Sports 12-17-2015

Doctor Dave Dombrowski working on the Sox revival

By Jim Leaderman

It didn’t take long for Dr. Dave Dombrowski to fix the pitching problem on the last place Boston Red Sox.

Dave (President, GM) has added two key players to the Sox, closer Craig Kimbrel and the best left-hander on the market.

The $217 million dollar contract is just the start for brining the playoffs back to Boston.

The last GM Ben Cherington was a disaster. His trade for Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval was the worst in Sox history.

Sox Nation is crying for another playoff and World Series team. The ‘Doctor’ Dave Dombrowski has the right prescription for the Sox misery!

At the Foul Line

The future of Lady Vikings basketball is promising, let’s compare the turnout for the (2015-2016) season. Six teams in the NEC-Winthrop rivals do not have a freshman team!

John Gambale’s frosh will play other schools to build the new program.  Take a look at their number of girls in the schools that don’t have enough frosh girls – enrollments for girls:

Revere – 759, Salem – 608, Swampscott – 395, Marblehead – 480, Gloucester – 487. Winthrop high school has a girl’s enrollment of 255 – 40 are on the Lady Vikings!

Returning players from the NEC titlists include seniors Michael Casey, Michael Norris, Noah Hodgkins, Matt Sennott, Robby Miles and Sean MacDonald.

Charlie Page, a high scoring sophomore, returns for his junior season. Charlie was a unanimous NEC all-star and follows his brother Chris, now playing at Stonehill.

Matt Tarantino returns on defense and the rugged football standout will be another key player for coach Dunbar and company. Gene August had a strong season on the gridiron and had plenty of ice time last year.

Stephen Rogers and David Barry were promising sophs who will play key roles in (2015-2016).

Henry Brooks had a big year in offense along with Steve Holgerson. Jake Adamson is another sophomore with great athletic talent.

Loscy

A Celtics legend Jim Locsutoff passed away last week. Jungle Jim aka-Loscy, was the Celts first round draft pick out of the University of Oregon. ‘Loscy’ played nine seasons for coach Red Auerback and the Celtics won seven world championships.

I watched my first Celtics game in 1957 and the Celts had Bill Russell and Losey getting every rebound. Loscy retired to become professor and head basketball coach at Boston State College. His retired number ‘Loscy’ hangs in the Garden. Like John P. Sheehan (7 NEC titles, a state championship), Henry McCarthy (back to back trips to the Tech Tourney finals) Dave Brown (8 teams that qualified for the MIAA playoffs) a state title in 2011.

The All-Star QB

Congrats to Chris Zuffante, named to the prestigious Lynn Item Football All-Star team, the best 25 football players on the North Shore.

Chris was one of the top five quarterbacks named to the team. The junior quarterback passed for 765-yards and rushed for 455-yards, 8 touchdowns – He was an NEC all-star at defensive back.

Chris was MVP on Thanksgiving vs. Revere with two touchdowns he will be a candidate for MVP and all-star at quarterback for the 2016 Vikings.

Face-Off

Coach Dale Dunbar entering his 10th season as head coach of the Vikings (4 NEC title) is optimistic for the season.

“We are a very young team, we will continue to improve and our first goal is to make the MIAA Tourney (10 wins) we have only 8 seniors!

Co-captains Noah Hodgkins will take first defense with Matt Tarantino or David Barry. Matt had a fantastic year in football and the two will form a “Rock on D’.

The first line has ‘super soph’ Charlie page (two-time NEC all-star and only a junior) centering for co-captain Michael Norris and Henry Brooks (only a sophomore).

The second line has senior Michael Casey centering for Steve Holgerson and junior Gene August (a standout at guard on the Viking football team).

The net minders are battling for the starting job. Senior Brandon and Greg Gill. They follow all NEC all-star Patrick Feeley.

WHS SPORTS Years

10 years ago

December 15, 2005

The WHS girls basketball team opened its season in impressive fashion, defeating East Boston and Revere to capture the Massport Tourney and then defeating Marblehead in the Northeastern Conference season-opener. In the 69-24 demolition of East Boston and a 65-30 rout of Revere in the Massport games, WHS head coach Peter Grimes used all 13 of his players. Freshman Courtney Finn, playing in her first varsity games, was the tourney high scorer and was named the tourney MVP. In the 53-26 rout of Marblehead, Finn poured in 24 points, including six three-pointers, and did not miss a shot all night. The Lady Viking defense shut down Marblehead’s returning all-star player, Ashara Carrington.

