Sports
RCBL opens
The RCBL opened its 2009 season Monday at the Boys & Girls Club leading off with a reunion of the two teams that reached the finals of last year's playoffs, the Bulls and Lakers.
The Bulls, who won the best two of three series last April, started where they left off by besting the Lakers, 91-79.
Ten Bulls showed up for the game and all contributed to the win. Ryan Murtha had the team-high 25 points including five treys. Sam Berlow (14) and Jay O'Donnell (13) also reached twin columns. O'Donnell and Clark Agnew led the Bulls in rebounds.
Photos by Ralph Stewart
Only six Lakers reported for duty. Jeff Label's 26-point effort was the game and team high. Heath Estrella finished with 20 and John Healy, the league's senior citizen, 16. Rebounders Estrella (16), Karl Kallinich (14) and Healy (10) provided board strength.
Although the final score was not that close, the game itself had a bit of the seesaw to it. The Bulls led after the first 12-minute period, 21-18, and at the half they were up 46-41.
The Lakers began the third quarter running off 21 points to the Bulls seven and took a 62-53 lead. At the end of the quarter the Lakers were still - but barely - ahead, 69-68.
In the final frame the Bulls made short work of the fatigued Lakers, scoring 15 unanswered points and coasting to the 91-79 conclusion.
The second game pitted the Heat against the Warriors, who won by 17, 106-89. The first quarter was close enough: Warriors 27-Heat 24. The Warriors followed Matt Rivers to the hoop and went ahead 43-30, only to see their lead evaporate as the Heat warmed to the task and all but evened the score, 44-45. But the Warriors recovered and led by 10 at the break, 54-44.
The Warriors lengthened their advantage in the third period, 86-67 and finished in comfort, 106-89.
Warriors in double digits were Matt Rivers (26), Brandt Silvia (20), Jade Cash (19), Patrick Rolston (15), and Monte Bizzarro (10).
Heat point leaders were Sterling Bishop (25), Damon Mello (17), Nick Viera (12), Caleb Costas (11), Jason Dyer (10).
Wearing striped shirts for the occasion were Greg Rollins, Pete Lambos, and Richie Roy.
Next Monday the Knicks take on the Warriors at 6:15 and the Bulls face the Heat at 7:45. The Lakers have a bye.
Island skaters win 3rd. straight
The visiting Trojans of Bridgewater-Raynham matched up well with Martha's Vineyard varsity hockey squad, Saturday evening at the Arena, but lost the contest to the Islanders, 2-1. Shots on goal were almost equal with Martha's Vineyard testing goalie Robbie St. Germain 21 times while Mike Capen was being challenged with 19 shots on goal. Penalties were equally assessed, five apiece.
Mike Flynn, assisted by Tad Gold and Trey Rasmussen, started the scoring in the opening period while M.V enjoyed a one-man advantage. The locals increased their lead to 2-0 in the second on a score by Gold with help from Flynn and Darren Gazaille.
The Trojans put extra pressure on Martha's Vineyard goaltender Capen in the third period and scored the frame's only goal before the period was a minute old.
The win gave the Islanders a 5-1-1 record.
The teams met again, Wednesday, yesterday, at the Bridgewater Arena.
The Islanders claimed the Roy Condon Cup by winning the Condon Invitational tourney December 29 and 30 at the Burbank Ice Arena in Reading.
After trouncing Amity of Connecticut, Monday, 8-1, paced by Darren Gazaille's four goals, the Islanders overtook North Reading, Tuesday, to win 4-3 and claim the tournament title. Nick Billingham was rewarded with Player of the Game honors.
And the girls...
The Martha's Vineyard girls varsity hockey team matched up with Hingham well in the first period and trailed by a single goal.
But the floodgates opened in the second period when the ladies of the harbor scored five unanswered goals. The third period saw the game's only penalty and one more tally for Hingham. Final score: 7-0.
Youth hockey update
The Martha's Vineyard junior high team won its game with Norwood Junior High at Raynham on goals by Dorian Johnson and Tyson Araujo.
Saturday, at the Arena, the Martha's Vineyard Squirts Cape & Islands team was shut out by the Barnstable Avalanche, 5-0, despite strong defensive play by Cathal Robinson and Auguste Pizzano. Also earning better than passing marks for their play were Alex Figueroa, Justin Alexander, Kylie Hatt, Saige Araujo, and J.J. Mendez.
The Martha's Vineyard Mite C&I also lost to Barnstable, 6-2. Willson Slayton and Hunter Ponte scored the goals. Addy Hayman and Aiden Marek had strong games.
Clinic for goalies
Sunday games gave way to the Martha's Vineyard Youth Hockey's goaltending clinic with instructor Louis Chabot who has been coaching hockey since 1972 and whose teams have won national championships in France, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
In the morning session goalies included Joe Kershaw (Travel Mites), Zach Fullen (C&I Squirts), Caleb Hallett (PeeWee NVL) and Noah Kleinhenz (Jr. High).
The afternoon session engaged older youth including Mike Sylvia of the Bantams, Mike Capen and Alex Dorr of the Martha's Vineyard Regional High School boys varsity, Jaime Forend of the Martha's Vineyard Regional High School girls varsity and Texerai Craig.
The clinic, donated by Howie and Cheryll Sashin, was open to all Island goalies free of charge.
Persons interested in supporting another goalie clinic may call Mr. Sashin at 508-627-2050. u
High school hoops
Missing leading scorers Kia Minor and Molly Fischer, both hobbled with injuries, the Martha's Vineyard girls varsity basketball team lost to host Sandwich, 53-32, on Tuesday, Dec. 30.
