Sports: Belmont Boys’ Hoops Exit Playoffs Early by Youthful Brighton Squad

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Photo: Charge, Brighton.

Belmont High Boys’ Basketball Head Coach Adam Pritchard looked like the world had just settled on his shoulders after his Marauders was knocked out of the MIAA Division 2 North Sectional playoffs Tuesday night, March 1.

Pritchard’s senior-laden team had just fallen victim in the first round match-up to a young, physical squad from Brighton High, 72-67, before a ruckus home fan base, and now the long-time coach was about to enter the locker room where “there are a lot of very sad young men, I know that.”

“It was two very good teams tonight,” said Pritchard. “[Brighton is] an excellent team, I saw them play earlier in the year, and I know what they can do, and I know what we were capable of so I knew the game would come down to the final minute,” he said.

“We, unfortunately, just did not hold onto possession in vital moments down the stretch,” Pritchard said, as he took that long walk into the lockers.

While Belmont came into the game the fifth-seed, Brighton was no 12-seed, a young team that lost some games during the regular season due to lack of concentration not of talent. 

In a tight game with just a pair of long scoring runs for each team, it was a critical two-minute stretch midway in the final quarter when, tied at 61, Brighton stripped and stole the possession from Belmont three consecutive times down court, converting two easy layups to take a four-point lead, 65-61, an advantage the Bengals would not concede. 

“They are a very aggressive team, they anticipated well and made us turn over the ball,” said Pritchard. 

With its Middlesex League All-Star guard combo of Cole Bartels and league MVP Matt Kerans, the Marauders continually found open threes early in the contest as Brighton doubled team the ball on nearly every trip to the basket. Bartels was particularly effective from beyond the arc with three 3’s in the first half for 11 points (yet he would be shut out for the second half by Brighton’s tight marking.)  

Belm0nt’s scoring balance – seven players scored in the first half – and its “let them shot” defensive approached began working as junior forward Paul Ramsey found his range with a three and a two to join fellow juniors Bryan Goodwin (a bucket and a pair from the chairty strip) and Daron Hamparian (the same as Goodwin) on the scoring chart. 

While Belmont’s defense and hot three-point shooting gave Belmont a four-point lead at the half, 34-30, a 7-0 run – a Kerans layup in traffic, a bucket in close from Joe Shaughnessy and a fall-away three from Kerans who ended the game with a match-high 24 points – early in the third saw the Marauders leap out in front by nine, 41-32, at the 5:30 mark of the third.

But a quick timeout by Brighton’s young and talented head coach Hugh Coleman calmed his charges which then proceeded to outscore the Marauders’ 20-11 in the third, pushed by sophomore phenom Jerrod Clark (12 points) who dropped four twos during the stretch. 

Despite a monster quarter from Kerans with 11 point including three 3s – to a chorus of “MVP” –  the Bengals comeback culminated with Brighton hitting a pair of threes in the final 28 seconds, the first from junior point Jordan Galloway (his first basket of the night for three of his nine total) and a buzzer beater from star junior shooting guard Tyrone Perry who end with a team-high 15 points.

It was a back and forth fourth quarter with Ramsey’s three with 5:30 left to give the Marauders’ its final advantage at 59-57. But less than a minute later, Brighton’s doubling the ball playing havoc to Belmont’s passing and dribbling attack resulting in the three steals and leading to the 4-0 run.

“We earned a lot of tough baskets tonight, but we gave up a few too many easy ones,” said Pritchard. 

While the Marauders cut the lead to two with less than a minute to go (65-53 on an easy Shaughnessy layup) that was as close as Belmont would come as Kerans – who played the entire game – could not will a pair of threes to find the hoops.

For Pritchard, an outstanding season (17-6) and Middlesex League Liberty banner meant little as he stared into space after the game, which saw the end of the career of seniors Damian Bitsikas, Yvrantzi Dedravines, Justin Wagner, Shaughnessy, Luke Peterson, Lowell Haska, Bartels and Kerans, who became the program’s all-time scoring leader with more than 1,300 points. 

