The winter varsity sports season is in the books in Oyster Bay. Many fine young athletes have excelled this season and some were chosen by the Oyster Bay High School coaches as Athletes of the Month for February.
When asked about his choice, girls’ basketball coach Sandy Rossen said, “Gianna Gotti is the girls’ basketball Athlete of the Month. Gianna led conference B in scoring with an average of 20.4 points per game, placing her sixth in Nassau County. In spite of incurring a late season injury and missing five games, Gianna led the conference in made free throws with 60 and finished third in the conference with 26 three-point shots. Her stellar effort against East Rockaway helped The Lady Baymen secure a position in the post season playoff tournament. Gianna looks forward to coming back healthy next season and joining her teammates to help Oyster Bay get back to county championship.”
Fencing Coach John Bruckner said: “Senior Andreas Tsoumpariotis is the boys’ fencing Athlete of the Month. Andreas has been fencing since the seventh grade and is in his fourth year as a varsity member. This season, Andreas was our Epee Captain. His performance has earned him All Long Island, First Team honors for the second consecutive year. His 23-4 record was the best in league play this past season. Andreas is a great teammate and is always willing to work with other fencers at practices and at meets. He has been a great member for Oyster Bay and is an excellent choice for this recognition.”
Bowling Coach Tim Brady said: “The boys’ bowling team would like to recognize co-captains Matthew Sapienza and Robert Morris as athletes of the month. Matthew is a three-year member of the bowling team here at Oyster Bay High School and also bowls year round in leagues in Nassau County. Matthew led the Baymen bowlers this year in high average and in high series and was the anchor on the varsity team.
He continued: “Bob, a two-year member of the Baymen bowling team, has shown a steady improvement in technique and performance this year and has matured as a team leader. Bob also spends time year round working on improving his game. Matt and Bob both come from bowling families and they eagerly pass on to their teammates as co-captains their enthusiasm for the sport of bowling.”
The boys’ basketball team selected Chris Papantoniou, who was the “heart and soul of the Baymen” this season. He averaged 13 points and nine rebounds during conference play, earning him an All-County selection.
“Chris has been a member of the varsity team since his sophomore year and has developed into a strong player and person,” said Coach Brian Boyle, who was just selected as “Coach of the Year” by his peers. “I wish him continued success as he graduates this June and moves on to college.”
Christopher Canadeo has had a historic winter track season throwing the shot put. Canadeo played a major role in the Winter Track Team’s Conference Championship, easily winning the shot put competition with a throw of 44 feet, 9 ¼ inches. His post-season accomplishments continued by winning the Shot Put County Class B Championship and finishing second at the Section VIII State Qualifier Championship with a personal best throw of 50 feet, 3 inches.
Canadeo was the first Oyster Bay Winter Track athlete to compete at the New York State Championship Meet, held on March 7 at Cornell University. He is coached by Christopher Weber.
