Sports
Lakers claim RCBL title
The final game of the Recreational Center Basketball League season, which began on January 5, came to an end Monday at the Boys & Girls Club as the Lakers ran away from the Heat, 101-73, in the third and final game of the playoffs.
Jared Siva of the Lakers and Sandy Fisher of the Heat meet aloft with opposing ideas regarding the ball. Photo by Ralph Stewart
Both teams had qualified for the final playoff series by sweeping their first-round opponents. The Lakers took two from the Warriors, the Heat doing the same to the Bulls. Thus the teams that finished in third and fourth place faced off for the championship.
The Lakers won the first of the best two-of-three games in a squeaker, 85-84.
The Heat returns the favor
Last Thursday, the Heat held on to a slim lead in the final four minutes, defeating the Lakers in another barnburner, 94-90, knotting the playoff count at 1-1 in games.
The Lakers broke on top and held a six-point lead at the end of the first quarter, 32-26.
Jason Dyer found the 3-point range in the second quarter, dropping in four in a row, and he led the Heat to a six-point edge at the half, 58-52.
The lead changed possession four times in the third quarter ending with the Heat up by five, 79-74. The fourth period echoed the third as the lead switched hands again and again. With 13 seconds remaining Karl Kallinich brought the Lakers within one, 91-90. But the final points belonged to Damon Mello and Dyer of the Heat, all from the foul line.
Mello had the game-high 25 points. Other Heat players in double figures were Dyer (23), Sterling Bishop (18) and Sandy Fisher (15). Lakers in two columns were Heath Estrella (17), Nate Scott (14) Adam Rebello (14) and Jeff LaBell (11).
Monday - for all the marbles
Fans looking for another close game in the third and deciding game of the finals were disappointed.
The Heat were undermanned, only six dressed for the game against nine Lakers, and just couldn't get on track. They trailed after the first 12-minute quarter, 28-11. RCBL veterans Karl Kallinich and John Healey led the Laker attack, both with eight points in the period.
Things did not improve for the Heat in the second quarter as the ball refused to drop for them and the Lakers extended their lead to arrive at the half 24 points ahead, 51-27.
The closest the Heat would come would be twenty points but ended the game down by 28, 101-73.
The Heat's Jason Dyer finished with the game high 31 points which included five treys. Bishop (19) and Mello (13) also made it to double columns.
Lakers points were well distributed: Kallinich, 16; Estrella, 14; LaBell, 13; Albie Robinson, 13; Rebello, 11; Healey, 10; Jared Silva, 9; Scott, 8; and Caleb Nicholson, 7.
Wearing the striped shirts were Greg Rollins, Mark Rivers and Richie Roy.
Molly Fischer digs a loose ball surrounded by Whalers. Molly had a hat trick in the game. Photo by Ralph Stewart
Lacrosse: Whalers harvested twice
The girls varsity lacrosse team ran away from visiting Nantucket, Thursday, 16-7. Martha's Vineyard scored three times in the first five minutes. The Whalers responded with two of their own. Then Martha's Vineyard scored five unanswered goals to reach the half up by six, 8-2. The second half was not unlike the first; the Vineyard outscored Nantucket, 8-5.
Laura Jernegan found the back of the Whalers net five times, Hayley Pierce scored four. Molly Fischer had three goals and Brianna Davies two. Kate Cecilio also scored. Sophie Lew assisted thrice.
Goalie Zoe Fisher made eight saves. Coach Dripps lauded the defensive work of Brianna Davies and Olivia Gross.
The girls continued their winning ways, Monday, at New Bedford, 12-2. Laura Jernegan led with four goals. Both Hayley Pierce and Kate Cecilio added three. Leah Selby and Niki Alexander also scored.
Zoe Fisher had eight saves in goal.
Cristina Wiley and Cat Todd had assists. Key to the win were consistent draw wins by Sophie Lew and Brianna Davies. Martha's Vineyard led at the half 9-1 and chose not to run up the score.
Tuesday Martha's Vineyard met a tough opponent at unbeaten Bourne. Goals by Jernegan and Pierce gave Martha's Vineyard an early 2-0 lead but Bourne's record was no fluke and the score was tied at three. Jernegan, Wiley and Molly Fischer all found the net before the break and Martha's Vineyard led at the half, 6-3.
