Sports 02-15-2018

WHS sports roundup

WHS girls hockey team wins two contests

The Winthrop High girls hockey team enjoyed a successful week with a pair of victories over Medford and Marblehead.
In the Medford triumph, the Lady Vikings came out flying from the opening face-off, lighting up the lamp with four goals in the first eight minutes. Winthrop continued to dominate the action for the remainder of the period, outshooting Medford 20-3 in the first 15 minutes. Emma Carleton scored two goals and Gemma DiMento also reached the back of the Medford net.

The Lady Vikings continued to carry the play in the middle frame, outshooting the Lady Mustangs 21-7, but the lone goal was scored by Medford to cut the Winthrop lead to 4-1.

Medford threatened to make a game of it when the Lady Mustangs scored early in the third period to make it a 4-2 affair and then had a power play, but Winthrop’s Sophia Kennedy halted the Medford momentum with a shorthanded goal.

“Sophia scored an unbelievable, short-handed goal,” said WHS head coach Anthony Martucci. “I call it a ‘hand-over-your-mouth goal,’ because you cannot believe what you just witnessed. She blocked a shot, beat a defender, and then basically fended off the other with pure strength, and went in and beat the goalie top shelf. It was a goal-scorer’s goal.”

McKayla Norris added a goal later in the period for some extra insurance for the 6-2 finale.

“This was a big win for us because we clinched a tourney spot, and got a huge boost in our conference,” noted Martucci. “Sabrina Dembro got the start in net and played fantastically. She made some very good saves and she is such a great team player, that it was awesome to have her factor in the team punching our ticket to the tourney.”

By contrast, Saturday afternoon’s battle at Larsen Rink with Marblehead was a hard-fought, nip-and-tuck affair all the way.

“This was a war,” noted Martucci. “They wanted it badly, but we wanted it more.

“Our captains led the way on this one, but it was two two eighth-graders and a freshman who shone brightly when we needed them,” continued Martucci. “Sophia Kennedy scored another highlight-reel goal on a wrap-around, and Summer Tallent was remarkable in net, making numerous five-bell saves. Gemma DiMento is one of the smartest and skilled hockey players I have had, and she does all the little things — blocks shots, kills penalties, makes pretty passes. She is all-world in big situations.”
Kennedy scored Winthrop’s marker in the opening frame which ended with the teams deadlocked at 1-1. The Lady Vikings controlled the play in the middle frame, but the visiting Lady Magicians held the advantage on the scoreboard, skating into the locker room with a 2-1 lead after 30 minutes of play.

However, in the final period, WHS captains McKayla Norris ands Katie O’Shea took over the game.

“Oshie and McKay made a decision that we were not losing, and they went out and took care of business,” said Martucci.

McKayla scored first to bring the game back to level with an assist from Bella Perth. Catie O’Shea then got the game-winner, with Perrotti providing another assist.

“It was pretty plain and simple — the captains took matters into their hands and willed us to victory,” noted Martucci.

However, the triumph did not come to a conclusion without some drama, as the Lady Vikings had to kill off a 5-on-3 Marblehead power play in the final two minutes.

“We relied heavily on Kennedy, DiMento, O’Shea, and Norris to do the work in front of Summer,” Martucci said. “All five of those girls made sacrifices and did whatever it took to get us the win. What they did in the last two minutes of that game are the type of stuff that makes coaches proud.”

On a final note, Martucci added, “Bella Perrotti and Abby Stafford have established themselves as the two best defensemen in our conference, and arguably in the state. They are fantastic players. Those were two huge wins for us that we needed to reach the tourney. Now we have to battle to get the highest seed we possibly can get.”

The Lady Vikings, who now stand at 10-4-1 on the season, host Shrewsbury tonight (Thursday) for a 6:10  p.m. face-off at Larsen; Medford Saturday at Larsen at 7 that will be highlighted by Senior Night festivities; and Haverhill next Wednesday at 6:10 p.m. at Larsen.

