Sports Highlights

By Don Lyons - January 5, 2006

Another gig
"Cassie," the Vineyard Voyagers' second gig, will be launched at the Gannon and Benjamin shipyard, Saturday, at 2 pm. The Rev. Michael Nagle will bless the ship and MVRHS Principal Peg Ryan will christen it.

Following the launching, there will be potluck at the Sail Martha's Vineyard office, 110 Main Street, Vineyard Haven.

Boys basketball
The Vineyard boys varsity hoopsters outlasted Nantucket , 70-62, in the C&I Christmas Classic at Chatham, Wednesday. Matt Rivers (19) and Jacob Vanderhoop (14) led Island scorers.

With the game six minutes old, MV led 24-9. At the break, MV was up by 11, 43-32.

Nantucket closed the gap in the second period and actually briefly led, 51-50, but Rivers and Tim Scott finished with a flourish, dashing Whaler hopes for an upset.

Boys ice hockey
After losing narrowly to the North Reading hosts of the Roy Condon Inviational, Wednesday, the MVRHS boys varsity icemen stomped East Greenwich, R.I., Thursday, 6-0.

Ryan Rossi's was the only goal in the first period, assisted by Stephen Greenberg.

Nick Billingham, Tad Gold, and Joel Rebello all found the back of the net in the second when the Islanders peppered goalie Josh Edwards with 15 shots on goal. Assisting were Truman French, Alex Avakian (2), Scott Maciel, and Greenberg.

Davey Campbell scored twice in the final frame assisted by Zach Sylvia, Gold (2), and Rossi.

Goalie Alex Minnehan was called upon to make 11 saves and he did.

Purple bows in double OT
After defeating Franklin and Abington and tying D-Y in the Southeastern Mass. Division II Christmas tournament at Bridgewater Arena, the MV varsity icemen faced D-Y, possessed of a similar 2-0-1 record, in the championship game on Wednesday, Dec. 28.

The first period was scoreless, despite aggressive Vineyard play especially by Colby Gouldrup, Darren Gazaille, and Henry Smith.

Gazaille found his way through the Dolphin defense to put the game's first point on the board eight minutes into the second period. Moments later, after Tony DeBettencourt stopped a D-Y breakaway, Gazaille made it 2-0. Before the period ended, D-Y scored their first goal, cutting he lead to one.

Two minutes into the third period, D-Y evened the count as a slap shot from the corner found its way through a crowd and caromed off Goalie Alex Dorr's pad into the net. A flurry of Dolphin shots resulted in a third goal and a D-Y lead.

Gazaille's hat trick at the ten-minute mark tied the score again. With a minute and 11 seconds on the clock, Henry Smith's wrist shot off a faceoff gave the Vineyard a 5-4 edge but 11 seconds later D-Y tied the game yet again.

The first five-minute OT was scoreless despite blazing shots on goal by Henry Smith and Chris Davies.

Both teams were exhausted as they took the ice for the second overtime. Henry Smith had two chances frustrated by the D-Y goalie. Alex Dorr all but matched that effort but one shot eluded him and D-Y claimed the game and the tourney trophy.

JV boys tie Tigers
The MVRHS boys junior varsity played to a 2-2 tie versus Taunton at the Arena, Monday. After a scoreless first period, Taunton posted the first point early in the second period. Darren Stobie evened the count with help from Chris Edwards. The Vineyard's second goal was by Curtis Maciel. Jason Schwab assisted. Zach Waller was the MV goalie.

MV took 40 shots on goal to the Tigers' 23 and were penalized seven times to Taunton's three.

Last Thursday, the jayvees were trounced at Barnstable, 7-1. A Raider shutout was averted by Brian Grzasiuk's goal, assisted by Curtis Maciel and David Flanders.

On New Year's eve the junior varsity lost a squeaker to Millis, 5-4. Chris Edwards scored twice for the Vineyard. Kenny MacDonald and Brian Grzesiuk added goals. Assisting were Marc Levesque, Liam O'Callaghan, Curtis Maciel, Eliot Bilzerian, Chris Osnoss (2), and Jason Schwab. Goialie Chris Hathaway made 24 saves.

Adult hockey
Bay State Hockey is currently registering players for its adult hockey league. The South of Boston division will operate out of Brockton, Plymouth, and Taunton.

The league will feature four divisions: advanced, intermediate, advanced novice and novice. Teams will play 15 game schedules. Games will be played once a week on Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

See www.BayStateHockey.com

All-star picks
Seniors Kathryn DeBettencourt and Ashley Rebello have been named to the Cape Cod Times 20 member Cape & Islands all star field hockey team.

Katie Keppeler and Jen Murphy, also seniors, were honorably mentioned.

Falmouth, Harwich and Nauset placed three girls on the CCT team.

Senior Allison Flanders and freshman Hilary Dreyer made it to the CCT girls cross country all-star squad. It was the fourth star for Allison. Hilary was the only freshman honored. D-Y placed seven harriers on the 14 member team.

Islander Sagitta Woodman, a junior, was honorably mentioned.

Et cetera
Registration for the 2006 spring MV Youth Lacrossse program will be held at the Oak Bluffs School, Saturday, Jan. 14, from 10 am to noon. If unable to attend, call 508-627-9339.

Charlie Giordano, a member of the Vineyard Tennis Center Workout and Spa staff since June, has been using boxing in his personal training regimen, apparently to enthusiastic reviews. VTC says it will feature Charlie in upcoming promotions for boxing clinics, classes and training for men, women, and youth.

Reports from the MV Dart League indicate that twice as many darters will be tossing missiles at the PA Club on Thursdays during the winter-spring season compared to fall-winter. The season begins at 7:30 pm, next Thursday, January 12.

What's so good about no news?
It is often said that "no news is good news." However, that is seldom said by newspaper reporters.

Among the "no news" items this week are (1) the postponement of Tuesday's MVRHS varsity and junior varsity girls basketball games with Seekonk as Seekonk schools were closed by a heavy snowfall. The games will be played on Saturday: JVs at 11:30 am, followed by the varsity tip-off at 1 pm....The Tisbury at West Tisbury interscholastic boys basketball game was postoned from Tuesday to this Monday at the request of the WesTiz coaches.....Monday's RCBL games at the Boys & Girls Club were canceled due to the unavailability of referees....The Brazilian Fusbal league canceled games on Christmas and New Year's Day. The league will be back in session this Sunday at the B&G Club.

Girls JV hockey
Ana Jurczyk's hat trick propelled the MV girls jV hockey team past Needham at Needham, Dec. 22, 6-3.

Also scoring for the Vineyard were Marguerite Cogliano (2) and Danielle Sedlier. Assist credits were awarded to Claire Lindsey, Nicole Mercier, Amira Madison, and Cogliano.

Laura Jernegan made 22 saves in goal.