The second half was a mirror image of the first and Martha's Vineyard finished ahead, 11-6.
Zoe Fisher was outstanding in goal making 14 saves.
The Islanders are 5-0 on the season, lead the Maritime League, and play Fairhaven off Island today.
Jayvees too
The Martha's Vineyard Junior Varsity is also undefeated and recently topped New Bedford, 11-1. Each with three, Maddie Hughes and Alex Mark led a phalanx of scorers including Maggie Johnson, Rilla Hammett, Genevive Hammond, Ana Irwin, and Caroline Fournier.
Driven in by Emma Frizzell's triple Katie Hines crosses the plate with the tying run in the D/Y game. Photo by Ralph Stewart
Dolphins netted, Crusaders too
The girls varsity softball team came from behind to catch and defeat Dennis Yarmouth here, Thursday, 8-7. Emma Frizzell went 3-for-4 at the plate including a double and the game winning triple in the seventh (final) inning.
D-Y backed their pitcher with tight infield play but the Martha's Vineyard bats took advantage of a roomy outfield, especlally in left.
Monday, at Harwich, the Islanders defeated Cape Tech, 7-2, behind Caroline Davey's effective pitching - she had a no hitter after five innings and fanned 10 batters.
Islanders Holly Robinson and Emily Williston were 2 for 3 at the plate. Both scored twice. Emma Forbes crossed the plate three times.
Tuesday the girls lost to Somerset, 9-2, despite a strong showing of Caroline Davey on the mound. The contest was close through 5 innings. The Raiders led by one, 2-1.
But the wheels came off in the sixth and Somerset scored six runs aided by Vineyard errors. Martha's Vineyard is 3-2 on the season.
Sports Highlights
Tossing a few at the PA Club
In the Martha's Vineyard Dart League at the Portugeuse-American Club on March 26, Ken Cottrill, Jack Welch, and Linda Wood took the gold after defeating the Ray Blanchette team, 8-3.
The next Thursday, Robert O'Sullivan, Pete Searle, Michael Lipinsky, and sub David O'Sullivan grabbed the gelt after besting Don Welty's crew.
Last week it was Wes Wood, James Rowell, Jim Cottrill, and George Gamble claiming the reward for topping the Blanchette bunch.
With only one more week to go, Robert O'Sullivan's team leads the pack with 59 points, chased by Wes Wood's Wonders at 57 and Mike Dow's Diehards with 56.
Kim Cattrill leads in singles with 8 and Robert O'Sullivan's 21 tons is tops.
Kite speeding
The Vineyard North American Speed Sailing Project (NASSP) collected a lap full of medals at the World Championshps of Speed Kite surfing in Port St. Louis Du Rhone, France.
Rob Douglas placed third. Damien LeRoy of Naples, Fla., another member of the Vineyard NASSP, was right behind in fourth. Jamie Douglas finished twelfth. Melissa Gil of Naples became the women's world champion.
Two rounds of racing were completed on the first day of competition at Plage Napolean in 18 to 20 knots of wind.
Rob Douglas posted the highest average speeds of the championship with two runs of 33.98 knots and a GPS max speed of 39.75.
Team NASSP is sponsored by The Black Dog, Lynch Associates, Cabrinha, DaKine and Corner Five.
Explosive jayvees
The high school Jayvee softball team bombarded Sandwich 16-6 in five innings. Jill McHugh, Kelsey DeBettencourt, and Jillian Sedlier collected hat tricks at the plate. Jessica Willoughby was 4-for-4 with 3 runs batted in. Pitcher Olivia Higham fanned six.
Despite cold winds and several injuries, the Vineyarders trounced Nantucket, 20-6. Jenna Lambert, Jillian Sedlier, and Jessica Willoughby hit for extra bases.
Track teams on a roll
The undefeated boys and girls track and field teams went right on winning their meets, prevailing at Kingston versus Sacred Heart, Tuesday.