“We played a great game, but the better team on the court was Brighton,” said Pritchard.

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Primary: Trump, Clinton Top Belmont as Voters Came Out in Force

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Photo: Dana Harrington of Holt Street feeling the “Bern.”

Twenty-two Belmont voters were waiting to vote at the door leading into the gym to cast their ballot in the Massachusetts Presidential Primary on Tuesday, March 1. 

What was unusual was the voters were in line at the Burbank Elementary, at Precinct 7 whose citizens are known for their leisurely voting practices. 

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The line at Precinct 7 at the Burbank School.

Whether it was the slew of candidates, a national focus on the vote or the beautiful weather, Belmont’s residents came out to vote Monday.

And on a day where nearly three out of five eligible voters went to the polls, Belmont followed the state’s preference for giving its collective nod to Donald Trump and Hilary Clinton in the big races of the day.

Officially, 57 percent of registered voters came out to vote, compared to 23 percent in 2012. Tuesday’s vote was more than the 9,616 votes cast in 2008 when Pres. Obama topped Clinton by 400 votes.

Full results can be found at the Town Clerk’s web page.

Trump was the clear victor among Belmont’s voters who took Republican ballots receiving 1,080 votes, nearly 400 votes better than Ohio Gov. John Kasich (689) and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio (655). Texas Sen. Ted Cruz received 211 followed by Dr. Ben Carson (43) and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (25). 

As a percentage, Trump took two of every five Belmont voters (39  percent) compared to a quarter of the electorate who selected Kasich and Rubio. 

Statewide, Trump garnered a much wider margin, 49 percent of Massachusetts voters chose the Republican frontrunner. Kasich took in 18 percent and Rubio 17 percent. 

“We need a complete overhaul of Washington, and it can’t be done with people who have anything to do with that place,” said a Belmont resident holding a sign for Steven Aylward, the Watertown residents who won the Republican State Committee district position that includes Belmont.

The resident did not want to give his name “since I have to live [in Belmont]” which he called “deciding left of center.”

His opinion of wishing to keep his conservative leanings from his fellow residents was somewhat justified by two voters who were exiting the Burbank school after voting at Precinct 7.

“She’s a Republican?” asked one about a neighbor of theirs. “But she seems so normal!”

Over on the Democrat side, the enthusiasm surrounding the candidacy of socialist populist Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders could not overcome the establishment’s choice as former senator and Secretary of State Hilary Clinton clearly won Belmont by nearly 1,000 votes, 4,031 to 3,029, or 57 percent to 43 percent.

Clinton’s margin was much closer to the state, as she defeated Sanders with 51 percent of the ballot, as opposed to 48 percent,

“Personal problems aside, Hilary will make a good president,” said Lynne Wright of Cedar Road, a “lifelong Democrat” whose 12-year-old daughter is “a huge Hilary fan.” 

“She wants to see a woman President,” said Wright outside Precinct 1 at the Belmont Public Library. 

Standing at the traditional “sign holding” site across from the commuter rail tunnel at the intersection of Common and Concord, Dana Harrington was holding a homemade “flaming” sign to go with Bernie Sanders placards.  

“I’ve never done this before,” said the Holt Street resident concerning holding a political sign.

“But we have to take back our government from the corporate special interests and [Sanders] is the only one who is saying what needs to be said.”

Over at the Beech Street Center, 22-year-old Isaiah Berson of Harding Avenue said it probably didn’t come as any surprise that someone his age was voting for Sanders.

“I really admire that he’s not a standard politician who is beholden to the corporate infrastructure,” he said. “I have a problem with other candidates who are untrustworthy and whose judgment has been poor.” 

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Presidential Primary Day: Live Blog Updated All Day

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Photo: Precinct 1 is open and busy.

