Sports Highlights
By Don Lyons - December 29, 2005
Last call
Sign up for the MV Dart League Tuesday and/or Thursay, Jan. 3 and 5 from 5:30 to 7 pm at the PA Club. The number of persons signing will determine whether there will be a Tuesday night league or not. Play begins the following week Tuesday or Thursday, at 7:30 pm sharp.
O.R.R b-ball visits
The male Bulldogs of Old Rochester Regional were day trippers Tuesday and had their tickets punched by the MV varsity, jayvees, and freshmen.
The MV frosh jumped off to a 10-2 lead in the early going and maintained that kind of advantage til the break, 23-15. They grew their lead in the second half to win going away, 51-28.
The MV jayvees were even more domineering. At the half they led, 31-10 and finished 32 points ahead, 62-30 scoring 31 points in each half. How's that for consistency?
Coach Jason O'Donnell gave all 11 of his players floor time and they all put points on the board. Top gunners were Nico Cuba with 11 and Nick Gross and Zach Coutinho, both with 10.
Varsity
The MV varsity did more than their share of rebounding, despite a distinct height disadvantage. They regularly doubled on the ball and grabbed more than their share of loose ones.
Jacob Vanderhoop paced the offense with 17 points, including a couple of treys. Nick Viera, moved up from the JV, donated 16. Matt Rivers accounted for 10 points and a baker's dozen rebounds. John Swan was an effective floor general and contributed nine points to the cause. Final score: MVR 64, ORR 52.
Girls travel, lose
The MVRHS girls took on Old Rochester at Mattapoisett Tuesday, and all three teams lost to the Bulldogs.
The freshmen score was MVR 29, ORR 42. It was the Island frosh's first loss of the season, having previously posted wins over Dighton Rehoboth, Apponequet, and Fairhaven.
The junior varsity lost its third game of the early season, 27-52. Lauren Williston's eight-point effort was best for the Vineyarders. Jocelyn Andrade conributed seven. MV's hopes for recovery took a blow when Julie Perry fouled out of the game early in the second half.
The girls varsity bowed, 50-21. Tiffany Smalley had more than half the MV total with 12 to her credit . At the half the Bulldogs were up, 22-11. MV is 1 and 3 on the year.
The varsity and jayvees will be home to Seekonk, Tuesday, at 6:30 and 5 pm.
Junior high hockey
The Vineyard boys junior high hockey team entered the Southeastern Mass. Hockey Division 2 Christmas tourney at Bridgewater Arena, and as The Times went to press the Islanders were sitting pretty, having won two and tied one.
In their first game the Islanders overtook D-Y by scoring three times in the third period.
D-Y scored twice in the first and once in the second period. Vigorous goaltending by Alex Dorr kept the Islanders close. MV third period goals were by Darren Gazaille, Colby Gouldrup and Chris Davies to earn the 3-3 tie.
Franklin provided the opposition in the second contest, but not enough to challenge the Vineyarders who dominated play from the start.
Chris Davies, assisted by Darren Gazaille, put the Isalanders on the board three minutes into the game.
Adding to the MV lead were goals by Chris Davies, his second, Tyler Araujo and two by Henry Scott. Assist credits went to Colby Gouldrup, Harry Cipolla, Jock Cooperrider, and Chris Davies.
The Islanders defeated Abington in the third game, 6-3.
Abington drew first blood but a Gouldrup from Gazaille goal tied the score. Darren Gazaille scored off a faceoff matching Abington's second goal and the period ended with the teams even, 2-2.
MV took a lead it would not relinquish in the second period when Davies scored on a power play with help from Gouldrup. Cooperrider assisted by Smith made it 4-2.
In the third period, goals by Gazaille and Cooperrider iced the 6-3 win for the Vineyard.
Excellent stick handling and hard work by Josh Naylor, Jordi Abrams, Tyler Araujo and Pat Hart contributed much to the winning effort.
The Islanders face the winner of the D-Y vs. Franklin game today for tournament top honors.
