Sports 08-27-2015

From the Press Box

Let the Games Begin

By Jim Leaderman

The road to the championship in the Northeastern Conference (NEC) opened on Monday. The defending NEC champions (the 2014) Winthrop Vikings are optimistic for another strong season.

There are many story lines worth watching this season. Here are 10 things we will be watching this fall.

Who will replace “playmakers” Jake Chiudina and Zach Deeb?

The new offensive line has all new starters and the 2014 line, was the key to the NEC title.

The 2014 line backing trio had three NEC all-stars – who will lead the defense?

Gloucester and Revere look like the teams to beat! Both games are on the road!

Peabody all-star Doug Santos, rushed for 2,000 yards (only 45 vs. Winthrop) will he break Anthony Palmer’s NEC scoring record?

The new coaches in the NEC at Swampscott and Lynn English. Will they have winning seasons?

Ex-Big Blue coach Steve Dembowski is coaching at Milton. Can he win in the Bay State Conference?

Is the 35th time the charm? The last winning season for the Revere Patriots was 1981. Can they snap the streak?

Will the Vikings win the first Thanksgiving game in the new Harry Della Russo Stadium?

Skimming the Sidelines

Coach Sean Driscoll greeted 49 candidates for the 2015 Vikings.

“We have 7 seniors with four new players. The junior class is very strong (14 players). We have our first scrimmage Saturday morning at 11 am at Beverly high school,” said Coach Driscoll.

The Vikings will play in the GBL-NEC Jamboree on Friday night at 7 p.m. Winthrop vs. Malden.

The Vikings open the season at home vs. Danvers on September 11th.

Trivia

Name the three Lady Viking teams that played in the Garden?

The 1973 and 1976 Viking hoop teams lost two titles to what high school?

The 2014 Winthrop Vikings defeated Peabody (two undefeated teams) to win the NEC title. How many games (football) have Winthrop and Peabody played?

Name the two NEC teams that have won the most super bowl titles?

The 1981 and 1993 Vikings won two NEC football titles on the road at what stadium?

Can you name the three football fields the Marblehead Magicians played on?

Name the WHS football team that had five (5) players that were captains in college?

The Lynn Jamboree

The 2015 Vikings will kickoff the 2015 season in the NEC-GBL Jamboree on Friday, Sept. 4th.

Last night I received a call from an ex-WHS football player Richard Shell. Richard was a sophomore in 1947, when he played his first game in the “Lynn Jamboree,” played at the legendary ‘Manning Bowl’ under the lights.

In 1947 WHS played a big game at Manning against the Class ‘A” champs Lynn Classical. The quarterback for Classical was Harry Agganis. The ‘Rams’ defeated Winthrop (20-6) but the underdog Winthrop eleven, had two Paul Millerick (60-yard) touchdowns called back.

Richard played with Sheldon Bernstein, Tony Brogna, Bob McDuffee and Billy Rutherford. Winthrop lost another close game to Concord High (55-game win streak) and finished with a (5-5-1) record.

The football season always brings back great memories. Greetings to Richard Shell – good health and glad to hear you enjoy reading the Winthrop Transcript!

 

 

Winthrop Viking Football

Schedule 2015

Fri., Sept. 11 – Danvers (H) 7 p.m.

Fri., Sept. 18 -  Medfield (A) 7 p.m.

Fri., Sept. 25 – Lynn English (H) 7 p.m.

Fri., Oct. 2 *Salem (H) 7 p.m.

Fri., Oct. 9 *Gloucester (A) 7 p.m.

Fri., Oct. 16 * Saugus (H) 7 p.m.

Sat., Oct. 24, *Swampscott (A) 12 p.m.

Fri. or sat. Oct. 30/31 MIAA Tourney T.B.A.

Fri. or Sat. Nov. 6/7 MIAA Tourney T.B.A.

Fri. or Sat., Nov. 13/14 MIAA Tourney T.B.A.

Thurs., Nov. 26 *Revere (A) 10 a.m.

*Conference game

Cheerleaders doing well

By Sue Ellen Woodcock

The championship Winthrop cheerleaders should be back at practice late this week or early next week after a large number of them suffered from the effects of hot and humid weather.

According to Superintendent of Schools John Macero, the cheerleaders held a cheerleading camp and their coach made arrangements for a choreography company to come in and run the five-day camp. A day after camp began, one of the cheerleaders complained of soreness. The instructor told the cheerleader to get checked out. She was admitted to the hospital and released a few days later.

