RhS sports Roundup
Tough losses for RHS boys hoop
The Revere High boys basketball team played well, but fell short in its two contests this past week, dropping decisions of 63-56 to Peabody last Tuesday and 55-51 to Marblehead Friday.
In the Peabody game, Revere overcame a slow start, trailing 16-9 after the first quarter, but managed to close the gap to 24-23 by the half. Sophomore guard Marcus Brunson-Perez (12 points) drained a pair of three-pointers in the frame to draw the Patriots almost level.
However, the Tanners came out firing on all cylinders after the intermission, sparked by the duo of Junior Estrella (23 points, four blocked shot) and Matt D’Amato (17 points).
Although the Patriots hung tough and pulled within four points on two occasions in the final quarter behind the shooting of Curtis High (16 points) and Gerald Jean-Charles (14 points), they were unable to make it all the way back.
“They really came out and attacked us offensively and we were able to respond at times, but this game was lost in the third quarter,” said RHS head coach David Leary.
Friday’s battle with a strong Marblehead squad was a see-saw affair throughout the entire 32 minutes of play. Revere came out on fire, sprinting to a 12-6 advantage after the first period. The second stanza was evenly-played, with the Patriots maintaining a 20-16 edge at the half.
“Our defense in the first half was excellent,” said Leary. “We held them to one shot, which was our biggest goal coming into this game. They have great size so we needed to rebound well and we did.”
The second half proved to be a rollercoaster ride, as both teams took turns making runs, and then counter-runs, after the intermission. Revere was led by sophomore guard Brunson-Perez (18 points, including four three-pointers), but Marblehead continued to make tough shots, especially by senior guard Patrick Bugler (22 points, 18 in the second half) and moved out to a 38-37 lead after three periods.
The fourth quarter proved more of the same, as both teams exchanged blows. Trailing by two with 2:30 left in the game, Leary brought in sophomore sharpshooting guard Scott Montefusco, who delivered one of his specialties, draining a missile from three-point land, to forge the Pats ahead with 1:50 to go.
However, Bugler answered with a trey of his own to boost Marblehead back into the lead. Marblehead defended Revere well on a last-second, inbound play for a possible attempt at a game-tying three-pointer and then made a free throw to account for the 55-51 finale.
High paced the Pats with 13 points and six rebounds and Mass Joof chipped in nine points to go with 13 rebounds.
However, a key stat that told the story of the game was Revere’s free-throw shooting, as the Patriots sank only 9-of-23 from the charity stripe.
Revere was without the services for both games of senior captain and center Marvin Urdaneta because of a shoulder injury. Marvin hopefully will be back in action soon.
Leary and his crew were set to play at Swampscott last night (Tuesday) and will host Salem Friday at 7:00. They will make the short trek down Broadway to Chelsea next Wednesday evening at 7:00 for what has become a true rivalry match in recent years with their nearby neighbors.
RHS hockey team plays at Fenway
The members of the Revere High hockey team enjoyed the thrill of a lifetime Thursday afternoon when they got a chance to skate on the ice at Frozen Fenway in a scrimmage game against Pembroke.
“It was a real thrill for everybody,” said RHS head coach Joe Ciccarello. “It was a beautiful day and a great afternoon all around.”
The final score in the friendly ended at 3-3, with Mike Giordano notching the game-tying tally with 20 seconds to play. Giordano had scored earlier in the contest, as did Mike Goroshko.
Ciccarello and his crew, whose contest this past Saturday was postponed because of the snowstorm, will host Somerville this Saturday at 5:30 and trek to Minuteman Regional Monday afternoon. They will play at Somerville next Wednesday.
Pepic scores 32 points in win over Peabody; Revere improves overall record to 8-0
By Cary Shuman
Valentina Pepic provided the offensive highlight of the week with a 32-point performance as the Revere High girls basketball team routed Peabody, 65-42, Jan. 3 on the Tanners’ home court.
Peabody High was once the gold standard of the Greater Boston League, notably when Revere High fielded its super teams in the 1980s, led by the trio of Patrice Misiano, Kim Kelley, and Diane Odoardi. Those Peabody-Revere matchups were classics.
Last Thursday, Pepic and Revere were too much for the Lady Tanners, opening up leads of 18-10 after one period and a commanding 34-17 at the half. Pepic, a 6-foot-2-inch junior, also had eight rebounds and was 7-of-8 from the free throw line.
