Sports 04-12-018

WHS sports roundup

WHS girls track opens with two wins

The Winthrop girls track & field team opened up the season with two big wins against Lynn English (89-46) and Medford (81-43) this past week.

Mckayla Norris led the team in points in both meets by grabbing a handful of first-place finishes in the 100, 200, and high jump. McKayla’s time of 13.3 in the 100 dash already has qualified her for the state meet.

Fiona MacPhail was next on the point-total list for the Lady Vikings with double-victories in the 400 dash and the triple jump in both meets. Fiona’s best time was 69.0 in the 400 and her top jump was a triple-leap of 29′-5.”

Gabby Hinchion was another double-winner in the javelin and the discus in both meets. Camila-Miranda Llovera also doubled in both matches, capturing the 800 (a best time of 2:56) and the two mile (top time of 13:15).

Clare Nargi was another double-winner for coach Warren MacPhail in the 100 low hurdles (19.7) and the long jump (14’-10”).

Mary Kate Pote grabbed a first and a second in the shot put with a best throw of 27’-7.”

Beatriz Holzbach was a key performer for Winthrop with a first place in the 400 high hurdles, a second in the 110 high hurdles, and a third in the long jump. Tessa Ferrandi was a point-scorer in both meets in four events, the high jump, triple jump, 100 dash, and 200 dash.

Also contributing to the Lady Viking victories were Lily Pulsifer in the 400 dash, Catherine Zuffante in the 800, Isabel Skomro in the mile, Mary Texeira in the two-mile, Alex Gibbons in the triple jump, Vittoria DeCarolis in the shootout, and Michaela Grimes in the javelin.

The Lady Vikings’ next meet is set for April 19 at Somerville.

 

Girls lacrosse team defeats Matignon, 16-9

The Winthrop High girls lacrosse team improved to 2-1 on the season with a 16-9 triumph over Matignon Monday evening.

Twins Maura and Jenna Dorr, along with Sonedia Dahlquist-Martinez and Dani Zenilla, dominated the midfield for the Lady Vikings. Emma Carleton provided the principal offense, continuing her stellar play this season with seven goals on the night.

“The team is very young and continuing to improve,” said WHS head coach Ben Cimmino, who presented the offensive player of the game award to Gabby Ford; the defensive player of the game award to Carolyn Kinsella, and the Berserker Award (for outstanding hustle and effort) to goalie Fatma Tufa, who made 15 saves.

Cimmino and his crew were set to host Malden last night (Wednesday). They will entertain St. Mary’s of Lynn on Wednesday morning of the vacation week at 11 a.m. on the turf at Miller Field.

 

WHS baseball team opens   2018 season

Veteran WHS head baseball coach Frank DeMarco and his Viking crew finally got their season underway this past week after our winter-like spring, traveling to Beverly on Monday.

The 2018 edition of the Winthrop baseball team will be led by senior captain Jake Adamson and junior captain Dan Gillis. Senior pitcher Jaidon Brown is expected to be the workhorse of the pitching staff, and will be counted upon both to start and to close.

Christian Natareno, Dan Gill, Bob Hubert, and Cam Conway also figure to see a lot of action on the pitching mound.

Miles Albert will assume the catching duties, with senior Mike Upton coming out from behind the plate into the field.

Outfielders will be Ryan Buccini, Andrew Love, Bobby Hubert, Christian Natarino, and seniors Tyler Mignosa and A.J. Massa.

Rounding out the infield will be first basemen Colby Dassau and Sid Albert and infielders Dan O’Neil and Angelo Robertson.

Multiple errors in the first two innings dug the Vikings into a hole early on en route to a 15-0 loss in the Beverly contest.

“We didn’t give ourselves much of a chance,” said DeMarco. “Jaidon Brown started and threw well, but we just could not make the plays behind him.”

DeMarco and his crew were scheduled to host Lynn Classical yesterday (Wednesday). They will travel to Lynn English on the Monday holiday and trek to Somerville next Wednesday. The Vikings will return home to entertain Salem next Friday.