 

Six Lady Vikings named NHL stars

Six members of the Winthrop High girls hockey team have been named to the Northeastern Hockey League All-Conference and All-Star teams.

Members of the All-Conference team — which is limited to only the top seven players in the NHL — are McKayla Norris, Bella Perrotti, and Abby Stafford.

All-Star picks are Ashley Miles, Emma Carleton, and Catie O’Shea.

 

WHS boys hockey defeats Bishop Fenwick

The Winthrop High boys hockey team moved within one point of qualifying for the post-season MIAA state hockey tournament with a 3-2 victory over Bishop Fenwick Saturday in Peabody.

Sam Yarrow, from Steve Holgersen, gave the Vikings a 1-0 lead in the opening period and Luke Evangelista, assisted by Bryce Costin, upped the Viking advantage to 2-0 in the second frame.

However, Fenwick responded with two lamplighters before the middle stanza ended to bring matters back to level at 2-2 entering the final 15 minutes of play.

Both teams played up-and-down hockey throughout the final period, but it was the Vikings who broke through for the game-winner, which came with less than three minutes to play on a power play goal by Costin, assisted by Yarrow and Henry Brooks.

Coach Dale Dunbar and his crew now stand at 9-6-1 on the season and need just one point to punch their ticket for a Journey to the Tourney with four games left to play. The Vikings were set to host Gloucester last night (Wednesday) and will entertain Mansfield Saturday at 1:20 p.m. in a contest that will be highlighted by Senior Night festivities.

Beverly comes to Larsen on Monday on the holiday for a 5 p.m. face-off, and the Vikings will conclude their regular season at Saugus next Thursday afternoon.

 

Lady Viking track team does well at NEC Meet

Although this has been a rebuilding year for the Winthrop High girls indoor track & field team, the Lady Vikings, who compiled a 3-4 record this season, performed well at Sunday’s Northeastern Conference Meet.

Leading the way for Winthrop was Camila Miranda-Llovera, who earned four points for Winthrop with a fourth-place finish in the two-mile run with a time of 12:54.84.

“Camila ran a gutsy race,” said WHS head coach Mark D’Amico.

Danielle Zanelli ran a personal best time of 9.92 in the 55-meter hurdles to qualify for the finals and came in eighth place overall in the conference.

The girls 4×200 team came in 13th place overall in the conference with the quartet’s best time of 2:02.08. Stephanie Strangie ran a split of 30.31, Clare Nargi ran a split of 30.76, Dani Zanelli ran a split of 31.89, and Izzy Mahoney ran anchor with a split of 29.03.

In the 55-meter hurdles, Clare Nargi ran a personal record (PR) of 10.66 and came in 18th overall in the conference as a sophomore.

In the 55-meter dash, freshman phenom Izzy Mahoney ran a PR time of 7.9 and came in 11th place overall out of 29 girls. Izzy also jumped 4’-6” in the high jump and came in 10th overall.

Other strong performances on the day were turned in by Stephanie Stangie  in the 55 meter dash with a time of 8.5, Alex Gibbons in the 300 with a time of 52.28, Hannah Capone in the 300 with a PR of 53.73, Catherine Zuffanti in the 600 with a time of 2:09.77, Sofie LaFratta with a PR time of 2:09.90 in the 600, Isabel Skomro with a PR time of 3:49.59 in the 1,000, Gabby Ford in the 1,000 with a time of 4:03.65, and freshman Anyra Silva, who came in 14th place overall in the two-mile with a time of 14:42.61.

In the 4×800, Isabel Skomro ran a PR of 2:56, Captain Gabby Hinchion ran 2:58, Catherine Zuffanti  ran 3:19, and, just in from finishing the two-mile, Camila Miranda Llovera ran a 3:01 to have the team finish 11th overall.

Captain Kimberly McDuffee jumped 4’-4” in the high jump, Clare Nargi jumped 13’-5” in the long jump to come in ninth overall, and Capt Gabby Hinchion jumped 12’-6” in the long jump.

