Public vs Catholic Roundball Classic: Presented by Basketball X-Perts
@ Emmanuel College (Head Coach Jamahl Jackson-long time Five-Star staff member)
Game One- 3pm Madison Park (MA) v St Raphaels (RI)
Madison Park comes in at 10-1 and ranked in the top 10 in MA Div 1 Boys Basketball. Head Coach Dennis Wilson has a core of seniors that he says has "really bought into the TEAM concept". All parts equally important, they have utilized that depth and experience to be off to one of the best starts in school history. 5-9 Senior Point Guard Spencer Braithwaite is the floor general that makes the operation successful. In the post 6-5 SR front line man David Campbell is good for a double-double every time hes stepped on the floor this season. Both players are receiving scholarship looks at this point.
St Raphaels is a Div 1 team from Pawtucket RI. They are currently 7-7. Coach Sorrentine's team has only two Seniors on its roster, but he has molded the younger players into a force to be reckoned with in the state of RI, which includes star 5-9 freshman point guard, Charles Correa (18ppg, 7apg) and 6-4 sophomore wing, Cesar Mejia.
Game Two- 5pm East Boston (MA) v New Misssion (MA)
A much anticipated battle of the unbeatens has Coach Malcolm Smith's East Boston team off to an 11-0 start and a Div 1 MA top ten ranking facing Coach Corey McCarthy's New Mission team who is MA #1 ranked Div 4 team and has that same 11-0 record.
East Boston players to watch-
New Mission players to watch- SR Osmeo Odena, SR Ousmane Drame, JR Samir
McDaniels
Game Three- 7pm Cathedral (MA) v Winthrop (MA)
Coach Carnell Suttles has his Cathedral (Div 4 top Five team) team off to a 7-3 start. They play tonight (1-22) v St Mary's prior to the Roundball Classic on Sunday. Players to watch for Cathedral are as follows: 6-1 SR Wing Ernest McNeil, 6-0 SO Guard Kyle Lawyer (18ppg) and 5-5 SO Pt Guard Carlos Bermudez. All three of Cathedrals losses have come to higher Div teams.
Coach Dave Brown has Winthrop rolling right now, off to an 11-1 start and a top 5 Div 4 ranking in the state of MA.
This is a classic North v South Div 4 battle and a possible preview to the TD Bank North Garden matchup in March!
Withrop is led by 6-1 SR Dino Mallios, a St Anslem's commit, Gavin Mahoney 5-9 SR point guard and 6-2 SR wing Mark Jenkins.
-Tony Bergeron/ Leigh Klein, Five Star
LINK: http://5starbball.tv/profiles/blogs/fivestar-game-of-the-week-1?xgs=1&xg_source=msg_share_url
Friday, January 22, 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
EASTIE RALLIES TO TAKE DOWN MP
Dan Ventura Boston Herald
A game full of imperfections had a perfect ending. That is, of course, if you are an East Boston fan.
Trailing for most of the game, the Jets rallied from a 12-point deficit in the final seven minutes to force overtime. From there, East Boston took over in the extra session, outscoring Madison Park, 15-6, to take home a hard-fought, 91-82, victory last night at the Madidome.
It was a marathon affair to say the least as 61 fouls (according the official book) were called. East Boston was whistled for 12 in the first quarter alone (as opposed to two for MP) and watched as the Cardinal attempted a whopping 20 free throws in the opening eight minutes.
But that might not have been such as a bad thing as it turned out. In the old days, a trip to the free throw line was better known as the charity stripe. Well, it was no charity for MP, which made just 11-of-20 in the opening quarter and 33-of-63 (imagine getting 63 free throws in a game and losing?) for the contest. By contrast, EB was 23-of-39 from the line, eight of the attempts coming in the waning moments of overtime when MP was forced to foul.
Even with this disadvantage, the Jets still managed to be down by just three (17-14) at the break. Madison Park kept the lead through three quarters (59-50) largely on the strength of big man David Campbell, who was immense with 25 points, 15 rebounds and four blocked shots. With Campbell and speedy point guard Spencer Braithwaite (22 points, six rebounds, six assists) leading the way, MP carried a 62-50 lead into the final seven minutes.
But the walls started to cave in when Campbell was whistled for his fifth foul shortly thereafter. Without Campbell in the paint, East Boston received the jolt it needed and began attacking inside with a vengeance. Dion Ruff was a whirling dynamo for the Jets in the final quarter, scoring 11 of his 13 points in that stretch. His two free throws with 3.2 seconds gave Eastie a 76-75 lead.