2 p.m.: Voter’s participation running high in Belmont

Four years ago, it seemed as if half the world’s media had descended on Belmont for the Presidential Primary as the one-time resident and eventual Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney was voting at his home precinct at the Beech Street Center.

Satelite television trucks, bus loads of press from around the country and world and secruity forces clogged Beech Street as the spectical attracted residents and people from around the area.

What it didn’t do was increase voter turnout. In 2012, in which both parties were fairly secure in their national candidates – President Obama was running unopposed and Romney was stretching his lead in the Repubican primary – turn out in Belmont was fairly anemic, just under 23 percent of voters casted ballots for a total of 3,835 residents taking the time to vote.

This year, with active races in both parties, Belmontians are taking advantage of the great weather to make their ways to their polling places, according to Belmont’s Town Clerk Ellen Cushman.

“We are averaging 500 to 600 voters so far,” said Cushman at 1 p.m., which translates with about 30 percent participation, far exceeding the last primary’s total.

Cushman said Belmont could see up to 50 percent participation if trends hold steady.

Belmont Votes Today: Presidential Primary 2016; Polls Open at 7 AM

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Photo:

Belmont votes today, Tuesday, March 1 in the 2016 Massachusetts Presidential Primary.

POLLS ARE OPEN FROM 7 A.M. TO 8 P.M.

Voters are encouraged to check their voter registration status and voting precinct before they go to vote by visiting the Town Clerk’s web page.

Voters who have not returned a census in 2015 or 2016 are classified as “inactive” voters, a status that requires the voter to present identification to return to the active voting rolls.  Think about carrying your ID when you go to vote to make the process simpler on election day.

BELMONT VOTING LOCATIONS

  • Precinct One: Belmont Public Library, Assembly Room, 336 Concord Ave.
  • Precinct Two: Belmont Town Hall, Selectmen’s Room, 455 Concord Ave.
  • Precinct Three: Beech Street Center, 266 Beech St.
  • Precinct Four: Daniel Butler School Gym, 90 White St.
  • Precinct Five: Beech Street Center, 266 Beech St.
  • Precinct Six: Belmont Fire Headquarters, 299 Trapelo Rd.
  • Precinct Seven: Burbank School Gym, 266 School St.
  • Precinct Eight: Winn Brook School Gym, 97 Waterhouse Rd., Enter From Cross Street.

Don’t know your voting precinct?  Visit the Town Clerk’s website for a list of Belmont precinct assignments by street:

  1. Select Town Departments,
  2. Select Town Clerk,
  3. then select Elections: Information for Residents and scroll down the page.

Or go directly here.

WHO CAN VOTE, AND FOR WHOM

Your enrollment as a voter will determine which party ballot you will receive at the polls.

There are four political parties in Massachusetts. If you are enrolled in one of these four political parties when you go to the polls, you can only vote for that particular party:

  • D – Democratic Party
  • R – Republican Party
  • J – Green-Rainbow  Party
  • CC – United Independent Party

Only voters who are not affiliated with a political party, called Unenrolled (U – commonly known as No Party or “Independent”) and voters in Political Designations may choose any one of the four party ballots when voting in Primary Elections.

ARRIVE EARLY, CONSIDER TRAFFIC AND LIMITED PARKING

Belmont Police will designate some voter parking at each of the polling locations however with a very busy election, parking close to the voting sites is often a challenge. Plan ahead: consider walking, carpooling with a friend or voting “off peak” during the middle of the day.  Only voters who arrive at the precinct and are in line for the Voter Check-In before the close of polls at 8 p.m. can be permitted to vote; those who come too late will miss out.

If you would like further clarification of your party, voting  status, voting precinct or have any other questions related to the upcoming election, please call the Belmont Town Clerk’s Office at 617-993-2600 or email: townclerk@belmont-ma.gov

Letter to the Editor: Town Dems, Consider A Vote for Owens

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Photo: Steve Owens 

To the editor:

If you choose a Democratic ballot in the presidential primary on March 1, you will find that Clinton and Sanders are not the only candidates on the ballot.

