Malden Neighborhood Basketball League celebrates successful 2024 season

Special to The Advocate

The Malden Neighborhood Basketball League (MNBL) recently concluded its 2024 season with a grand Annual Awards Banquet held at the Malden Moose Hall. The event saw over 90 attendees, including players, coaches, parents, sponsors and other invited guests. Mayor Gary Christenson and City Council President Stephen Winslow graced the occasion, extending their congratulations to the league, players and coaches for another remarkable season.

Before the awards presentation, MNBL President Kenny Mazonson took a moment to acknowledge the contributions of several individuals who played a pivotal role in the league’s success. Paul Hammersley was thanked for capturing team pictures; Chuck Washington was commended for his photography and social media updates; Johnathan Ellis and Yvens Riviere were recognized for maintaining the league’s website, and Keyshawn Bridgeman-Dicks was appreciated for videotaping the games on YouTube. Nester Dudley received special mention for his work in producing and hosting “Around the Rim,” a weekly local access television show about the MNBL.

Rob LeBlanc was lauded for his multifaceted volunteer efforts, including keeping the scorebook, operating the scoreboard and handling camerawork during playoff games and “Around the Rim.” Glenn Higgins, who moved to California after coaching in the league for over 30 years, was commended for his ongoing contributions, including writing weekly articles submitted to The Malden Advocate and preparing player statistics from his home on the West Coast.

MNBL also expressed gratitude to its sponsors, whose financial support helped keep player registration fees affordable. The extensive list of sponsors included local businesses and individuals who have shown unwavering support for the program. This list of sponsors was announced to the audience: A & A Window Products, Inc.; Agudas Achim Development Corp.; All Seasons Table; Anthony’s of Malden; Applied Insights; Mr. Keith Bernard – Ward 7 School Committee; Bond Realty, Inc.; Brother’s Roast Beef; Buckley Brothers, Inc.; Bussco, Inc.; Mr. David Caiazzo; Attorney Thomas Callaghan; Cataldo Ambulance Service, Inc.; Mayor Gary Christenson; Cornucopia Foods, Inc.; Ms. Leeanne Crowley; The DaPonta Family; Dom’s Sausage Co., Inc.; Representative Paul Donato; Dunkin’ (MRM Donuts Corp.); East Cambridge Savings Bank; Eastern Bank; Mr. & Ms. Christopher Freni; Mr. John Froio; Mrs. Lyn Gagnon; Gentle Dental – Malden; Goldman Funeral Chapel; Green Leaf Auto Enterprises Inc.; Henry’s Catering, Inc.; James Holland – Northeast Metro Tech School Committee; The Immigrant Learning Center Inc. – Diane Portnoy; Mr. Leonard Iovino; Ironworkers Union Local #7; John & Regina Kaufman; Representative Kate Lipper-Garabedian; Attorney Scott Lucey; Malden Animal Hospital; Malden Firefighters Union; Malden Housing Authority; Malden Irish American Club; Malden Italian American Citizen’s Club; Malden Kiwanis Club; Malden Lions Club; Malden Moose Lodge #1910; Malden Overcoming Addiction; Malden Taxi Company; Mallon Insurance Agency; Councillor Carey McDonald; Barbara Murphy (former Ward 5 Councillor); Attorney John Parcellin; Pisa Pizza; David & Katrina Posner; Scott Powell & Family; Mr. Bob Rotondi; Shapiro Legal Group; Sica’s Automotive, Inc.; Silent Confidence, LLC; Christopher Simonelli – Ward 7 Councillor; Six Twenty-One Tavern & Grille; Mr. Paul Solano; A.J. Spadafora Funeral Home, Inc.; Councillor Craig Spadafora; Supino Insurance Agency, Inc.; Tony’s Auto Body, LLC; Representative Steven Ultrino; Unique Property Services Inc.; United Properties Inc.; Vernon’s Liquors; Mr. & Mrs. James Vozzella; Weir-MacCuish Funeral Home; Stephen Winslow – Ward 6 Councilor; Derek Witham Insurance Agency.

The awards ceremony began with the presentation of trophies to the All-Star team players. These players were Clinton Mijar (Bullets), Logan Guertin (Bullets), Jack Sweeney (Celtics), Chris Malave (Celtics), Zaden Pierre (Kings), Antonio Brathwaite (Kings), Semaj Warton (Lakers), Billy Gavin (Lakers), Nate Sullivan (Pistons), Joshua Bly (Pistons), Robert Wallace (Pistons), Anthony Martino (Sixers) and Clifton Joseph (Sixers). That was followed by the recognition of the Bullets for their outstanding 14-1 record in the regular season. The members of the2024 Bullets were Brendan Biscan, Logan Guertin, Connor Wright, Grace Biscan, Clinton Mijar, Isaac Pineda, Aidan Clarke, Logan Wright, William Dubois, Aaron Souza, Skyler Son and Adam Hassan. The Coaches were Steve Wright, Mark Gagnon, Alan Biscan and Sushant Mijar.

The Coaches Awards were given to players who exemplified good sportsmanship and teamwork.

This year’s recipients were Connor Wright (Bullets), Brendan Biscan (Bullets), Jack Sweeney (Celtics), Terrell Xue (Kings), Zion Gomes (Lakers), Andrew Dutchak (Pistons) and Christian Langer (Sixers).

The Most Improved Players were honored for their significant progress throughout the season. This year’s honorees were Aidan Clarke (Bullets), Tony Geddeus (Celtics), Aiden Greene (Kings), Jeremiah Mann (Lakers), Robert Wallace (Pistons) and Mike Joseph (Sixers).

The teams’ Most Valuable Player awards: Clinton Mijar (Bullets), Logan Guertin (Bullets), Chris Malave (Celtics), Antonio Brathwaite (Kings), Zaden Pierre (Kings), Semaj Warton (Lakers), Nate Sullivan (Pistons), Clifton Joseph (Sixers).

Tyler Young was presented with the Tom Heerter Scholarship Award. which is given annually to an underclassman who shows great outstanding character and sportsmanship. The award provides the recipient with a free registration for the following season.

Beany Amos was presented with the first annual Jeremy Rocker Memorial Coach of the Year Award. This award was selected by the coaches and given to the coach who provides his players with outstanding coaching and mentoring. Coach Amos completed his 37^th season as the head coach of the Lakers in 2024.

The evening continued with the presentation of more awards: the Hot Shot Championship trophy to Logan Guertin (Bullets), the Three Point Shootout Championship trophy to Clinton Mijar (Bullets), the James Tringali Memorial Sportsmanship Trophy to Chris Malave (Celtics) and the Rookie of the Year award to Joshua Bly (Pistons), a freshman in 2024, who finished the season averaging 10.3 points a game, which was the tenth best average in the league. In addition, Clinton Mijar (Bullets) won this season’s Regular Season Most Valuable Player award. He was a two-year player who quarterbacked the first place Bullets as their point guard while still managing to average 13.6 points per game. He also led the league in free throw percentage. In addition, Logan Guertin (Bullets) was selected as the Mike Petradeles Memorial Playoff MVP award winner. Guertin scored 20 points in the Bullets’ semifinal win over the Celtics (56-26) and an additional 29 points in the Championship-clinching win over the Lakers (59-39). The final highlight was the awarding of Championship rings to the Bullets, marking Head Coach Steve Wright’s fifth championship in his 38th season with the MNBL.

The Annual Awards Banquet was a fitting celebration of the hard work, dedication, and community spirit that defines the Malden Neighborhood Basketball League.