Just Thinking
By Jim Lederman
The Sports Complex at Bentley University is incredible. The athletic facilities (football field, baseball field and gym) are a tribute to Robert A. DeFelice, athletic director and former WHS football coach (33-game Viking undefeated streak).
‘Defa’ has been athletic director for almost 30 years. Can you believe how time flies?
I watched the 2015 WHS Viking football team work out. I am optimistic the 2014 NEC champs can defend their title. The key is the development of the offensive line!
South 14-North 13 – exciting Shriner’s all-star game on Saturday. Sean Gillis was stellar on defense for the North, played every down on defense.
Nick – South quarterback was MVP. Holliston all-scholastic. Nick was Globe all scholastic. Holliston (13-0) slammed Lynnfield for Division 4 title. Nick will play for the Bentley Falcons.
Winthrop had 130-graduates, Marblehead high school – 270! Wit a new high school – our high school will add more outstanding student – athletes with a new building!
The 2015 WHS graduating class, ranks with the 1976 and 1982, as outstanding athletic teams with outstanding students! Sorry Nick, I can’t leave out 1972-1973!
Amesbury won the Division 3 – North softball title (21-2) the Amesbury (9-0) victory over a ‘Cinderella Team’ (Lady Vikings team was not a fluke!
It is always a thrill to visit the new Manning Field. I have memories of playing ‘under the lights’ in 1958 at Manning Bowl.
How about 1978 – Vikings defeat Lynn Classical, to win coach Bob DeFelice first NEC title!
I drove by the new Harry Della Russo Stadium in Revere last week, after lunch at the New Bridge Restaurant, I can hardly wait until coach Sean Driscoll’s team defeats Revere on Thanksgiving Day – Sorry Mike Mucci (Vikings are (25-2) on the holiday!
Mark July 18th on your calendar! 5 champion New England Patriots players will beat the Winthrop Elks with the ‘Lombardi Trophy’.
A trip down Veterans Road and Walden Street! Hats off to DPW director Steve Calla, what a beautiful new fence!
Marblehead Harbor and Newburyport Harbor – two places to enjoy the summer with great restaurants and shopping in Newburyport!
Danvers won another state title in baseball, to add to their basketball title. They could not beat the ‘2014 Vikings’. Over 60 years, Danvers has two – NEC football titles!
No more basketball to watch! “I’m the greatest player on earthâ€, a quote form Lebron James! I hope he never wins another NBA crown. Larry Bird was a more ‘clutch’ player and he had 3 NBA title! Golden State 2015 NBA Champion!
How many games will Malden Catholic win in football this season? Stay tuned for updates!
Trivia Answer:
To big Celtics fans! Charlie, “Big Catâ€, coach Max, Joe DeLorey, Nick the Greek, Spoon and Tinker –
Bob Machado ‘Pistol’ Pete Maravich, Nate ‘Tiny’ Archibald, Dave Bing and Dominique Wilkins led the NBA in scoring and played for the Boston Celtics.
Sitting in the Bentley football stadium I reflected on a game I attended with the late ‘Lefty’ DeFelice. Merrimack vs. Bentley. The late Michael Mason tossed five touchdown passes in the first half.
New England Patriots practice – this month! Are you ready for some football?
WHS (Lady Bulldogs) just lost two more outstanding skaters to private schools. Who says they don’t recruit high school athletes?
Another championship (U-14) team in girl’s hockey. Coach Butch Martucci has plenty of skaters for another exciting winter at Larsen Rink.
Looks like I will spend plenty of cold nights at Larsen Rink this winter! Today’s temp – 80 degrees – enjoy the summer after the 100 Inches of snow this winter!
I just visited Coughlin Park down Point Shirley. Coughlin, Pico and Crest Ave. and Pond Street in the Highlands. Hats off to Sean Driscoll and the Park Committee!
