INSIDE BOYS VOLLEYBALL: Longtime Lafayette coach dies, Sea starts program

The PSAL lost one of its longtime volleyball coaches late last month.

Steve DeGennaro, who coached the boys and girls program at Lafayette for more than 20 years, died March 18 due to complications from pneumonia. He was 55 years old.

More than 300 people showed up to his wake – former players and students, opposing coaches and a host of others, according to former player and 10-year assistant coach Ray Wong.

“It was unbelievable to see all these people – some I haven’t seen in 20 years,” Wong said. “It’s definitely a big loss in everyone’s heart.”

DeGennaro made the PSAL city playoffs 20 of his 23 years at the helm. But he was about much more than just winning matches. The way he treated his players and the discipline he instilled actually inspired Wong to become a teacher. Wong, 35, graduated in 1995 and coached by DeGennaro’s side for 10 years.

“We didn’t always get the same kids that other schools got, but we used volleyball as a vehicle to get students to graduate,” Wong said. “It was very family oriented. Some kids lacked that strong adult role model. We always made them go to class and behave. If you didn’t do that, you didn’t play. That was it.”

DeGennaro retired after last spring’s boys volleyball season and Joe Perazzo, the former Sheepshead Bay coach, took over the program. The Lafayette players vowed to win their first league game, just a day after their old coach died, and they did, beating Fort Hamilton, where Wong now volunteers as an assistant.

“It pretty devastating and shocking at the same time,” Wong said of DeGennaro’s death.

Wong attended the wake with his former teammates at Lafayette. It has been 17 years since he has graduated from Lafayette, but he is still close with all his high school friends. That’s the kind of program DeGennaro ran.

“The thing about the program is that people constantly came back to visit and to help out,” Wong said.”We all kept in touch. It’s pretty much a family.”

After graduating college, Wong came back to help DeGennaro as an assistant. His experience doing that inspired him to go back to school and get his teaching degree. He now works at Fort Hamilton. DeGennaro, who he said was like a second father, will live on through the ones who coached and taught.

“We never had any players go on to become professional volleyball players, but we became professional people and we’re all proud of that,” Wong said. “There’s probably hundreds of kids that could back that up.”

Sea starts program: The players at St. Joseph by the Sea are pioneers – not just at their school, but for their borough.

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Lafayette, Lafayette, DeGennaro, assistant coach, boys and girls, volleyball coaches

Nypost.com

Monticello Results

WEATHER Clear TRACK Fast

FIRST-mile; pace; $2700; cond

OFF: 12:54 TIME: 1:58.3

1

MrExpress(JMrohnJr)

3.90

2.40

2.10

4

Real Liar (J Taggart Jr)

2.50

2.10

3

Bandito N (J Devaux)

2.40

* Perfecta (1-4) $7.50 * Trifecta (1-4-3) $28.80

SECOND-mile; trot; $2000; cond

OFF: 1:15 TIME: 2:02.2

2

EdomUpBluBy(RVnc)

6.80

3.10

2.80

3

Gate Keeper (T Gale)

3.20

2.60

5

Kims Beauty (J Marohn Jr)

2.50

* Perfecta (2-3) $24.40 * Trifecta (2-3-5) $83.00 * Daily double (1-2) $12.40 * Superfecta (2-3-5-4) $175.00

THIRD-mile; pace; $2000; cond

OFF: 1:33 TIME: 1:59.1

3

SpceChlet(ASchwrtz)

3.40

3.00

2.30

4

Moonlit Tori (K Switzer Jr)

12.00

4.80

1

G G Delight (J Devaux)

3.50

* Perfecta (3-4) $37.40 * Trifecta (3-4-1) $116.00 * Pick 3 (1-2-3) $24.60 * Superfecta (3-4-1-6) $713.00

Winner picked by Little

FOURTH-mile; pace; $2800; cond

OFF: 1:53 TIME: 1:59.2

2

Irqndnfllw(ASchwrtz)

3.00

2.40

2.10

3

Straightistheway(JDevaux)

4.10

2.40

4

A Week Late (J Marohn Jr)

2.30

* Perfecta (2-3) $9.60 * Trifecta (2-3-4) $20.80 * Pick 3 (2-3-2) $30.80

Winner picked by Little

FIFTH-mile; pace; $3400; cond

OFF: 2:15 TIME: 1:58.3

5

Gas It Cam It(MForte)

3.80

2.50

2.10

3

Uncle David (C Stratton)

3.40

2.50

2

Kc Sunshine (M Zuccarello)

2.40

* Perfecta (5-3) $13.60 * Trifecta (5-3-2) $28.20 * Daily double (2-5) $9.20 * Pick 3 (3-2-5) $21.60

