Sports: Belmont Girls Hoops Upsets Marblehead, Heads to Newburyport Saturday [VIDEO]

March 4, 2016 By Franklin B. Tucker Leave a Comment

Photo: Belmont Girls’ Basketball team celebrates its victory at Marblehead.

The great American philosopher and pugilist Mike Tyson says that everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face.

And for most of the opening quarter of its playoff game at 7th-seed Marblehead Thursday, March 3, Belmont High Girls’ Basketball took a good one on the chin as it was looking at a double-digit deficit and having yet to score a single point.

But a critical change in its game plan and contributions from nearly every player on the Marauders’ long bench – 18 players ready to play – turned the game on its head in Belmont’s favor as the visitors’ suffocating defense totally shut down the number host Magicians for a convincing 43-28 victory in the MIAA Division 2 North sectional playoffs.

“Everyone stepped up tonight, they really did. If they were on the floor, they contributed something good for us,” said a happy Belmont Head Coach Melissa Hart told the Belmontonian.

“We made mistakes, it wasn’t a perfect game. But the players came back from their mistakes which was a good step for us. We didn’t just get down and let it spiral down,” she said.

And the game could have gotten out of hand as there could not have had an uglier start to a basketball game then Belmont’s first four minutes. From the tipoff, the Magicians were off and running, winning rebounds, forcing Belmont to take long range shots and finding lots of room against Belmont’s zone defense to make baskets seemingly at will.

By the time Hart called a timeout, Belmont was looking up at a 10-0 scoreboard. But there was no panic from the players or Hart on the sideline.

“We have lots of time left in this game,” said Hart, as she told her starters to abandoned the zone they started the game in and revert to its time-tested man-to-man defense that has been the team’s bread and butter for the past two years.

“They came out and stunned us. We were a little nervous but Marblehead was ready to go and they took it to us,” said Hart.

While the Magicians would score on a quick break to take a 12 point lead at the five-minute mark, Belmont’s “in your face” defense appeared to unnerve the Magicians as it committed a pair of turnovers including a 30-second violation.

Belmont found the scoreboard from sophomore guard Jenny Call (7 points) who bagged a couple of threes to help cut Marblehead’s lead to six, 14-8, entering the second quarter.

The second eight minutes was one of the best of the season from the Marauders as it outscored the Magicians 17-4 as a pair of freshmen made their mark in the game.

Guard Megan Tan had her statement game of the season, making life a misery for her counterpart, Nicole Freedo (8 points, all in the first quarter) while complementing All-Star sophomore point guard Carly Christofori on offense. Tan (a team-high 8 points) also brought her shooting game with her, scoring on the break before hitting a three at the five-minute mark to give the Marauders’ its first lead of the game, 15-14.

After Marblehead had retaken the lead, Christofori (7 points) drained her own trey to provide the Marauders a lead (18-16) they would not surrender until the final buzzer.

Coming in for senior starter Sarah Stewart who picked up two quick fouls, ninth grader center Jess Giorgio held her own against Marblehead’s big girl duo of juniors Lindsay Walker (3 points) and Abby Settlemeyer (4 points) , grabbing 9 rebounds, hitting 2 of 4 free throws and unofficially blocking five shots in a standout performance.

Senior forward and co-captain Samri Winklaar (7 points) took advantage of the open space by hitting a pair of runners in the paint, the final hoop finishing off a 17-4 quarter to leave the court up 25-18 at the half.

Both teams came out of the break with an eye on playing defense with Belmont holding the edge with the return of Stewart. The senior would dominate under the glass, picking up phenomenal 14 rebounds, nearly all in the second half, to go with 6 points, most of those put backs from critical offensive rebounds.

The rebounding by [Giorgio] and Sarah Stewart was phenomenal. That was probably the biggest difference was the rebounding changed a lot and we were able to shot and miss and get something which wasn’t happening [early in the game],” said Hart.

Marblehead would come within six points, 29-23, when Tan wrestled the ball away from the point guard and stuck the easy layup. A turnaround jumper from sophomore Greta Propp and a free throw from Call put Belmont up by nine, 34-25, with eight minutes to play,

By the final quarter, Marblehead had no answer for the relentless Marauder defense, scoring just a three-point basket for their only points in the quarter. By the final minute, Belmont’s reserve players were on the court, with seniors Sophia Cellucci draining a buzzer-beating three pointer and Meghan Ferraro putting in a driving shot and draining the free throw after being fouled.