“That (32 points and 8 rebounds) is pretty great,†said coach Lianne O’Hara about Pepic’s effort versus Peabody. “Valentina is averaging 17.5 points per game and is playing great two-way basketball.â€
Pamela Gonzalez contributed a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds in addition to five assists. Gonzalez is averaging 10.6 points per game.
Also contributing versus Peabody were Samantha Woodman (7 points), Meaghan Gotham (3), Emily DiGiulio (2 points, 3 assists), Erica Cheever (2), Kiana Napolitano (2), Elizabeth Lake (1) and Jenna Wells (1). Tatianna Iacoviello had three assists and two steals.
Revere raised its record to 8-0 with a 53-33 decision over Marblehead Friday night. Pepic topped the scoring charts with 19 points on 9-of-12 shooting from the field, while also hauling down 10 rebounds. Gonzalez was a perfect 5-of-5 from the field with one three-pointer. The junior guard also had six rebounds, four assists, and two steals.
Meaghan Gotham had eight points and four rebounds.
Revere took control of the game in the second quarter, outscoring the Magicians, 14-0, to take a 28-11 lead at intermission.
“I’m very happy with our start to the season,†said Lianne O’Hara. “I just don’t want the team to get comfortable and then get surprised by a team they weren’t prepared for.â€
PATRIOTS NOTEBOOK
Revere is ranked No. 4 in the Boston Herald’s Super Six poll and No. 5 in the Boston Globe poll. Woburn, who defeated Revere in last year’s Division 1 North final, is No. 3 in the Globe poll.
Revere will join top-ranked and defending Division 1 state champion Bishop Feehan, Braintree, and Woburn in the Comcast Tournament during school vacation week in February at Malden Catholic High School. The tournament will be a fantastic tune-up for the State Tournament and a wonderful treat for Revere fans who can make the short trip to MC for the games.
Revere was set to play Swampscott Tuesday night. The Patriots travel to Salem Friday night and have a tough test at Saugus next Thursday (Jan. 19).
RhS sports Through the Years
10 years ago
January 10, 2007
The Revere High hockey team remained atop the standings in the Northeastern Conference with a 5-0-1 record after a 4-3 win over Saugus and a 4-4 tie with Winthrop. Dave LePage Brandon Pezzutto, Anthony DelloIacono, and Anthony Noel scored the goals in the Winthrop contest
The RHS boys indoor track team defeated Salem, 51-35. Anthony Hanslin won two events for the Patriots, the high jump with a leap of 5′-8″ and the 300 dash in 36.3.
The RHS girls track team rolled past Salem, 59-27. Among the Lady Patriots who won their events were Kandice Flaherty in the shotput (26′-3″), Sarah Pedicini in the hurdles (8.9), Kendall Zullo in the 600 (1:45.3), and Colby Hough in the two-mile (13:59.7).
20 years ago
January 15, 1997
The Revere High hockey team posted a pair of runaway victories, 13-0 over Medford and 11-1 over Peabody, this week. Patriot Dave Patch, the all-time leading scorer in RHS hockey history, scored his 200th career point.
New England Patriot Fever is gripping the city and the region after the Pats defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC championship game Sunday and now will advance to play the Green Bay Packers in the Super Bowl in two weeks.
30 years ago
January 14, 1987
The RHS girls basketball team won three games this week to advance to a ranking of eighth in the EMass poll by the Boston Globe. Kim Kelley is leading the Lady Patriots in scoring with an average of 14.7 points per game. In a 76-33 rout of Waltham, Diane Odoardi scored 21 points and Kelley added 20.
The RHS boys basketball team stands at 4-1 after a 61-59 win over Columbus and a 51-49 triumph over Waltham. Patriot star Sal Bottari poured in 33 points in the Columbus victory.
The Revere High hockey team’s winless skein has reached 50 games after losses this week of 8-1 to Quincy and 9-0 to Somerville.
Joe Galvin recorded the best time in the GBL this season in the 300 dash with a clocking of 35.4 seconds to lead the RHS boys track team to a 61-25 win over Somerville.
40 years ago
January 12, 1977
More than 1200 raucous spectators were on hand for the battle for first place in the GBL between undefeated Revere and Arlington. Arlington prevailed, 2-1, in an exciting encounter. Ed Perullo scored the lone Revere goal. In previous victories of 6-3 over Medford and 7-3 over Malden, Chuck Zullo scored two goals vs. Medford and Steve DiCarlo potted two goals vs. Malden.
