LATIN ACADEMY 14, BRIGHTON 0
By Amara Grautski, Globe Correspondent | November 7, 2009
As the sunlight faded on a blustery day at White Stadium, so did Brighton’s chances of clinching a Boston South title and securing a trip to the playoffs.
Although Latin Academy turned the ball over three times, it was the Bengals’ miscue at the end of the third quarter that turned the tide for good, helping the Dragons hold on for a 14-0 victory.
When Latin Academy (7-2, 3-1) punted from its 19-yard line, Brighton mishandled the return. Senior Ohimai Aisiku, who had a first-quarter interception, recovered for the Dragons.
“I think Brighton could have had a situation where they could have gained some momentum,’’ said Latin Academy coach Rocco Zizza. “The ball bounced our way on that kick . . . the wind was a factor. The ball actually came back about 6, 7 yards in the air and hit the ground and hit a kid. And the kid was doing what he was supposed to be doing, but because of the weather that’s what happened.’’
Latin Academy, which hasn’t been to the postseason since 1992, posted the game’s first points about a minute into the second quarter, with Justin Miles hitting Edbiko Elysee on a 63-yard touchdown pass.
The sophomore quarterback struggled for much of the first half, but connected on three consecutive passes for 36 yards to set up a 5-yard touchdown run by Cuong Nguyen just before halftime for a 14-0 lead.
“I’ve been waiting four long seasons for this day,’’ Nguyen said. “We’ve had a losing season ever since I started on this team, so I’m just getting tired of it. I really just [wanted] that win.’’
The Bengals (3-5, 3-1) weren’t able to break through in the second half.
“You win some, you lose some,’’ said Brighton coach James Philip. “It’s a matter of not blocking and tackling and not running the ball well.’’
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Charlestown, Mansfield run away from foes
DIVISION 2 TRACK
By Chris Estrada, Globe Correspondent | February 23, 2009
Heading into the 4 x 400, the final event of the MIAA Division 2 state meet, the Charlestown boys were trailing Woburn by two points. As the meet-deciding relay unfolded, Townies anchor Omar Abdi found himself trailing Reading's Peter Finigan in the final lap.
Abdi could have just settled there and clinched the state title the easy way. He chose the hard way instead.
Abdi got past Finigan in Turn 4 for the win and the state crown. Charlestown finished with 40 points, edging Woburn (34) and Mansfield (33).
The team triumph of Abdi, Yaovi Jondoh, Ahmed Ali, and Kamal Riley in 3 minutes 26.43 seconds was amplified by multiple individual wins. Abdi won the mile in 4:15.53, missing the meet record by .04 seconds. Jondoh won the 300 in 36.09 and Ali came through with his own final-lap kick to win the 2-mile in 9:28.13.
To coach Kristyn Hughes, the championship was proof of what can be done with determination.
"I see some kids kick the can and get mad, but not [Abdi, Jondoh, Ali, and Riley]," she said. "They've had bad races, but they come back and say, 'How can we fix this?' instead of giving up."
Abdi can probably attest to that, having finished last in the boys' junior mile at the Boston Indoor Games Feb. 7.
"I've had some pretty bad races in the last couple of weeks, so [winning yesterday] gives me a lot of confidence," he said. "Coming back from [the Boston Indoor Games] and run a 4:15, it's great."
"Great" may be an understatement for what Mansfield accomplished on the girls' side.
The Hornets crushed their competition, racking up 62 points to beat North Attleboro and Notre Dame of Hingham (26 apiece). Mansfield won six events, including two wins by Meghan Ferreira and a win in the 4 x 400 relay (Ferreira, Emily Broyles, Erika Unger, and Michelle Jenssen in 4:04.54).
Ferreira won the long jump (16 feet 10 1/2 inches) by a half-inch over Marshfield's Julie McCauley. But in order to claim victory in the 55-meter hurdles (8.34), she had to come from behind to beat Westford's Cassandra Ryding.
Also scoring individual wins for Mansfield were Broyles in the 300 (40.92), Jenssen in the 600 (1:37.48), and Kelly McCabe in the shot put (41 feet).
In the girls' 4 x 200 relay, the North Attleboro team of Julianne Cappadona, Christy Deininger, Lauren Goldberg, and Carolyn Udall won in 1:44.52, shattering O'Bryant's 2004 record of 1:47.14.
Shrewsbury (1:46.53), Reading (1:46.82), and Westford (1:47.09) also beat the old mark.
Another Red Rocketeer, Nick Wade, won the boys' 600 in 1:21.06, beating the 6-year-old mark of Dartmouth's John Doherty (1:21.66).
