Sports 06-15-2017

WHS SPORTS roundup

WHS baseball team falls in state tourney

 

The WHS baseball team learned a version of the axiom, “Live by the sword, die by the sword,” in MIAA state tourney play this past week.

After defeating their first round rival, Mystic Valley, in shutout fashion, 8-0, the Vikings were on the receiving end of a 6-0 blanking in their next contest with O’Bryant High School of Roxbury, last Wednesday, thus ending Winthrop’s run in the Division 4 North Sectional of the tourney.

The contest was a tight, 1-0 affair after five innings, but O’Bryant put the contest away with five markers in the bottom of the sixth.

Jaidon Brown pitched well through the first five-plus innings for Winthrop before being relieved in the sixth by Luigi Spinazzola.

“Jaidon had trouble with his control, but managed to get out of several jams, including a second-and-third with none out jam in the fourth by striking out the side,” said WHS had coach Frank DeMarco. “He really battled all game long.   “We just could not get anything going offensively, although we played really hard and made some great plays in the field,” continued DeMarco, who cited WHS captain Jack Wallace for a diving catch in centerfield and Jonathan Applebee for throwing out an O’Bryant runner at third after falling while trying to make a shoe-string catch.

“Many others laid out trying to make plays,” added DeMarco. “The effort of our players was outstanding, as was the leadership of our senior captains, Chris Zuffanti, Jack Wallace and Luigi Spinazzola, as well as Pat Stafford, Rich Fucillo and Derek Wasson. They truly will be missed.”

Two Vikings received post-season accolades. Wallace was named to the Northeastern Conference first team all league squad and Spinazzola was named a second team league all star.

WHS sports years

10 years ago

May 24, 2007

The WHS boys track team ran away from Saugus, 82-39, to highlight the first-ever Senior Night in the boys track program under the lights at Miller Field. Kevin Harris led a Winthrop sweep in the shot-put with a toss of 42’-4” and Rob Hamilton led a Viking sweep in the discus with a throw of 107’-9”.

WHS boys track coach Pat McGee has been named the NEC’s South Division Coach of the Year. Her Vikings captured the South Division title this season.

The WHS girls track team finished second in the NEC Meet, led by a sterling performance by Nicole Giaquinto, who won the 100 dash and long jump and anchored the winning 4 x 100 relay team. Giaquinto was named the NEC’s Most Valuable Performer prior to the meet. Jenna Deeb was another NEC champion for the Lady Vikings, capturing the 100 high hurdles.

Matt Moore tossed a five-hitter and his teammates provided flawless defense in a 4-1 victory over Salem for the WHS baseball team. Coach Frank DeMarco’s Vikings now have won 10 of their last 11 games. Chris Carew delivered a two-run single in the opening inning to provide all the run support that Moore would need.

The WHS boys tennis team moved into first place in the NEC South with wins of 3-2 over Saugus and Salem. Greg Covelle, playing at first singles, led the way in the Saugus match. Third singles Ken Hodgkins provided the winning impetus in the Saugus match.

 

20 years ago

May 29, 1997

Junior Dan Auerbach pitched a one-hitter through the first six innings to lead the WHS baseball team to a 4-3 win over Marblehead. The Vikings now are 7-12 on the season.

From the Press Box

The Class of 2017

By: Jim Lederman

Let’s salute the great class of 2017, the first to graduate from our sparkling new high school.

One hundred and eight graduates that will continue their education at many prestigious colleges and university. The University of Notre Dame, UCLA (University of California at Los Angeles), UNH (University of New Hampshire (4)), University of Arizona, Boston College, Syracuse University, Michigan State, University of Maryland, UMASS Amherst, Boston University, RPI (Rennselher Poly Tech Institute), West Virginia, Penn State, Fairfield, URI (University of Rhode Island), Bentley, Colorado College and Merrimack and many more fine schools.

The prestigious Facella Family Scholarships (16) scholarships total $175,000 and the long list of scholarships.

The female student-athletes had a highlight athletic event, in the Powder Puff game. The 20-20 tie with archrival Revere had many three-sport student athletes. Heidy Benson (UNH) was a ‘superstar’ on the turf at Harry Della Russo Stadium. Danielle Bocchio (UCLA), Kelsie Griffiths (Fairfield), Maddie Faingai (UMass), Mishelle DeBonis (Colorado), Abby Carleton, were just a few of the outstanding Lady Vikings.

The ‘Lady Bulldawgs’ hockey standouts (Gretchen Howard – Boston Globe Dream Team All-Scholastic), Mia Price (100-point scorer), Sydney Adamson and Meghan Chavis were league all-stars.

The Carleton sisters – Abby, Emma and Grace – a ‘triple threat’ family were named Lacrosse stars.

Heidy Benson – NEC All-Star track runner will join her sister at the University of New Hampshire.