In the shot-put, Mary Kate Pote had a throw of 25’-5” and Xhona Kokoneshi had a toss of 22’-7”.

The Lady Viking 4×400 relay team consisted of Alex Gibbons, who ran a split of 78 seconds, Sofie Lafratta (81 seconds), Devon Barry (83), and Hannah Capone (86).

“Overall, there were many good performances,” said D’Amico. “We had a good year.  We had a good turn out this year with 38 girls, many of whom were new, so it was a learning process for them. We ended up with a record of 3-4, which was not bad for a rebuilding year.”

The state meet is today (Thursday) at the Reggie Lewis Center.

“The athletes who have qualified have worked hard all year to be able to compete at this high level,” noted D’Amico. “Winthrop has a talented contingent representing our school.”

Zanelli will compete in the 55 meter  hurdles and as a member of the 4×200 relay team.  Mahoney qualified in the 55-meter dash, the high jump, and also will run with the 4×200 relay.

Miranda-Llovera will run in the two-mile contest; Mary Kate Pote will compete in the shot put; and Nargi and Strangie will be the other two members of the 4 x 200 relay.

 

MacPhail takes 5th in 1,000 at NEC Meet

Winthrop High junior Cormac MacPhail was the lone point-scorer for the Viking boys indoor track & field team at Sunday’s Northeastern Conference Meet that was held at the Reggie Lewis Athletic Center.

Cormac took fifth place in the 1000 meter run with a clocking of 2:47.93, which earned two points for the Winthrop squad.

 

WHS girls basketball team qualifies for tourney

The Winthrop High girls basketball team qualified for the MIAA post-season state tournament with a 43-26 triumph at Pope John XXIII on Monday.

The Lady Vikings utilized their full-court, trap defense to jump out to a 16-7 lead after one period. Winthrop continued to display strong defense and rebounding to expand their advantage to a commanding 32-14 bulge at the half and never were threatened thereafter en route to punching their ticket for a Journey to the Tourney.

Maura Dorr paced the Lady Vikings with 11 points. Caroline Earl also reached double figures with 10 points.

The Lady Vikings also fought hard in three contests with Northeastern Conference opponents. In a contest with Peabody on their home floor, the Lady Vikings grabbed an 18-17 lead after one period.

However, the visiting Lady Tanners began to hit their outside shots in the second quarter to move out to a 35-25 lead at the half. Peabody continued to stay hot from the outside and opened up the game after the intermission to come away with a 63-39 win.

Dorr led Winthrop in the scoring column with 14 points and Carolyn Kinsella added nine.

The Lady Vikings made the long trek to Gloucester last Thursday and came out on the short end of a hard-fought 51-46 decision.

The contest was back-and-forth from the opening tap, with strong defense by both sides. Winthrop held an 11-10 advantage after the first period, despite losing senior forward Francesca Capone for the game because of a leg injury in the first three minutes of play.

The Lady Vikings struggled on offense in the second period and were down 24-14 at half time. However, Winthrop turned up the defense after the intermission and outscored the Lady Fishermen 17-6 in the third quarter to retake the lead,

However, Gloucester shot 8-for-10 from the freethrow line in the final period that proved the difference. Dorr hit for 16 points for Winthrop and Kinsella chipped in with nine.

This past Tuesday the Lady Vikings hosted Medford and once again started well, jumping out to 12-6 start lead. With the Lady Mustangs unable to overcome the Winthrop full-court, trap defense, the Lady Vikings expanded their lead to a dominating 26-9 margin at the half.

Winthrop then opened things up on offense in the third quarter with 18 points to cruise to an eventual 48-30 triumph

The Lady Vikings were led by Dorr with 17 points. Earl added six points, as did Sierra O’Connell, who also pulled down some big rebounds.

Winthrop will seek to extend its two-game winning streak tonight (Thursday) when the Lady Vikings host Saugus and they will wrap up their season at home vs. Lynnfield on Tuesday.