Pick Three picked by Little

SIXTH-mile; trot; $2700; cond

OFF: 2:38 TIME: 2:03.2

1

ElHmbrDn(ASchwrtz)

2.70

2.20

2.10

4

R George (R Harp)

3.60

2.70

5

Vijay Star (K Switzer Jr)

2.20

* Perfecta (1-4) $8.00 * Trifecta (1-4-5) $20.80 * Daily double (5-1) $8.10 * Pick 3 (2-5-1) $12.60 * Superfecta (1-4-5-3) $94.50

Pick Three picked by Little

SEVENTH-mile; trot; $2700; cond

OFF: 2:58 TIME: 2:03.3

2

PmlcsTrsur(KSwtzrJr)

3.70

2.60

2.30

4

Cimmaron Hall (R Harp)

2.70

2.90

1

Britt Van (M Forte)

6.20

* Perfecta (2-4) $7.30 * Trifecta (2-4-1) $34.60 * Pick 3 (5-1-2) $16.00 * Superfecta (2-4-1-6) $108.50

EIGHTH-mile; pace; $2700; cond

OFF: 3:20 TIME: 1:57.4

1

SxthSense(KSwtzrJr)

3.20

2.80

2.10

4

Dixie Allstar (G Merton)

5.50

2.30

2

Romi Mystic (J Marohn Jr)

2.40

* Perfecta (1-4) $11.60 * Trifecta (1-4-2) $26.60 * Pick 3 (1-2-1) $12.20 * Superfecta (1-4-2-7) $173.50 *

HANDLE $390,336.

J Devaux, J Marohn Jr, J Marohn Jr, J Taggart Jr, K Switzer Jr, K Switzer Jr, Trifecta

Nypost.com

Dodgers sale documents begin to slide into Bankruptcy Court

Magic Johnson, part of the group that's buying the Dodgers, watches the team's season opener with Frank McCourt on Thursday. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times / April 6, 2012)

Guggenheim Baseball L.P. is paying $1,587,798,000 in cash and assuming debts of no more than $412,200,000 to buy the Dodgers from Frank McCourt, according to documents filed Friday afternoon in U.S. Bankruptcy Court.

The sale agreement is expected to be approved by U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Kevin Gross at an April 13 hearing. In the interim, the agreement will be reviewed by Major League Baseball, Fox Sports, McCourt’s ex-wife and the creditors’ committee, all of which have reserved the right to object.

The parties could resolve any concerns before the hearing.

The sale is scheduled to close April 30, the same day McCourt must pay his ex-wife $131 million in a divorce settlement. The Guggenheim group would take over the Dodgers May 1.

If the sale closes as expected, the Dodgers will have emerged from bankruptcy in 10 months. McCourt took the team into bankruptcy last June, claiming he was forced to do so after MLB Commissioner Bud Selig rejected a television contract that McCourt said would have resolved the Dodgers’ financial troubles.

McCourt initially asked the court to overrule Selig and authorize an auction of the Dodgers’ television rights, with the intent of retaining ownership of the team. McCourt accused Selig with hatching a plan to choke off the Dodgers’ money supply and force an ownership change, even though Selig had supported and accommodated owners of other teams in financial peril.

Selig claimed that McCourt had no one to blame but himself for the Dodgers’ financial situation, and he accused McCourt of “looting” $189 million in Dodgers revenue and diverting it for personal use rather than investing it back into the team. Selig said he would reject any television deal that would keep McCourt in control, even threatening to kick the Dodgers out of the league.

Gross ruled that the focus of the proceedings would be on the Dodgers and that McCourt would not be allowed to put Selig on trial. Gross also denied the Dodgers access to league documents and television deals with other teams, restricting McCourt’s ability to marshal evidence to support his position that Selig applied a double standard to the Dodgers.

In the fall, McCourt reached settlements with his fiercest opponents within weeks of one another. In October, he settled his divorce, with his ex-wife abandoning her claim to half-ownership of the Dodgers in exchange for the $131 million. In November, he agreed to sell the Dodgers, with MLB agreeing to let him control the sale and decide whether to include the Dodger Stadium parking lots in the deal.

The Dodgers officially were put up for sale in January. After McCourt’s investment bankers eliminated some prospective buyers and MLB owners eliminated others, the court-appointed mediator selected three bidders for a final auction, set to start March 28.

On March 27, after MLB owners approved those three bidders, McCourt and his bankers acknowledged that the last Guggenheim bid topped the next-closest bid by more than $500 million. McCourt and Guggenheim agreed on the deal that night, and the auction was canceled.