Micah Agnoli led a Martha's Vineyard sweep in the shot put, with a heave of 39' 11". Devin Balboni and Tyler Araujo were place and show. Agnoli also won the discus with a 115' heave. Andres Sylva was second.
Will DeBettencourt (136') and Nick Gross were 1-2 with the javelin. Conor Estes was third in the high jump.
Sacred Heart took all the points in the high jump and first and second in the long. Josh Baker's 16' 4" took third.
Marcus Hopkins was second in the triple jump at 35'.
Taylor Smith and Will Nevin were 2 - 3 in the 2-mile race. Mark Reppert was a double winner of the 800 in 2:07.9 and mile in 5:08. Michael Kendall and Luke Sederholm added 2nd and 3rd points.
Doug Asselin flew over the 400m low hurdles first in 61.1. Rafael Maciel was third. Asselin doubled in the 400 at 55.0. Conor Estes was third over the high hurdles.
Randall Jette was fastest at 200m in 24.6.
The teams split the relays, Martha's Vineyard's Baker, Hopkins, Dwane, and Brewer won the 4x100 in 47.7.
Martha's Vineyard 73, Sacred Heart 63.
Martha's Vineyard girls prevail
The Martha's Vineyard girls won their meet, 75-61.
Loren Gibson was a double winner of the shot put and discus. Emma Lee Iversen was second with the disc.
The best Martha's Vineyard could do in the javelin was third by Sidra Dumont.
Hilary Dreyer won the high jump with a 4' 8" leap. Kim Carlomagno was third in the long jump and Alexia Schroeder was third in the triple jump.
Ellie Hehre (13:26) and Shivonne Schofield were 1-2 over two miles.
Maddy Penicaud won the 400m low hurdles in 13:26.
By winning the 100m in 13.1 and the 400m in 61.1, Kim Carlomagno qualified for the States in both events. Kia Minor was third in the dash.
Alexia Schroder was second at 200m.
Emma Lee Iversen and Lauren Lucas were 1-2 over he high hurdles. Megan Dreyer won the mile in 5:53 and the 800m in 2:34. Gretta Hehre was third in the mile, Hilary Dreyer was second in the 800.
Schroeder, Iversen, Minor and Mia Benedetto were the winning 4x100 relay team.
Youth Hockey report
Monday, the Martha's Vineyard Junior High Youth Hockey team won the Neponset Valley League Championship by edging Norwood, 4-3, at Raynham. Scorers were Tyson Araujo (2), Brian Fraser, and Dorian Johnson. Noah Kleinhenz was the winning goalie. Hockey, of all sports, requires a team effort, and the Vineyard team exemplified just that.
At the annual District 5 Squirt Mini One-on-one tournament, Martha's Vineyard was represented by Anthony Jackson, Nick Vucota, and Joe Davies, shooters, and Wyatt Jenkinson, goalie.
Anthony and Wyatt made it to the final four, but they were eliminated in the semifinal round.
The Martha's Vineyard Squirt NVL team was edged by Tri County at Foxboro, 2-1.
Hardballers romp
The varsity baseball team manhandled D/Y at South Yarmouth, Thursday, 16-5. Tad Gold was 4-for-5 at the plate, including a three-run home run in the fourth inning. Winning pitcher Ben Ciciora helped his own cause, driving in three runs with three base hits. Anthony Piland also collected three hits in five trips to the plate and Nick Billingham drove in two with a triple as the team fattened averages while feasting on Dolphin pitching.
The win improved the Martha's Vineyard record to 2-2.
Alyssa Adler won her match with D/Y at second singles. Photo by Ralph Stewart
Girls tennis
Playing at home, the Martha's Vineyard girls tennis team was edged by D-Y, 3-2. Alissa Adler won at second singles, 7-6 (7-4). 6-4, and the first doubles duo, Lan Ho and Jenna Montoya, prevailed, 6-4, 6-4.
Tuesday the Islanders lost to Cape Cod Academy, probably the best team on the Cape, 5-0.
Boys tennis
The high school boys tennis team won its third match of the young season, Friday, sweeping Bourne at Bourne, 5-0. Vineyarders won every match in straight sets. Andrew McHugh disposed of Kyle Johnston at first singles, 6-1, 6-0. Dylan Hutchinson won his second singles match, 6-4, 6-4. Reid Yennie completely dominated Zack Babcock at third singles, 6-0, 6-0.
