Sports 12-16-2015

RHS sports Roundup

Boys basketball ready for season-opening week

The Revere High boys basketball team was ready to spring into action for the start of its 2016 season, hosting Danvers last night (Tuesday).

The Patriots engaged in a pre-season scrimmage with Hamilton-Wenham last week in which the Revere squad showed much promise for the coming season.

“The scrimmage went well for both teams,” said Rizzo. “We are two programs that are very even in terms of talent and the scrimmage played out just that way. They’re a well-coached and very fundamental team and that style of play usually gives us trouble.

“I thought we handled our own pretty well,” Rizzo continued. “As with any scrimmage, there were some ugly points that need addressing, but we definitely saw a lot of good things. Janard Jones, a senior forward for us, got hot from deep and really paced our offense throughout the night. We don’t have official numbers on the game, but he must have had close to 25 points with a lot of that coming from beyond the three-point line.

“Hamilton-Wenham likes to slow the game a bit, but when we got the pace where we wanted it, we were able to get out and run and get some transition buckets and then press them full-court,” added the coach “It was definitely a good tune-up for us heading into the season.”

The Patriots chose their captains for the coming campaign, with the trio of Jones, William Bell, and junior Marvin Urdaneta selected to lead their teammates.”

“Janard is a smart and disciplined player with a level head and calming voice,” said Rizzo. “Will, a senior guard who transferred in from New York this summer, displays all of the characteristics you would want in a captain: smart, dedicated, trusting of his teammates, and willing to work. While he’s only been with the boys for a couple months, it is clear that he’s someone that is respected.

“Marvin, our third captain, is a junior big man who also is going to be our most crucial player on the floor for us this season,” said Rizzo. “Marvin is expected to lead this team on the court and in the locker room. The leap his game has made from the first day he showed up at tryouts his freshman season to now has been very impressive. He’s expected to be our leading rebounder and our top low-post scoring option. Not only has his game grown, but his maturity as well. You can see him rounding into a natural leader and we are excited to see that growth continue throughout the season and into his senior year.”

After the first home game on Tuesday, December 15 against Danvers, Rizzo and his crew will entertain Beverly Friday evening (7:00 tip-off) and then will travel to Lynn Classical Monday and to Lynn English next Wednesday.

RHS hockey team opens season tonight

The Revere High hockey team will open its 2016 season this evening (Wednesday) when head coach Joe Cicarello and his Patriots trek to Connery Rink in Lynn to take on Northeastern Conference rival Lynn, which is a combination of Lynn Classical and Lynn English.

The Revere squad prepped for the opener with a scrimmage with Beverly. “The scrimmage went well,” said Ciccarello, whose team claimed a 2-1 win. “We played a better systems game. Working on our forecheck and zone coverage was a focus and it looked improved, so that is a good sign that this team is learning. I love the team’s work ethic so far and our leadership has been great. We are looking forward to getting the year started.”

After tonight’s encounter, the Patriots will travel to Gloucester Saturday evening and return home to entertain Northeast Regional next Wednesday at Cronin Rink. Face-off for NE Voke match is 6:30P.M.

Boys track team    opens with victory

The Revere High boys indoor track team opened its season in impressive fashion with a 46-36 triumph over Gloucester last Friday at the RHS fieldhouse.

The Patriots captured first place in six of the nine individual events and swept the shotput.

The first-place finishers for the Pats were: Nelson Cavallos in the high jump with a leap of 5’-8”; David Sinatra in the 50 yard hurdles in a time of 7.6 seconds; Dan Murphy with a sprint of 5.9 in the 50 yard dash; Edi Murjan with a clocking of 40.8 in the 300 dash; and Zach Gentile in the 600 dash in 1:38.5.

Phuc Tran led the Revere shotput sweep with a throw of 37’-3.” Teammates Gabriele Felix-Martinez with a toss of 35’-9” and Andre Amato with a heave of 34’-1”  took second and third spots respectively.

Second-place finishers for Revere whose three points apiece clinched the meet for the Patriots were: Abubakir Aldarazy in the 1000 with a clocking of 3:12.9; Sebastian Mejia in the mile in 5:18.9; and Zakaria Attioui in the two mile in 11:25.

Adding single points with third place efforts were Arthue Lacerda in the two mile run in 13:01; Andy Em in the 50 hurdles in 8.2; and Amine Maihouane in the 1000 in 3:22.

The boys shoot for their second win today (Wednesday) against Danvers. The Patriots then will return to action December 30 when they entertain Lynn English.

Girls track team drops close encounter

The Revere High girls indoor track team lost a close one to Gloucester, 45-41, in the season-opening last week meet that came down to the 4X400 meter relay that Gloucester won by four seconds.