 

Rough start for WHS softball 

The Winthrop High softball team opened its season Monday afternoon, hosting Beverly. The contest proved to be a tough one for the Lady Vikings, as the visiting Lady Panthers clawed their way to a 26-3 victory that was aided by nine walks, three hit-batters, and a number of fielding miscues by Winthrop.

Among the bright spots for the Lady Vikings were senior captain and catcher Jess Martin, who went 1-for-2 with a double and two RBI, and shortstop Bella Perrotti, who went 2-for-3 with an RBI.

Other members of coach Dave Guffey’s 2018 edition are senior captain Emma Carney at second base, Callie Peterson at first base, pitcher Stephanie Strangie, Nelly Carter at third base, outfielder Katie Gagnon, centerfielder Izzy Mahoney, pitcher Sofia Vitale, and utility platers Emily Creator and Nicole Newman.

Guffey and his crew were scheduled to travel to Lynn Classical yesterday (Wednesday). They will entertain Lynn English on the holiday on Monday and trek to Somerville next Wednesday.

 

WHS girls tennis

team opens season

 

Although the Winthrop High girls tennis team came up on the short end of a 5-0 decision at Beverly in the Lady Vikings’ season opener this week, new head coach Mike Nickerson overall was pleased with his team’s performance.

“All of the singles matches were well-contested,” said Nickerson. “We have a young team that is working hard to improve. The girls have a great attitude and it has been a pleasure to coach them.”

Junior captains Kirsten Griffiths and Sofie LaFratta currently play at first and second singles. International transfer student Hui Gau, a senior, holds down the third singles slot.

All of the Lady Vikings’ doubles players are sophomores. The tandem of Sara Fucillo and Olivia Driscoll played at first doubles and the duo of Hannah Capone and Sage D’Amelio played at second doubles in the Beverly match.

Nickerson and his crew are scheduled to play today (Thursday), hosting Lynn Classical. The Lady Vikings then will be off until after the vacation week.

 

From the Press Box

Raise the Racquets

By: Jim Lederman

The boy’s tennis team opened their season (yesterday) on Wednesday with Beverly at the McClean Courts. Coach Marie Finn is  in her 25^th season as tennis coach. She is very optimistic for another winning season.

“We have 22 players on the squad and we completed our second consecutive record season, winning 14 matches.”

“I want to thank the 1,000 fans who supported our program after the previous administration wanted to knock down the legendary courts and build a parking lot,” said coach Finn. “I have a talented group of very athletic student athletes. Fourteen Viking hockey players that bring a winning attitude after another playoff run for the Vikings.”

Seniors are led by Henry Brooks (NEC hockey all-star), Jake Langone and Viking co-captain Steve Holgersen (two-time all-star). The trio will serve as co-captains. We will miss our ‘number one’ player junior captain Corey Cherico, out after a shoulder operation. Devin Pulsifer, hoop standout, is another senior player. Junior players include Chris Finn (hockey player) NEC hockey all-star Sammy Yarrow, Andy Angulo, Riland Bytyqui and Alessio Naio.

Sophomores – Michael Brooks, Kevin Dorr, Joe Deeb, Nick Deeb, Steve Hinchion, Jared Vecchio and Michael Vecchio.

Freshman hockey sensation Joey Holgersen and Augusino Cherico gives the team four brother combination to battle at the net! Coach Finn looks forward to the day a new Wallace B. McClean Court is built, to add to the sparkling new Winthrop Athletic Complex.

Raise the Racquets!

Go Vikings!

Let the Games Begin!

 

 

April Showers

This month is my favorite sports month of the year. How would you rank your favorite event of April? March Madness – Final Four, NHL and NBA playoffs, the NBA draft on Thursday night – April 26, the Masters (golf) and Opening Day at Fenway Park (39 degrees at the ball park).

You can watch sports every day on television – CBS- NBC – Sports Boston Channel 5 – Channel 4 – ESPN or TNT – This is a great month for sports – now if the weather improves – no more cold – no more three days of showers. When will the sun shine?

I think I will take a trip to the ‘new Miller Field’ to watch the Vikings play.