Nik Wojtkielo and Win Grimm won at first doubles, 6-0, 6-1 and Kyle Moran and Grant McCarthy did as well at second doubles, 6-2, 6-0.
The day before, Thursday, the Islanders squeezed by the Dolphins at South Yarmouth, 3-2. Winning their singles matches were Andrew McHugh, 7-5, 2-6, 6-2, and Reid Yennie, 7-5, 6-1. Grimm and Wojtkielo prevailed at first doubles 6-4, 6-3.
Tuesday the boys were swept by a powerful Cape Cod Academy team, 5-0.
The team is 3-2 on the season.
Split decision
The Martha's Vineyard boys varsity lacrosse team lost its second game of the season in as many starts to Nantucket, Thursday, April 9, 10-8. Ray DeCosta and Henry Farrell accounted for nine of the Whalers' points. Liam O'Callaghan (3), Matt Costello (2) Luke Pisano (2) and Brooks Billingham scored for the Vineyard. Max Conley and Mike McCarthy assisted. Goalie Gus Hayes made nine saves in goal.
Nantucket enjoyed an 8-3 lead at the half. In the second period the Vineyarders surged, scoring five straight goals and tying the count at eight.
Whaler goalie Joe Bop was credited with 11 saves.
The Islanders posted their first win of the young season by topping Fairhaven, 13-3. Brooks Billingham scored three goals. Chris and Matt Costello, and McCarthy had two. Leif Iverson and Mike Sylvia also scored.
Tuesday, the Vineyarders defeated Bourne at Bourne, 6-3 despite the Canalmen's goalie's 17 saves. Hayes had eight saves for the Vineyard.
Jayvee report
The JV boys lacrosse coach, Steve Yeomans, reports that the team is 4-0 on the year having upset Falmouth in O.T., 10-9 and "sandwiched Sandwich, 10-7; sunk the Whalers 6-3 and Bourne died, 7-5."
High flying Ospreys
The Vineyard Ospreys, a Vineyard women's hockey team entered two tournaments in the past two weeks and came away from both with heads held high.
At Norwich, Conn., the Ospreys, without a loss, found themselves playing the Mid Conn. Fighting Saints for third place. After regulation time the score was tied, 1-1. After a five-minute OT the picture had not changed. A five-player shootout was called for to break the log jam and the only one to score was the Vineyard's Paula Rego, Martha's Vineyard goalie Dardy Slavin stopped all of the Saints shots.
The following weekend the Ospreys were in the Falmouth Spring Fling tourney. They began by losing to Rip Tide, a Mid Cape team, 2-0. Then, after two strong wins, they found themselves facing Rip Tide again for the championship.
The Islanders took an early 2-0 lead, but it disappeared in the second period. Each team scored in the third period, but the Ospreys scored twice and claimed the tourney title.
Coach Gene Townes describes the 15 Ospreys as "a very dedicated and talented group who work very hard and play the game at a very competitive level." The Osprey roster: Dardy Slavin, Teresa Temple, Christine Ferrone, Sheila Rose, Paula Rego, Angie Grant, Karin Welch, Chrissy McCarthy, Chris Wiley, Sandy Mincone, Kara Shemeth, Michelle Cacchiotti, Stephanie Pavao, Vicky Thurber, and Linda Metell.
Et cetera
MVTV Channel 14 Classic Sports will show the 2006 Boys Basketball game vs. Seekonk on Monday, April 20 at 6:30 pm and the 2005 baseball game with Sandwich the following Wednesday, also at 6:30 pm.
The Martha's Vineyard Times misspelled the name of one of the scorers on the U-10 travel soccer team that beat Somerset in its season opener, 3-1. The correct spelling is Jordan Pate.
The Little League Major and Minor seasons open on Monday, April 27. The Tigers and Mets go at it at Veira Park in Oak Bluffs, beginning at 5 pm and the Indians and Blue Jays mix it up at Manter Field in West Tisbury, while the Rockies and Marlins face off at Nunes in Edgartown, also at 5 pm.
