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Sports

Ryan Fontanazza Bringing His Skills to College

Ryan Fontanazza is not only a good athlete but an excellent student as well.

senior Ryan Fontanazza closed his high school basketball career with 10 points, 5 rebounds, 2 blocks, 2 steals and 2 assists in a game against Wallkill Valley on February 21. But it is pretty clear Fontanazza's talents won't stop there.

Besides being one of the captains for the Bulldogs this past season, Fontanazza is also an honor student and is a member of the prestigious National Honor Society. He plans on taking his skills to either Penn State or Rutgers University this fall. 

Even though Butler's season is now over, Fontanazza is in full "March Madness" mode as he continues to play two nights a week in a Butler men's league.

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Kinnelon-Butler Patch caught up with him at the courts. 

Q: Have you lived in Butler your whole life?

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A: Yep. Born and raised in

Q: How long have you been playing basketball?

A: I started playing rec in 1st grade and for the schools in 7th.

Q:What do you like most about basketball?

A: I like the fast pace of the game and how one big play can shift momentum.

Q: Who are your biggest influences?

A: My dad got me and my two older brothers a hoop in our backyard when we were little and I would always play against them. My brothers really taught me how to play hard and compete in whatever it was I was doing.

Q:Any other talents besides basketball? 

A: I like playing golf and I'm always trying to find a new course to play at. I'm not amazing at it but I love to play.

Q: What did you like best about Coach Simoneau?

A: I like how he approaches the game. He's always the one trying to calm us down and he tells us to control only what we can.  He's also got a great sense of humor.

Q: What did you like best about your team?

A: I really liked the energy the team brought. Practices were never dull and everyone got excited during our games, even the JV kids.

Q: What were your thoughts on the past year for your team and how do you think the team will fare next season?

A: This year was great but we didn't achieve some of our goals. Next year I think they can have more wins than losses. They're only losing me and Brian Hallock.  They'll have a lot of seniors and a lot of talent.

Q: What are you going to miss most about high school and what are you looking forward to about college?

A: I'm going to miss seeing my friends everyday and playing basketball for the school.  I'm looking forward to getting to go to a new place and meeting new people. I can't wait for college.

SHOUTOUTS

Head Coach Jon Simoneau: To be honest, we almost cut Ryan before his sophomore year. But he was such a hard worker and a great "yes sir, no sir" kid. We figured he had a great chance of improving. Ryan shocked us with the level he stepped his game up over the last two years. He found the weight room and made himself a much more physical player capable of dunking.

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