Things weren’t easy for Eastie and you just had a chance something was going to happen in the final 3.2 seconds. It did as Braithwaite was fouled just as he was ready to shoot with 0.2 seconds left. He missed the first and made the second to force overtime.
Despite some serious foul trouble (Dimitry Coronel, Jeff Amazan, Elijah Chisholm, Tweet Wynn and John Flakes all fouled out for Eastie), the Jets took control midway through the overtime and never looked back. Amazan (18 points, five rebounds) and Walter Lewis (15) scored all 15 of Eastie’s points in the extra session to give them the wild win.
For Amazan, putting it to MP is old hat. Last year, as a member of Charlestown, Amazan help fashion one of the biggest comebacks of the season. Trailing by 17 with less than three minutes to go, the Townies rallied to win on a 3-pointer by Amazan from the baseline.
A game full of imperfections had a perfect ending. That is, of course, if you are an East Boston fan.
Trailing for most of the game, the Jets rallied from a 12-point deficit in the final seven minutes to force overtime. From there, East Boston took over in the extra session, outscoring Madison Park, 15-6, to take home a hard-fought, 91-82, victory last night at the Madidome.
It was a marathon affair to say the least as 61 fouls (according the official book) were called. East Boston was whistled for 12 in the first quarter alone (as opposed to two for MP) and watched as the Cardinal attempted a whopping 20 free throws in the opening eight minutes.
But that might not have been such as a bad thing as it turned out. In the old days, a trip to the free throw line was better known as the charity stripe. Well, it was no charity for MP, which made just 11-of-20 in the opening quarter and 33-of-63 (imagine getting 63 free throws in a game and losing?) for the contest. By contrast, EB was 23-of-39 from the line, eight of the attempts coming in the waning moments of overtime when MP was forced to foul.
Even with this disadvantage, the Jets still managed to be down by just three (17-14) at the break. Madison Park kept the lead through three quarters (59-50) largely on the strength of big man David Campbell, who was immense with 25 points, 15 rebounds and four blocked shots. With Campbell and speedy point guard Spencer Braithwaite (22 points, six rebounds, six assists) leading the way, MP carried a 62-50 lead into the final seven minutes.
But the walls started to cave in when Campbell was whistled for his fifth foul shortly thereafter. Without Campbell in the paint, East Boston received the jolt it needed and began attacking inside with a vengeance. Dion Ruff was a whirling dynamo for the Jets in the final quarter, scoring 11 of his 13 points in that stretch. His two free throws with 3.2 seconds gave Eastie a 76-75 lead.
Things weren’t easy for Eastie and you just had a chance something was going to happen in the final 3.2 seconds. It did as Braithwaite was fouled just as he was ready to shoot with 0.2 seconds left. He missed the first and made the second to force overtime.
Despite some serious foul trouble (Dimitry Coronel, Jeff Amazan, Elijah Chisholm, Tweet Wynn and John Flakes all fouled out for Eastie), the Jets took control midway through the overtime and never looked back. Amazan (18 points, five rebounds) and Walter Lewis (15) scored all 15 of Eastie’s points in the extra session to give them the wild win.
For Amazan, putting it to MP is old hat. Last year, as a member of Charlestown, Amazan help fashion one of the biggest comebacks of the season. Trailing by 17 with less than three minutes to go, the Townies rallied to win on a 3-pointer by Amazan from the baseline.
Friday, December 4, 2009
MIAA State Wide Superbowl Games
On Saturday, December 5th Superbowl games will be played a different locations across the state. Below you will find information essential to successfully covering these games. As always please email or call me if you have questions or concerns.
Eastern Mass. Superbowls - http://www.miaa.net/Superbowls-2009-East.pdf
· Parking Map - http://www.miaa.net/gillette-parking-map.pdf
· Additional Information - http://www.miaa.net/Superbowl-flyer-2009.pdf
For all games at Gillette Stadium, members of the media should park in lot 6 and enter the stadium through the Media Will Call entrance. The media parking lot is highlighted in pink and the entrance is circled in pink as indicated on the map linked above. Print media (including on-line publications) shall sign in using their own company credentials. Television and radio members need to present either their yearly membership pass or a signed and approved MIAA contract.