Welcome to Spring!

Go Vikings!

Go Celts and Bruins!

Let the Games Begin!

 

 

Havlicek Stole the Ball

April 10^th – Marked the 40^th Anniversary of the legendary ex-Celtic John Havlicek’s final game in the old Boston Garden.

Hondo is the all-time Boston Celtics scoring leader 28,267 points! Hondo played from 1962-1978. I was at the Boston Garden for two memorable nights in his magnificent career.

In 1962 the Boston Celtics drafted Havlicek after a remarkable college hoop career as a ‘Buckeye’ at Ohio State. The Cleveland Browns also drafted Havlicek even though he did not play college football.

Havlicek was the final cut after the pre-season, he was cut and the player that made the team as an end, was Gary Collins. He was ‘Rookie of the Year,’ and was named to the NFL Hall of Fame.

I was at Hondo’s first game in the Garden in 1962! In 1965 the Boston Celtics played the Philadelphia 76ers in a big NBA playoff game in the Garden. Wilt Chamberlin was the legendary ’76-er’ player.

With five seasons left in the game and the Celtics leading by one point. The Sixers threw the ball from under the Boston basket – “Hondo stole the ball,” passed to Sam Jones, who ran the clock out and threw the ball in the air. A young fan from Winthrop (who shall re main anonymous) caught the historic ball and ran off the court with the ball under his coat. Only three Winthrop hoop enthusiasts know who that young man was Howie, Sean and Chuckie know the rest of the story.

Hondo retired at the age of (38 years old) if he only knew that (number 33) Larry Bird would follow in a couple of years, maybe he could of played a couple of more years and added ‘another ring’ to his championship career.

Hondo was among the many Celtics true demigods in the history of Boston Celtics – 17 World Championships. ‘Hondo’ wore Number 17.

Go Celtics!

Good Luck in the Playoffs!

Let the Games Begin!

 

 

 

Good Luck Billy

I can remember the first time I heard the cheer – “Keep Driving Billy.” I was at the playoff game in the Tigers Den. Winthrop vs. Ipswich in the Ipswich High School basketball gym.

The crowd was SRO (Standing Room Only) two ‘rabid’ hoop towns. The captain of the Vikings was Vasili Mallios – aka Billy. The cheer was from his dad Steve Mallios – an outstanding hoop player at Bishop Fenwick and Salem State!

The Vikings were a huge underdog, but behind the outstanding coaching of David Brown, the Vikings lost a close game. Ipswich played in the Garden and almost won the title.

Billy is now a teacher at the Winthrop Middle School and a college and high school hoop referee. Working his way to the next level!

Billy has another new job, taking care of the ‘new’ Miller Field. My how time flies bye. Another ex-Viking athlete giving back to his school.

Good Luck Billy!

Let the Games Begin!

 

 

The Family Tennis Match

Last Saturday afternoon the weather was c hilly but a large family was at the Salem State College tennis courts. The Hodgkins and Martucci families were cheering for the coach and his young brother.

Wentworth Institute has a new tennis coach. Kenny Hodgkins is the men’s and women’s tennis coach. Kenny left his Vikings head coaching ‘gig’ to step up to the college level.

Kenny was captain of the Salem State Vikings tennis team. His brother Luke followed Ken and now the third member of the Hodgkins clan – Noah is playing for the Vikings.

Noah was the Bentley Swift trophy winner as a senior at WHS, after an outstanding Vikings hockey career.

The final score Salem State 7 – Wentworth 2. A battle of two ex-Vikings on the court – the cheers will continue.

Go Vikings!

Let the Games Begin!

 

 

On Second Thought

I enjoyed talking Celtics basketball with legendary Boston Celtics – Boston Herald Sports writer – Steve Bulpett on Sunday – the annual Greek Easter Sunday celebration at the Tsiotos family compound.

Steve fells the Philly 76ers have a chance to win the Eastern Conference title – can they beat the Cavaliers (I hate that team) or the overrated Toronto Raptors – “With Embid back, they could prevail,” said 33-year Celtics beat writer, Steve Bulpett from Swampscott. The Yankees vs. the Red Sox – this week at Fenway Park. Will good pitching (Price and Sale) defeat the ‘vaunted’ home run tandem of Judge and Stanton win over the beloved Red Sox – Stay Tuned!