“At that time the instructor asked if anyone else was experiencing soreness,” Macero said. “Others got checked out and were also admitted. They are all home now and expect to resume cheering after they receive medical clearance.”

He added that two weeks before school starts teams begin training after summer vacation.

Macero said during the camp there were multiple breaks and they were cautious of what they’re were doing.

“They need to hydrate and not just with water. They need the electrolytes like in Gatorade,” Macero said.

Since Macero is not a medical professional and the cheerleaders are under 18, he opted not to go into the details of the diagnosis. One news report said the condition was called Rhadbomyolysis, a form of dehydration.

Macero would not say which hospital the cheerleaders went to or the name of the choreography company. He did say the cheerleaders have gone away to camp in the past, but this year the camp was held in Winthrop.

On the Range      with PGA Golf

                                                          professional james bruce

This is the fourth and final part of this instructional series. We will focus on course strategy today. Being able to know when to play conservative and when to be aggressive is vital to playing good golf. If you look at the PGA Tour a good example of a conservative player would be Zach Johnson. He won the Masters laying up on all the par 5’s. Of course the most aggressive player on tour would be Phil Mickleson. There is not a shot in golf he won’t take on. My advice for your game is to be somewhere in the middle of these two great players. I am going to focus on the three finishing holes at Winthrop Golf Club. These tips should help you finish your round successfully.

Hole 7 – This is a tricky par 4. There is a creek to deal with off the tee. The second shot plays slightly uphill to a firm green. I don’t think this is the right time to be aggressive. The risk of driving over the creek does not fit the reward, an awkward wedge shot to a firm green. I recommend laying up short of the creek and then coming in with a full short iron or wedge. Focus on landing the ball just short of the green, this will allow for the ball to release and stay on the green. This small green always provides a good birdie opportunity. Be aggressive with your birdie putt and make sure you get it to the hole.

Hole 8 – One of the best par 3’s in the Greater Boston area. The wind dictates how to play this hole. Down wind or a wind from the right be aggressive. Into the wind or a wind from the left blowing towards the marsh be conservative. The aggressive play is to aim at the left center of the green and focus on hitting your target. Ignore the numerous hazards on this hole. The conservative play is to focus on landing just short of the green. This takes the two bunkers out of play. It leaves the player a very manageable chip shot. This green has numerous subtle breaks, so be careful with your short putts on this hole.

Hole 9 – Great finishing hole. This par 5 can yield eagles and birdies but also double bogeys. Lets start with the tee shot. Out of bounds down the right side. Aim for the left side of the fairway, just inside the fairway bunker on the left. For your second shot be aggressive. Out of bounds right again, but plenty of room left. Aim at the left side of the green and fire away. The back half of this green slopes from back to front so keep any wedge shots below the hole.

Course management is just as important as a good swing. Always weigh the risk and reward before hitting a shot. Golf is a game of misses. If you hit a poor shot don’t compound the problem by taking on a miracle shot. Take your medicine and play safe. Enjoy the rest of the golf season.

James Bruce is the PGA Head Professional at Winthrop Golf Club. The Winthrop Golf Club Proshop stocks all the best brands at discount prices.

Gambale named Winthrop girls basketball head coach

By Cary Shuman

John Gambale of Swampscott has been named the new head coach of the Winthrop High School girls basketball team.

Gambale, 54, succeeds Ignacio Oyola, who became the head coach of the WHS boys basketball team.

“I’m ecstatic about being the new coach,” said Gambale, who has been a youth sports coach for many years.

Gambale has coached girls’ competitive softball and basketball in Massachusetts for 20 years. He has coached the New England Storm Junior Olympic softball team for 15 years in addition to his leadership of AAU basketball programs.

His three daughters all played sports at Swampscott High School. His daughter, Marisa Gambale, graduated from Merrimack College and will be joining the WHS program as an assistant coach this winter. Marisa is also a middle school mathematics teacher in Revere.

Though he has not been a head coach at the high school level, Gambale served as a scout for the Swampscott High School girls basketball team during its Division 3 state championship season in 2009. All five starting players on that team played under Gambale’s guidance beginning in the fifth grade and continuing through high school.

Looking ahead to the Lady Vikings’ season, Gambale said, “Our emphasis will be on discipline, defense, and hard work.”

Gambale was set to meet with parents and prospective players at an informal get-together Wednesday night at JW’s restaurant in Winthrop.