· Individual Event Contract - http://www.miaa.net/WB19-MediaAgree.pdf
· Member School Media Waiver - http://www.miaa.net/WB21-MediaWaiv.pdf
Television stations wishing to use footage taken by Kraft productions must bring their own DV Cam or Beta SP stock. Please note that once approved by the MIAA, all television and radio stations need to check in with Jeff Cournoyer, jeffco@patriots.com only if they have NOT already done so.
For all games at Bentley University:
Print media (including on-line publications) shall sign in using their own company credentials. Television and radio members need to present either their yearly membership pass or a signed and approved MIAA contract.
· Individual Event Contract - http://www.miaa.net/WB19-MediaAgree.pdf
· Member School Media Waiver - http://www.miaa.net/WB21-MediaWaiv.pdf
Central Mass. Superbowls - http://www.miaa.net/Superbowls-2009-Central.pdf
· Tournament Director – Jim Bergenholtz, 508-269-3286
Central Mass. Superbowls - http://www.miaa.net/Superbowls-2009-West.pdf
· Tournament Director – Joe Doyle, 413-441-5338
Eastern Mass. Superbowls - http://www.miaa.net/Superbowls-2009-East.pdf
· Parking Map - http://www.miaa.net/gillette-parking-map.pdf
· Additional Information - http://www.miaa.net/Superbowl-flyer-2009.pdf
For all games at Gillette Stadium, members of the media should park in lot 6 and enter the stadium through the Media Will Call entrance. The media parking lot is highlighted in pink and the entrance is circled in pink as indicated on the map linked above. Print media (including on-line publications) shall sign in using their own company credentials. Television and radio members need to present either their yearly membership pass or a signed and approved MIAA contract.
· Individual Event Contract - http://www.miaa.net/WB19-MediaAgree.pdf
· Member School Media Waiver - http://www.miaa.net/WB21-MediaWaiv.pdf
Television stations wishing to use footage taken by Kraft productions must bring their own DV Cam or Beta SP stock. Please note that once approved by the MIAA, all television and radio stations need to check in with Jeff Cournoyer, jeffco@patriots.com only if they have NOT already done so.
For all games at Bentley University:
Print media (including on-line publications) shall sign in using their own company credentials. Television and radio members need to present either their yearly membership pass or a signed and approved MIAA contract.
· Individual Event Contract - http://www.miaa.net/WB19-MediaAgree.pdf
· Member School Media Waiver - http://www.miaa.net/WB21-MediaWaiv.pdf
Central Mass. Superbowls - http://www.miaa.net/Superbowls-2009-Central.pdf
· Tournament Director – Jim Bergenholtz, 508-269-3286
Central Mass. Superbowls - http://www.miaa.net/Superbowls-2009-West.pdf
· Tournament Director – Joe Doyle, 413-441-5338
Thursday, December 3, 2009
O'Bryant gets the job done
By Amara Grautski, Globe Correspondent | November 27, 2009
Thanksgiving was a great day for stripes.
As the final seconds ticked off the clock, a sea of Tigers and Bengals fans flooded the field at English High School, even though the followers of the Boston South teams are usually at odds.
O’Bryant’s 6-2 win sent Latin Academy packing and catapulted Brighton (4-6, 4-1) into the playoffs.
O’Bryant (8-2) had nothing to gain - it couldn’t earn a playoff berth even with a victory - but coach Kevin Gadson seemed determined to put another mark in the win column and prove any naysayers wrong.
“Our record speaks for itself,’’ Gadson said. “We don’t have any control over who goes [to the playoffs]. We just want to win every game.’’
O’Bryant set the tone early, with quarterback Omari Alfred and running back Chandler Ransom teaming up to move the ball 70 yards on the ground on the first drive of the game. It culminated in a 5-yard touchdown run by Ransom to put the Tigers on top, 6-0.
“We just have to make our moves, and follow our blocks, and stick together,’’ said Ransom. “We’ve just had this relationship and just bonded well, and it carried out well throughout the whole season.’’
There were only four minutes remaining in the first quarter when the O’Bryant defense went to work - and it never relented. Latin Academy (8-3) was held to only 2 yards before halftime.
“Defense comes from the heart, and we’ve been preaching it the last two years, and they really played a good defensive season,’’ Gadson said. “Although we have a couple losses, they really played defense pretty good outside of two games. We expected it today.’’
The Dragons threatened in the third quarter, marching 47 yards on their first drive. The burst seemed promising, but quarterback Justin Miles failed to connect with Anthony DePina in the back corner of the end zone on fourth down.