Next up for Belmont, 12-9, is a trip to Newburyport (which many of the players had no idea where it is located) on Saturday, March 5 to play the second-seed Newburyport High Clippers (17-3), with tipoff at 4 p.m.

The Clippers, which has not played a regular game in two weeks, is led by its only senior player, Emily Pettigrew, who is supported by younger players such as sophomore Krysta Padellaro, freshmen Katie Hadden and Anna Hickman and junior Olivia Olson.

But on Thursday, the underdogs took their time leaving the court, wishing to celebrate the upset before making the one hour drive home.

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

March 2, 2016 By Franklin B. Tucker 1 Comment

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.

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

February 26, 2016 By Franklin B. Tucker Leave a Comment

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

February 26, 2016 By Franklin B. Tucker Leave a Comment

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.

BHS Julia Chase Verbally Commits to Play Field Hockey at UNH

February 26, 2016 By Franklin B. Tucker Leave a Comment

Photo: BHS Julia Chase.

Belmont High School’s junior defense/sweeper Julia Chase has verbally committed to play field hockey for Division 1 University of New Hampshire Wildcats, according to multiple social media postings.

A 2015 Middlesex League All-Star, who anchored the Marauders’ defense during its record 14-2-0 regular season run (including 12 shutouts in 19 games) a league championship and a 2-1 playoff record, would join Head Coach Robin Balducci who has led the team to 20 postseason appearances including an America East regular season title in 2010.

Chase is the second Marauder to commit verbally to play top line college field hockey, joining junior teammate AnnMarie Habelow, who has committed to the University of Louisville.

High school athletes can sign official letters of intent beginning in July of what will be their senior year.

Belmont High School’s two junior Division 1 verbal commits: AnnMarie Habelow (left) and Julia Chase.

Sports: Kerans Breaks Belmont’s Boys’ Hoops All-Time Scoring Record

February 19, 2016 By Franklin B. Tucker 1 Comment

Photo: Matt Kerans driving against Lexington.

This spring, a new banner will be placed in the Wenner Field House with Belmont High senior Matt Kerans’ name on it accompanied by a still-to-be-determined number.

While the amount remains in flux, the recognition was earned through persistence and excellence as the four-year varsity guard broke Steve Pollard’s 30-year-old all-time career scoring record of 1,294 in Belmont’s 58-48 victory over Lexington High School on Seniors Night/Afternoon, Thursday, Feb 18.

Belmont High Boys’ Hoops 2015-16 seniors with parents: (from left) Justin Wagner, Joe Shaughnessy, Yvrantzi Desravines, Luke Peterson, Kevork Hamparian, Cole Bartels, Damian Bitsikas, Lowell Haska, Matt Kerans.

Needing seven points to top Pollard’s record, Kerans wasted little time hitting a three on the team’s initial trip down the court and a bucket soon after before taking a pass on the right side and hitting his trademark fallaway three-point shot midway through the first quarter.

Despite the history-making moment – and after the buzzer signaling the event was ignored by the refs – play continued for a minute longer before a timeout occurred allowing Kerans to receive congratulations from his teammates.

The win over the Minutemen left Belmont with a 17-5 record, a league championship and predicted five seed in the upcoming MIAA Division 2 North sectionals, earning the Marauders, at least, one home playoff game.

Despite a well-earned reputation for being a player who lets his outstanding play do most of his speaking, Kerans did say breaking the record “means a lot.”

“Ever since I was in middle school, I’ve been looking up at the banners, seeing the points and people have seen saying I could be up there,” said Kerans, who thanked his teammates over the past four seasons for their play which allowed him the opportunities to be an offensive force.

“And I couldn’t have done it without coach [Adam] Pritchard’s support,” he said.

Sports: Belmont Girls’ Hoops Reach Playoffs with Win Over Rockets

February 15, 2016 By Franklin B. Tucker Leave a Comment

Photo: Belmont’s Sara Lyons (left) against Reading.

Behind a complete team performance, Belmont High Girls’ Basketball is returning to the postseason after its 65-42 victory over hosts Reading on Friday, Feb. 12.

“It was a full-out team effort, for sure,” said Belmont Head Coach Melissa Hart

“We haven’t scored that many points in a while because it was well-rounded scoring. A lot of players contributed and that’s because we were moving the ball around,” Hart said.