How can I forget Boston Herald and Boston Globe All-Scholastic – NEC MVP – Captain Charlie Page (100-point scorer) who will follow his brother Chris and play hockey at Stonehill.

David Barry, three team captain and NEC All-Star who will travel to Connecticut to attend Quinnipiac University.

It was an All-Star year for many of our outstanding athletes that our proud to call the Winthrop Vikings their team.

The smallest school in the Northeastern Conference continues to keep the Viking tradition stronger than ever!

Judos and Good Luck to the Class of 2017

Let the Games Begin!

 

 

The 100 Point Club

The Class of 2017 had many outstanding student-athletes. Four members of the ‘Class of 2017’ joined a very exclusive athletic class – The ‘100-Point Club.’

We salute Mia Price, a lady Bulldawg skater who scored her 100-point career during the hockey season. Kudos to Charlie Page, a consensus Boston Globe – Boston Herald prestigious ‘All-Scholastic’ selection. Charlie was named NEC MVP and follows his brother Chris with that honor.

Congrats to Abby Carleton for scoring 135 career goals for the girls Lacrosse team.

We salute another Viking three-sport all-star captain of Soccer, Hockey and Lacrosse. David Barry scored 100 points in Lacrosse. David will study at Quinnipac College in Connecticut.

We salute four new members of the Viking 100-point Club!

Let the Games Begin!

 

 

Raising the Racquets

The ‘magic number’ was (11) eleven! Yes, the Lady Vikings tennis team recorded 11 victories this spring – a new WHS record!

Coach Ken Hodgkins and his assistant Steve Ruggierio honored the team with a breakup celebration. ‘Coach Ken’ in his second year coaching his alma mater is building a very strong program.

The season started in chilling temperatures after a heated debate with the town council to save the Wallace B. McClean tennis courts (65-years old) across from the new high school. With the support of 1,000 supporters – the players and residents who play tennis – recorded their first victory of 2017.

The theme of the night – was ‘Unique Awards’ from coach Ken. The ‘Goof Ball’ award to Courtney McSwiney and Jillian Kfoury. The ‘manager of the year’ – Aaliya Rouzky. The ‘Silent Assassin Award’ – Dana Marshak the ‘Teary Award’ – she made her ‘opponents cry’ – to captain Haley Holden, the ‘Enforcer Award’ – Kailyn Lindskop – Ferrara – (she destroyed her Revere rival) the Sportsmanship Award – Anna Maria DeJesus.

The ‘Unsung Player’ – Sarah Kfoury

The Rookie of the Year – Sarah Fucillo

The 8th Player Award – Francesca Capone

The Doubles Team Award – Sophie LaFratta and Kristen Griffiths

The Team MVP – To co-captain Courtney McSwiney

Captain elect for next year (2018) – Sophie Lafratta and Kirsten Griffiths

Coach Hodgkins – We will lose eight dedicated seniors but we will have a competitive team returning. Tennis is stronger than ever and we compete in a very strong conference.”

We salute the tennis team!

Raise the Racquets!

Let the Games Begin!

 

Three Rings

Lebron James, aka the ‘King,’ told the country at his famous press conference -  “I’m taking my talents to Miami”- Not one, two, three, four and five – we will win many NBA titles.

The number is three – as in his three NBA championship rings! He has won his last from last year! Let’s compare that – calls himself the greatest player in the world, with ten players, ‘Coach Max’ Maxwell J. Smart – ex-Viking point guard rates 13-of the best players in NBA history. The NBA titles that they have won is a deciding factor.

The ‘Best of the Best’ (not in order)

Bill Russell (11)

Michael Jordan (6)

Magic Johnson

Larry Bird (4)

Tim Duncan (5)

John Havlicek

Wilt Chamberlain (50.0 pt. average)

Shaq O’Neal

Kobe Bryant

Kareem Abdul Jabbar

Akeem Alijawcy

Kevin Durant

Lebron – take your three rings and put them in a safe deposit box!

 

 

The 2017 MVP

The Golden State Warriors won the 2017 NBA Championship, defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers (129-120) to win their second title in the last three years.

The Warriors finished the playoffs with a (16-1) record. Kevin Durant scored 39 points, leading the Warriors to the crown and winning his first NBA title.

The highlight for yours truly, was watching the legendary Bill Russell (82 years young) hand the Bill Russell NBA Finals MVP Award to Kevin Durant. I was at the Boston Garden in 1957 – yes 60 years ago to watch Russell, Cousy, Heinsohn, Frank Ramsey and KC Jones, win the Celtics first NBA title, defeating the St. Louis Hawks.

The Warriors were led by Steph Curry 34 points. The play of veteran Andre Iguodala 20-points, off the bench, Iguodala the defense of Dermont Green and the great coaching of Steve Kerr.

The Cavaliers have two ‘super stars’ – Kyrie Irving 26 points and Lebron James 41, but the Warriors are unselfish, play great defense and they have a superior bench – bench scoring 19-2 in the first half.

