Four inducted into Warwick Basketball Hall of Fame
WARWICK — Four former Wildcat basketball players were inducted into the Warwick Boys Basketball Hall of Fame last Friday evening.
The Class of 2013 included: Joe (Joby) Green III, Mel Langlitz, Jason Redner and George Rudy.
In his remarks, Varsity Basketball Coach Tom Folino said the four men “have helped shape the history of Warwick Wildcat basketball” through their efforts, commitment and past accomplishments.
The evening was capped off by the varsity Wildcats beating Monroe-Woodbury on a three-point shot at the buzzer by Anthony Mann. The Cats won 43–40.
Here brief profiles of the inductees:
Joe (Joby) Green III
Green, a 1985 graduate of Warwick Valley High School, was a three-year starter on the varsity (1982-85) and played under Folino his senior year.
Green was the captain of the 1984-85 team. He helped lead the Wildcats to the Section IX playoffs during the 1984-85 season.
He finished his career as the all-time leading free-throw shooter in school history as he shot 87.5 percent from the line. He finished his career with 596 points which placed him 10th on the all-time career scoring list.
Green’s most memorable moment was during his senior year as he scored 20 points on a severely sprained ankle in a game against unbeaten powerhouse James I. O’Neill. He helped lead the Wildcats to an almost stunning upset of the Section IX most dominating team in the 1980’s.
Mel Langlitz
Langlitz, a 1959 graduate of Warwick Valley High School, was a three-year starter (1956–59) and played under Hall of Fame coach Vito Magdelinskas.
Langlitz was a key player on the Wildcats teams that played in the OCL championship game three consecutive years 1956-57, 1957-58 and 1958-59. He helped lead the 1958-59 team to the Orange County League (OCL) and Section IX championship.
The record of the 1957-58 and 1958-59 teams were 40 wins and 3 losses.
Langlitz received a full scholarship to play basketball at Rutgers University. He was in the United States Marine Corps from 1960-64 and upon leaving the military went to Rutgers University from 1965-68.
Most memorable moments were playing in the OCL play-offs at West Point as a sophomore and being called “Marvelous Melvin” by Bo Gill, the legendary sportswriter from the Newburgh News.
Jason Redner
Redner, a 2000 graduate, was a three-year varsity player (1997-2000) and a two-year starter for the Cats who played under Coach Gary Vyskocil.
Redner was the captain of the 1999-2000 team and helped lead them to the Section IX Class A playoffs.
Redner was selected as the most valuable player during his senior year (1999-2000) and defensive player of the year as a junior (1998-99). He led the 1999-2000 team, his senior year, in scoring - 279 points, total rebounds - 152, field goal percentage - 43.4 percent, and blocked shots.
He finished his career with 504 points and 16th on the all time scoring list for boy’s basketball.
His most memorable moment was grabbing 21 rebounds in a single game during his senior year.
George Rudy
Rudy, a 1966 graduate, was a four-year varsity starter (1962-66). He was the starting center on the 1965-66 Section 9 Class B championship team under Vito Magdelinskas.
Rudy was selected as the OCL (Orange County League) Player of the Year during the 1965-66 season. He also was selected to the Orange County league Basketball All-star team as a first team selection in his sophomore (1963-64), junior (1964-65) and senior (1965-66) seasons, the only player in Wildcat history to hold this honor.
He also received honorable mention, during his freshmen year (1962-63).
Rudy also helped lead his team to the Section 9 Class B championship game during the 1964-65 season.
Rudy’s most memorable moment was scoring 34 points versus Goshen and winning the 1966 Section IX championship.
Essential information:
If you would like to nominate a former Warwick Wildcat basketball player for consideration for induction into the Hall of Fame, contact Coach Tom Folino at 987-3050 ext. 12883.