Please remember the name of Steve Owens. He’s running for Democratic State Committee, the official leaders of the Democratic Party in Massachusetts. I believe he has earned our consideration for that position.

Steve has chaired the Watertown Democratic Town Committee (DTC) since 2008, in addition to leading the Watertown campaigns for numerous statewide and local elections, including the successful campaigns of US Senator Elizabeth Warren and Gov. Deval Patrick. Steve has collaborated closely with the Belmont DTC through joint events and campaign activities, and he is highly respected by his partners in Belmont. As a tireless volunteer with tremendous leadership capabilities, organization skills, and insight, Steve will serve our community well.

Please join me in voting for Steve Owens on the Democratic Primary Ballot on March 1.

Ellen Schreiber

Town Meeting Member, Precinct 8

Sold in Belmont: Waverley Affordability in a Pair of Condos

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Photo: Cozy and affordable on Maple in Waverley.

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202 Beech St., Second-floor condo (1928). Sold: $396,000.

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47 Maple St., Condo (1910). Sold $311,000.

A weekly recap of residential properties sold in the past seven-plus days in the “Town of Homes”:

• 202 Beech St., Second-floor condo (1928). Sold: $396,000. Listed at $429,000. Living area: 1,646 sq.-ft. 8 rooms, 4 bedrooms, 2 baths. On the market: 151 days.

• 47 Maple St., Condo (1910). Sold $311,000. Listed at $329,900. Living area: 1,027 sq.-ft. 4 rooms, 1 bedroom, 1 bath. On the market: 145 days.

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If you don’t mind cozy – less than 1,100 square feet so keep your elbows up – then the condo on Maple should have been considered. With only a single bedroom, a bath and two other rooms, it would be inexpensive for Belmont – about a third of the median price of Belmont homes that is nearing $900,000 across town – but you do get something for your money: century-old molding, restored hard wood floors, nice size living room and some unique cubby corners. I wonder who bought this rather nice condo? A young couple thinking of staying for a few years while starting a family?  An investor who can rent this for $2,000 a month? 

Belmont Savings Announce Staff Promotions

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Photo: Belmont Savings Bank.

Belmont Savings Bank has announced it has promoted several officers within the organization. The promotions are part of Belmont Savings’ ongoing effort to maintain and strengthen its banking team as it solidifies itself as one of the region’s leading community banks.

“It is with great pleasure that I announce the promotion of five of our colleagues effective immediately,” said Robert Mahoney, pPresident and CEO of Belmont Savings Bank. “These new officers are lynchpins to the bank’s ongoing success, and I applaud each of them on their promotions.”

“These new officers are lynchpins to the bank’s ongoing success, and I applaud each of them on their promotions,” Mahoney said.

“These new officers are lynchpins to the bank’s ongoing success, and I applaud each of them on their promotions.”

The newly promoted officers include:

  • Brian Bagley, Senior Vice President, Commercial Credit Manager. Bagley works with Commercial Real Estate loans closings and post-closing reporting. He lives in Winchester, and is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire – Whittemore School of Business and Economics.
  • Larry Broderick, Senior Vice President, Business Banking. Broderick joined the Business Banking team in 2013 with a particular focus on the Municipal segment. He resides in Londonberry, NH, and received his MBA from Suffolk University.
  • Seth Lopes, Senior Vice President, Business Banking. Lopes is a Business Banking Relationship Manager specializing nonprofit and lawyer banking. He lives in Attleboro, and graduated from Assumption College.
  • Linda Dulski, Assistant Vice President, Wire Transfer Officer. Dulski works to alleviate risk for the Bank when conducting wire transfers. She resides in North Andover, and graduated from New England College of Finance.
  • Kayla Murphy, Assistant Vice President, Marketing Officer. Murphy manages the company’s website, social media channels, community events and Foundation programs. She is a graduate of University of Massachusetts/Amherst and lives in Medford.