RELATED:

Matt Kemp starts it off for Dodgers in 5-3 win over Padres

Predicting the Dodgers' 2012 season: Take it to the bank

Dodgers' weak bench means their top guys had best stay healthy

Frank McCourt, the Dodgers, Guggenheim Baseball L.P., Commissioner Bud Selig, Magic Johnson, Major League Baseball, Bankruptcy Judge Kevin Gross, MLB, MLB

Latimes.com

Mickelson leads cheers for Big 3

AUGUSTA, Ga. — For the first time in Masters history, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player — the original “Big Three’’ — joined together as honorary starters to strike the ceremonial first tee shots Thursday morning at Augusta National.

The three legends, who have played a combined 147 Masters and won 13 Green Jackets, hit the fairway, though not as far out as they once did. Palmer is 82 years old, Player 76 and Nicklaus 72.

“I don’t think any of us can see that far,’’ Nicklaus joked. “We can hear them all land, though.’’

Despite the fact his tee time wasn’t until 1:53 p.m., the last of the day, prominent in the crowd as a spectator to see the three legends hit one shot each at 7:40 a.m. was Phil Mickelson, who stood behind the tee wearing his Green Jacket.

Reuters

TIME FOR TEEL Gary Player, Phil Mickelson and Jack Nicklaus applaud Arnold Palmer during yesterday's ceremonial tee-off at the Masters.

“I thought it was remarkable,’’ Player said of seeing Mickelson there.

“It was a nice compliment,’’ Nicklaus said.

“It was wonderful,’’ Palmer said.

“I’ve been wanting to do that for a long time,’’ Mickelson said. “I’ve watched it on TV every year and I thought this was the perfect opportunity to do it with Mr. Player doing it for the first time. It was a really cool experience and for anyone that comes to the Masters it’s worth coming out and watching.’’

***

For a short time, there was a belief Luke Donald, the No. 1 ranked player in the world, had signed for a wrong score on his scorecard, a mistake that would have disqualified him.

But the issue was clarified when a smudge in the transmission of the card showed he had a 3 on the fifth hole, not the 5 he actually carded and signed for. Donald finished with a 3-over 75.

***

Randal Lewis, the 54-year-old U.S. Mid-Amateur winner, shot 81 and called it “my all-time favorite 81, without a doubt.’’

Lewis, who was paired with two-time Masters champion and current European Ryder Cup captain Jose Maria Olazabal, called the experience “just a dream come true.’’

***

Defending champion Charl Schwartzel was one of 16 players to shoot an even-par 72. There were 28 players who shot under par. .

Jack Nicklaus, Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, AUGUSTA, Ga., Green Jackets

Nypost.com

Knicks guard Davis battling more ailments

ORLANDO, Fla. -- It’s not getting better for ailing Baron Davis. It’s getting worse.

The Knicks point guard told The Post his pulled left hamstring has started to cause other ailments, as his left knee swelled up Wednesday, and he experienced back stiffness.

At an Orlando gym complex where the Knicks practiced, Davis spent virtually all of the time getting treatment, looking gimpy as he walked the hallways.

Davis has been forced into major minutes now as starting point guard because of Jeremy Lin’s regular-season-ending left knee surgery. It’s difficult to imagine the Knicks folding in Indianapolis during a 40-17 fourth quarter if Lin had been out there providing key buckets.

“It’s like a minor setback,’’ Davis told The Post before tonight's game against the Magic. “It’s messing up other parts of my body. The knee, back tightening up. I may not get to 100 percent this year. At least I want to get to 80, 85 percent. When the hamstring gets better and the knee swelling goes down, I’ll get there.’’

Davis, who earlier this week said his back felt terrific, said the knee swelled up after his 29-minute stint in Indiana, where he shot 2 of 8, and scored six points with three assists. “Because my balance is off, I’m putting more pressure on my knee,’’ Davis said.

Interim coach Mike Woodson said he realizes he will have to reduce Davis’ minutes even more, meaning Mike Bibby, Toney Douglas and rookie Iman Shumpert will see more time at the point.

“What you see in Baron is what you’re going to get the rest of the year,’’ Woodson said. “He’s trying to give what he can give you. He’s not 100 percent. It’s just that simple. I got to gauge it more and try to fit Toney, Bibby and play the rookie at the point.’’

***

Help is on the way. Jared Jeffries (knee) said he’s shooting for Sunday’s game against Chicago as his return, meaning he will be back for the big showdown in Milwaukee next Wednesday.

Bill Walker told The Post he also is shooting to make his comeback Sunday against Chicago. Walker hasn’t played since Feb. 17 against New Orleans. He underwent elbow surgery and was thought to be out for the regular season.