By Chris Estrada, Globe Correspondent | February 23, 2009
Heading into the 4 x 400, the final event of the MIAA Division 2 state meet, the Charlestown boys were trailing Woburn by two points. As the meet-deciding relay unfolded, Townies anchor Omar Abdi found himself trailing Reading's Peter Finigan in the final lap.
Abdi could have just settled there and clinched the state title the easy way. He chose the hard way instead.
Abdi got past Finigan in Turn 4 for the win and the state crown. Charlestown finished with 40 points, edging Woburn (34) and Mansfield (33).
The team triumph of Abdi, Yaovi Jondoh, Ahmed Ali, and Kamal Riley in 3 minutes 26.43 seconds was amplified by multiple individual wins. Abdi won the mile in 4:15.53, missing the meet record by .04 seconds. Jondoh won the 300 in 36.09 and Ali came through with his own final-lap kick to win the 2-mile in 9:28.13.
To coach Kristyn Hughes, the championship was proof of what can be done with determination.
"I see some kids kick the can and get mad, but not [Abdi, Jondoh, Ali, and Riley]," she said. "They've had bad races, but they come back and say, 'How can we fix this?' instead of giving up."
Abdi can probably attest to that, having finished last in the boys' junior mile at the Boston Indoor Games Feb. 7.
"I've had some pretty bad races in the last couple of weeks, so [winning yesterday] gives me a lot of confidence," he said. "Coming back from [the Boston Indoor Games] and run a 4:15, it's great."
"Great" may be an understatement for what Mansfield accomplished on the girls' side.
The Hornets crushed their competition, racking up 62 points to beat North Attleboro and Notre Dame of Hingham (26 apiece). Mansfield won six events, including two wins by Meghan Ferreira and a win in the 4 x 400 relay (Ferreira, Emily Broyles, Erika Unger, and Michelle Jenssen in 4:04.54).
Ferreira won the long jump (16 feet 10 1/2 inches) by a half-inch over Marshfield's Julie McCauley. But in order to claim victory in the 55-meter hurdles (8.34), she had to come from behind to beat Westford's Cassandra Ryding.
Also scoring individual wins for Mansfield were Broyles in the 300 (40.92), Jenssen in the 600 (1:37.48), and Kelly McCabe in the shot put (41 feet).
In the girls' 4 x 200 relay, the North Attleboro team of Julianne Cappadona, Christy Deininger, Lauren Goldberg, and Carolyn Udall won in 1:44.52, shattering O'Bryant's 2004 record of 1:47.14.
Shrewsbury (1:46.53), Reading (1:46.82), and Westford (1:47.09) also beat the old mark.
Another Red Rocketeer, Nick Wade, won the boys' 600 in 1:21.06, beating the 6-year-old mark of Dartmouth's John Doherty (1:21.66).
BACK IN THE CITY
Danny Ventura| Boston Herald
O’Bryant hired David Siggers as the school’s new boys basketball coach, replacing Juan Figueroa, who left following the 2008-2009 season for Beaver Country Day. A longtime assistant under Mike Rubin at East Boston, Siggers was elevated to the head post when Rubin stepped down to become the school’s headmaster. In two seasons at East Boston, Siggers captured a Boston City League title as well as the Division 2 North sectional crown.
“People should expect to see the same style basketball we used at East Boston,” said Siggers. “We’re going to be an uptempo team, running from end to end. I’m not going to change my coaching style at all.”
O’Bryant hired David Siggers as the school’s new boys basketball coach, replacing Juan Figueroa, who left following the 2008-2009 season for Beaver Country Day. A longtime assistant under Mike Rubin at East Boston, Siggers was elevated to the head post when Rubin stepped down to become the school’s headmaster. In two seasons at East Boston, Siggers captured a Boston City League title as well as the Division 2 North sectional crown.
“People should expect to see the same style basketball we used at East Boston,” said Siggers. “We’re going to be an uptempo team, running from end to end. I’m not going to change my coaching style at all.”
Sousa, Jets land North title
EAST BOSTON 29, MADISON PARK 0
By Amara Grautski, Globe Correspondent | November 14, 2009
After the game clock struck zero, John Sousa gathered his team to deliver a message: This was a memory to cherish the rest of their lives.
But the East Boston coach had plenty of reasons to treasure the moment, as well.
In Sousa’s 15th and final season as coach, the Jets shut out host Madison Park, 29-0, to clinch the Boston North title and a postseason berth.