The teams traded turnovers before the quarter came to a close; Latin Academy fumbled twice and Alfred threw an interception to Dylan Warfield for the second time in the game.
Thanksgiving was a great day for stripes.
As the final seconds ticked off the clock, a sea of Tigers and Bengals fans flooded the field at English High School, even though the followers of the Boston South teams are usually at odds.
O’Bryant’s 6-2 win sent Latin Academy packing and catapulted Brighton (4-6, 4-1) into the playoffs.
O’Bryant (8-2) had nothing to gain - it couldn’t earn a playoff berth even with a victory - but coach Kevin Gadson seemed determined to put another mark in the win column and prove any naysayers wrong.
“Our record speaks for itself,’’ Gadson said. “We don’t have any control over who goes [to the playoffs]. We just want to win every game.’’
O’Bryant set the tone early, with quarterback Omari Alfred and running back Chandler Ransom teaming up to move the ball 70 yards on the ground on the first drive of the game. It culminated in a 5-yard touchdown run by Ransom to put the Tigers on top, 6-0.
“We just have to make our moves, and follow our blocks, and stick together,’’ said Ransom. “We’ve just had this relationship and just bonded well, and it carried out well throughout the whole season.’’
There were only four minutes remaining in the first quarter when the O’Bryant defense went to work - and it never relented. Latin Academy (8-3) was held to only 2 yards before halftime.
“Defense comes from the heart, and we’ve been preaching it the last two years, and they really played a good defensive season,’’ Gadson said. “Although we have a couple losses, they really played defense pretty good outside of two games. We expected it today.’’
The Dragons threatened in the third quarter, marching 47 yards on their first drive. The burst seemed promising, but quarterback Justin Miles failed to connect with Anthony DePina in the back corner of the end zone on fourth down.
The teams traded turnovers before the quarter came to a close; Latin Academy fumbled twice and Alfred threw an interception to Dylan Warfield for the second time in the game.
Positioned for success
Wherever he’s needed, Jets’ Amodeo is ready
By Evan MacDonald, Globe Correspondent | December 1, 2009
East Boston coach John Sousa said that when his team needs to plug a hole, he looks to his Band-Aid.
But he’s not referring to an adhesive bandage. He’s talking about senior Brandon Amodeo, his do-it-all workhorse who is fourth in Division 4 with 108 points this season.
During his career, Amodeo has seen time at running back, fullback, quarterback, cornerback, and linebacker.
“I think it’s an honor for [Sousa] to trust me like that,’’ Amodeo said. “I would never say no to him, so whatever position he wants to play, I’ll play.’’
Amodeo’s 16 touchdowns are a major reason the Jets (9-1) are set to face Bristol-Plymouth tonight at Taunton High in the Division 4 semifinals.
And as the Jets practiced on the field outside Sartori Stadium last Saturday, Sousa was still looking for different ways to use Amodeo. In the brisk morning air, Amodeo was booming punts as if he’d been the team’s regular punter for years.
“On Mondays, we practice punting the ball, and he’s the best,’’ Sousa said. “So I said to Brandon, ‘Do you think you can sell 50/50 raffle tickets at halftime, too?’ ’’
Sousa said he uses Amodeo at so many positions out of necessity. As a junior, Amodeo was the team’s quarterback until current signal-caller Troy Williams was ready to take the reins. He was then rotated between positions in the backfield, before finally settling in at halfback.
Amodeo was also a cornerback for two-plus years before an injury left a hole at linebacker in the Jets’ defense. Amodeo is slightly undersized for the position - he’s generously listed at 5 feet 10 inches and 190 pounds - but he has stepped in to fill the void.
Sousa said the transition to linebacker has been seamless because Amodeo is such an intelligent player.
“He’s very smart out there,’’ Sousa said. “He knows the formations, and he knows the plays. He’s a good little linebacker.’’
Amodeo isn’t just smart on the field; he’s an honor roll student and wants to attend college, where he hopes to study civil engineering. He also runs track during the spring.
Sousa said the way Amodeo carries himself, on and off the field, is what led to him being selected as a team captain this season.
“He’s a good kid, he works hard, and he sets a fine example for the football team,’’ Sousa said. “He’s a football player that I want all our other players to emulate.’’
Amodeo said he tries to do all that he can to be an example for his teammates, including being a vocal leader in the locker room.
“Every game, before the game, someone gives a little speech,’’ Amodeo said. “I just try to say something to psych my team up.’’
