SPORTS: “On The Right Track” with Diane Dixon

PSAL Boys Baseball
On Saturday, April 7, the Cardoza Judges defeated the PSAL City Champions George Washington Trojans in a 5-4 win.  “Intimidation is no longer there,” Cardoza coach Ron Gorecki told a reporter. “Cardoza is a force to be reckoned with this year. Barring injury and eligibility, be prepared for us to be in the final four.”
On Monday, April 9, the Xaverian Clippers delivered an upset over city power Grand Street Campus Wolves with a 4-0 win on two inside-the-park home runs at the 43rd Annual Monroe Baseball Tourney.  Maryland-bound backstop Kevin Martir was behind the plate for Grand Street against his old school Xaverian.  However, it wasn’t Matir who delivered the blast but the three-run homer belonged to teammate Andres Ruiz, a left-handed hitter. Ruiz told a reporter, “It means a lot to us.  Hopefully, we can go far.  These are the types of games we’ll have in June”.  Coach Lou Piccola told a reporter, “We got terrific pitching, timely hitting and we were flawless in the field.  That was a playoff-type game against a quality team.  Everything fell into place”.  The Clippers would not normally compete in this tournament but with limited games to play, this showcase was an opportunity for the Bay Ridge team to face some top PSAL teams and get his pitchers to work.

Girls Basketball
On Saturday, April 7 at JHS 113 in Brooklyn, The Rose Classic, a one-day tournament that featured 12 teams – eight high school squads and four junior clubs – showcased some of the city’s top girls basketball talent.  It was a day meant to remember coach Apache Paschall; however, Lisa Blair – one of his best success stories – provided the biggest reminder.  “She was today’s MVP,” Exodus NYC coach Lauren Best told a reporter.
The 6-foot-6 Blair spent the afternoon at The Rose Classic blocking and changing shots and scoring inside. With Exodus NYC, Paschall’s travel program, clinging to a one-point lead with 10 seconds left to play, the Ohio State recruit forced Notre Dame committed-Michaela Mabrey into a tough shot on a drive and pulled in the rebound with three seconds remaining.
She stepped to the line and made 1 of 2 free throws to seal Exodus NYC’s 74-72 win over Team Prince in the Apache Day tournament final. The famed girls basketball tournament held the one day event in memory of Paschall, the former St. Michael Academy and Nazareth coach and Rose Classic fixture who died of a heart attack on Jan. 3.
Paschall won seven straight Rose Classic spring crowns and eight overall, including last year’s. The trophy will be named in his honor from here on out. Exodus NYC put another title to their credit on Saturday for their deceased coach.

In other PSAL News
Nazareth, which was slated to close in June, is now close to remaining open by raising enough capital as the deadline nears.  Nazareth graduates 98 percent of its students and 96 percent go on to college, an astounding number for an inner-city area. The school’s girls basketball team is a nationally ranked power and won a second straight CHSAA Class AA state championship this season. The boys basketball team won the CHSAA Class B city and state titles and the JV team won the CHSAA city title.
Sports Tidbits
Look for our Olympic Trials coverage leading up to the London Olympics.

Academic Tidbits
Wings Academy’s Justin Jenkins created a Division I scholarship for himself.  Back in November, he was relatively unknown, however, that changed after an outstanding senior season in which he led the Wings to a PSAL Class AA semifinal berth.  He averaged 18 points and six assists per game.  He then became on the radar of Division I schools that were impressed by his scoring and playmaking skills.  Coach Billy Turnage told a reporter, “In my six years, he has been the kid who has raised his stock the most in one year”.  Fairfield, a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) powerhouse, made it clear they wanted him and on Monday Jenkins fulfilled his dream and committed to them.  He will thus join his friend Amadou Sidibe, a 6-foot-8 power forward from Cardinal Hayes.

He liked everything about Fairfield, from the coaching staff to the large 10,000-seat Webster Bank Arena to the impressive recruiting class head coach Sydney Johnson has assembled and the sprawling Connecticut campus. Fairfield’s close proximity to his Bronx home was also a factor. ”People who helped me get here can come and watch me play,” Jenkins told a reporter.
Exercise/Healthy Tidbits
Do 20-60 minutes of cardiovascular exercises (power walking, jogging, cycling, aerobics class, kickboxing, boxing, swimming, etc.) at least 4-6 times per week. This will help you boost your metabolism and burn calories.
·  Try to do your cardio first thing in the morning on an empty stomach to boost your metabolism.
·  Hydrate with approximately 5 liters of water per day.
·  Don’t eat carbohydrates (sugar, fruit, juices, cereal, starches) during the first two hours following cardio.
·  Drink at least 1-2 liters of water after cardio.
·  Do muscular strength/endurance work (Yoga, sculpting, weight training) at least 2-3 times per week to boost metabolism, sculpt and define muscles.
·  Do flexibility work (Yoga, Pilates, stretching) at least 2 times per week to lengthen and define muscles and increase range of motion in your joints.
·  Eliminate complex carbohydrates (starches, rice, pasta, bread, etc.) from your evening meal.
·  Eat 6-7 small meals per day to increase metabolism.
·  Follow the guidelines of a healthy nutrition plan.
Eating & Exercising! It’s MY LIFEStyle LifeFITNESS
For more information or questions, please contact dd@dianedixonfoundation.org.
(Diane Dixon is an Olympic Gold and Silver medalist)