Townie Sports
MARCH MADNESS ALMOST HERE
The MIAA high school tourney pairings for basketball come out on Friday, and on Saturday for hockey; 13 teams with “Townies” are already qualified. That doesn’t even include the sensational hockey talent at the collegiate level. Our “green square mile” is so special.
- In hockey, Despite two losses in-a-row recently (what’s next, Haley’s Comet?), Malden Catholic (13-3-3) is a surefire pick to go deep into the Super 8. Junior wing Sean Wrenn hopes to up the family championship ring total to 9 (that’s right, I said 9!) with help from seniors Hugh O’Donnell and Ronan Carrier and junior Cam DelValle. Gavin Lacey and Winchester (14-5-1) are on the Super 8 bubble. If they get in, they’ll have their hands full; if they don’t and are relegated to the Division I field, they should make a strong run at the title. Junior defenseman Danny Settipani, as well as assistant coach Mike Settipani, have not officially punched their ticket though Arlington Catholic (8-7-4) should be a player in Division I. Senior defenseman Ryan Arbuckle and Matignon (5-15-0) have already been eliminated. In Division II, Boston Latin (13-3-2), led by rugged senior wing Will Ahern (28 points), junior Mark Williamson and sophomore Devin Gallagher, are primed to make a deep run in the tourney. City of Boston champs Latin Academy (12-5-2) and 8th grader wing Colin DelValle will be a dark horse but more than capable of pulling off a win or two. The “Townie” contingent at East Boston (11-9-0) – which includes seniors E.J. White and Andrew McLaughlin, junior Krystal Zimmerle and freshman Jacob Leavitt – will have their hands full facing competition out of the City League, but this is why they play the games (there is always an upset around the corner). Sadly, St. Clement (3-10-5) senior superstar Matt Dighton (36 points) will not be able to add a fairy tale ending to his career as his team is eliminated from tourney eligibility. On the girls side, Worcester Academy (17-3-3) and leading scorer Micaela Sindoris (36 points) will be a strong favorite in the NEPSAC tourney. Division II Matignon (14-1-5) certainly have karma on their side after last season’s winless campaign. Seniors Rose Sullivan (26 points) and Emma Hamilton (2-0-0, 0.40 GAA) are surrounded by talented underclassmen in what could be a breakout tourney for the Warriors. Boston Latin (9-9-2) and junior wing Grace O’Neil and sophomore center Kaley Kyle are on the threshold of qualifying but still need one more win. Latin Academy (2-15-0) and standout sophomore Maeve Leahy did not qualify for the MIAA tourney.
- In basketball, already clinching a birth in Division I is Charlestown High (13-7), led by senior guard and 1,000 point scorer Kewan Platt. In Division II, despite a strong finish Liam Fitzpatrick (17 PPG) and his Winchester Sachems (9-11) did not qualify. Junior forward Rick Rock and Stoneham (8-12) were also eliminated in Division III. Two teams have already punched their ticket in Division IV; Coach Leo Boucher and his St. Clement Anchormen (11-7), who advanced to the North Sectional final last year, and junior center Patrick Kelly and Catholic Central League champ Pope John XXIII (16-3) are already bracket-watching. On the girls side, Renee Wang, the first international student to ever play “hoop” for Pope John XXIII (10-9), gets to experience the excitement of MIAA tourney action as the Lady Tigers make their 11th straight appearance in the “dance.”
“TOWNIE” WINTER SPORTS UPDATE
- COLLEGE
Harvard senior wing Jimmy Vesey poked home two goals to go along with an assist in a Crimson 7-4 romp over Colgate…BU senior defenseman Matt Grzelcyk notched an assist in a 3-3 tie with New Hampshire. “Grizzy” added a goal in a 3-2 Terrier rematch victory over UNH…Northeastern junior wing Brendan Collier contributed an assist in the white-hot Huskies 5-2 triumph over UConn…Maine sophomore wing Nolan Vesey tallied an assist on the game-winning OT goal as the Black Bears eked out a 3-2 win over Merrimack.
HIGH SCHOOL
- HOCKEY – Malden Catholic junior wing Sean Wrenn deposited a goal to go along with an assist in the Lancers 9-0 demolition of Acton-Boxboro…Boston Latin senior wing Will Ahern scored a goal and added an assist in the Wolfpack 4-1 victory over Coyle & Cassidy…St. Clement senior superstar Matt Dighton notched a goal in a 11-2 setback to powerhouse Lowell Catholic…Matignon senior wing Rose Sullivan slammed home a goal and senior goaltender Emma Hamilton stopped 14 of 15 shots in the Warriors 6-1 smackdown of Bishop Stang. In an earlier game against Matignon, Hamilton posted a shutout and she has stopped an incredible 34 of 35 shots this year for an otherworldly .971 save percentage…Congrats to Latin Academy 8th grader Colin DelValle on helping the Dragons capture the Boston City Championship with a 7-0 crunching of East Boston.
- BASKETBALL – Winchester sophomore guard Liam Fitzpatrick tossed in 17 points to lead the Sachems to a 58-54 triumph recently over Arlington Catholic. Fitzpatrick added 22 points in a 65-61 victory over Malden also.
- SWIMMING – At the MIAA Sectionals recently held at MIT, Mystic Valley sophomore Samantha Dagle clocked her best time in the 100 yard backstroke (1:05.48) and helped her team qualify for the state finals as part of the 200 yard Medley Relay.