By:Angela Marshall
The adage "If you build, it they will come" certainly proved true for Rockville Centre's Over-40 Basketball league. At 10, the league is bigger than ever, providing men between 40 and 60 with a court of their own.
More than 50 fans came down to help the league celebrate its tenth season of play during the finals on Sunday, March 25.
"We've got a lot to be proud of," said Bob Bonagura, league co-founder.
In their first season, the league was made up of four teams and 48 players. They now stand at eight teams and 100 players. There were even 10 on a waiting list when the three-month season began. However, injuries would allow all a chance to get in on the
game.
Whizzing up and down the court, these men take their game just as seriously as a high schooler looking for a county championship. They play hard and sometimes the field is rough. Many have felt the pain of the gymnasium floor during
particularly aggressive play.
Bill Schnaars, of team Anaconda Sports, is no stranger to the pain of success. He returned for the finals game after having been carried off the court during the semi-finals with a knee injury.
With Schnaars' help, Anaconda grabbed victory in the finals, defeating Merrill Lynch 41 to 31.
In a battle of the investment corporations, Merrill Lynch defeated Paine Webber 43 to 42 in the March 22 semi finals. Anaconda took R.V.C. Hardware 46 to37 to earn their place in the finals.
High scorer on the championship game was Anaconda's Lou Cosenza who scored14 points. Cosenza, an administrator in hospital pharmacy, said he plays because, "It's just a heck of a lot of fun."
This is Cosenza's third year in the league and his second trip to finals. He said the best part of the league is that you are teamed up with different people each year. No teams are ever left intact from year to year.
Dan Monfort scored 8 points in the final game. For Merrill Lynch, Jim Tomlin led scorers with 9 points.
League members took time out to remember co-founder Tim Brennan who passed away a few years ago. For the third year, they handed out an award in his memory. Breaking with tradition, administrators decided to go with a referee instead of a player this year.
Phil Straub, who has been with the league since its inception, was caught off guard when Bonagura called out his name as recipient of the Tim Brennan Good Guy Award. Afterward, he told Bonagura that he was shocked and said it brought tears to his eyes.
"He's always been very helpful," Bonagura said. "He was here pretty much every single night for 10 years."
Bonagura also thanked bookkeeper Justin McCarthy and Dr. Richard Nuccio for their dedication.
When muscles pull or ankles twist, players turn to Dr. Nuccio, a village resident, who stands by ready to assist.
Even Village Trustee Jack Matthews plays in the league. Matthews said he originally joined for the exercise but now comes because of the fun. "On the court we're very competitive," he said. "But off the court it's almost like one big fraternity."
More photos of the championship games are available at www.rvcbl.com.