I visited with former Vikings all-time leading scorer in boy’s basketball Dino Mallios (1,475 points – ‘legitimate 1,000 points scorer). Dino was two-time Boson Herald All-Scholastic – played at St. Anselms College in 2014. Dino was Number One in division for assists in the country – Can you remember? His junior year he tossed in 334 points in the North Finals at the Tsongas Center.

 

 

The Cavaliers

The NBA playoffs begin this week! The Cleveland Cavaliers received a ‘huge break,’ when the Boston Celtics lost all-star Kyrie Irving (a 25-point scorer) with a knee operation.

Kyrie has had a long injury history – in 2015 he was lost in the playoffs when he played for Cleveland. In college he had injuries playing at Duke. Kyrie is 26 years old – his future is bright when he returns in 2018-2018.

The Cavaliers got a ‘free ride’ to the NBA finals – when they defeat the Toronto Raptors. “I am the greatest player in the NBA and the world,” says Lebron James – “I am the king” – I will cheer for the team the ‘Cavs’ play in the playoff – “I hate Lebron.”

If the Cavs make the finals it would be their 8^th year in the NBA finals – I watched Larry Bird – ‘Larry the Legend’ as a Celtics – he is in the top players in NBA history. I was a Celtics season ticker holder; the Celtics won three NBA titles (1981-1984-1986) in the old legendary Garden!

Let the Games Begin!

 

 

Playoff Preview

The Boston Garden (TD Garden) will be jumping this week. The Bruins open t heir playoff series Thursday and Saturday. The Bruins face off with the Toronto Maple Leafs – the Bruins need strong goaltending from Tuukka Rask, scoring from Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron and the play of Charlie McAvoy and Torey Krug. I like the Bruins in

The Celtics finished with a couple of losses, while they rested the starting five. The team needs leadership from Al Horoford, Terry Rosier and scoring from Jay Len Brown and 20-year old rookie sensation Jason Tatum. The bench play from Marcus Morris and Greg Munroe to make up for the injuries to all-star Kyrie Irving and Marcus Smart.

The coaching of Brad Stevens will be a key after a strong second place finish. I like the Celtics in

Let the Games Begin!

 

 

Vikings Sports Schedule

Thursday – April 12^th

Lacrosse vs. Revere – 4 p.m. at Miller Field

 

Monday – April 16^th

Tennis vs. Lynn English – 10 a.m. at McClean Courts

 

Softball vs. Lynn English – 10:00 a.m. at Little League Field

 

Wednesday, April 18^th – Baseball vs. Somerville 10:00 at Veterans Field

 

Girl’s Lacrosse vs. St. Mary’s of Lynn – 11:00 at Miller Field.

 

Friday, April 20^th – Salem at baseball – veterans Field 10:00 a.m.

Go Vikings!

Let the Games Begin!

Thomsen Holding Court

Legendary NBA writer will be in Winthrop for signing of new book

By Cary Shuman

Ian Thomsen, one of the nation’s leading sportswriters for the past three decades, will be coming to Winthrop on April 19 to talk about his new book, “The Soul of Basketball: The Epic Showdown Between Lebron, Kobe, Doc and Dirk That Saved the NBA.”

Thomas will be speaking about the book and his illustrious career and signing autographs during a special appearance at the Cottage Park Yacht Club.

Thomsen, considered a giant in the writing profession (and not only because he stands a towering 6 feet, 6 inches tall), has a strong affinity for Winthrop. His wife, Maureen (Ford), and well-known Winthrop resident Kathleen Doherty are sisters. He is a proud uncle to Kathleen’s four talented daughters, who excelled in sports at Winthrop High School. Thomsen has visited the town on many occasions and enjoys many of the restaurants here, especially Alia Ristorante.