Amodeo began playing football for East Boston Pop Warner when he was 7. He was always a quarterback until his junior year in high school.
It wasn’t until his sophomore year that Sousa really started to take notice of Amodeo. When the team’s starting cornerback went down with an injury, Amodeo was asked to step in and produce.
“To tell you the truth, I didn’t really think he could do it, because he’s more of a linebacker type,’’ Sousa said. “But he had four interceptions as a sophomore, and I said, ‘Son of a gun, great job.’ A little sophomore kid, getting out there. Because he was smart, he understood.’’
Sousa said one thing that sets Amodeo apart is his knack for making a big play when the Jets need it most. He noted the Jets’ Nov. 13 win over Madison Park, when Amodeo broke off a 35-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. The score increased the Jets’ lead to 22-0 in a game they would go on to win, 29-0, clinching the Boston North title.
A Super Bowl win would be especially sweet for the Jets this year, because Sousa is set to retire after 15 seasons at the helm. Sousa is an East Boston alumnus who captained the 1968 Jets to an undefeated season, and he said it would be great to end his career with a championship.
“We’ve got 18 seniors,’’ Sousa said. “I said to them, ‘I’m going out with you, boys! This is our last year, so let’s go!’ ’’
Amodeo, similarly, would like a championship, both for himself and his coach. He was a starting cornerback two years ago when the Jets lost to Greater Lawrence, 19-6, in the Division 3A Super Bowl.
“To go undefeated [in 2007] and then to lose in the Super Bowl during my sophomore year was the hardest thing to happen to me, ever, in football,’’ Amodeo said. “I don’t know if I’m going to play football in college, so to win the Super Bowl would be the best thing that could happen to me.’’
By Evan MacDonald, Globe Correspondent | December 1, 2009
East Boston coach John Sousa said that when his team needs to plug a hole, he looks to his Band-Aid.
But he’s not referring to an adhesive bandage. He’s talking about senior Brandon Amodeo, his do-it-all workhorse who is fourth in Division 4 with 108 points this season.
During his career, Amodeo has seen time at running back, fullback, quarterback, cornerback, and linebacker.
“I think it’s an honor for [Sousa] to trust me like that,’’ Amodeo said. “I would never say no to him, so whatever position he wants to play, I’ll play.’’
Amodeo’s 16 touchdowns are a major reason the Jets (9-1) are set to face Bristol-Plymouth tonight at Taunton High in the Division 4 semifinals.
And as the Jets practiced on the field outside Sartori Stadium last Saturday, Sousa was still looking for different ways to use Amodeo. In the brisk morning air, Amodeo was booming punts as if he’d been the team’s regular punter for years.
“On Mondays, we practice punting the ball, and he’s the best,’’ Sousa said. “So I said to Brandon, ‘Do you think you can sell 50/50 raffle tickets at halftime, too?’ ’’
Sousa said he uses Amodeo at so many positions out of necessity. As a junior, Amodeo was the team’s quarterback until current signal-caller Troy Williams was ready to take the reins. He was then rotated between positions in the backfield, before finally settling in at halfback.
Amodeo was also a cornerback for two-plus years before an injury left a hole at linebacker in the Jets’ defense. Amodeo is slightly undersized for the position - he’s generously listed at 5 feet 10 inches and 190 pounds - but he has stepped in to fill the void.
Sousa said the transition to linebacker has been seamless because Amodeo is such an intelligent player.
“He’s very smart out there,’’ Sousa said. “He knows the formations, and he knows the plays. He’s a good little linebacker.’’
Amodeo isn’t just smart on the field; he’s an honor roll student and wants to attend college, where he hopes to study civil engineering. He also runs track during the spring.
Sousa said the way Amodeo carries himself, on and off the field, is what led to him being selected as a team captain this season.
“He’s a good kid, he works hard, and he sets a fine example for the football team,’’ Sousa said. “He’s a football player that I want all our other players to emulate.’’
Amodeo said he tries to do all that he can to be an example for his teammates, including being a vocal leader in the locker room.
“Every game, before the game, someone gives a little speech,’’ Amodeo said. “I just try to say something to psych my team up.’’
Amodeo began playing football for East Boston Pop Warner when he was 7. He was always a quarterback until his junior year in high school.
It wasn’t until his sophomore year that Sousa really started to take notice of Amodeo. When the team’s starting cornerback went down with an injury, Amodeo was asked to step in and produce.
