As you read this article, you have only eight days to get your tickets for the "Celebrity Basketball Game." The NFL Players Association has challenged the Mineola community to a series of six 10-minute basketball games. Playing for the NFL team will be former and current professional football and NBA players. They will play against some very tough teams from the Mineola community. The teams that have proven themselves to be brave enough (or stupid enough) to step out on the court are: The County Seat Kiwanis Club; The Mineola Fire Department; The Mineola HS. Coaches; The Athletic Booster Club; Mike Gallagher's Nassau Sports Therapy; and "The HERICANES" of The Hampton Street PTA. This night should prove to be a lot of fun. Don't forget, Friday night, Feb. 27 between 7 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. in the Mineola HS gym. For tickets, call Paul or Kate Cusato at 248-0849. Tickets are $4 for students and $5 for adults. Add $1 at the door. Refreshments will be served, and autographs will be signed before and after the games. Most importantly, all proceeds go to the Booster Club for its many sports' camp and college scholarships to benefit our athletes.

Last week I reported the bad news about Lady Mustang senior center Jess Hegmann, who was sidelined after emergency appendix surgery. I am happy to report that Jess is recovering fine and with any luck will be back to join her teammates in the playoffs. You see, The lady Mustangs have made it to the playoffs. While they are uncertain (as of this writing) of whom their opponent will be, the Varsity girls have certainly had a great season. We wish the girls well in the County Playoffs.

The boys bowling teams also had a great season. The Varsity finished in second place in its conference and the JV also finished strong. The following are the highlights of the matches leading up to the County Championships.

On Feb. 2 the boys bowled against a powerful Syosset team. Mineola needed to win 11-0 to capture 1st place in the conference. They won, but only by a score of 8-3, finishing second in the Conference and fourth in the County. Syosset was #1 in the County for team average. Mineola placed fifth. Junior Tom Brown bowled games of 184, 182 and 215. Dan Maloney bowled games of 189, 185 and 219. John Randazzo bowled a 608 series with games of 186, 187 and 235 and John Pirrone bowled a 612 series with games of 196, 228 and 188. The JV team finished in fourth place in Conference III. Matt Brown bowled games of 166 and 170; Bill D'elia bowled 172, 183 and 166. Eric Kruse bowled 181 and Adam Tutlhill bowled a 167 and 173.

At year-end, Pirrone had a 195 average; Maloney had a 192 average; Randazzo had a 182 average; Anthony Scapiccio had a 186 average; and Brown averaged 179. Both Pirrone and Maloney were All-County selections and Scapiccio and Randazzo were All-Division.

After losing its division by only three points, the boys' bowling team missed first place in the Nassau County Finals on Feb. 7 by only 24 pins. They finished second in the County, despite getting off to a slow start. It would have been first place had it not been for a late surge by Great Neck South in the last game to put them ahead. Great series were bowled by junior Pirrone who averaged 211 with a game high of 233; senior Maloney averaged 210 with a game high of 257; and junior Brown, who averaged 207, with a game high of 216. Other nice games were rolled by Randazzo with a 235 and Scapiccio with a 202. Great Neck South had to have two bowlers roll strikes in the 10th frames to beat Mineola and win the tournament. Unfortunately, they did. Mineola came in second place, losing by 11 pins. Brown, Scapiccio, Maloney, Randazzo and Pirrone put forth a great effort to almost win the tournament. Throughout the season the boys showed a tremendous team effort which enabled them to be as successful as they were.

Congratulations Mineola, we are proud of you!