HOOPS
•HIGH SCHOOL: Pope John XXIII (8-2), the defending Division 4 state champs, and Coach *Leo Boucher look forward to a potent non-league schedule which features some of the best teams in the state. Emerging as a pleasant surprise for the Tigers has been senior co-captain *Conor Kelly, who is averaging nine points and 11 rebounds per game…East Boston (3-5) sophomore guard *Kaelyn Gilbert continues to show improvement for the rebuilding Lady Jets…Braintree (10-2) senior sensation Adrianna Timberlake is a big reason the defending Division 1 state champs are a lock to make another deep tourney run. Adriana continues to pile on the points (16.9 average) for the Wamps…Austin Prep (5-7) senior guard Colin Jaena has been the Cougars “sparkplug” in the competitive Catholic Central League.
•COLLEGE: After dropping their season opener, Bunker Hill Community College (16-1) has won 16 straight and is a sure bet to make a deep run in the NJCAA tourney. Under coach Nkrumah Jones, a BHCC alumni, the Bulldogs have posted three consecutive 20-win seasons…An injury has derailed what has been a standout freshman season for Towson (6-14) forward Nicolas Timberlake. Nicolas logged some serious minutes in posting a 6.4 average before the setback…St. Joseph (13-4) sophomore forward *Patrick Kelly, the Monks only walk-on, is chomping at the bit for his opportunity.
ON THE ICE
•HIGH SCHOOL: BC High senior wing *Matt Lakus banged home two goals to help the Eagles wallop Catholic Memorial by a score of 5-1. Matt added 2 assists in a 6-2 walloping of Xaverian…Belmont Hill sophomore backliner *Will Killoran dished out an assist in a 3-3 deadlock with St. Mark’s…Reading senior forward Abbie Collins scored a goal in the Lady Rockets 3-3 tie with Lexington. Abbie added a goal and an assist in a 8-1 smackdown of Burlington.
•COLLEGE: UMass-Dartmouth junior defenseman *Patrick Wrenn scored a goal and blasted three shots on net in the Corsairs 5-1 stomping of Westfield State. Patrick added an assist in a 4-2 win over Framingham State…Amherst freshman wing *Sean Wrenn scored the Mammoths only two goals in a 3-2 OT loss to Hamilton…Salem St. senior forward *Danielle Kelley scored a goal and added an assist in the Lady Vikings 4-2 setback to Suffolk…Northeastern freshwoman wing *Micaela Sindoris blasted two shots on net in the Lady Huskies 4-1 victory over Connecticut…UMass-Lowell sophomore forward Connor Sodergren contributed an assist in the River Hawks 6-5 triumph over Vermont. Connor added another assist in a rematch 2-0 win over the Catamounts…Sophomore wing Michael Snow tallied an assist in a 6-3 win over Endicott.
•ECHL: Wheeling backliner *Aaron Titcomb notched a goal in the Nailers 5-3 setback to the Adirondack Thunder.
•AHL: Wilkes-Barre wing Jimmy Hayes scored a goal in the Penguins 5-4 loss to Rochester.
•NHL: Boston defenseman *Matt Grzelcyk contributed an assist in the Bruins 3-2 OT loss to Montreal…Ottawa wing Brady Tkachuk tallied a goal in the Senators 5-2 triumph over Colorado…Calgary wing Matt Tkachuk deposited a goal in the Flames 4-3 OT setback to Buffalo…NY Ranger wing Jimmy Vesey dished out a helper in a 6-2 pounding of Carolina.
CHARLESTOWN YOUTH BASKETBALL
•Thursday, Jan. 24 – Spurs vs. Thunder, 6:30 p.m., Community Center1; Clippers vs. Trailblazers, 7:15 p.m. Harvard-Kent; Phoenix Mercury vs. Connecticut Suns, 7:15 p.m. at Edwards Middle; Pacers vs. Warriors, 7:30 p.m. at Community Center 2; Rockets vs. Bucks, 7:30 p.m. at Community Center 1; Raptors vs. Mavericks, 8:15 p.m. at Harvard-Kent.
•Thursday, Jan. 31 – Trailblazers vs. Mavericks, 6:15 p.m. at Harvard-Kent; Bucks vs. Warriors, 6:30 p.m. at Community Center 1; Phoenix Mercury vs. Connecticut Suns, 7:15 p.m. at Edwards Middle School; Sonics vs. Raptors, 7:15 p.m. at Harvard-Kent; Hornets vs. Spurs, 7:30 p.m. at Community Center 1; Rockets vs. Wizards, 7:30 p.m. at Community Center 2; and Celtics vs. Clippers, 8:15 p.m. at Harvard-Kent.
(* = Townie resident, no asterisk is Townie roots)