“To tell you the truth, I didn’t really think he could do it, because he’s more of a linebacker type,’’ Sousa said. “But he had four interceptions as a sophomore, and I said, ‘Son of a gun, great job.’ A little sophomore kid, getting out there. Because he was smart, he understood.’’
Sousa said one thing that sets Amodeo apart is his knack for making a big play when the Jets need it most. He noted the Jets’ Nov. 13 win over Madison Park, when Amodeo broke off a 35-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. The score increased the Jets’ lead to 22-0 in a game they would go on to win, 29-0, clinching the Boston North title.
A Super Bowl win would be especially sweet for the Jets this year, because Sousa is set to retire after 15 seasons at the helm. Sousa is an East Boston alumnus who captained the 1968 Jets to an undefeated season, and he said it would be great to end his career with a championship.
“We’ve got 18 seniors,’’ Sousa said. “I said to them, ‘I’m going out with you, boys! This is our last year, so let’s go!’ ’’
Amodeo, similarly, would like a championship, both for himself and his coach. He was a starting cornerback two years ago when the Jets lost to Greater Lawrence, 19-6, in the Division 3A Super Bowl.
“To go undefeated [in 2007] and then to lose in the Super Bowl during my sophomore year was the hardest thing to happen to me, ever, in football,’’ Amodeo said. “I don’t know if I’m going to play football in college, so to win the Super Bowl would be the best thing that could happen to me.’’
Playoff Football: East Boston, Brighton, Northeast advance
By Amara Grautski, Globe Corrspondent | December 2, 2009
They still remember 2007.
Two seasons ago, East Boston rode an 11-0 streak into the Super Bowl, where the Jets were met with a stark reality.
“We were on a high horse,’’ said Jets senior Michael Lockley. “We came into Gillette Stadium and thought everything was going to be great, and we came out with a [19-6] loss.’’
Last night, East Boston moved one step closer to making that game an evanescent memory, defeating Bristol-Plymouth, 35-8, in a Division 4 semifinal at Taunton High.
Lockley veered with finesse through holes opened up by his offensive line. Brandon Campbell kicked Craftsmen defenders off his feet as he powered for a 12-yard touchdown run. And at one point, quarterback Troy Williams pirouetted between two defenders on a 20-yard scamper.
East Boston’s explosive rushing game collected 100 yards in the first half and doubled that amount in the second. The Jets’ defense was also hungry, forcing two interceptions and a fumble by B-P quarterback Evan Cabral, who completed just one pass for 10 yards.
“This team is probably the most talented, skillful team I’ve had since I’ve coached,’’ said East Boston coach John Sousa. “They really wanted to get to the Super Bowl. They really wanted this game and they showed the desire out there. They didn’t want to go down.’’
East Boston (10-1) got two rushing touchdowns in the first quarter, by Lockley and Campbell, to take a 14-0 lead into halftime. Lockley carried the offense in the first half with 53 yards on 10 carries.
The Jets poured it on with back-to-back touchdowns in the third quarter. Brandon Amodeo sprinted down the sideline for 41 yards, and after senior Matt Wyatt picked off Cabral on B-P’s first play of the quarter, Lockley ran for a 14-yard TD to give East Boston a 28-0 cushion.
Bristol-Plymouth (8-3) finally got on the board early in the fourth. Cabral capitalized on a fumble recovery by running 54 yards on the next play. He also rushed for the 2-point conversion.
East Boston answered right back with a 35-yard TD run by Amodeo. Victor Correa kicked the extra point to put the finishing touch on a well-crafted attack.
The squad that remembers 2007 never relented. And it’s set on making sure history doesn’t repeat itself.
“All I thought was win,’’ said Lockley. “You’ve got to win with the heart that you’ve got and put it all out on the field.’’
A championship would be special for Sousa, who is retiring after the season. There’s still work to be done, a matchup with Whittier Saturday at Bentley University.
“For his last year, to go out with a Super Bowl would be great,’’ Lockley said. “And that’s what the team is trying to do.’’
Division 4A
Brighton 8, Tri-County 6 - Brighton didn’t get on the field until 30 minutes before kickoff, but the Bengals warmed up nicely in the sub-40 degree weather against Tri-County at Franklin High.
By the second quarter, Brighton had an 8-0 lead behind wing back Kevin DePina, who pummeled the Cougars for 100 yards on 11 carries. DePina’s biggest contribution was a 23-yard touchdown reception from Jonathan Rosa. DePina then rushed for a 2-point conversion, which was the difference and sent Brighton (5-6) into Saturday’s Division 4A title game against Northeast at Bentley University.