Thomsen’s book, which focuses on the NBA’s 2010-11 season following LeBron James’s nationally televised “Decision” to play for the Miami Heat, is drawing rave reviews in advance of its April 17 release. His friend, Jackie MacMullan, with whom he interned at the Boston Globe, gave the book a “thumbs-up” during an appearance on ESPN’s “Around The Horn” this week.

It’s easy to see why Thomsen’s book would instantly become a “must-read” for fans of the world’s greatest basketball league. Following his graduation from Northwestern, which sits at the top of the list of college journalism programs in the country alongside Columbia and Missouri, Thomsen began working at the Globe where he covered three NBA finals of Larry Bird versus Magic Johnson. He was also courtside in Barcelona for the original Dream Team’s gold medal-winning performance in the Summer Olympics.

Thomsen said the book focuses on the 2010-11 NBA season that began with NBA prodigy LeBron James telling Jim Gray on “The Decision” that he would be leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers and going to “take my talents to South Beach (Miami).”

“At that time it looked like the NBA was really in trouble,” said Thomsen. “So LeBron was supposed to be the savior for the league, the next Michael Jordan, and over the course of several years, culminating with that show, he turned himself into the villain. He was the most hated athlete in America after that show, combined with the following day in Miami when he did that rally and pronounced that he would win five…six titles for Miami.”

The NBA was heading toward a lockout at that time and there was talk of a shutdown of the league following the season due to a dispute between the owners and the NBA Players Union.

“That’s why I did the book – it was about that season and what was it really about,” said Thomsen. “Is this a game of making money and drawing audiences? Was is a business? Or was it something more valuable than a business? And that’s how the publisher came up with the title, “The Soul of Basketball” because it’s really trying to find out what the soul of the game is. It’s something more than money and fame.”

Thomsen’s conclusion: “That basketball becomes the sport of the American dream and that the biggest names in basketball are driven by something more valuable than money and fame.”

The NBA player who helped Thomsen figure out that basketball is the sport of the American dream was 7-footer Dirk Nowitzki, who has had a Hall of Fame-caliber career for the Dallas Mavericks.

“Dirk’s the hero of the book,” said Thomsen. “He’s an immigrant [from Germany] and he changed the game. He’s the first 7-footer to shoot three-pointers. He was drawn here by the ideals of basketball. He was never a commercial guy. He showed by winning the NBA championship in 2011 that it’s a dream for anyone around the world to play the American game, come to the greatest league in the world, and beat everybody at the game. He lived out his version of the American dream and helps us come up with an identity for our sport.”

In compiling interviews for the book, Thomsen used his sterling reputation among the NBA community to gain inside access to players. Thomsen had a long-time connection to Nowitzki’s basketball mentor, Holger Geschwindner, about whom he had written a feature during his tenure as a writer for Sports Illustrated.

“He taught Dirk how to shoot the basketball – he invented a shooting stroke for Dirk and they practiced every day: footwork, balance, the proper angle and trajectory, keep your mouth open while you’re shooting, ever y last detail,” related Thomsen.

In addition to Nowitzki, the other main characters in the book are LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Doc Rivers.

“Kobe was really good for the book,” said Thomsen. “I joined Sports illustrated at the end of 1997 and I was assigned to do a story about Kobe and the Lakers. He was 19 years old and we went to an outdoor restaurant in Santa Monica and we talked for four hours. The story made the cover. I think that relationship helped convince Kobe to talk to me for this book.

 

Asked about the notorious Sports Illustrated cover jinx, Thomsen replied, “Kobe turned out okay.”

No less a brilliant sports columnist than Winthrop resident Leigh Montville, formerly of the Boston Globe and Sports illustrated, is praising Thomsen’s book.

Writes Montville on the book’s jacket, “Travel back to the 2010 season, when LeBron and his two amigos arrived in Miami, when Dirk asserted himself in Dallas, when the league went through an economic and social convulsion. Marinate to see all the repercussions. Thomsen tells the tale with the deft prose and snappy anecdotes and brings us all up to speed on what might come next.”

Winthrop fans will have the opportunity to meet the author in person and talk some basketball with him next week.

And that’s going to be hoop heaven for those who have followed the game.