“It’s a great feeling for me,’’ Sousa said. “It’s my last coaching season. I’d like to be the North League champs, but it’s better because these kids worked hard since August.’’
East Boston (8-1, 4-0) had one of its toughest schedules in team history, but its only loss was to Austin Prep in the first game. Since then, the Jets have defeated solid teams like Amesbury, Blue Hills, and Brighton.
“We played all the big boys, and the kids got better and better every week,’’ Sousa said. “They worked hard. They [came] to practice. They’re a good bunch of kids.’’
Although the Jets started out slowly, their hard work culminated in a well-rounded effort against the Cardinals.
Senior Stanley Greene ran 4 tough yards for a touchdown in the first quarter, with senior captain Brandon Amodeo rushing for the 2-point conversion to give the Jets an 8-0 lead heading into halftime.
But Sousa knew his team’s first-half performance wouldn’t cut it if East Boston wanted to walk away with the title.
“In the second half, Coach had a talk with us,’’ Greene said. “He said that if we wanted to win the city championship, [we’d] have to come out in the second half fired up and ready to go.’’
The Jets ate about eight minutes off the clock on their opening drive in the third quarter, ending in another 4-yard TD run for Greene. This time, the senior running back took the conversion in himself, bolstering East Boston’s lead to 16-0.
Madison Park (6-2, 4-1) gained momentum at the end of the third, when Antone Minot bolted 50 yards down the right sideline to the East Boston 1. But the Cardinals couldn’t punch it in and a fumble was recovered by Eastie senior Fabio Isaza.
In the fourth quarter, Amodeo tacked on another 6 points with a 35-yard rush, and senior safety Stephan Lockwood drove the final nail in the coffin with a 30-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Coming off a 5-5 finish last season, Sousa told his Jets the victory was proof that hard work pays off. But he had one final message to deliver: They’re not finished yet, not when a spot in the Division 4 Super Bowl is still up for grabs.
“This is a culmination of a great, long, hard season,’’ he said. “I’m very happy for the boys. I’m very proud of them.’’
By Amara Grautski, Globe Correspondent | November 14, 2009
After the game clock struck zero, John Sousa gathered his team to deliver a message: This was a memory to cherish the rest of their lives.
But the East Boston coach had plenty of reasons to treasure the moment, as well.
In Sousa’s 15th and final season as coach, the Jets shut out host Madison Park, 29-0, to clinch the Boston North title and a postseason berth.
“It’s a great feeling for me,’’ Sousa said. “It’s my last coaching season. I’d like to be the North League champs, but it’s better because these kids worked hard since August.’’
East Boston (8-1, 4-0) had one of its toughest schedules in team history, but its only loss was to Austin Prep in the first game. Since then, the Jets have defeated solid teams like Amesbury, Blue Hills, and Brighton.
“We played all the big boys, and the kids got better and better every week,’’ Sousa said. “They worked hard. They [came] to practice. They’re a good bunch of kids.’’
Although the Jets started out slowly, their hard work culminated in a well-rounded effort against the Cardinals.
Senior Stanley Greene ran 4 tough yards for a touchdown in the first quarter, with senior captain Brandon Amodeo rushing for the 2-point conversion to give the Jets an 8-0 lead heading into halftime.
But Sousa knew his team’s first-half performance wouldn’t cut it if East Boston wanted to walk away with the title.
“In the second half, Coach had a talk with us,’’ Greene said. “He said that if we wanted to win the city championship, [we’d] have to come out in the second half fired up and ready to go.’’
The Jets ate about eight minutes off the clock on their opening drive in the third quarter, ending in another 4-yard TD run for Greene. This time, the senior running back took the conversion in himself, bolstering East Boston’s lead to 16-0.
Madison Park (6-2, 4-1) gained momentum at the end of the third, when Antone Minot bolted 50 yards down the right sideline to the East Boston 1. But the Cardinals couldn’t punch it in and a fumble was recovered by Eastie senior Fabio Isaza.
In the fourth quarter, Amodeo tacked on another 6 points with a 35-yard rush, and senior safety Stephan Lockwood drove the final nail in the coffin with a 30-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Coming off a 5-5 finish last season, Sousa told his Jets the victory was proof that hard work pays off. But he had one final message to deliver: They’re not finished yet, not when a spot in the Division 4 Super Bowl is still up for grabs.
“This is a culmination of a great, long, hard season,’’ he said. “I’m very happy for the boys. I’m very proud of them.’’
Parker to retire from English
By Braden Campbell, Globe Correspondent | November 12, 2009
Longtime Boston English football coach Keith Parker will step down after the Thanksgiving Day game against Boston Latin.
