Winter Sports News 2005-2006

St. Mary's, Classical Each Play Exciting Games in Duchane Jamboree
By Erik Johnson / For The Item, Monday, December 12, 2005

Apparently 16 minutes was not enough for St. Mary's and Danvers to decide a winner in the annual Paul Duchane Girls Basketball Jamboree, as the two teams played to a 20-20 tie. Kerri Domohowski was a force on defense and led the Spartans with four points.
 In the final scrimmage of the jamboree, Masconomet held Classical without a field goal until 21.7 seconds remained in the first half in a 31-23 win in the abridged game.
"I thought they were the best team out there that night," Rams coach Gene Constantino said of Masconomet. "They forced us into bad shooting. We were 1-for-15 in the first half, I think, because of Masco's defense."
Constantino said that his team got back into it at the end, and that "obviously, we need to improve our offense, but that's why you play these scrimmage games. We're getting ready for Swampscott (in the season opener on Tuesday)."
 Caroline Stewart led all scorers with seven for Masco, while Manise Louinord kept the Rams in the game with six points of her own. Classical showed some life down the stretch as it went on an 8-2 run to finish the game.
In other action, Gloucester took advantage of an eight-point game from Ashley Amero to go on to defeat Fenwick, 19-13. Vanessa Razney had a nice game for the Crusaders, with six points.
Free throws proved to be the key for Ipswich's win over Swampscott, as it knocked down six out of eight down the stretch to knock off the Big Blue, 29-24. Rachel Paskievich led the Blue with five points. Amber Smith led all scorers with nine points.
Beverly missed a halfcourt shot as the game clock expired, and went down to Reading, 29-27.

Classical Boys Hoop Feeling Hopeful
By Joyce Erekson, The Daily Item of Lynn, Friday, December 9, 2005

The Classical High Basketball  team will have its work cut out trying to match last year's 16-4 season, and the Rams will be doing it without a large contingent of seniors who were instrumental in their success.
The Rams topped off an excellent regular season with a trip to the North semifinals. Although they ended up losing to Charlestown, it was in overtime. Coach Tom Grassa will have to find replacements for several quality players, including Alvin Abreu, who led the team in just about every statistical category. Abreu is currently at The Gunnery, a prep school in Washington, Connecticut.
"It was truly a team effort (last year)," Grassa said. "We lost quite a few seniors who contributed immensely."
The Rams will also have to fill the hole left by the losses of Alberto Rodriguez, Cetan Tyler (playing football at Bentley College), Jose Quintana (attending junior college in California); Justin Davis and Paul Emmons.
On the plus side of the ledger, Roberto Vellon, a junior, is back. Although he plays guard, Grassa said he'll be moving to forward this year.
"Because we're so small, we'll be using him at forward," Grassa said. ""Last year we had quite a few guys who had to swing to the forward spot He (Vellon) is a scorer. He's a slasher and a pretty good outside shooter."
Jeff Watson, fresh off a very successful football season, has been on the varsity for four years. He logged a lot of minutes last year, particularly when the Rams were pressing, Grassa said.
"He's such a quick kid. He's an excellent defender and a good passer. We'll be asking Jeff to take on some of the scoring responsibility," Grassa said.
Mike Quintana, who was quarterback on the football team, is battling it out for the point guard spot with a couple of other players. Jorel Berberena saw limited minutes last year, but Grassa said it looks like he has won a starting job at guard. Kevin Arsenault and Peter Kopoulos should also be in the mix somewhere. Vince Spence also returned this year.
"I think we're going to be very competitive," Grassa said.
Grassa said that even though he lost six seniors, many of the top players in the Northeastern Conference last year were seniors, and those players' teams will be in a similar position. He said he'd be most worried if there was a team out there that went 10-10 with all sophomores and juniors.
Classical opens its season on Sunday at St. John's Prep.

Locals Excel in Duchane Girls Hoop Jamboree
By Jonathan Weiner / For The Item, Monday, December 12, 2005

Saturday marked the 13th annual Paul Duchane Girls Basketball Jamboree, held at Lynn Classical High School.
 The Jamboree, named after the longtime football coach (assistant at English, Fenwick, and Matignon, as well as a head coaching stint at English) who passed away several years ago, is responsible for creating scholarships for area students.
"Over the years, we've raised over $15,000," said Lynn Classical athletic director Dick Ruth, host of the event. "Our targeted goal each year is $1,500."
Nine games were played on Saturday, comprising 18 schools from a variety of conferences.
"We get calls every year from schools seeing if there's an opening," Ruth said. "Peabody called at the last moment this year, but we couldn't fit them in."
Ruth explained the different advantages, besides the scholarships, that the jamboree brings.
"The coaches get to get playing experience for their teams before the season begins, and there's always a good crowd coming in for each game," he said. "And everyone that takes part in the jamboree, from referees, coaches, and so on, works for free."
Here are recaps of jamboree games.
Marblehead 19, North Andover 13
The Headers scored six straight points to snap an 11-11 tie late in the second half.
Marblehead's Ashara Carrington led all scorers with 11 points, while Jess McVey had five points for the Knights.
Saugus 19, North Reading 14
Guard Amanda Capone drilled a three-pointer with less than two minutes remaining that stopped a 5-0 Hornets run and pushed the Sachems' lead to 17-13. Saugus guard Maura Kotowski ended the first half with a three-pointer of her own with 13 seconds left to give Saugus a 9-6 edge.
Kotowski was the Sachems' leading scorer with seven.
 Pentucket 19, Tech 14
The Sachems went on a 7-0 second half run to offset the Tigers.
Tech held a 7-6 halftime edge, but Pentucket outscored Tech 13-7 in the second half.
Center Jessica Underwood led Tech with six points, while Pentucket's Nicole Sweeney was the game's leading scorer with eight.
Wakefield 22, English 8
Trailing 12-0, the Bulldogs didn't register their first point until 3:39 left in the first half (a free throw by Mariah Dooley). English only scored one field goal in the contest, a short jumper by Tracey Carroll with 2:45 remaining until the half.
 Reney Hamilton led English with five points, while the Warriors' Brittany Kelleher was the game's leading scorer, with six.

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