 

JV Lady Vikings playing well

The Winthrop High junior varsity girls basketball team has been enjoying a fine season. The JV Lady Vikings won three games in a row this week and now stand at 10-8 for the year.

Following is a recap of their four contests this past week:

Winthrop hosted Peabody last Tuesday. The Lady Vikings struggled out of the gate against a relentless Peabody defense and trailed 12-4. The Lady Vikings played a better second quarter on both sides of the ball as both teams scored seven points, leaving Winthrop trailing, 19-11, at the half.

However, Winthrop continued to struggle on offense and came up short, 45-20. Cat Grimns was Winthrop’s top scorer with six points.

The Lady Vikings enjoyed better success when they traveled to Gloucester on Thursday. Both teams struggled with turnovers in the first quarter, leaving Gloucester up, 7-4. The foes settled down in the second quarter, netting 11 points apiece.

After a back-and-forth, physical third quarter, Gloucester still clung to a 31-27 lead. However, the Lady Vikings stepped up their defense in the fourth quarter, holding the Lady Fishermen to just two points to come away with a 36-33 win.

Grimes led Winthrop with 15 points. Tessa Ferrandi sank two clutch free throws in the final seconds to seal the win for the Winthrop.

The Lady Vikings traveled to Pope John Monday and came home with a 48-18 victory.

Winthrop used its full-court, trap defense to create turnovers to grab an 8-3 lead after one period. The defense continued to dominate in the second quarter, resulting in a big Winthrop advantage at half, 22-7.

The Lady Vikings maintained its solid defense in the second half and went on to win, 48-18. Grace Galuris led Winthrop with 10 points and Jenna Dorr added nine.

“Ten of our players made it into the scoring column and I honestly thought all 16 girls played great,” said JV coach Rick Pulsifer. “It was nice to get to watch some of the first-year girls who never played basketball before this year get a chance to develop and contribute today in a larger role. I thought they all played great.”

The junior Lady Vikings continued their winning ways, with a 44-40 win over Medford Tuesday.

Winthrop jumped out to an early lead in the opening minutes, but Medford fought back with some outside shooting to bring matters to level, 15-15, by the end of the first quarter.

The Lady Vikings pulled ahead in the second period, using their full-court, trap defense, to take a 27-21 advantage at the intermission.

Winthrop continued with its tough defense and stretched the lead in the third quarter to 36-27. Although the Lady Vikings ran into foul trouble in the final period,  placing Medford into the bonus at the free throw line, Winthrop held on for the 44-40 win.

From The Press Box

A Legacy of Champions – the Class of 1982

By: Jim Lederman

The Vikings have captured many championships, but the WHS Class of 1982 could be the ‘greatest.’ In 1981 Winthrop high school captured the State baseball Championship, with many members of the Class of 1982.

The 1981 undefeated Super Bowl championships team – the Greatest in Viking History, nine players on the champions – played Division One college football.

The (1981-1982) Vikings hockey team captured the Northeast Conference hockey title. Co-captains John Tiano and Chuck Sullivan played Division One college hockey. John played center on the National Championship RPI hockey team. Chuck played for Boston University. Can any school in the NEC match that distinction? The goaltender Joe Giaquinto played Division One college football with Doug Flutie at Boston College.

The NEC hockey champions of 1982 is our feature team in this week’s edition. I will feature the football and baseball teams in the coming articles. The 1982 NEC champions were led by the high scoring line of captains John Tiano, Chuck Sullivan and Bob (Bubba) Jaworski. John skated for the RPI – National Champions, Chuck skated at Boston University and ‘Bubba’ skated at Salem State. What team on the North Shore can match that trio? Billy Falasca, a member of the WHS Athletic Hall of Fame was the coach! Steve Staffier (University of Miami) and Sal Tiano (NEC hockey scoring leader) and the late Steven Genacco were other standouts on the team.