In his 30-year tenure, Parker’s teams won five City League titles and two Division 5B Super Bowls. He has an overall record of 141-168-5.
“I’m 65 years old, and it’s time for me to go,’’ he said. “I’ve had a great career and I’ve enjoyed every bit of it.’’
The program has been in decline since its heyday in the 1990s, when it made three Super Bowl appearances. Parker attributes that to a shrinking enrollment at English, which dropped from about 1,800 in 1997, the year of the team’s last Super Bowl win, to its current total of less than 700.
There had been whispers of Parker’s retirement since the end of last school year, according to Boston City athletic director Ken Still. He and English headmaster Sito Narcisse will conduct the search for a replacement.
“[We would] like to see someone who’s going to really instill some real football knowledge into the kids,’’ Still said. “Not only winning, but trying to make football a piece of the school, where the kids and the staff gather around the sport.’’
Since he started as an assistant coach 33 years ago, Parker has only missed two practices: one for his mother’s funeral, and one because of illness. Still said consistency is what made Parker stand out.
Parker said his most cherished memory is his 1992 team, whose 2-8 record doesn’t begin to tell the story. In six losses, English was within a touchdown.
“They were mostly juniors on that team,’’ he said, “and that turned over to my 1993 team that won the City League championship and the Super Bowl.’’
Longtime Boston English football coach Keith Parker will step down after the Thanksgiving Day game against Boston Latin.
In his 30-year tenure, Parker’s teams won five City League titles and two Division 5B Super Bowls. He has an overall record of 141-168-5.
“I’m 65 years old, and it’s time for me to go,’’ he said. “I’ve had a great career and I’ve enjoyed every bit of it.’’
The program has been in decline since its heyday in the 1990s, when it made three Super Bowl appearances. Parker attributes that to a shrinking enrollment at English, which dropped from about 1,800 in 1997, the year of the team’s last Super Bowl win, to its current total of less than 700.
There had been whispers of Parker’s retirement since the end of last school year, according to Boston City athletic director Ken Still. He and English headmaster Sito Narcisse will conduct the search for a replacement.
“[We would] like to see someone who’s going to really instill some real football knowledge into the kids,’’ Still said. “Not only winning, but trying to make football a piece of the school, where the kids and the staff gather around the sport.’’
Since he started as an assistant coach 33 years ago, Parker has only missed two practices: one for his mother’s funeral, and one because of illness. Still said consistency is what made Parker stand out.
Parker said his most cherished memory is his 1992 team, whose 2-8 record doesn’t begin to tell the story. In six losses, English was within a touchdown.
“They were mostly juniors on that team,’’ he said, “and that turned over to my 1993 team that won the City League championship and the Super Bowl.’’
East Boston claims the crown
EAST BOSTON 1, MADISON PARK 0
When MP players kick to referee, game called
By Michael Grossi, Globe Correspondent | November 5, 2009
East Boston 1
Madison Park 0
With 4:30 left in regulation in yesterday’s East Boston-Madison Park boys’ soccer game at White Stadium in Franklin Park for the Boston City League title, referee Savas Trellopoulos blew his whistle, signaling a handball in the goalie box by a Madison Park player.
East Boston sent its best player, Carlos Andres Ruiz, to take the penalty shot. His shot nicked off the hands of Cardinals goalie Beithoven Baesa and into the back of the net, giving the Jets a 1-0 lead.
The Cardinals were set to kick off after the goal, but suddenly a fracas broke out.
The Madison Park players loudly disagreed with Trellopoulos’s call. They began to shout and gesture at the referee and coaches and police officers were needed to restrain some of them. While Trellopoulos was walking over to the sideline, Venude Depina threw the ball and hit him in the back of the head.
The game was stopped for more than five minutes while officials attempted to restore order. After the dust had settled, Trellopoulos called the game, giving East Boston the win.
“It was a really good, even game by both teams,’’ said Jets coach Lorenzo DiBenedetto. “When the score is 0-0 something is going to happen. We got a call that was good for us, and for [Madison Park] it wasn’t. The game shouldn’t have ended like that. They should have had more class, especially in the city championship.’’
“I wish the refs didn’t have to take [the game] away from them,’’ said Madison Park coach Joao Gomes. “If it was just that one call I would be OK, but the referees’ calls were inconsistent.’’
Before the incident, the teams had played a clean, back-and-forth match.
Each side had its share of chances. East Boston had a great bid in the 47th minute. With a wall of Cardinals blocking Ruiz’s free kick, the sophomore slid a pass to Anderson Gaviria, who rocketed the ball into Baesa’s stomach.