“I told our girls after the meet that I went four years of high school without any meets coming down to the relay and these girls have already had five meets decided by the relay in the past two years,” said RHS head coach Antonio LaBruna. “It was extremely exciting.”

The Lady Patriots took first place in four of the meet’s nine individual events. The first-place finishers for Revere were: Angelisa Nguyen in the 50 dash with a sprint of 6.7 seconds; Joselin Argueta in the 300 dash in a clocking of 49.9; Suellen Guerreiro in the mile with a personal record (PR) time of 6:18; and Rachel Shanbar with a shot-put toss of 28’-10.5”, which is a PR for Rachel.

The Lady Patriots’ depth was evident with their many second and third place finishes that propelled Revere into a 41-40 lead entering the relay event.

The second place finishers were: Angelina Nguyen in the 50 dash in 6.9; Helen Perez in the 600 in 1:59.3; Tricia Cheever in the 1000 in 3:45.5; Hannah Fitzpatrick in the two mile in 13:37; and Justyne Pennacchio in the shot-put with her throw of 23’-3”.

Third-place finishers for Revere were: Rayana Benzohra (50M hurdles) in 9.0; Jessica Cambraia (300M) in 50.2; Jackie Dion (mile) in 6:43; Monica Posada (two-mile) in 15:21; Megan Maguire (shot-put) 22’-4.5”; and Taylor Giuffre-Catalano (1000M) in 4:07.

The 4 x 400 quartet was comprised of Helen Perez, Angelina Nguyen, Joselyn Argueta, and Angelisa Nguyen. They combined to come across the finish in a time of 4:52, compared to Gloucester’s 4:48.

“Joseline Argueta had a great meet,” said LaBruna. “She broke 50 seconds in the 300, running it for the first time, and also came from behind in the third leg of the 4 x 400 relay to catch her Gloucester opponent, setting up an incredible finish.

“We have over 90 girls on the team and many of them are first-year track kids, so it will take the majority of the season to find an event that best suits them and get them running that event efficiently,” added LaBruna. “Our win total may not be too high this season, but our depth will keep us competitive in most meets and we will rely on senior captains Angelisa Nguyen, Angelina Nguyen, Suellen Guerreiro, Jackie Dion, and Jessica Cambraia to score for our team.

LaBruna and his crew are set to be back in action today (Wednesday) when they meet Danvers. They will be off for two weeks before hosting Lynn English December 30. Jim Moore holds his son, Liem, while they pose for a photo with Santa.

Revere plays well in Jamboree matchup

By Cary Shuman

The organizers of the Paul Duchane Girls Basketball Jamboree knew what they were doing when they matched up Revere High and Masconomet Regional, two of the best Division 1 teams on the North Shore.

Revere is the defending Northeastern Conference Large Champion while Masconomet is a perennial Cape Ann League powerhouse. Both teams finished 16-4 in the regular season a year ago and both are expected to be title contenders this season.

Masconomet coach Bob Romeo, whose team bested Revere, 26-21, Saturday in the 16-minute jamboree scrimmage at Lynn Classical, was impressed by coach Diana Finn’s 2015-16 contingent that was set to open Tuesday versus Danvers.

“Revere is a very good team and when I talk with coaches in the Northeastern Conferences they think that Revere is the frontrunner,” said Romeo. “Revere is tough, big, and has a little bit of everything – speed, size, some shooting. They’re going to have a very good year. We could see them again in the State Tournament but we’re also in the Spartan Classic with Revere at the end of the season.”

Revere had some bright moments that bode well for the season. Senior Adanna Hector was impressive at the point guard position, highlighting her effort with a behind-the-back move that resulted in a three-point play. Hector also combined with senior captain Ally Hinojosa on a nice play that resulted in a layup.

“I think Adanna handled their pressure very well,” said coach Diana Finn.

Sophomore Pamela Gonzalez, a talented dribbler and outside shooter, hit two free throws that helped Revere draw even at 17-17 but Masco, led by junior center Stephanie Mini’s all-around play, went on a 9-4 run to close the game.

Sophomore center Valentina Pepic had two baskets in the first quarter while junior Meaghan Gotham and senior captain Natasha Iacoviello played well in starting roles.

Senior Maritza Scott sat out the jamboree with an ankle injury but was expected to be ready for the season opener.

Diana Finn was happy to see her team tested by a strong Masconomet program that draws players from three towns, Middleton, Boxford, and Topsfield.

“We know that Masco comes in with a toughness and they execute well so we use it as tune-up for our opener at Danvers,” said Finn. “I was happy with our overall effort but we have work to do on both ends of the court.”

Revere plays Friday night at Beverly, a return to the scene of Ally Hinojosa’s dramatic, last-second basket (the “Ally Hoop Play”) that gave the Lady Patriots the undisputed NEC North title.