Sports 08-31-2016

RhS sports Roundup

RHS football team

readies for season

The Revere High football team opened its 2016 pre-season last week, starting with three days of double-sessions last Monday.

Veteran RHS head coach coach Lou Cicatelli greeted 65 candidates on opening day, a solid indication of the strength of the Revere High grid program.

The Patriots engaged in a tri-scrimmage Saturday with Hamilton-Wenham and Northeast Regional. “I thought the team did well,” said Cicatelli, whose 2015 Patriots enjoyed one of the best seasons in RHS football history with an 8-3 record in their inaugural season on the turf at the new Harry Della Russo Stadium.  “But there is a huge learning curve this year. Our offensive line has three sophomores and a freshman. We’ve been doing lots and lots of board work.”

The Patriots were set to meet St. Mary’s of Lynn yesterday (Tuesday) for a scrimmage and then will trek to Marblehead Saturday morning at 10:00 for their final pre-season contest.

Cicatelli and his crew will open their season next Friday evening (September 7) at Medford.

Fall sports season

swings into high gear

The Revere High fall sports season gets underway next week when the Lady Patriot field hockey team hosts Malden Monday morning at 10:00 at Harry Della Russo Stadium. The field hockey girls will be back in action two days later when they travel to Beverly.

The RHS golfers get into the swing Tuesday, hosting Saugus at Cedar Glen. The volleyball team also opens its 2016 campaign Tuesday, entertaining Danvers.

The boys and girls soccer and cross country teams will open their seasons the week of September 13.

DeStefano, Rivera, DeSimone elected RHS football captains

By Cary Shuman

Revere High School head football coach Lou Cicatelli has announced that seniors Anthony DeStefano, Victor Rivera, and John DeSimone have been elected captains of the 2016 team.

“I think the team made very good choices,” said Cicatelli.

DeStefano is a captain for the second year in a row, having earned the title last year as a junior. “It feels good to be a captain again,” said DeStefano. “I can’t wait for the season opener. We had a good season last year and I was proud to be a part of it.”

Rivera said he’s happy to be a part of the program. “I’m honored to be a captain and a leader setting a good example for the younger players. I want to thank coach Cicatelli for welcoming me in to this program. It’s been a blessing.”

DeSimone, who played four years in the Revere Pop Warner organization, is entering his fourth season in the RHS program.

“I am honored and thankful to be a captain this year,” said DeSimone. “The team is looking really good this season. I think we’re going to have a great year like we had last year. We have a lot of key players back on offense. But everything starts with our linemen. Our skilled position players can’t do anything without our big guys up front.”

PATRIOTS NOTEBOOK

Revere played well in scrimmages against Hamilton-Wenham and Northeast Regional Saturday at Della Russo Stadium. Quarterback Eddie Sullivan threw two touchdown passes to Oscar Lopez. Sullivan and DeSimone are vying for the No. 1 quarterback position.

Former Revere school administrator Gavin Monagle, now the head football coach at Masconomet Regional, has picked a tough opponent for Thanksgiving. Masconomet will host Everett on the holiday, beginning a two-year agreement. Masconomet, located in Boxford, used to play North Andover but North Andover chose to end its series with Masco and play Andover on Thankgiving.

Revere will continue its Thanksgiving series with neighboring Winthrop. The game will be played in Revere as Winthrop begins a renovation project for Miller Field. Winthrop is also opening a brand new $80 million high school/middle school building next week.

Lucky Strike Lanes closes its doors after 79 years

By Cary Shuman

Dave Barber, one of the best candlepin bowlers in the world, had the words to fit the occasion: It was a bittersweet day.

“It’s sad to see the bowling business go, but I’m happy for my parents [Jim and Jane Barber], they’re retiring,” said Barber. “My father has put in a lot of time here, keeping this business going for a lot of years, but it’s time for him to retire and enjoy the rest of his life. It’s bittersweet.”

Jim Barber’s Lucky Strike Lanes, home to some of the best bowlers in the game including Lynn phenom Jonathan Boudreau and Hall of Famers Janet Poch and Nance Vestal, held a farewell celebration on August 14, marking the end of the establishment’s 79 years in Lynn. Revere professional bowler Richie Hallis also attended the farewell party. Jim Barber, who has owned the lanes on Buffum Street in Lynn since 2000, was a legend in the game, a Hall of Famer, and a Channel 5 record holder with four strikes in a row and a 466 triple.

George Raymond, 75, whose home house was the Lynnway Sportscenter, was one of the all-time greats who honored Jim Barber on Lucky Strike’s final day.

“Jim is a great guy and he ran a great house,” said Raymond, who also rolled four strikes in a row on Channel 5. “I’m here today to see my old friend.”

Bob Leo, owner of Metro Bowl in Peabody, recalled a young Jim Barber worked at Lynn bowling alleys as a teenager.

“Jimmy was one of the greatest guys that has ever been around the bowling game,” said Leo. “He started working for us when he was 15 and he has remained the same person – just a wonderful, wonderful guy.”

Frank Obey, another Lynnway guy, recalled that he teamed up with Jim Mauro, Al Lacey, Mike Shadoff, and George Raymond to set a North Shore team record of 2066 in a professional bowling match against Barber’s Lucky Strike team.

“I’m going to the miss the place,” said Lynn City Bowling League secretary Russ French. “It’s sad to see one more bowling house close.”

Jim Barber said Lucky Strike Lanes has been a big part of his life for more than 40 years. “I feel sad, obviously because this has been a highlight for 44 years and the last 17 years I’ve owned the business. I’m going to miss coming here. I see all these people today that I’ve known for years. I’ve made so many friends but it’s time – I’m 71 years old.”

Barber said he has sold the building to the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless.

“We’re happy that they’re going to make this building in to something that’s going to be great for the city of Lynn,” said Barber.

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