Boys hoop team swings into action
The Revere High boys basketball team opened its 2011 campaign last night (Tuesday) against perennial Northeastern Conference powerhouse Lynn English at the local fieldhouse.
Coach Rick Hayes and his crew face a tough stretch in the early going. After English, which in addition to its NEC exploits also rates annually as one of the top teams in Eastern Mass., the Patriots travel to Lynn Classical Friday, to Salem next Tuesday, and then to Beverly on the Friday before the Christmas weekend.
Patriots’ fans will see a lot of new faces in the varsity lineup. Hayes lost most of his team from last season to graduation, but among the returnees is 6-3 senior Chris Palladino, who will hold down the middle in the No. 5 spot. “Chris has a nice touch and can hit the jumper from the elbow,†noted Hayes.
Joseph Aud, who split his time between the varsity and JV last season, and John Leone, a transfer from the N.E. Vocational School, are two seniors who will see plenty of action in the front court. Senior Jonathan Pereira will be expected to lead the team at the point guard position.
Juniors include Alex Arenas, Geo Gomez, and Kyle Gotham, all of whom will play in the forward positions at the 3-4 spots, and Chris Hinojosa, who will be among the Patriots’ chief outside shooting threats at the shooting guard position.
Hayes is enthusiastic about his incoming group of sophomores who went 20-0 as freshmen last year. “They all have a great deal of poise and are fundamentally sound,†said Hayes. “They’re young, but we’ll be counting upon them to play key roles as the season progresses.â€
That crew includes forward Mike Ciambelli, shooting guards Mike Dreeszen and Jason Siegel, and point guard Tom Sor.
The Patriots faced Saugus in a jamboree over the weekend and fared well. “We did a lot of things well, but there is still much that we need to work on,†noted Hayes.
After their initial four games in the opening two weeks, the Pats will compete in the Pope John XXIII holiday tournament during the school vacation break.
Hockey team opens season tonight vs. Lynn
The Revere High hockey team will open its 2011-2012 campaign this evening, hosting Lynn at Cronin Rink. Face off time is 6:30.
RHS head coach Jim Palumbo, who is returning for his 20th season at the helm of the Patriot hockey program, has a nucleus of six seniors whom he’s hoping will provide the leadership on and off the ice to lead the Pats back to the state tournament.
Two of those seniors, Drew Lauria (who’ll be moving to the blue line this season after playing as a forward previously) and forward Peter Marino, are the captains. Forward Pat Bartol, defenseman Chris Whalen, forward R.T. Tiorano, and forward/defenseman Nick Tran are the other members of the Senior Six.
Palumbo also will be looking to underclassmen such as sophomore Brandon Mastropietro, sophomore Marco Mazzarelli, and sophomore Cam Whalen to make major contributions. Holding down the fort at the goaltending position are junior John Papasodora and sophomore Adam Cameau.
“We have a mix of youth and experience,†noted Palumbo, who has 23 skaters on his roster, some of whom are fairly new to the game. “But overall it’s a great group of boys. They’re excellent students in the classroom and a pleasure to coach,†added Palumbo, who has 186 career victories and who has been inducted into the Mass. Hockey Coaches Hall of Fame.
After tonight’s tilt, Palumbo and his crew will be back in action Saturday at 1:00 against Swampscott at Salem State College and next Wednesday at Cronin against Northeast Regional at 6:30.
Girls basketball team plays first game under Leonard
The Revere High girls basketball team opened its season last night (Tuesday) at Lynn English under new head coach Katelyn Leonard.
Leonard, who was a standout high school player at Swampscott and in college at Stonehill (and who is well known to Revere youth for her summer basketball camps), is inheriting a program from former coach Diana DeCristoforo (who is now coaching at Salem State College) which has had great success the past two years, including an undisputed Northeastern Conference title last season.
Returning from that team are starting point guard Gina Restiano and forward Caitlyn Caramello, both of whom are juniors and both of whom played integral roles in the Lady Patriots’ success the past two years.
Leonard and her crew will have three consecutive home games starting Friday with Lynn Classical, Tuesday with Salem, and next Friday with Beverly. Tip off time for all three tilts is 7:00.
RHS SCHEDULE
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14
6:30: Hockey vs. Lynn
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15
4:30: Swimming at Lynn Classical
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16
7:00 Boys basketball at Lynn Classical
7:00: Girls basketball vs. Lynn Classical
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17
1:00: Hockey at Swampscott
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20
7:00: Girls basketball vs. Salem
7:00: Boys basketball at Salem
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21
6:30: Hockey vs. N.E. Vocational
6:30: Boys and girls indoor track vs. Danvers