The 1981 Super Bowl Champions captured Winthrop’s first super bowl title under the tutelage of Robert A. DeFelice. They captured the title on the campus of Boston College – the alma mater of Bob DeFelice. Joe Giaquinto was recruited to play for the Eagles after a ‘super’ game. The Vikings defeated Tewksbury (14-0). In 1983 coach DeFelice won his second super bowl title-defeating Xaverian (14-3). The DeFelice Vikings did not allow a touchdown in two super bowl victories. The Vikings had a 33-game undefeated streak (1981-1983), a NEC record that still stands.

The Vikings offensive line was anchored by Number 52 – ‘The Wizard’ – Gus Martucci. The guards – the late Dan Govoni and Alan Arcadipane and the tackles – Mike Brenner ‘The Mook’ played Division One for Rutgers University and ‘Luscious’ Lou Rosenberg. The ends – Joe Giaquinto (4 years at Boston College) and the ‘Big Guy’ Jay Peterson (basketball at the University of New England.

The backfield had Chuck Sullivan (166 points), Jimmy Gillis and Steve Staffier (the number one college football recruit in 1984) played for the Miami Hurricanes – National Champions. This was the ‘greatest team’ in Vikings football history!

The quote from coach Robert DeFelice “to the 1981 super bowl champions, congratulations to your success during the football season. The sense of accomplishments should stay with you forever. The feelings that were generated through your achievements cannot be realized by anyone except those who were part of this team. I hope your future is a continuation of this success thanks for everything Coach DeFelice.

 

The schedule

Saugus 34-6

English 24-18

Beverly 6-0

Danvers 36-6

 

Classical 38-20

Salem 30-0

Gloucester 32-0

Marblehead 50-14

Swampscott 38-12

Revere 49-14

 

Northeast Conference Champions

Super Bowl Champions

We salute the 1981 Super Bowl Champions!

Let the Games Begin!

 

 

The Girls Powder puff Team

Defeated Revere (20-6)

The 1981-1982 – Vikings basketball squad coached by Henry McCarthy finished in second place in the NEC. The starting five of John ‘Max’ Tsiotos and Joe Faretra, captain Michael Condakes, Jay Peterson and Mark Freedman defeated Dom Savio, Marblehead, Swampscott, Beverly, Danvers and Classical (twice) four out of the five starters played college basketball!

We salute the Class of 1982!

Let the Games Begin!

 

 

Lady Vikings Tourney Bound

Coach Anthony ‘Butch’ Martucci has a winning streak that continues to keep rolling! The Lady Vikings qualified for the MIAA State Tourney for the 10^th consecutive season under Coach Martucci.

The Lady Vikings play in the strong Division One Tourney. The (6-2) victory over Medford last week was the clincher for coach Martucci and company.

Junior forward Emma Carleton (the third member of the Carleton Gang). Abby, Grace and Emma scored two goals to lead the Lady Vikings to another tourney berth. I have to go back to 2008 when the ‘Lady Bulldogs’ played the Division One champions Hingham at Stoneham and almost pulled a major upset behind the play of Katie Burt (present Boston College goalie) and captain Taylor Brown (a 100-point scorer and assistant coach on coach Martucci’s staff). Freshman forward Gemma DiMento, senior forward captain McKayla Norris, Catie O’Shea (co-captain) and 8^th grader Sophia Kennedy, each scored one goal. Senior goalie Sabrina Dembo tallied 14-saves.

Coach Martucci praised his young squad, “ We have three lines and our scoring has improved. We lost two tough games recently.” The Lady Vikings are (10-4-1) and home to finish strong this month!

Let’s Go Lady Vikings!

Let the Games Begin!

 

 

Faces In The Crowd

A Viking hoop legend was in town last week. Arnie Springer, ‘the Super Soph’ stopped by the office of Attorney Chris Tsiotos, to pick up a Hall of Fame nomination form last week.

