RHS girls basketball team falls to Billerica in quarterfinals
By Cary Shuman
The Revere High School girls basketball team had a doubly tough assignment in the quarterfinals of the MIAA State Tournament Saturday night.
Not only was Revere facing Billerica, one of the best teams in the state, on the road, but it was playing a top team from the Merrimack Valley Conference (MVC), arguably the best girls basketball league in Massachusetts.
Revere staged a strong rally in the fourth quarter but Billerica held off the surge to eliminate the Lady Pats, 44-35.
Billerica joins MVC schools Andover and Chelmsford in the Division 1 North semifinal. The fourth semifinalist is Beverly, the school that Revere edged out for the Northeastern Conference North championship. Beverly bested Arlington, 56-55, in the quarterfinals.
Senior Tiphani Harris, who drew extra attention from the Billerica defense, completed her outstanding career in the program with 13 points and nine rebounds. Coach Diana DeCristoforo praised Harris’s leadership this season.
Freshman Pamela Gonzalez, a huge addition to the varsity this season, netted 10 points.
DeCristoforo said she was proud of a successful season that included an undisputed NEC title, a dramatic victory over Beverly in the NEC finale on a clutch hoop by Ally Hinojosa (that will be forever known as the “Ally-Hoop†Play), a sterling 17-5 record, and plenty of optimism for the future.
“We are proud of all we’ve accomplished this season and we’re looking forward – we know the future is bright,†said DeCristoforo. “I’m happy with our improvement throughout this year, It was a challenge for them to adapt to my coaching style with new offenses and defenses and they rose to every challenge.â€
Asked what she would remember most about the 2014-15 season, DeCristoforo replied, “How proud and determined the team was. Our team is all heart.â€
RHS sports Through the Years
10 years ago
March 2, 2005
Merzudin Ibric became the first Revere athlete to win a state track title since 1986 with a victory in the 300 meter dash Saturday at the Reggie Lewis Athletic Center. Ibric’s time of 35.23 was .36 of a second faster than his nearest competitor, whom Ibric overtook in the last 200 meters.
The Revere High hockey team, the No. 6 seed in the Division 2 North Sectional of the state hockey tournament with a 12-5-3 record, will meet Haverhill in the state tourney opener Friday night. The Patriots concluded their regular season with a 5-1 win over Gloucester. Anthony DelloIacono, Patrick Webber, Anthony Morico (two goals), and Antony Smith all scored for Revere.
20 years ago
March 1, 1995
RHS indoor track star Chris Eason took home a third place medal in the high jump and a fourth place prize in the 60 yard high hurdles at last week’s Massachusetts All-State Indoor Track Meet.
30 years ago
February 27, 1985
The RHS hockey team concluded an 0-18 season with losses of 8-0 to Malden and 7-1 to Peabody. Coach Paul Cronin’s Patriots were outscored 171-26 this season.
40 years ago
February 26, 1975
The 14-4-2 RevereHigh hockey team is set to open play in the state tournament this week after concluding the regular season with a 6-0 win over Everett and a 3-3 tie with first place Peabody. Revere’s Steve DiCarlo, John Festa, and Robert Troisi have been named to the first-team GBL all-star team and Nick Sardo has been named an honorable mention.
50 years ago
March 4, 1965
The RHS hockey team turned in a superb effort before dropping a 2-1 decision to a heavily-favored Walpole High squad in the opening round of the state tournament. Sophomore goalie Paul Cocovillo came through with a tremendous performance for the Blue and White. Bill Vigliotti scored the Revere goal in the second period that gave Revere a 1-0 lead at the time.
60 years ago
March 3, 1955
The Immaculate Conception High basketball team will not be repeating as the Class B Catholic state champion after dropping a 59-52 decision in the semifinals to St. Mary’s of Worcester. IC had advanced to the semis with a 44-39 win over St. Mary’s of Brookline. Captain Bob McCarrick, who scored 18 and 23 points respectively in the two contests, was named to the Class B all-star team for the third year in a  row.
