A Perfect Season
Immaculate Conception JV team enjoys undefeated regular season
By Taylor Giuffre-Catalano
The Immaculate Conception Junior Varsity Boys Basketball team went undefeated in their 2016-2017 regular season, and continued on to as finalists in the state tournament. The fifth and sixth grade boys, coached by Elena Martinez and assistant coach John Leone, had an all around phenomenal season.
Fifth grader Luke Ellis, a second-year member of the team, noted that the season was “very exciting.† He explained that he was “very, very happy†about how far the team had gone all season, as well as how far they had come from last year. Ellis was “very grateful†for all the help and support he received all season from his family and from his coaches. “Coach Elena [Martinez] was a first year coach and she did amazing. Coach John [Leone] was also very helpful all season and in the playoffs,†Ellis stated.
“My son has been at Immaculate Conception for 6 years and… the school spirit is so strong, and it’s not just the boys JV team it’s both the boys and girls JV and Varsity teams. They all support each other, and the parents do the same. We really are one big family,†explained Lauren Ellis, Luke’s mother.
Ellis went on to explain the bond between the members of the team. “[Luke’s] teammates are his classmates and they encourage each other both on and off the court. That’s what makes this championship win so special.â€
Following the spectacular season, Father Daniel Lazo surprised the team with tickets to see the Boston Celtics face off against the Cleveland Cavaliers. “Father Daniel went above and beyond, raffling off a bike so that the team could be surprised with tickets,†Ellis commented, “the support of the parish takes things to a whole other level.â€
Ellis concluded, “I remember after one of the games they played, a player from the other team told some of the boys that he wished he could come to IC just to be a part of the team. That’s what makes it all so special.â€
RhS sports Roundup
New coach, new season, high hopes for RHS baseball
Although the Revere High baseball team has yet to see the light of day thanks to the cold and wet weather that has confined the Patriots to the Merullo Fieldhouse for pre-season practices, new RHS head coach Ron Jordan has liked what he’s seen thus far of his charges.
“So far, so good,” said Jordan, who had coached for the previous nine years at Newton South, as well as for many years with the East Boston American Legion.
“This is a great group of good kids who are working hard and getting better every day.”
The 2017 Revere squad will be led by a trio of captains, senior outfielder John DeSimone, senior shortstop Vin DeGregorio, and sophomore pitcher/third baseman Matt Cravotta.
The RHS baseball program will field a freshman team (after obtaining a waiver from the MIAA to allow eighth graders to play) in addition to the usual varsity and junior varsity squads.
“We’re trying to build a strong program,” said Jordan. “The waiver gives us the ability to field a freshman team, which will be a huge plus for us.”
A new twist for this season will be the addition of four schools from the Greater Boston League — Everett, Medford, Malden, and Somerville –Â who are joining the Northeastern Conference in all sports with the exception of Everett in football.
The Patriots will face all 15 of their NEC foes once and play five non-league games.
Jordan — who still is in the process of finalizing his varsity squad — and his crew are set to open the season in a non-league encounter at Woburn Tuesday. They are scheduled to play at Bedford in another non-league tilt next Thursday.
“Spring” sports to swing into action Monday
The Revere High spring sports program is scheduled to get underway next week.
On Monday, the boys lacrosse team plays at Everett and the boys and girls outdoor track squads will host Everett at Harry Della Russo Stadium.
On Tuesday, the baseball team plays at Woburn and the girls lax squad will trek to Wakefield.
On Wednesday, boys lacrosse hosts Mystic Valley.
On Thursday, the softball team entertains Waltham at the St. Mary’s field and boys lacrosse hosts Malden.
Support RHS baseball uniform fundraiser
The Revere High baseball presently is in the midst of a fundraising campaign, selling coupon books to raise money to buy new uniforms to replace the current ones, which have been around for a few seasons.
Please show your support for the team.