The Winthrop High girls hockey team will be joining with girls from Lynn English, Lynn Classical, and Revere to form a co-op team for the coming season. Their season-opener is this week.

The WHS boys basketball team defeated Marblehead, 50-47. Jason Griffin clinched the WHS victory with four free throws in the waning seconds to boost Winthrop from a 47-46 deficit to the victory. Griffin led Winthrop with 12 points and Michael Visco added 11. David Segal hit for nine.

20 years ago

December 21, 1995

Anthony Poto scored 18 points and Lawone Bennett added 17 to pace the WHS boys basketball team to a 63-39 win over Danvers. The contest was highlighted by the raising of a banner in honor of the 1995 state championship won by the Vikings in March under coach Peter Grimes.

The WHS hockey team opened the season with an 8-0 win over Salem, but then dropped a 6-3 decision to Gloucester. Dave Collins and Steve Bickford both scored two goals in the Salem victory.

The WHS girls basketball team defeated Danvers, 49-36. Lady Viking guard Kerri Lally hit for nine points, grabbed five rebounds, made six steals, and dished out five assists.

WHS sports roundup

WHS hockey team

battles to 0-0 tie in opener

The Winthrop High hockey team made the long trek to Mansfield, a Division 1, non-league opponent whom Winthrop has played in the past few years, and battled to a 0-0 deadlock in the Vikings’ season-opener Saturday.

“We played well,” said WHS head coach Dale Dunbar. “We had the better of the play and outshot them, but they had a good goaltender and we just couldn’t quite put one past him. Still, it was a great road game against a tough opponent.”

Viking netminder Brandon Creador, a junior who returned to the Winthrop school system from Matignon this year, also earned a shutout, turning aside a dozen Mansfield shots.

“We’re fortunate that we have nice depth at goalie with Brandon and Gregory Gill, both of whom are juniors,” said Dunbar, who lost both of last year’s goalies, Ray Feeley and Tom DiBenedetto, to graduation.

Senior captain Noah Hodgkins, a defenseman, was among the Vikings who earned plaudits from Dunbar for a superb  effort. “Noah was rock-solid,” said Dunbar. “Mansfield is a physical team and came at us from the outset, but Noah was a force.  He played most of the game and stood up to them. Noah was an anchor for us all game, especially for our younger players,” said Dunbar.

Senior wing Mike Norris, who plays on the top Viking line with junior Charlie Page and sophomore Henry Brooks, shares the captaincy duties with Hodgkins. Page serves as an assistant captain.

The Vikings traveled to Peabody yesterday (Wednesday) and will host Marblehead Saturday and Triton Monday at Larsen Rink.

Vikings and Lady Bulldogs open the hockey season

By: Jim Lederman

Get the Zamboni ready! The Lady Bulldogs and Vikings are playing hockey at Larsen Rink at the Michael Eruzione Center; They will be the first team to take the ice at Larsen Rink. Anthony ‘Butch’ Martucci’s Lady Bulldogs lost a (3-0) shutout to a very strong Long Meadow team.

The stellar play of junior all-star goalie Gretchen Howard, who made 35 saves, prevented Long Meadow from scoring many goals with her fine play between the pipes.

The Bulldogs travel to Salem State on Wednesday, Dec. 23rd for a 7:30 face off with archrival Marblehead. The Bulldogs return to Larsen Rink Wednesday, Dec. 30th to face off with non-league power Shrewsbury for a 6 p.m. game during the Christmas vacation.

Dale Dunbar’s hockey sextet has a big game on Saturday, Dec. 19th with archrival Marblehead with a 3 p.m. face off.

The 1966 Viking hockey team (the first WHS hockey team) will celebrate a reunion on the ice. Larsen Rink will be packed with many alumni returning for the big game.

The Winthrop-Marblehead rivalry is 50 years old, players like Don ‘Toot’ Cahoon, who coached UMass and captain Michael Eruzione, will renew old time memories.

The Vikings and Mansfield skated to a (0-0) tie to open the (2015-2016) campaign. Brandon Creador was stellar in net for coach Dunbar and company. Last season the Vikings defeated Mansfield, a Division 1 team.