“We really had a good defensive effort,’’ said Brighton coach James Phillips. “Our linebackers, our defensive line played a tough, tough game.
“They wanted it here,’’ said Phillips, pointing to his heart. “It’s nothing special. They just wanted it more.’’
Led by Randy Hardy, Tri-County (8-4) fell short in the final minutes.
Hardy broke loose for a 30-yard run to bring the Cougars to the Brighton 9-yard line. But after three plays and two timeouts, there still was 1 yard to go.
On fourth and goal, Hardy punched it in to bring Tri-County to 8-6 with 2:13 remaining. But the Bengals defense made a huge stop on the 2-point conversion.
The stop served as validation of Brighton’s pride and perseverance in a sub-.500 season.
“[This season], we didn’t do what we have to do,’’ said DePina. “Today, we did what we had to do. We don’t care about no record.’’
Northeast 24, Marian 14 - With a trip to the Division 4A Super Bowl on the line, Northeast (7-5) defeated Marian (4-6) at Pierce Field in Arlington. The Golden Knights got things rolling in the first period, quarterback Donato Dipietrantonio falling across the goal line on fourth and 1.
The Mustangs fired right back, scoring on a short rush by Ben Kinsherf, and taking the lead on the extra point by Miguel Ortiz.
However, with only two seconds remaining in the first half and Northeast set up for what looked like a clock-killing rush, running back Bobby Novella fired a 43-yard touchdown pass to Raul Galdamez to send Northeast into the half leading, 12-7.
“I threw that play in four weeks ago and we tried it once and we fumbled, so tonight was nice to see it work for us,’’ said Northeast coach Don Heres.
The Golden Knights never looked back, dominating the third quarter. They drove 70 yards without attempting a pass, led by the running attack of Novella, Joey Ginepra, and Christian O’Leary. Ginepra caped the drive with a 15-yard TD rush, putting the game away.
“We bent tonight but we didn’t break,’’ said Heres. “It got a little scary, but we did enough to win.’’
They still remember 2007.
Two seasons ago, East Boston rode an 11-0 streak into the Super Bowl, where the Jets were met with a stark reality.
“We were on a high horse,’’ said Jets senior Michael Lockley. “We came into Gillette Stadium and thought everything was going to be great, and we came out with a [19-6] loss.’’
Last night, East Boston moved one step closer to making that game an evanescent memory, defeating Bristol-Plymouth, 35-8, in a Division 4 semifinal at Taunton High.
Lockley veered with finesse through holes opened up by his offensive line. Brandon Campbell kicked Craftsmen defenders off his feet as he powered for a 12-yard touchdown run. And at one point, quarterback Troy Williams pirouetted between two defenders on a 20-yard scamper.
East Boston’s explosive rushing game collected 100 yards in the first half and doubled that amount in the second. The Jets’ defense was also hungry, forcing two interceptions and a fumble by B-P quarterback Evan Cabral, who completed just one pass for 10 yards.
“This team is probably the most talented, skillful team I’ve had since I’ve coached,’’ said East Boston coach John Sousa. “They really wanted to get to the Super Bowl. They really wanted this game and they showed the desire out there. They didn’t want to go down.’’
East Boston (10-1) got two rushing touchdowns in the first quarter, by Lockley and Campbell, to take a 14-0 lead into halftime. Lockley carried the offense in the first half with 53 yards on 10 carries.
The Jets poured it on with back-to-back touchdowns in the third quarter. Brandon Amodeo sprinted down the sideline for 41 yards, and after senior Matt Wyatt picked off Cabral on B-P’s first play of the quarter, Lockley ran for a 14-yard TD to give East Boston a 28-0 cushion.
Bristol-Plymouth (8-3) finally got on the board early in the fourth. Cabral capitalized on a fumble recovery by running 54 yards on the next play. He also rushed for the 2-point conversion.
East Boston answered right back with a 35-yard TD run by Amodeo. Victor Correa kicked the extra point to put the finishing touch on a well-crafted attack.
The squad that remembers 2007 never relented. And it’s set on making sure history doesn’t repeat itself.
“All I thought was win,’’ said Lockley. “You’ve got to win with the heart that you’ve got and put it all out on the field.’’