It was their second loss to the Blue Knights this winter having bowed at the Sancy in the season opener.
Katie Hines was the game's high scorer with 14 points and the only Vineyarder in twin figures.
Saturday the girls entertained Coyle and Cassidy, one of the teams in the Eastern Athletic Conference, which Martha's Vineyard will join next fall. Still without Minor and Fischer, the Islanders could not keep up with the fast and physical Warriors. After one quarter C & C led 14-4. At the half it was 38-14. Final score: Coyle Cassidy 53, Martha's Vineyard 28.
Tuesday, Somerset's Jess Melody left the lady Vineyarders singing the blues with a three-point buzzer beater in a 59-56 win at the Sancy.
Jillian Sedlier played a tough, aggressive game on both ends of the court and finished with 17 points to lead Martha's Vineyard Kia Minor returned to the line-up and scored 12. Crystal Miske also finished in double figures, with 11 points.
The girls junior varsity held their own against the C&C Lady Warriors for three quarters. Martha's Vineyard led at the end of the first quarter, 10-6, then trailed at the half, 18-24. At the three quarter mark the score was knotted, 31-31. But in the final period the Warriors sank nine of 19 foul shots while Martha's Vineyard cashed two of eight and C & C claimed a 47-43 win. Sarah Williston coolly sank six foul shots in a row to close out the third quarter.
Hanna Persson had the team-high 13 points and was strong under the Martha's Vineyard basket. Sarah Williston reached the second column with 10 points. Alexandra Mark contributed eight.
Against Somerset at home on Tuesday, the javees left no doubt from the get-go, building a 26-16 lead at the half en route to a 49-42 victory. Sarah Williston led the way with 13 points. Hanna Persson hit a trey for the third straight game and finished with 11 points, as the jayvees improved to 3-4.
Boys hit the road
At Sandwich, Friday, the boys varsity and freshmen hoopsters both lost to the host Blue Knights in overtime. Only one second remained on the clock when Joe Perry's drive to the hoop tied the score for Sandwich, sending the varsity game into OT.
It seemed that the Islanders would pull it out as they led by five with a minute to play and by four with 30 seconds left on the clock. In the end it was two freebies that broke a 75-75 tie with seven seconds remaining. The final score was 79-75.
Randall Jette paced Vineyard scorers with 18 game high points. Mark Reppert (14), Steve Handy (14), Jess Swaringen (11) and Cody Brewer (10) all made it to double figures.
The javees were the lone success story at Sandwich, posting a 70-52 win, behind the shooting of Lamar Moreis (14 points), Shane Schofield, and Jeff Duarte (10 each).
Head Coach Jason O' Donnell praised his team's overall effort.
Tuesday's tilt at Somerset was a tale of two halves in a 60-59 loss. The Islanders came out and played an inspired, aggressive first half, to lead 40-32 at the break. Martha's Vineyard was a sizzling 14-18 from the charity stripe.
Everything fell apart in the second half, however. The Vineyarders went stone cold from the field (6-28) and from the foul line (7-18).
"We just didn't show up in the second half," head coach Mike Joyce said. "We have to get consistency from one half to the next."
Mark Reppert finished with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Randall Jette had 14 points and Jess Swaringen 8.
Matt Poole had a strong game at both ends with 7 points and 8 rebounds.
The jayvees also fell at Somerset, 59-54. Martha's Vineyard simply could not overcome a 22-3 first quarter hole and 29 turnovers. Lamar Moreis drained 27 points for the Purple.
Sports Highlights
Hawks best Blazers
The West Tisbury Hawks overcame a nine-point first half deficit to hand the visiting Oak Bluffs Blazers their first loss in two years, 61-58, in boys interscholastic basketball action at the West Tisbury School Tuesday.
The Hawks (2-0) used a suffocating full-court press in the second half to turn the tables on the two-time defending champs, building their own nine-point lead at 54-45 with six minutes left.
The Blazers (2-1) would draw within two at 56-54, but the Hawks were calm at the stripe, making crucial free throws to claim the win.
Jack Roberts was the leading scorer with 23 Hawks points. Ben Dwane had 11.
Mike Bizzarro (17 points), Isaac Browne (15), and Andrew Hakala (10), led Oak Bluffs
The Tisbury Tigers improved to 2-0 with a 70-44 win over the visiting Edgartown Eagles.
Mike Cutrer and Alec Tattersall both hit in double figures for Tisbury.
Ryan Gossen led all scorers, racking up 22 points for Edgartown, while Brian Hurley added 10 more.
VYT annual tourney
The Vineyard Youth Tennis's annual Round Robin Extravaganza will begin Thursday, Feb. 5, with a silent auction at the bubble near the blinker. The event supports the center's scholarship fund, which sends youngsters to Florida tennis camps, and helps with expenses incurred by participation in off-Island tournaments.
Men's and ladies' doubles will be offered at A,B,C, and Novice levels. A Combo division will be offered in the men's A division. Entry fee is $100 per adult team and $80 per junior team
Entry forms are available at Vineyard Youth Tennis and can be downloaded at www.vineyadyouthtennis.org
Bowling stones
The Cape Cod Curling Club in Falmouth will host a
"Learn to Curl" opportunity this weekend at its home at 37 Highfield Drive in Falmouth, tomorrow from 7 to 9 pm and Saturday and Sunday from 2 to 4 pm.
All required equipment is provided at no charge. Visitors should bring soft-soled sneakers for their time on the ice.
The club is now equipped for wheelchair curling and wheelchair users are invited.
For directions and more information, see capecodcurling.org or call 508-540-2414.