The 2014 NEC champs defeated five Division 1 teams during the year. Strong defense and solid goaltending has been a hallmark of a Dale Dunbar squad. Saturday hockey at Larsen Rink is back. Let’s fill Larsen Rink to see the Magicians face off with their archrivals!

Let the Games Begin!

From the Press Box sponsored by:

winthrop book depot & cafe

The Winter Preview

By: Jim Lederman

The winter sports season looks exciting. The Lady Vikings under new coach John Gambale are back to defend the NEC title they captured in 2014.

The Viking hockey sextet, under the leadership of coach Dale Dunbar will seek another NEC hockey title. Coach Dunbar in this 10th season is the best coach in the conference and has a reputation as one of the ‘best in the state.’ The Vikings won the NEC championship in 2014.

The hockey team opened the (2015-2016) season with a (2-1) victory over Revere in a NEC scrimmage.

The Vikings play archrival Marblehead at Larsen Rink at the Michael Eruzione Center, Saturday at 3 p.m. The Vikings play host to the non-league Cape Ann Triton Vikings, Monday night at 6:10- at Larsen Rink.

The 2015-2016 sextet will be led by co-captains Noah Hodgkins and Michael Norris. Noah is the third member of his family to captain a Viking team. He follows brothers Kenny and Luke to war a C’ on the Viking shirt.

Michael is the son of assistant coach Michael Norris, a standout and NEC all-star on the 1980 Viking team.

The Viking schedule is filled with games with strong hockey traditions. They skate with Melrose on Monday in the Saugus Xmas Tourney at Kasabuski Rink in Saugus; face off is Monday, Dec. 28th at 4 p.m., during Xmas vacation.

The Vikings lost 15 seniors from a team that was not highly rated, but coach Dale Dunbar’s squad captured the Northeastern Conference title. The championship for coach Dunbar was his 4th.

See you rink side!

NEC All Star

All-scholastic center Patrick Todisco was a unanimous all-NEC player. Goalie Ray Feeley, defenseman Daniel Brogan, football all-scholastic player Sean Gillis, and Marc Ferullo were NEC all-stars.

Football standout Alex Anzuoni had a big season. Alex and another solid senior Jonathan Griffiths are attending UMass Lowell.

Unsung backup goalie Tommy DiBenedetto was another stellar senior.

The (2014-2015) NEC champs were led by three seniors who led the 2014 NEC football champions. The 2015 graduating senior class won three NEC championships (football, hockey and Lady Vikings basketball champs).

Let the Games Begin!

Lady Bulldogs

Coach Anthony ‘Butch’ Martucci has the exciting Lady Bulldogs ready for another winning season at Larsen Rink.

The Bulldogs finished (11-6-1) in the (2014-2015) season. The loss of 100-point scorer Caroline McKinnon (playing at Salem State) Flora English (Governor’s Academy) and Caroline O’Keefe (Brooks School) is a big loss from the high scoring team.

The return of two-time NEC all-star goaltender Gretchen Howard (only a junior) has coach Martucci optimistic for the season. Gretchen is co-captain.

The return of co-captains Nicole Pucillo and Olivia Shkliew, two talented seniors should lead to a winning season.

The Hoop Capital of the North Shore

The tradition of excellence in Winthrop High School basketball begins in 1950.

WHS over a 65-year period has been the hoop capital of the North Shore; WHS (blue Devils and the present Vikings) have captured 45 Northeastern Conference titles in boys and girls basketball. During the 50’s – 80’s coaches John P. Sheehan and Henry McCarthy won many NEC championships. The 1963 Vikings captured the Tech Tourney Class B title.

The 1972-1973 Vikings led by the legendary Tsiotos brothers – Chris and Nick reached the finals in the Boston Garden.

The 1995 Vikings coached by the late Peter Grimes captured the Division 3 – State Championship. The 1978 and 1993 Lady Vikings reached the State Finals.

The latest championship Lady Viking’s quintet won the North Final – Division 3 and lost in the Garden in the Division 3 championship title game.

A new era in Lady Vikings hoop begins with the arrival of coach John Gambale. John will build a very strong program and with the help of proud Viking alumni and the community, the Lady Vikings hope to capture another title.

Congrats and Good Luck coach Gambale.

Jim Lederman

‘Voice of the Vikings’ 45-years

Let the Games Begin!

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