A championship would be special for Sousa, who is retiring after the season. There’s still work to be done, a matchup with Whittier Saturday at Bentley University.
“For his last year, to go out with a Super Bowl would be great,’’ Lockley said. “And that’s what the team is trying to do.’’
Division 4A
Brighton 8, Tri-County 6 - Brighton didn’t get on the field until 30 minutes before kickoff, but the Bengals warmed up nicely in the sub-40 degree weather against Tri-County at Franklin High.
By the second quarter, Brighton had an 8-0 lead behind wing back Kevin DePina, who pummeled the Cougars for 100 yards on 11 carries. DePina’s biggest contribution was a 23-yard touchdown reception from Jonathan Rosa. DePina then rushed for a 2-point conversion, which was the difference and sent Brighton (5-6) into Saturday’s Division 4A title game against Northeast at Bentley University.
“We really had a good defensive effort,’’ said Brighton coach James Phillips. “Our linebackers, our defensive line played a tough, tough game.
“They wanted it here,’’ said Phillips, pointing to his heart. “It’s nothing special. They just wanted it more.’’
Led by Randy Hardy, Tri-County (8-4) fell short in the final minutes.
Hardy broke loose for a 30-yard run to bring the Cougars to the Brighton 9-yard line. But after three plays and two timeouts, there still was 1 yard to go.
On fourth and goal, Hardy punched it in to bring Tri-County to 8-6 with 2:13 remaining. But the Bengals defense made a huge stop on the 2-point conversion.
The stop served as validation of Brighton’s pride and perseverance in a sub-.500 season.
“[This season], we didn’t do what we have to do,’’ said DePina. “Today, we did what we had to do. We don’t care about no record.’’
Northeast 24, Marian 14 - With a trip to the Division 4A Super Bowl on the line, Northeast (7-5) defeated Marian (4-6) at Pierce Field in Arlington. The Golden Knights got things rolling in the first period, quarterback Donato Dipietrantonio falling across the goal line on fourth and 1.
The Mustangs fired right back, scoring on a short rush by Ben Kinsherf, and taking the lead on the extra point by Miguel Ortiz.
However, with only two seconds remaining in the first half and Northeast set up for what looked like a clock-killing rush, running back Bobby Novella fired a 43-yard touchdown pass to Raul Galdamez to send Northeast into the half leading, 12-7.
“I threw that play in four weeks ago and we tried it once and we fumbled, so tonight was nice to see it work for us,’’ said Northeast coach Don Heres.
The Golden Knights never looked back, dominating the third quarter. They drove 70 yards without attempting a pass, led by the running attack of Novella, Joey Ginepra, and Christian O’Leary. Ginepra caped the drive with a 15-yard TD rush, putting the game away.
“We bent tonight but we didn’t break,’’ said Heres. “It got a little scary, but we did enough to win.’’
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Allen Iverson signs with 76ers
By Herald Wire Services | Wednesday, December 2, 2009 | http://www.bostonherald.com | NBA Coverage
PHILADELPHIA — Allen Iverson [stats] is rejoining the Philadelphia 76ers [team stats].
Sixers president Ed Stefanski announced the signing Wednesday on the team’s Web site. Iverson is expected to make his debut Monday against the Denver Nuggets.
Stefanski says in a news release that the team felt "Allen was the best available free agent guard to help" after the injury to Lou Williams, who will miss up to eight weeks.
Iverson, his agent and business manager met with Stefanski, coach Eddie Jordan and two other members of the organization Monday.
The 37-year-old Iverson announced his retirement last week after an ill-fated stint with the Memphis Grizzlies. The 10-time All-Star was NBA MVP in 2001 when he led the Sixers to the NBA finals.
Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/other_nba/view.bg?articleid=1215993
PHILADELPHIA — Allen Iverson [stats] is rejoining the Philadelphia 76ers [team stats].
Sixers president Ed Stefanski announced the signing Wednesday on the team’s Web site. Iverson is expected to make his debut Monday against the Denver Nuggets.
Stefanski says in a news release that the team felt "Allen was the best available free agent guard to help" after the injury to Lou Williams, who will miss up to eight weeks.
Iverson, his agent and business manager met with Stefanski, coach Eddie Jordan and two other members of the organization Monday.
The 37-year-old Iverson announced his retirement last week after an ill-fated stint with the Memphis Grizzlies. The 10-time All-Star was NBA MVP in 2001 when he led the Sixers to the NBA finals.
Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/other_nba/view.bg?articleid=1215993
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