Yankees' Jeter '2' Close to History and Other Bronx Sports Stories

Here's a long overdue look at some of the biggest and latest Bronx sports stories out there right now. 

Jeter's Two Shy of 3,000 Hits
Bronx Bomber Derek Jeter's quest for 3,000 hits continues as the team lost to division rivals the Tampa Bay Rays last night. The Yankee captain went 1 for 5 on the night, leaving him just two hits shy of the magical 3,000-hit milestone (only 27 hitters in Major League history have surpassed the mark). The Yankees lost 5-1. Bartolo Colon struggled through 5-2/3 innings, surrendering all five runs. Jeter is 1 for 2 lifetime against rookie Jeremy Hellickson, tonight's starter for the Rays.

Punchin' at the Paradise Results
There were no punches pulled at the Paradise Theater on the Grand Concourse last night. The most anticipated boxing match of evening, between Bryant Pappas and Allen Medina, ended in a draw. The undefeated Pappas, a sergeant in the Yonkers Police Department, was the favorite to win. But Medina fought through six tough rounds using a "stiff jab to keep Pappas off balance." Pappas now stands at 12-0-1 with 12 KO's, while Medina's record is now 8-19-1 with 1 KO. In the most hyped amateur bout, 13-year-old Josue Vargas, who was profiled in the Daily News yesterday, defeated Brandon Idrogo.

The Decision, Bronx-Style
A star guard for Brooklyn Collegiate high school will be taking her talents to Harry S. Truman High School next year. After moving to the Bronx in January, Senior Emmoni Cropper wanted to continue enduring the long commute to Brooklyn to play for Collegiate. But nights of getting home late after practices left her little time for schoolwork. With her grades slipping and her Collegiate coach's encouragement, Cropper decided it was best to transfer to Truman.

Rumbling in the Bronx
In mid-June, the amateur Rumble in the Bronx basketball tournament literally lived up to its name as two teams' coaches and players broke into in all-out melee at Fordham University, the NY Post reports. Lenair Young, Exodus Swagga Squad coach, allegedly cursed at members of the Lady Gauchos, witnesses told the Post. The fight started at the handshake line after The Gauchos defeated Exodus. Young allegedly punched a Gauchos player in the face, though she refutes that claim.

For less violent Rumble in the Bronx news, NBE Basketball's got the recap of the tournament. The New Jersey Playaz took the U-15 and U-17 crowns, staving off the Albany City Rocks and the Westchester Hawks. The New York Gauchos beat the Sports U Izod in overtime to win the U-16 championship. ESPN's also got a rundown of the top talent from the tournament. St. Raymond sophomore Shane Rector is a local who ESPN says can "finish explosively above the rim."