“We created a lot of opportunities in the second half but we couldn’t finish,’’ said DiBenedetto. “We weren’t on today.’’
The Cardinals also had opportunities. Luis Tavares lofted a free kick across the goalie box toward Arlindo Depina. Depina put too much mustard on the ball and chipped it over the crossbar.
Both teams’ goalies kept them in the game. Baesa had good looks at shots and recorded more than 10 saves. East Boston’s Jorge Benitez wasn’t called on as often but made the stops when it counted.
When MP players kick to referee, game called
By Michael Grossi, Globe Correspondent | November 5, 2009
East Boston 1
Madison Park 0
With 4:30 left in regulation in yesterday’s East Boston-Madison Park boys’ soccer game at White Stadium in Franklin Park for the Boston City League title, referee Savas Trellopoulos blew his whistle, signaling a handball in the goalie box by a Madison Park player.
East Boston sent its best player, Carlos Andres Ruiz, to take the penalty shot. His shot nicked off the hands of Cardinals goalie Beithoven Baesa and into the back of the net, giving the Jets a 1-0 lead.
The Cardinals were set to kick off after the goal, but suddenly a fracas broke out.
The Madison Park players loudly disagreed with Trellopoulos’s call. They began to shout and gesture at the referee and coaches and police officers were needed to restrain some of them. While Trellopoulos was walking over to the sideline, Venude Depina threw the ball and hit him in the back of the head.
The game was stopped for more than five minutes while officials attempted to restore order. After the dust had settled, Trellopoulos called the game, giving East Boston the win.
“It was a really good, even game by both teams,’’ said Jets coach Lorenzo DiBenedetto. “When the score is 0-0 something is going to happen. We got a call that was good for us, and for [Madison Park] it wasn’t. The game shouldn’t have ended like that. They should have had more class, especially in the city championship.’’
“I wish the refs didn’t have to take [the game] away from them,’’ said Madison Park coach Joao Gomes. “If it was just that one call I would be OK, but the referees’ calls were inconsistent.’’
Before the incident, the teams had played a clean, back-and-forth match.
Each side had its share of chances. East Boston had a great bid in the 47th minute. With a wall of Cardinals blocking Ruiz’s free kick, the sophomore slid a pass to Anderson Gaviria, who rocketed the ball into Baesa’s stomach.
“We created a lot of opportunities in the second half but we couldn’t finish,’’ said DiBenedetto. “We weren’t on today.’’
The Cardinals also had opportunities. Luis Tavares lofted a free kick across the goalie box toward Arlindo Depina. Depina put too much mustard on the ball and chipped it over the crossbar.
Both teams’ goalies kept them in the game. Baesa had good looks at shots and recorded more than 10 saves. East Boston’s Jorge Benitez wasn’t called on as often but made the stops when it counted.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
HIGH SCHOOL HOOP TOURNAMENTS
Posted by Danny Ventura at the Boston Herald
PUBLIC VS. CATHOLIC ROUNDBALL CLASSIC
SUNDAY JANUARY 24, 2010 @ EMMANUEL COLLEGE
Madison Park High School vs. St. Raphaels High School (RI)
East Boston High School vs. New Mission High School
Cathedral High School vs. Winthrop High School
BLACK HISTORY MONTH CLASSIC
MONDAY FEBRUARY 15, 2010 @ THE REGGIE LEWIS CENTER
Madison Park High School vs. The Rivers School
Boston Trinity Academy vs. Lawrence High School
New Mission High School vs La Salle Academy (girls)
East Boston vs. Lawrence Academy
http://www.bostonherald.com/blogs/sports/high_school/index.php/2009/10/06/high-school-hoop-tournaments/
PUBLIC VS. CATHOLIC ROUNDBALL CLASSIC
SUNDAY JANUARY 24, 2010 @ EMMANUEL COLLEGE
Madison Park High School vs. St. Raphaels High School (RI)
East Boston High School vs. New Mission High School
Cathedral High School vs. Winthrop High School
BLACK HISTORY MONTH CLASSIC
MONDAY FEBRUARY 15, 2010 @ THE REGGIE LEWIS CENTER
Madison Park High School vs. The Rivers School
Boston Trinity Academy vs. Lawrence High School
New Mission High School vs La Salle Academy (girls)
East Boston vs. Lawrence Academy
http://www.bostonherald.com/blogs/sports/high_school/index.php/2009/10/06/high-school-hoop-tournaments/
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