Just returned from a trip to Gloucester and the ‘Causeway’ Restaurant. The Vikings play at the ‘new’ Newell Stadium in Gloucester in October.
I am thrilled Golden State won the NBA title and ‘the King’ did not win the MVP trophy.
The ‘Panda’-Pablo Sandoval was caught texting during a game. Do you thin he was calling a restaurant?
Two of my favorite all-time Vikings, number 10 – Dylan Driscoll and number 33 – Tyler Gillis, will play their final high school game. The Agganis Classic Tonite. WHS has had many small and outstanding football players, two all-stars from a very proud football program! Go Vikings!
It has been 35 years since Revere High has had a winning season! Will the Vikings win the first Thanksgiving game at the ‘new Della Russo stadium?
Can manager John Farrell and GM Ben Cherington keep their jobs? My prediction is No!
Do you remember when roast beef sandwiches at Kelly’s Roast Beef cost 50 cents?
Add ‘the Landing on State Street in Marblehead Harbor as another restaurant on your summer list!
The clam chowder at the Boston Sail Loft on Atlantic Avenue in Boston. Number One! Say hello to ex-Viking quarterback Jamie Tipping. He has owned the Boston landmark for many years.
I will take a penalty for leaving off ex-Viking Shriners All-Stars Brian Breau, Anthony Fucillo, Robert Hamilton and Chris Beranger (UNH)
Speaking of Chris, he was injured in a softball game. He will join coach Sean Driscoll’s staff when he recovers! Practice starts next month (August).
Saugus High School ‘user fees’ are $700 (football), $350 (hockey), with (715) student athletes, what a burden on a Saugus family. Thanks to Viking Pride – WHS has many multiple sport athletes!
Larsen graduation – the 2015 WHS graduation at Larsen Rink – Thanks to Viking P ride, for the new flooring!
Recruiting Yes, private schools invade Viking teams to take four Viking athletes
Building the program – Coach ‘Butch’ Martucci works year round to develop outstanding girl’s hockey players. Go Bulldawgs!
Jonas Gray
New England Patriots Super Bowl champion Jonas gray was at the Cummings School, Friday to speak to 300 students. Jonas reflected on his career at Notre Dame and how he overcame damaging knee injuries to become a Patriot back. “ Live the dream and work hard,†said Jonas.
Sean Stellato, agent for Jonas and author of (No Backing Down will be in Winthrop July 18th, 12 o’clock for a book signing at the Winthrop Book Depot and Saturday night, along with 4 teammates at the Winthrop Lodge of Elks! tickets are available at the Winthrop Book Depot and Café on Somerset Ave.
Agganis Hoop
Four Winthrop Viking hoop players played their final high school all-star games on Monday night.
Kristen Siscamanis added one more honor to her career. The NEC MVP scored 12-points for the South team. Kristen played with Niki and Poli Tsiotos, but the South lost to a very talented North all-star team (51-21).
Kristen will travel to New Jersey and play at Caldwell College on a full basketball scholarship.
Niki, the ‘best point guard’ in the NEC, will play at Dowling College (Division 2) on Long Island, New York.
Poli Tsiotos will join 10 WHS graduates at the University of New Hampshire.
Jake Chiudina played his final high school all-star ‘hoop’ game. Jake was a standout football player on the 2014 NEC champions. Jake will play basketball at (WPI-Worcester Poly Tech) in the large crown at Lynn Classical were Tom and Suzanne, his parents and Jim and Ginny Noiles, proud grandparents. They never missed a game Jake played in 2014-2015!
Let the Games Begin!
Free Throw Champion
Shown in photo are Winthrop Lodge of Elks Basketball Director, Leo Haskell (right) and Dino Tsiotos. Tsiotos represented the Winthrop Lodge of Elks winning several District Contests at the 13 year old level. Tsiotos traveled to the 2015 Massachusetts State Elks Hoop Free Throw Finals, which was held in Maynard finishing among the top five.