It was a great reunion for two all-scholastic hoop players. Arnie led his WHS team to three NEC titles, and three trips to the Boston Garden. Arnie lives on Revere Beach and was at the dedication of the Chris Tsiotos basketball court at the new Winthrop High School in June of 2017.

Devin Pulsifer continues to lead his Viking basketball team. Devin has been accepted at Suffolk University and could follow the Tsiotos brothers Chris, Nick and Max and lead Suffolk to another trip to the NCAA playoffs. Devin hit the 1,000-point career total and joined an elite group of Viking hoop players. We salute Devin on his milestone!

It was great to see my former teammate Jimmy Adamson at the Danvers-Winthrop hockey game at the Bourque Arena. Jimmy was watching his grandson co-captain Jake Adamson skate for the Vikings the same morning I spoke with Michael Adamson, who was on heading up to UMass Amherst to watch daughter Sydney skate for the UMass Ladies hockey team. Coach Butch Martucci has five college hockey players this season!

 

 

Around the NEC

The Danvers Falcons (15-1) 14-0 NEC have captured the NEC hockey title with an undefeated season. The Falcons defeated the Vikings (6-1) and followed with a (8-2) victory over Saugus.

They are the favorite to capture the Division 2 North title in the MIAA playoffs. The Falcons have size, speed and a great passing team. They look like they lift weights 12 months of the year. Hockey is the “number one” sport in Danvers. The Falcons have one NEC football title in 60 years of competing in the Northeastern Conference. The Winthrop Vikings have three super bowl championships and 12-NEC football titles! The only school in the NEC with more super bowl titles is Gloucester! No-not Swampscott – none for Marblehead! Go Vikings!

Everett is (15-0) in the NEC large in basketball. The Crimson Tide defeated Lynn English (14-1) NEC first year English mentor – Antonio Anderson (played for a national championship Memphis team) lost to Everett (72-45) at Lynn English.

The new GLB teams – Everett, Somerville, Malden and Medford are strong in basketball. Everett has over 2,000 students and they recruit. How can the smallest school in the NEC (Winthrop) compete with the larger schools?

Coach of the Everett hoop team is John DiBiaso. The coach of 12-Everett super bowls – retired form Everett but will coach Catholic Memorial in football in 2018!

Marblehead is strong in basketball the coach is Mike Giardi. Coach Giardi is the offensive coach of the Magicians – Marblehead has won four –yes four1 consecutive NEC football titles. Just like Winthrop in the old NEC! 1981-1983 – 33-game NEC unbeaten streak!

Let’s Go Vikings!

Let the Game Begin!

 

 

2018 WHS Athletic Hall of Fame

The 2018 WHS Athletic Hall of Fame, will beheld October 20^th Nomination forms are available at the office of Attorney Chris Tsiotos – 193 Winthrop Street or by calling 617-846-9192. The 2016 Hall of Fame had over 350 in attendance at the sparkling new Winthrop Middle/High School. The Hall of Fame Committee welcomes all nominations!

 

 

The State of the Celtics

The Boston Celtics opened the (2017-2018) season with a 16-game win streak. The Green led the East standings for over three months.

The past week the Celtics lost three straight games and two huge changes have taken place. The Toronto Raptors, after defeating Boston decisively lead the East standings.

The Cleveland Cavaliers visited the Garden on Sunday after completely reshaping their roster at Thursday’s trade deadline. They made a series of deals, s hipping out six players, including Isaiah Thomas and brought in four outstanding young players, George Hill, Rodney Hood, Larry Nance Jr. and Jordan Clarkson to combine with Lebron James.

The newcomers combined for 49-pints and Lebron scored 24-points, leading to a (121-99) victory over Bosto0n.

Will the Celtics make it to the East Finals? Where will the Celtics finish in the East? My prediction is the injured Gordon Hayward (I was in the New England Baptist Hospital leaving from my hip operation and Gordon walked by me the day I was leaving) will return for the playoffs.

Stay tuned for the next two months before they playoffs begin!

Go Celtics!

Let the Games Begin!