RHS Sports Roundup

Busy Week Ahead for RHS Girls Hoop

The Revere High girls basketball team, coming off the Greater Boston League’s sports layoff last week because of COVID-19 precautions, will resume its season with a busy schedule of five games in eight days.

First-year head coach Chris Porrazzo and his crew were scheduled to meet GBL rival Chelsea last night (Tuesday). They will play at GBL foe Malden tomorrow (Thursday) and then will make the short trek to non-league opponent Winthrop Friday evening.

The Lady Patriots will host non-league foe Peabody next Monday and will make the brief journey down the Parkway to GBL rival Everett next Tuesday.

“It was hard to halt basketball activities last week,” said Porrazzo. “Our players are really invested in this season and it was tough for them to hear the news of the GBL shutting things down.

“We used the time to refocus as a team,” Porrazzo continued. “We re-established what our goals are for the season. I sent home at-home workouts with the players and the girls were awesome with getting them done and letting me know. By the end of the week it turned into a competition of who could get the workout done first.

“We made it as purposeful as we could, but we are certainly ready to get back to playing games. We have a lot to prove. It’s a busy week, but we are looking forward to the challenge,” added Porrazzo, whose team stands at 2-1 in the GBL and 3-2 overall.

Speaking of last night’s contest with Chelsea, Porrazzo said, “I’m excited to take on Chelsea and coach Gena Restiano. My first year coaching, Gena was a senior and we instantly had a great relationship. It was an honor to watch her get to 1,000 points that year (2013). I think it’s so cool that we both coach our own teams now. I’m looking forward to seeing her.”

RHS Boys Basketball Hosts Malden Tomorrow

The Revere High School boys basketball team is scheduled to resume its season this week after the one-week layoff that was imposed upon all Greater Boston League athletic programs by the unanimous decision of the GBL schools because of the widespread Omicron variant of COVID-19.

“The team is looking forward to getting back on the court this week,” said RHS head coach David Leary. “The Greater Boston League last Monday made the decision to put a hold on all winter athletics for a week to try to combat against the rising number of positive COVID-19 tests in their communities.

“The decision was not an easy one for administration, but necessary given the circumstances,” said Leary, who took a positive perspective on the shutdown. “We talked to our guys and explained to them this was a necessary precaution, but we would be back soon.

“This isn’t like last year, fortunately,” Leary added, referring to the abbreviated season the GBL teams had to endure last year because of the virus when they played only eight games total in March and April.

As for this year’s Patriots, their record stands at 2-2 overall (1-1 in the GBL) and the players and coaches are excited to be back. Practice started back up Sunday morning and Monday night as they prepared to take on their cross-town rivals, the Red Devils of Chelsea High, last night (Tuesday).

The Patriots then will turn their attention to another GBL rival tomorrow evening (Thursday) when the Golden Tornadoes of Malden come to the Merullo Fieldhouse for what will be Revere’s first home game of the season. The freshmen contest is set for 4:00, followed by the junior varsity at 5:30 and the varsity game at 7:00.

The GBL has a temporary protocol in place only allowing two spectators per player to attend games at the moment.

“We are all learning to live with this virus,” said Leary, providing further perspective on the fluid situation. “If the kids can play and the coaches can coach safely, then a few protocols will not deter us from having as normal of a season as possible. It was great being back together and building chemistry again and we’re looking forward to competing this week —  with masks on, of course!”

After the encounter with Malden tomorrow (Thursday), Revere’s will be back on the floor next Wednesday at home against Everett.