Belmont’s 10th win (10-6) secures a spot in the MIAA Division 2 North sectionals.

But Hart is not looking towards the playoffs just yet.

“We have a long way to go before then, with four games left in the season, and that’s a lot of games,” she said.

Sophomore guard Jenny Call (5 of her team-high 18 points in the first quarter) and senior co-captain Samari Winklaar (half of her 8 total points in the first) helped Belmont take a 15-12 after the first.

Belmont’s improving defense took command in the second quarter, holding Reading to five points as the Marauders tripled the Rocket’s output with 16 in the quarter led by sophomore point guard Carly Christofori (a basket and 3 for 4 from the line in the second) and the overall play from senior forward Sara Lyons.

A role player for the season, Lyons has seen her minutes increase due to the absence of senior co-captain Sarah Stewart and she has taken advantage of her increased role on both ends of the court. On Friday, Lyons hit for a season-high 9 points including a three from distance to go along with her posting up against Reading’s centers.

“It’s fun just getting out there and prove myself, that’s a big part of it,” said Lyons, who is happy to admit that “when I’m, I will take the shot.”

The Marauders took their 31-17 halftime lead and kept it in double digits despite the effort of Reading’s freshman sensation Haley Lightbody who had 17 points going 11-14 from the free throw line. The quarter ended with senior co-captain Irini Nikolaidis (8 points) hitting a drive with 15.9 seconds remaining to give Belmont an unsurmountable 45-31 lead.

“I was pleased what I saw tonight because a lot was not bouncing our way early in the game. We kept our cool and composure,” said Hart, noting the play of senior Sophia Cellucci who downed a pair of threes in the final stanza.

Lyons believes the team, which went through a hard patch recently (1-5 before their last two game which they won), can have a successful run in the playoffs.

“I think we can do really well when we play as a team. Clearly we can come together and play really well especially in games like tonight when everyone contributes. That helps a lot,” said Lyons.

Sports: Girls’ Hoops Off The Snide with Winchester Win, One Game from Playoffs

February 10, 2016 By Franklin B. Tucker 2 Comments

Photo: Defense is the name of the game for Belmont.

For Belmont High Girls’ Basketball Head Coach Melissa Hart and her team, the postseason has already begun.

“I feel like every game is our first tournament game,” said Hart after the Marauders halted a four-game losing streak with a solid 54-30 victory over winless Winchester (0-16) Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 9.

The win brings Belmont (9-6) within one game of clinching a spot in the Division 2 North playoffs. Belmont needs to capture one win in their final five matches to secure a place in the dance.

“It really is game to game for us,” said Hart. Belmont plays a much improved Reading Memorial High team away before heading to a North Shore tournament and finishing up with Lexington at home on Feb. 25.

The game was close early as both teams had not taken the court for a while due to Friday’s snowstorm.

The long layoff – a week since its last game, a loss to undefeated Woburn – “affected our shooting a little tonight, so we were a little cold,” said Hart, noting it took nearly three minutes before the first basket – a three-pointer from Belmont’s sophomore point guard Carly Christofori (14 points), with the Sachems taking a 9-8 lead entering the second quarter.

As with the past five games, Belmont was able to stay close with an aggressive defense, holding Winchester to four points in the second to take a 19-13 lead into the half, scoring the last 6 points of the quarter behind sixth man sophomore Alexa Sabatino who had a clever assist to frosh Megan Tan (5 points with a three) and scored her only basket off a steal.

“Our defense, in the end, is what made the difference. We keep telling them that,” said Hart.

Winchester did creep back into the game behind junior captain Julie Fitzgerald who scored 7 of her co-game-high 14 points in the third (all from free throws) as the Sachems pulled within 5 (25-20) with 3:40 left in the quarter before Tan and sophomore forward Jenny Call (5 points) hit outside threes to give Belmont a 31-25 lead entering the final eight minutes.

Unlike the past few games, Belmont’s offense came to life as the defense wore down the Sachems. A layup by senior co-captain Irini Nikolaidis (8 points), a bucket and one and a steal and layup by Christofori gave Belmont a 12 point lead with six minutes remaining, and that was the game.

Co-captain Samri Winklaar hit for 8 points, Greta Propp (6 points) went 2-4 from the line along with two hoops while role players Sofia Cellucci (with a great three pointer) and Riley Haight (2 points) got in the book.