Sorry all the Lebron fans – that will be his last NBA crown!

Let the Games Begin!

Have a great summer Lebron!

 

 

Plenty of Pancakes

The ‘tradition’ continues! The Winthrop Vikings Father’s Day Pancake Breakfast – all you can eat Sunday June 17, 8 a.m. – 11:30, Winthrop high school cafeteria – Be a Viking supporter.

Coach Sean Driscoll invites all the families, ex-Vikings – help support the 2017 Vikings football team! The ‘tradition’ started by coach Bob DeFelice, will have the first ‘Pancake Breakfast’ in the new WHS. $7.00 – bring your appetite – Sunday!

See you on Father’s Day!

Go Vikings!

 

 

NEC All-Stars

The Vikings spring sport schedule has ended. It’s time to salute the all-stars on the Vikings after a successful spring season.

On the diamond the Vikings had a playoff team that was led by two excellent NEC all-stars on the mound Jack Wallace had an all-scholastic season. Jack has earned a scholarship to pitch at Franklin Pierce College in New Hampshire.

‘Number 14’ led the NEC with a .484 average; he struck out 66 during the regular season. He pitched a two-hitter in the playoff victory vs. Mystic Valley (8-0). I predict Jack will have a strong college career. Jack was NEC MVP in golf in the fall.

Luigi Spinazzola (let’s go ‘G’ was always the big cheer for the big first baseman.) Luigi was a three-sport captain and he was a defensive key on the field. ‘G’ will play baseball at Salem State. Heidy Benson was undefeated in the 800 in track. I will always remember the game she played as quarterback for the ‘Powder Puff’ team at Revere. She will attend the University of New Hampshire.

McKayla Norris was selected to the NEC track all-star team. The junior will lead the Lady Vikings hockey team next winter.

We salute a few all-stars and I will conclude the highlights of the spring next week.

Let the Games Begin!

 

 

The Red Sox Dilemma

The Red Sox have played 62-games (as of Sunday) there are 100-more on the schedule. Webster’s definition of dilemma – A choice or a situation involving choice between equally unsatisfactory alternatives.

Last week we had two highly overpaid Red Sox players. David Price is not fit for Boston and he can’t take the pressure from the media and fans. $31 million a year – ship him out to the West coast.

Hanley Ramirez is always making bad plays and he needs to return to Florida. The Sox miss the leadership of David Ortiz.

The Sox have Dave Dombrowski making all the trades and decisions. So far he has delivered Pablo Sandoval and Drew Pomeranz, two players who should be in the National League.

The Yankees are running away in the American East! How much longer before the Patriots open practice?

Enjoy the Summer!

Let the Games Begin!

 

 

On Second Thought

Who spends more time on ‘twitter’? Donald J. Trump or David Price? Price spends hours worrying what people are saying a bout him! Send him back to Tampa Bay! No comment on the man they call – the ‘Commander and Chief”. The temp is 95 degrees – I could go for a “Samuels” raspberry Lime Rickey or I think I will go to JAC’s for a ‘smoothie/!

Have you been to Portsmouth, New Hampshire? The waterfront and the restaurants are super! We are heading to Ogunquit for July!

How are the ‘patrons’ of JAC’s going to survive? When Amy, Jill, Ellen, Matt, Tara, Ari and Danielle take vacation in July in Ogunquit?

Have you been to Newburyport Harbor? My favorite summer haunts – Ogunquit, Newburyport and Good Harbor Beach in Gloucester!

Time for a super thick frappe at ‘Twist and Shake’! The Harry Agganis All-Star games are next week. I will give you the Viking athletes competing!

Let the Games Begin!

 

 

Winthrop Riptide basketball program begins summer skills session June 26

By Cary Shuman

The Winthrop Riptide Youth Basketball program, fresh off a successful spring season, will begin its summer skills and drills session on Monday, June 26 at the former middle school gymnasium on Pauline Street.

The weekly sessions are for boys and girls entering sixth through twelfth grade.

The Riptide’s first-year, AAU girls seventh-and-eighth-grade teams played five tournaments this spring, culminating at Brandeis University in Waltham. The Winthrop-only team fared well, winning roughly half of its games while competing against long-established AAU teams that draw players from several communities.

Riptide coaches Dean Galuris and Rick Pulsifer hope to continue the momentum of the program into the summer.

“We’ll be doing skills and drills two days a week,” said Galuris. “We’ve split it in to two age groups, sixth through eighth grade and ninth grade through twelfth grade.”

Pulsifer will be also a coaching a Winthrop High summer girls basketball team in a league at St. Mary’s High School in Lynn. Nine of the Riptide players will step up to varsity-level competition in the league.

Signups for the Riptide summer skills and drills session will be held on June 20, from 5 to 7 p.m., and June 24, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, at the McKenna basketball courts on Walden Street.

 

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