there with homework help and some on-court fun.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Yanks Will Honor Sandy Hook Victims

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Yanks Will Honor Sandy Hook Victims: BRONX, NEW YORK, March 20 - The New York Yankees announced that they will honor the community of Newtown and the memory of those lost in ...

Yanks Will Honor Sandy Hook Victims

BRONX, NEW YORK, March 20- The New York Yankees announced that they will honor the community of Newtown and the memory of those lost in the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

On Opening Day at Yankee Stadium on April 1, the Yankees and their opponents, the Boston Red Sox, will stand together in dedicating the game to the victims of the Sandy Hook school shooting, their families and the greater community of Newtown. Pregame ceremonies will feature joint honor guards of Newtown police and firefighters, along with a moment of silence, during which a list of the Sandy Hook victims’ names will be recognized on the center-field video board.

The Yankees and Red Sox will wear a special ribbon on their uniforms for Opening Day to honor those lost and those affected by the tragedy. This ribbon will also be prominently painted on the field in front of both dugouts. To show Major League Baseball’s solidarity in remembering the victims, their families and the greater community of Newtown, Commissioner Bud Selig has asked the 28 other teams to follow suit in wearing the ribbon during their respective Opening Day games.

On Sunday, July 7, approximately 3,000 children, families and members of the Newtown community will be invited to celebrate summer recess by attending the Yankees’ 1:05 p.m. game vs. Baltimore. The Yankees have proclaimed the date “Newtown Day at Yankee Stadium” and look forward to hosting members of the community at a time of year after the school calendar is complete that allows for the most children and families to be able to attend.

“On Opening Day, we will reflect upon more important things and play the game to honor the community of Newtown,” said Yankees Managing General Partner Hal Steinbrenner. “Since the day of the tragedy, our hearts and thoughts have been with those who were affected. We hope that bringing the families of Newtown together at Yankee Stadium later in the summer will give the community an opportunity to create new memories and aid in the difficult process of moving forward.”

“Months have passed, yet we are still trying to come to grips with this incomprehensible tragedy,” said Red Sox Principal Owner John W. Henry. “As our teams look to face each other on Opening Day, we will stand united in support of the families affected as we remember and honor those who were lost.”

“The Yankees organization has supported our community in several ways since the tragic events of December 14,” said Pat Llodra, First Selectman, Town of Newtown. “Their generosity and compassion during this difficult time means a lot to all of us. We also would like to thank Commissioner Selig, the Red Sox and Major League Baseball for this meaningful tribute to our community.”

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): MEAN GIRLS

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): MEAN GIRLS: Teen Recovering After Beating at M.S. 80 By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK, March 20 - A local teen is recovering and waiting for a ...

MEAN GIRLS

Teen Recovering After Beating at M.S. 80

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, March 20- A local teen is recovering and waiting for a transfer to another school, after she was viciously beaten by a group of teens-- who had been tormenting the girl for months.

Paramedics were called to M.S. 80, located at 149 E. Mosholu Parkway North in the Norwood section at 3:13 p.m. on 18, an EMS spokesman stated, "A female fell, that's what it came in as. Having head pain and feeling disorientated."

Sources close to the situation claimed that the 14-year-old victim was surrounded during ninth-period and beaten, punched and even bitten by a group of three or four individuals, including at least one male-- before the girl was tossed down a flight of stairs.

Sources say the victim was in a semi-conscious state when paramedics carried her out of the school.

The victim was taken to Montefiore Hospital where she remains in satisfactory condition. The girl reportedly suffered a gash to her head and an injury to her hand, as well as scrapes and bruises.

One source at the school who declined to be identified, recalled, "They had known about this poor kid being bullied for months now... and nobody did anything. This principal needs to be gone."

A source at the Department of Education stated, An internal investigation is underway and disciplinary action is pending the outcome of that investigation."

M.S. 80 principal Emmanuel Polanco, 30, has himself been under-fire for about the last month, when parents discovered Polanco's racy rap videos on the Internet under the name, "El Siki."

The DOE heard parents complaints about the videos, that feature scantily-clad women, and has been investigating, "El Siki's," extra- curricular activities ever since.   

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Jaspers Overpower UMASS

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Jaspers Overpower UMASS: BRONX, NEW YORK, March 18- A five-run sixth inning, and seven shutout innings on the mound from Scott McClennan (Highland Mills, N.Y./Co...