Sports 12-06-2017

RhS sports Roundup

RHS hockey team opens this weekend

The Revere High hockey team will open its 2017-18 season this weekend when the Patriots travel south to compete in the Bourne High School Canalmen Hockey Tournament at Gallo Arena in Bourne.

The Patriots will meet Dartmouth Friday at 6:30 p.m. in the opening round and then face either Bourne or Stoughton on Saturday. The squad will stay overnight in a nearby hotel.

“We always look forward to this tournament,” said veteran RHS head hockey coach Joe Ciccarello. “This should be a good bonding experience for the team.”

Although this year’s edition of the Patriots will be thin with only 16 skaters (plus five goaltenders), Ciccarello said he is looking forward to the coming season with high hopes.

“What we lack in numbers, we hope to make up for in work ethic and smart play,” said the coach, whose squad just missed qualifying for the state tourney last year with an 8-11-1 record. “We have some veteran players and excellent leadership that we hope will lead to a good season.”

Senior Mike Giordano is the team’s captain, and he will be supported by assistant captains Rob Stoica and Mike Goroshko, both of whom also are seniors. Junior defensemen Matt Cravotta and Cam Mazza also will lend experienced support at the blue line.

The Patriots took part in the Northeastern Conference Jamboree this past Sunday evening and scrimmaged Nashoba Tech yesterday (Tuesday).

Revere will play in the South Division of the Northeastern Conference that includes Everett, Somerville, Lynn, Swampscott, and Gloucester.

 

Winter sports season underway

The 2017-18 edition of the Revere High boys’ varsity basketball team was selected last week by head coach David Leary after the completion of tryouts.

“We have a lot of new faces and a bunch to make up for after graduating nine seniors and losing 1,100 points and 750 rebounds,” said Leary, whose 2017 quintet became the first Patriot boys hoop team to qualify for the state tourney since 2001 by winning their last four games of the season.

Senior forward Devon Avery and senior guard George Quintana return from last year’s team and will contribute on both ends of the floor.

Junior point guard Marcus Brunson-Perez and shooting guard Scott Montefusco return with the most experience and will be a solid one-two punch on the offensive end.

Junior centers Nicholas Ciciulla and Andres Mejia will supply rebounding and toughness around the basket, while junior forwards John Leone and Eric Bua will help stretch the floor with their 3-point shooting.

Both junior guards Omar Bendjahene and Wilkens Altenor have the ability to score in the open court. Junior guards Donato Colarossi and Sebastian Vanegas will supply defensive pressure and ball handling.

Also showing promise are sophomore big man Scott Toglan and sophomore guard E.J. Leone, who will both add toughness on defense and the ability to score.

“It is an interesting group this year with a few experienced players combined with some guys moving up from freshman and JV last season,” said Leary. “They have worked extremely hard this off-season, and I am excited to coach them and watch them come together as a team.”

Leary and his crew were set to engage in a tri-scrimmage at East Boston with Eastie and Hamilton-Wenham last night (Tuesday). Tomorrow (Thursday) they will host Lynn Tech at 4:30 p.m. on the Pats’ home floor.

They will open their 2017-18 campaign Monday, hosting Broadway archival Chelsea at 7 p.m.

 

Revere Pop Warner ‘B’ football team completes outstanding 11-1 season

By Cary Shuman

Reggie Green has been coaching Pop Warner football in Revere for nearly 20 years. He has guided some very good teams during that time, with many of his players moving on to play in the Revere High football program.

This year’s Revere Pop Warner ‘B’ team was one of the best in the organization’s history as Green, assistant coaches Wayne Rose, Bill Guinasso, and Miguel Colon, and a deep and talented roster of players compiled an 11-1 record and came within one game of qualifying for the National Championships.

A powerful team from West Haven, Conn., bested Revere in the New England championship game, ending the local squad’s bid to become the first to earn a trip to Florida for the Nationals.

But there will still be much to celebrate at the awards banquet, including division, Eastern Mass., and state titles.

The Revere City Council will honor the Junior Patriots football team at its meeting Monday night. City Council Vice President Patrick Keefe will take particular pride in that ceremony as the popular Ward 4 councillor also serves as president of Revere Pop Warner.

Green said he had high expectations for the team from the outset. As the team mowed down opponents in the Greater Boston area with its high-scoring offense and stingy defense, the confidence grew as the playoffs approached.

“To be honest, I thought we had a chance to go very far this year,” said Green. “We had players who worked hard in practice and really came together as a team and believed in each other.”

Revere and Chelsea were both 6-0 when the Beach City contingent prevailed in a showdown for the division title. Revere took it up a notch in the playoffs, overtaking the Boston Bengals, Jamaica Plain, and Dighton-Rehoboth to reach the Final Two in New England.

Quarterback Billy Byrne- Ginepra had a terrific all-around season with his running and passing, producing numerous touchdowns. Wide receiver Juan Arroyave was also a standout for the Revere offense that averaged four touchdowns a game.

“As good as our offense was, I felt out defense was the heart of our team,” said Green, adding that it was a team effort by a number of players that held opposing offenses in check.

Green thanked the Revere team mom, Erin Colon, for her support and “Revere Pop Warner as a whole for being an excellent organization.”

Players for the New England finalist Revere Pop Warner ‘B’ team included: Juan Arroyave, Jefferson Mejia, Billy Byrne-Ginepra, Nicholas Coughlin, Jordan Rodriguez, Ricardo Goncalves, Mark Marchese, Andrew Guinasso, Keith Jones, Anwar Marbouh, Jaden Chafin, Christian Martinez, Sami Haily, Patrick Fucile, Augusto Goncalves, Orlano Jusino, Carlos Rizo, Ilyass Lfalaki, Max Doucette, Alexander Lopez Acuna, Daniel Orrego, Orlando Quintana, Danje Boisrond, Noel Theodore, and Brandon Salemme.