This Week: Primary Voting, Basketball Playoffs, and a Leap Day

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Photo: Go vote Tuesday.

On the government side of “This Week”

  • The Planning Board will hold an early morning meeting beginning at 8 a.m. Wednesday, March 2 at Town Hall. It will discuss the proposed zoning amendments for single residence C zoning and a number of issues regarding GR districts.

• Today, Feb. 29, is Leap Day, which is added to the calendar in leap years as a corrective measure, because the Earth does not orbit around the sun in precisely 365 days. It is also Sadie Hawkins Day, and if you know what that is, you are at least 50 years old and remember newspaper comic strips. (It’s when a woman proposes marriage to a man.) Also, it is a tradition in Ireland and Britain that women may propose marriage only in leap years. 

 • Music & Movement with Rubi, a movement and music program recommended for ages 3 to 5 (but 2-year-olds are welcome) will be held in the Belmont Public Library’s Flett Room on Monday, Feb. 29. There will be two sessions: 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

• ESL Conversation Circle for beginners takes place on Monday, Feb. 29 from 10 a.m. to noon in the Belmont Public Library’s Flett Room.

• Girls Who Code will meet on Monday, Feb. 29 from 4:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. in the Assembly Room of the Belmont Public Library.

• The Belmont Food Collaborative Board meeting will occur at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 29 in the Belmont Public Library’s Flett Room.

• Tuesday, March 1 is the Massachusetts Presidential Primary Election. Go out and vote.

• Tuesday is story time at both of Belmont libraries.

  • Pre-School Story Time at the Benton Library, Belmont’s independent and volunteer-run library, at 10:30 a.m. Stories and crafts for children age 3 to 5. Parents or caregivers must attend. Siblings may visit with adults. Registration is not required. The Benton Library is at the intersection of Oakley and Old Middlesex.
  • The Belmont Public Library on Concord Avenue will have preschool story time at 9:30 a.m. 
  • Story Time for 2’s and 3’s is at 10:30 a.m.

• The Council on Aging holds Living Alone Social Group on Tuesdays at 2:15 p.m. at the Beech Street Center. It’s an exciting opportunity for seniors who live alone to increase their social supports and connections. Each week begins with an activity or presentation, and concludes with snacks and socializing. If you live alone and are looking for a chance to meet others, please contact facilitator Blake Benton, Social Work Intern, to join: bentonh@simmons.edu, or in-person at the Beech Street Center.

• The Belmont Public Library’s Teen Book Club is meeting in the Young Adult Room from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 1 to discuss An Inheritance of Ashes by Leah Bobet.

• Belmont High Boys’ Basketball host Brighton High in the first round of the MIAA Division 2 North Sectional Playoffs. Tipoff is 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 1 at the Wenner.

• It’s early release Wednesday (March 2) for Belmont’s four elementary schools and at Belmont High School.

• Infant Storytime, for infants up to 12 months and pre-walkers, includes a short program of songs and rhymes followed by time to play and socialize. The fun takes place on Wednesday, March 2, 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the Belmont Public Library’s Flett Room.

• Chenery Middle School students are invited on early release Wednesday to head over to the library’s Assembly Room on Wednesday. March 2 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., to do your homework while enjoying some hot chocolate. This is for middle schoolers only so high schoolers are on their own. This event is provided for free, thanks to the Friends of the Belmont Public Library.

• What is becoming an annual event, the Belmont Public Library is proving room for the assembling of Peeps dioramas this Wednesday, March 2 at 2 p.m. in the Flett Room.

• The Belmont Boosters welcomes New York Giant Mark Herzlich to the Beech Street Center at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 2 who will talk about being a cancer survivor and read from his book “What it Takes – Fighting For My Life and My Love of the Game”

• Sustainable Belmont meets on Wednesday, March 2 at 7 p.m. in the Belmont Public Library’s Assembly Room.

• Parents of Music Students (POMS) will be holding its monthly meeting Wednesday, March 2, 7 p.m. in the Belmont High School’s Conference Room. 

