Courtesy of Alexa Love
Rutgers-bound shortstop
By CHARLIE De BIASE JR.
Several Staten island student-athletes made their college choices official recently when they signed their National Letters of Intent to attend Division 1 and 2 colleges.
SILive.com enjoys sharing the big news and this will be the first of several College Signings reports during the 2019-20 school year.
St. Peter's senior Cameron Love verbally committed to play baseball on a partial scholarship two years ago while a sophomore at Monsignor Farrell.
Love, who had to sit his junior year as per CHSAA transfer rules, finally put his 'John Hancock' on the dotted line and will be attending the Piscataway, N.J., school beginning next Fall.
There were plenty of well-wishers on hand for Love's signing ceremony as evidenced by the photo above. Love was joined, left to right, by Monsignor Farrell assistant and the Staten Island Orioles' Mike Campbell; St. Peter's varsity coach Bobby Glennerster; St. Peter's JV coach and the Staten Island Orioles' Paul Birkbeck and Monsignor Farrell varsity coach Bobby Mulligan.
For a look at the original story announcing Love's verbal commitment to Rutgers two years ago, please click here.
And for a look at the other recent college signings, please scroll down.
Courtesy of Moore Catholic
Amber Abusbeih, Moore Catholic
Moore Catholic senior Amber Abusbeih recently signed a National Letter of Intent to attend Columbus St. University on a full athletic scholarship.
The 17-year-old Abusbeih, who is a four-year varsity player for the Mavs, said there was plenty to like about concerning the Division 2 program from Georgia.
"I met with the coach (Matt Houser) and we automatically connected and they also have a beautiful campus and facility,'' said Abusbeih. "I also met some of my future teammates and they told me about the good experience they've had there and that helped me make a decision to go there.''
The 5-foot-5 Abusbeih, a point guard, averaged 10.2 points and 5.1 assists a year ago for the Mavericks. She said Houser wants her to continue playing the point with the Cougars.
"He likes my defense and the fact I'm able to pick up (my man) full court,'' explained Abusbeih. "(Houser) also likes the way I transition and my ability to dribble-drive ... that I can kick the ball out or get to the basket when needed.''
Abusbeih, who plays travel ball for Hoopers NY, hopes to get playing time right away, but it hasn't been specifically discussed yet.
The Graniteville resident plans to major in Business Management with an eye toward Kinesiology.
She also received interest from the likes of Post University, Salem University and Monroe College.
(Above, Moore Catholic hoopster Amber Abusbeih, sitting left, is joined by her mom Dianna Tirado, sitting right, and members of the Mavericks' basketball team during her recent signing ceremony)
Courtesy of Richard Bruno
Caitlin DeAngelis, Sea
St. Joseph by-the-Sea shortstop Caitlin DeAngelis signed a National Letter of Intent to attend Post University on a near full athletic scholarship.
The senior, who will be a four-year varsity starter at Sea this spring, said several things influenced her decision, including the fact she'll be reunited with former Vikings teammate Cassidy Petrie.
"Cassidy was the starting second baseman at Sea when I was a freshman and she told me about the good experience she's had at Post,''acknowledged DeAngelis. "(Petrie) said, 'let's (play with each other) again and after looking into other factors, I decided it was the right fit for me.''
DeAngelis, who plays travel ball for the Staten Island Saints, has batted clean-up for the Vikings since her sophomore year. She hit .547 for Sea as a junior and is looking forward to playing for 10th year coach Tracey Garofalo next year.
"(Coach) told me her shortstop is graduating in the spring and if I work hard, I can earn that (starting) spot,'' said DeAngelis. "That also definitely made Post an option for me. Starting right away is really what I want.''
The 17-year-old DeAngelis, who recently discovered a girl she plays travel ball against also committed to Post, is planning to major in Criminal Justice with an eye toward becoming either a police or court officer.
The Pleasant Plains resident said she also received some interest from Central Connecticut St.
Courtesy of Moore Catholic
Mike Ragona, Moore Catholic
Moore Catholic centerfielder Mike Ragona signed a National Letter of Intent to attend St. Thomas Aquinas (STA) on a partial scholarship.
The Huguenot resident, a three-year varsity player who has also seen time at shortstop for the Mavs, said there were several things impressive about the division 2 school.
"I thought it was an all-around nice place in it has (a small campus) and great stadium for a home field,'' said Ragona, who visited the Sparkill, N.Y., school at the end of August. "I liked what they had to offer academically and athletically.''
The 17-year-old Ragona got to work out with members of the Spartans' baseball team during his visit and impressed new head coach Jon Garvey.
"He thought I played with a lot of confidence,'' said Ragona of Garvey, who was a part of STA's coaching staff for 11 years before landing the head coaching job. "He liked my attitude and the way i was swinging the bat against their pitchers.''
He wasn't guaranteed playing time initially, but was given a vote of confidence by the coach.
"He just said he can see me being a big help to the program,'' said Ragona, who plays travel for the Richmond County Baseball Club. "We'll see what happens.''
The right-handed Ragona, who also received some interest from Wagner and Seton Hall, plans on majoring in Exercise Science
(Above, Moore Catholic senior Mike Ragona, seated center left, is joined by brother Derek (seated left), mom Robyn and dad John during a recent signing ceremony at the Graniteville school. In addition, varsity baseball coach Nick DeFendis, standing right, and several members of Moore's baseball team also witnessed Ragona's signing)
Courtesy of Nick Senise
Other recent signings
NDA's Sierra Dinneen (X-C, track)
Tottenville resident Richie Greaves (basketball)
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