EHS boys basketball wins two contests; nears tourney berth
The Everett High boys basketball team moved closer to qualifying for the post-season state tournament with a pair of triumphs this past week over Greater Boston League (GBL) rival Lynn English and non-league opponent Durfee High of Fall River.
The Crimson Tide, who now stand at 9-6 on the season, defeated English, 64-58, last Thursday, Senior captain Cristian Vasquez poured in 22 points to lead the Tide over the Bulldogs.
“This was a great bounce-back win for us after a tough outing against Chelsea in our previous game,” said EHS head coach Gerard Boyce. “I’m proud of how our guys responded. We stayed composed under pressure and locked in defensively late. Lynn English is a gritty team, but we executed when it mattered most to protect our home court. It’s back to work to keep this momentum rolling into the final stretch.”
The Crimson Tide maintained their momentum two days later with a 75-57 triumph over the Hilltoppers of Durfee High. The smooth-shooting Vasquez once again led the Tide in the scoring column with 20 points. Samir King-Dacosta (14 points) and Jayden Alsaindor (12 points) also reached double figures.
“I was incredibly proud of the mental toughness we showed in the win over Durfee,” said Boyce. “We preached selfless basketball and the guys responded with a balanced attack led by Cristian and Samir. It was also great to see Jayden step up with 12 points under pressure.
“Having three players in double figures is exactly the kind of offensive synergy we need as we continue to push forward,” Boyce added. “Defense is still our foundation. We are now 9-6 with seven regular-season games left, needing two more wins to clinch our reservation to the MIAA state tournament.”
Boyce and his crew were seeking to punch their ticket for a Journey to the Tourney with two games this week vs. GBL foe Somerville last night (Tuesday), with whom Everett is tied for third place in the GBL behind Lynn Classical and Chelsea, and non-league opponent North High School of Worcester this Saturday afternoon with a 4:00 tip-off.
Saturday’s contest is part of a doubleheader with the Crimson Tide girls at which both teams will be celebrating Senior Night, with the girls’ varsity tipping off at 1:00.
EHS girls cruise past Lynn English
The Everett High girls basketball team turned in what EHS head coach Riley Dunn termed “A great team win,” with a 60-35 triumph at Greater Boston League (GBL) rival Lynn English Thursday evening.
“Everyone who stepped on the floor scored,” said Dunn. “It’s always great to have those games. “
Julianna Rivera turned in a superb all-around effort with 19 points, seven rebounds, and three steals. Senior Captain Kat Landaverde Vasquez also was a dominant force for the Lady Crimson Tide, hitting for 18 points and pulling down six boards.
Dunn also lauded the powerful effort of senior Nicole Damaceno, who grabbed a career-high 20 rebounds, while also contributing two steals and an assist.
“Nicole impacted the game in major ways as our leader of tenacity,” said Dunn.
“Casey Martinez continues to distribute the ball well, racking up six assists, four rebounds, and two steals,” Dunn added. “Ashley Heath played big minutes and was perfect from the line at 2-for-2.
“We’re continuing to build momentum as we go into Round 2 of our GBL play,” said the coach, whose squad has won three in a row and now stands at 5-6 on the season.
The Lady Tide were scheduled to take on first-place Somerville yesterday (Tuesday) and then will host non-league opponents Lawrence on Friday at 6:00 and North High of Worcester this Saturday. The latter contest is part of a doubleheader with the boys in a Senior Night celebration for both teams, with the girls tipping off at 1:00.
They will entertain GBL foe Medford next Tuesday at 6:00.
EHS boys track finishes at 5-2
The Everett High boys indoor track and field team split its final tri-meet of the season with Greater Boston League opponents Friday evening at the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center, defeating Medford, 47-39, but falling to Revere, 55-31.
Coach Jehu Cimea’s squad finished its dual meet season with a fine 5-2 record, good for third place in the GBL behind undefeated Somerville and once-beaten Revere.
Leading the way for the Crimson Tide was Kervens Joseph who defeated all opponents from both Revere and Medford in the long jump with a personal record (PR) leap of 20’-00”, a flight that was the second-best in the GBL on the night.
Kervens also took first place vs. Medford in both the 55 dash with a sprint of 7.05 and the 300 dash with a time of 38.40. The latter time gave Kervens a second place vs. Revere in the 300.
Jeremy Whitlow finished first vs. Medford in the mile with a PR time of 5:21.77, which was good for second vs. Revere.
Gaetao Foster took first vs. Medford and second vs. Revere in the shot-put with a throw of 42’-2.5”.
Additional point-scorers for the Tide were:
— Sandesh Pun took second vs. Medford in the 55 dash;
— Saymon Silva grabbed a third vs. Medford in the 55 dash in 7.20;
— Lucas Nunez took second vs. both foes in both the 600 and the 2-mile;
— Carlos Pagan Landeo took second vs. Revere and third vs. Medford in the 1000;
— Cristhopher Portillo Cruz grabbed third vs. Revere in the 1000;
— Domenic Delle Rosa took third vs. Revere in the mile;
— Christopher Roberts took second vs. Medford and third vs. Revere in the shot-put;
— Bhavikpreet Singh took third vs. Medford in the shot; and
— Jonathan Hernandez finished second in the 300 dash and third in the long jump vs. Medford;
— Ian Herrera took second vs. both Revere and Medford in the 55 hurdles with aPR of 9.69; and
— Pratyush Dearai took third vs. Revere in the 2-mile with a PR of 13:06.75.
“It was a good meet,” said Cimea. “It wasn’t the outcome we were hoping for in the Revere meet, but overall, it was a strong performance.”
The Crimson Tide will compete in the GBL tomorrow (Thursday) evening at the Reggie.
Foster defeats Medford, Revere foes in the shot-put
Although the Everett High girls indoor track and field team came up short vs. both Medford and Revere in a tri-meet Friday evening, there were some fine individual performances turned in by the Lady Crimson Tide.
Graziela Foster defeated all of her Revere and Medford rtivals in the shot-put with a throw of 27’-2.00”, a toss that ranked as third-best among all of the Greater Boston League (GBL) teams who were competing at the Reggie Friday evening.
Teammate Olivia Dresser took second place vs. Revere and third vs. Medford in the shot.
Shinead Riley took first place vs. Revere in the 55m dash with her sprint of 8.00.
Shashi Pokhrei earned first-place vs. Medford in the 2-mile with a run of 16:49.28.
Zoe Massiah finished second vs. Medford and third vs. Revere in the 300 dash with a PR of 8.21.
Akanksha Neupane finished second vs. Medford and third vs. Revere in the 1000 in a personal record (PR) of 3:52.28. Teammate Nathalia Dos Santos took third in the 1000 vs. Medford.
Brianna Chavarria Rodriguez grabbed second vs. Medford and third vs. Revere in the 1-mile.
Bianca Rincoin took second vs. Medford and third vs. Revere in the 55m hurdles and teammate Faith Dunbar grabbed a third vs. Medford in a PR of 12.02.
Coach Jehu Cimea and his squad will compete in the GBL Meet tomorrow (Thursday) evening at the Reggie.