• The Belmont High School Band Concert will take place at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 2 in the school’s auditorium. The Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band and Jazz Collective will perform under the direction of director Paul Ketchen. 

• Belmont Historical Society Board meeting Wednesday, March 2 from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Claflin Room of the Belmont Public Library.

• Storytime for 1’s for walkers and toddlers under 24 months will take place Thursday, March 3 at 10:30 a.m. in the Belmont Public Library’s Flett Room, sharing simple stories, songs, and nursery rhymes and end with time to play.

• If you love building with LEGOs, this program is for you. The LEGOs Club lets kids from Kindergarten through 2nd-grade build with supplied LEGOs and the Belmont Public Library put all the creations on display in the Children’s Room. The fun begins Thursday, Oct. 1, 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the library’s Assembly Room.

• The Belmont High Girls’ Basketball squad is heading to Marblehead High to take on the Magicians in a first round match in the MIAA Division 2 North Sectional Playoffs. on Thursday, March 3. 7 p.m. start.

• The 7th- and 8th-grade Chorus and Orchestra Concert for the Chenery Middle School will be in performance at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 3 in the school’s auditorium.

• Healthy Living for Your Brain & Your Body is a free workshop by the Alzheimer’s Association. will be held Friday, Mar. 4 at 1:15 p.m. at the Beech Street Center. Join us to learn about research in the areas of diet and nutrition, exercise, cognitive activity and social engagement, and use hands-on tools to help you incorporate these recommendations into a plan for healthy aging. This one-time workshop is open to all ages. 

Sports: Belmont Girls’ Hoops Off to Marblehead in Playoff Opener

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Photo:

Coming off a Seniors Night loss to top-ten Division 1 Lexington High on Thursday, Feb. 25, Belmont High School Girls’ Basketball entered the MIAA Division 2 North sectional tournament at 11-9, the same record as Melrose, a fellow Middlesex League team.

Since Belmont beat the Red Raiders’ 61-54 in the season opener and recieved the higher seed, the Marauders will be taking what experience says is a trying and long (weekday) road trip to far away Marblehead to play the Magicians in a first round matchup on Thursday, March 3 at 7 p.m.

The 10th seeded Marauders (11-9) brings its typical hard defensive approach to the game to 7th seed Marblehead (14-6) which is coming off a pair of low-scoring losses to end the season. Middlesex League All-Star sophomore point guard Carly Christofori will generate the offense as the three senior captains – Sarah Stewart, Samari Winklaar and Irini Nickolaidis – will use their experience from last year’s deep playoff run to spark the team on both ends of the court. 

The Magicians brings a tall, physical team led by juniors Abby Settelmeyer and Nicole Freddo in the front court while point guard Colby Shea is the team’s quarterback. 

Sports: Boys’ Hoops Host Tough Brighton in Playoff Opener Tuesday

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Photo: Brighton winning the 2015 City Championship.

Belmont High School Boys’ Basketball will host a tough young Brighton High Bengals squad in the first round of the MIAA Division 2 North sectionals on Tuesday, March 1 at 7 p.m. at the Wenner.

Brighton (13-8) has been a Boston powerhouse program since head coach Hugh Coleman took charge seven years ago, winning the 2013 Massachusetts Divison 2 State Championship and was crowned the 2015 Boston City League Champions.

Brighton, the 12th seed, has been inconsistent this year, losing in the semifinals of the city championship last week against a weaker opponant, but stills features outstanding players such as Tyrone Perry, Mykel Derring, Izaiah Winston-Brooks and Jordan Galloway. Two of the squad’s losses were to a pair of high-power New Jersey teams. 

Belmont (17-5), ranked 5th in the tourney, comes in as Middlesex League Liberty champions and will ride a senior-laden team led by Middlesex MVP Matt Kerans, three-point specialist Cole Bartels and big men Joe Shaughnessy and Justin Wagner.