The Revere High boys basketball team concluded its season on a winning note, defeating Malden Catholic 57-54 in the consolation game of the Masconomet vacation week tournament.
“I was just incredibly proud of the way our team finished the season,†said RHS head coach Rick Hayes. “We only had eight boys suit up for the game and we had lost the tourney opener (to a powerful Reading team), so we had nothing but our pride on the line against MC. But they came out and played hard from beginning to end.â€
The contest with MC was closely fought throughout, but the Patriots managed to protect an early lead and never allowed MC to gain momentum. The Pats led 12-11 after one period, 28-20 at the intermission, and 43-36 after three frames.
Revere upped its advantage to 10 points with just under two minutes to play thanks to a clutch three point shot by Paul Norton, but a full court press by MC quickly produced two turnovers and led to a pair of MC buckets to slice the margin to six points.
However, Hayes regrouped his troops and set up their press break offense to fend off the MC comeback bid. Trey Weathers, who was named to the all tourney team, led Revere with 15 points, followed by Norton with 10, Greg Cabral with nine, Chris Adreani with eight, Will Weathers with seven, Ed Maglio and Scooby Magheza with three each, and Jonathan Muteba with two points to go along with his five blocked shots.
Hayes in particular cited the effort of senior Chris Adreani for his complete two way effort. “Chris is the most improved player on our team in the past two years,†said the coach. “He played hard every night and gave it his all at both ends of the floor and always did what he was asked to do.
“This truly was a total team effort,†said Hayes. “All eight boys played their hearts out and all eight contributed. This is why you coach, to see that kind of effort from the kids you’ve been with all season.â€