***

After Carmelo Anthony took 31 shots and scored 39 points in Indianapolis, Woodson said Anthony needs others to stop relying on him so much.

Woodson is trying to implement more non-Anthony plays into his offense that goes away from up-tempo play each day.

“It can’t just be Melo,’’ Woodson said. “I don’t want to come down and have a team saying ‘Here Melo, here’s the ball and we play’. Other guys around him got to feel comfortable in making plays. Right now they think the bailout is Melo.’’

***

Dwight Howard (back) will be a game-time decision for the Magic.

Baron Davis, Knicks, Mike Woodson, Mike Bibby, ORLANDO, Fla., Jeremy Lin, Carmelo Anthony, Toney Douglas, Iman Shumpert, Indianapolis, Jared Jeffries

Nypost.com

Former NFL QB Leaf arrested for second time in four days

Great Falls, Mont. -- Former NFL quarterback Ryan Leaf was arrested for the second time in four days Monday on felony burglary and drugs charges.

Leaf, who was first picked up by police in his hometown of Great Falls, Mont., on burglary, theft and drug charges Friday, was placed back in custody Monday morning on the new charges, the Great Falls Tribune reported.

"The burglary happened yesterday [Sunday] afternoon," Great Falls Police Sgt. Chris Hickman told the Tribune. "It occurred after he bailed out Friday."

According to the report, court documents indicated that an unidentified homeowner returned to his house Sunday afternoon to discover a "tall, athletic male in nice clothing" inside.

The male, whom the homeowner later identified as Leaf via a photo lineup, reportedly said he was at the wrong address and immediately left the house.

The homeowner realized afterward he was missing a drill and three bottles of prescription medication.

Police later found 89 hydrocodone pills and an empty prescription bottle of liquid codeine at Leaf's home.

The former quarterback now faces two counts of felony burglary, three counts of felony drug possession and two counts of misdemeanor theft.

Leaf was being held on $101,000 bond, which he cannot pay due to a probation violation, according to police. He is scheduled to make an initial court appearance Monday afternoon.

After finishing third in the Heisman Trophy voting as a junior in 1997, Leaf opted to forgo his senior year at Washington State. He was selected with the second pick behind Peyton Manning, but his pro career failed to live up to expectations.

Leaf's poor rookie season and volatile relationship with the San Diego media and the city's fans combined with a rash of injuries to quickly dismantle what was considered one of the more promising prospects in NFL history.

He retired from football in 2002 at the age of 26, citing injuries for his decision.

Former NFL quarterback Ryan Leaf, Great Falls, Great Falls Tribune, burglary, GREAT FALLS, Mont., Chris Hickman, felony burglary, Mont.

Nypost.com

Mets' closer Francisco kneeds an MRI

PORT ST. LUCIE — Frank Francisco’s first spring in a Mets uniform is going from bad to worse.

The team’s closer planned to have an MRI exam on his left knee yesterday after encountering swelling in recent days. Francisco said his knee had been an issue earlier in spring training.

“Early in camp I felt a little sore in there and it went away,” Francisco said. “But the last three days I’ve felt soreness in there again, and that’s it.”

If Francisco needs a disabled-list stint, Jon Rauch would likely move into the closer’s role, though Bobby Parnell might warrant consideration based on a spring in which he has a 0.00 ERA over 11 appearances. Ramon Ramirez and Manny Acosta would be other possibilities.

Manager Terry Collins said there have been no discussions over who would be the closer if Francisco is sidelined.

Francisco had a rough outing against the Marlins on Saturday, when he surrendered two earned runs over two innings. The right-hander indicated his knee swelled up between innings, adding to his misery. He had the knee drained Sunday.

Francisco, who signed a two-year deal worth $12 million with the Mets over the winter, is 0-2 with a 5.54 ERA in 11 appearances this spring.

* Parnell pitched three scoreless innings as the starter in the Mets’ 8-2 exhibition victory over the Braves yesterday, and Ruben Tejada provided the offensive spark with a three-run homer.

* Jon Niese wouldn’t comment directly on his contract negotiations with the Mets, but said he is honored the organization values him as a long term solution. According to a major league source, Niese and the Mets are in the latter stages of negotiating a five-year contract extension.

“It’s an honor to be thought of in that way,” Niese said. “I really like this organization. I love the teammates. I think we do have a lot of talent.”

mpuma@nypost.com

Frank Francisco, Francisco, Mets, the Mets, Bobby Parnell, Jon Niese, Jon Rauch, Manny Acosta, Terry Collins, PORT ST. LUCIE, Ramon Ramirez ebook download, scoreless innings, Ruben Tejada

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