2026 WORLD SERIES OF BOCCE TEAM PREVIEWS
written by BBN Staff

TEAM: DESALVO’S CATERING

Roster:
Marco "Sticky" Cignarale
Pete "Smoky" Russo
Natale "Slow Burn" Scala
Nico "The Kid" Fox

For three of the last four years, the DeSalvo's name has been on the scoreboard playing for the WSOB trophy with 2 victories. But after a bitter finals loss to BSB last year, this squad isn't just looking to bounce back—they’ve completely retooled. In a massive roster shakeup, they swapped the calm demeanor and veteran savvy of Felice Scala for an explosive youth movement, bringing in 17-year-old phenom Nico "The Kid" Fox. Don't let his age fool you; Nico already boasts a WSOB trophy and a string of generation-defining victories, including a legendary singles takedown of Jose Botto at Bocce Social.

The chemistry of this new lineup is already undeniably potent. Nico has a proven, winning track record with Marco "Sticky" Cignarale and Pete "Smoky" Russo, with the trio having already captured a tournament win on these very courts at the Toccolana Club this past February. Add in Sticky and Smoky's recent triumph at the Nick Gentile Memorial at Lorenzino's, and this front end is rolling into Rome hotter than ever.

The question mark—and the ultimate X-Factor for this powerhouse—is Natale "Slow Burn" Scala. While he may not log as many competitive frames throughout the year as his teammates, his pure skillset remains one of the absolute deepest out of the 500+ players in the entire tournament field. Can this newly minted foursome survive the loss of Felice's steadying veteran presence in the heat of a big frame? If Natale plays to his massive potential and the team vibes stay high, DeSalvo's is heavily primed to avenge last year's finish and take back the throne.

TEAM: NORTH COUNTRY GRAPHICS

Roster:
Nick "Loud Mouth" Scerra
Paul "PL3" Louis III
Eddie "Birthday Boy" Emmanuele
Santino "Suns Out Guns Out" Emmanuele

It has been 13 long years since Tino, Nick, and Eddie hoisted a World Series trophy together. Now, after a brief hiatus, the father-son duo of Eddie and Tino are reunited on the courts, and they are rolling in smoking hot. Coming off massive victories at the Nick Gentile tournament and the World Series Warm-Up alongside PL3, this family is laser-focused on bringing that championship hardware back to the Emmanule family dinner table.

The firepower on this squad is undeniable. PL3 steps into the lead shooter role, teaming up with Tino to form arguably the most terrifying back-end duo in the tournament. These two are widely considered among the absolute top dirt court shooters in the country, ready to bring the thunder frame after frame. Setting the table for them is the ever-steady Nick Scerra, whose elite lead pointing—especially when pushing the pallino deep down the court—will put relentless pressure on their opponents from the very first ball.

The X-Factor to guide this team to the promised land is undeniably Eddie "Birthday Boy" Emmanuele. Eddie and Nick already share three WSOB titles together, and that championship pedigree shines through when the stakes are highest. Eddie’s late-game pointing and clutch, timely hitting give this squad an incredible edge. He possesses the rare ability to step onto any court, in any given game, and be the absolute best player on the dirt. If Eddie takes over, North Country Graphics has everything it takes to win it all.