Belmont held Winchester to five points in the fourth as the squad swarmed the ball time and time again.

“Offenses are great but defenses are better,” said Hart.

Just as the Denver Broncos.

Pizzi Proud: Belmont Celebrates Marathon Champion’s Return Home

February 5, 2016 By Franklin B. Tucker Leave a Comment

Photo: Becca Pizzi and her daughter, Taylor.

Becca Pizzi came home to Belmont on top of a fire truck fueled by a wave of communal love.

Pizzi, both the first American woman to finish and win the World Marathon Challenge – in which participants run a marathon (26.2 miles) on seven consecutive days in a different continuant each day – arrived back to her hometown on Thursday, Feb. 4, to be the centerpiece of a parade from Belmont High School to Belmont Center.

Lead by town officials and the BHS Marching Band, Pizzi rode on a siren-blaring Belmont Fire engine with her daughter, Taylor, her family and boyfriend, followed by hundreds of residents – and a small army of television crews – celebrating the marathon champion and her accomplishment, destroying the previous record while running an average three hours and fifty-five minutes per race and finishing third overall all in one week’s time while traveling 25,000 miles.

“Just flying seven continents in seven days is extraordinary, and they stopped to run a little bit,” said Bob Mahoney, CEO and president of Belmont Savings Bank which sponsored the parade and reception.

Noting that Pizzi had seven “red letter days” in winning each race during the Challenge, “it’s important that you are sharing your fabulous red letter day with 20,000 people in your hometown and we really appreciate that very much,” said Mahoney, adding that young children will be able to look at her accomplishment “and face challenges and now will honestly be able to say, ‘I can do it’.”

After receiving proclamations from the town, the Massachusetts House and Senate as well as from Gov. Charlie Baker, Pizzi – who was wearing the winning medals from each continent she raced – kept her remarks short and sweet.

After thanking her daughter – the race had been the longest period they had been separated in their lives – family and friends, Pizzi the response from everyone before and during the races “makes me fortunate that I am a Belmontian, and I could never have done this without your support.”

Pizzi would then head inside the Belmont Savings Bank main branch to sign countless autographs, be interviewed by all of Boston’s television stations and bask in the spotlight reserved for local heroes.

A Final Shift on the Ice: Tributes for Hall of Fame Hockey Coach ‘Muzzy’

February 4, 2016 By Franklin B. Tucker Leave a Comment

Photo: Belmont High captains Dave Bailey (left) and Trey Butler with retired coach Dante Muzzioli.

Just before the puck was dropped to start Saturday afternoon’s contest between Belmont and Arlington in the aging Skip Viglirolo Skating Rink, Dante Muzzioli arrived at his familiar spot on the right-side “home” bench as he had for nearly fifty years, first as a 13-year-old youth player, then an assistant and finally as head coach of the Belmont High School Marauders

But on this spring-like afternoon, Muzzioli wasn’t holding a stick or game program in his hands but instead was carrying his first grandchild, James Sabo, as he stepped on the ice.

This past Saturday, Jan. 30, “Muzzy” was honored on home ice, for the years spent as coach and mentor to the hundreds of student-athletes under his wing.

With his wife, Janet, daughters – Krista, Simone and Leah Sabo – and extended family with him on the ice, Muzzioli’s accomplishments were announced and they are impressive: 30 years as head coach and a member of the Massachusetts State High School Ice Hockey Coaches Association Hall of Fame. There were more than 300 wins, two consecutive Super 8 appearances, a pair of Middlesex League titles, numerous times in the MIAA Division 1 state tournament and the volunteer work he and his teams performed throughout the town, from helping offload Christmas trees for Belmont Lions Club to working with Toys for Tots and Wreaths Across America.

But his greatest achievement is not found in facts or figures, wins or loses, said Muzzioli.

“Some teams have won the league and participated in the Super 8 Tournament; others may have found the wins few and far between. In the end, they all blend together and it’s the relationships and memories along the way that I will cherish for a lifetime,” he said.

After receiving a plaque and a framed jersey from Belmont’s team captains, a coaches jacket from Belmont Athletic Director Jim Davis, flowers for his wife, a proclamation and words of appreciation from the Board of Selectmen and a standing ovation from the assembled spectators and his countless friends, Muzzioli – a successful businessman, contractor, developer and recently, ice cream shop entrepreneur – said that “[i]t’s all about the memories … they stay deep embedded in your heart forever.”