Malden Neighborhood Basketball League Celebrates 39th Season at Annual Awards Banquet

By Kenny Mazonson, President

The Malden Neighborhood Basketball League (MNBL) celebrated the conclusion of its 39th season with its annual Awards Banquet at the Malden Moose Hall, honoring the many volunteers, coaches, sponsors and players who make the program a success. Mayor Gary Christenson brought greetings from the City Administration and congratulated the league on another outstanding season — especially the Sixers, this year’s League Champions. Also in attendance as special guests were Ward 6 Councillor Stephen Winslow and Malden Recreation Director Joe Levine.

The evening recognized those whose contributions keep the MNBL strong. Paul Hammersley was thanked for photographing the teams and playoff games. Nester Dudley, host of the long-running UMA cable show “Around the Rim,” was recognized for more than 30 years of promoting the league and its players. Former Assistant Coach Glenn Higgins was applauded for compiling weekly statistics and writing the league’s newspaper articles—all the way from Santa Rosa, California. Coaches Jonathan Ellis and Yvens Riviere were thanked for maintaining the league’s website, while Coach Chuck Washington was acknowledged for managing the MNBL Instagram page. Coach Danny Bitew was commended for organizing the post-season three-on-three tournament, and Rob LeBlanc received thanks for volunteering at the scorer’s table and filming the playoff games.

The banquet also highlighted the MNBL’s charitable efforts. For the second consecutive year, the MNBL Jamboree raised and donated over $1,200 to the Malden Warming Center in memory of longtime Malden coach Tom Heerter. Coach Mark Gagnon contributed all snacks and drinks for sale to help increase the donation total.

A major portion of the program was devoted to acknowledging the league’s sponsors, whose generosity allows the MNBL to keep registration fees affordable for all players. This year’s sponsors included A&A Window Products, Agudas Achim Development Corp., Mr. David Allan, Anthony’s of Malden, Applied Insights, Birenbaum & Goldberg – Attorneys at Law, Ward 7 School Committee Member Keith Bernard, Bond Realty, Inc., Buckley Brothers Inc., Busco Electric Inc., Attorney Thomas Callaghan, Cataldo Ambulance Service, Inc., Mayor Gary Christenson, Cornucopia Foods Inc., The DaPonta Family, Davenport Realty, Dunkin’ of Broadway, East Cambridge Savings Bank, Eastern Bank, Fresco’s Roast Beef & Seafood, Ms. Lyn Gagnon, Gentle Dental – Malden, Goldman Funeral Chapel, Green Leaf Auto Enterprises Inc., Henry’s Catering, Inc., Mr. Leonard Iovino, Ironworkers Union Local #7, John & Regina Kaufman, Malden Italian American Citizens Club, Ward 3 Councillor Amanda Linehan, State Representative Kate Lipper-Garabedian, Attorney Scott Lucey, Malden Animal Hospital, Malden Housing Authority, Malden Kiwanis Club, Malden Moose – Lodge #1910, Malden Overcoming Addiction, Malden Taxi Company, Mallon Insurance Company, Councillor-at-Large Carey MacDonald, Ms. Barbara Murphy, Attorney John Parcellin, Pisa Pizza, David & Katrina Posner, Mr. Scott Powell, Rockland Trust Company, Gregory & Karen Rogers, Shapiro Legal Group, Sica’s Automotive, Inc., Six Twenty One Tavern & Grille, Silent Confidence, LLC, Ward 7 Councillor Christopher Simonelli, Mr. Paul Solano, A.J. Spadafora Funeral Home, Inc., Councillor-at-Large Craig Spadafora, Supino Insurance Agency, Inc., State Representative Steven Ultrino, Unique Property Services, Inc., United Properties, Inc., Vernon’s Liquors, James & Eleanor Vozzella, Weir-MacCuish Funeral Home, Ward 6 Councillor Stephen Winslow and Derek Witham Insurance Agency.

The Thomas Heerter Scholarship was presented to Jaylen Rivera-Fuentes in recognition of his outstanding character and sportsmanship, entitling him to free registration for next season. Four-Year Graduate Trophies went to Tony Geddeus (Celtics) and Joao Geronimo (Sixers). All-Star Trophies were presented to Chace Bolling (Bullets), Adam Hassan (Bullets), Jack Sweeney (Celtics), Josias Thelmarque (Celtics), David Azzolino (Celtics), Jacoby Hampton (Kings), Cedric Matheley (Kings), Semaj Warton (Lakers), Billy Gavin (Lakers), Nate Sullivan (Pistons), Joshua Bly (Pistons), Robert Wallace (Pistons), Mekhi Cook (Pistons), Nashon Melvin (Sixers), Dante Hector (Sixers) and Jose Juarbe (Sixers).

The Pistons received their First Place Regular Season Champions trophies. Team members included Nathan Sullivan, Brayan Jose, Jeremiah Dupervil, Jemiah Charles, Davante Layne, Mekhi Cook, Clifford Paulin, Robert Wallace, Joshua Bly, Joseph Hatch, Cleberson Orelion and coaches Danny Bitew, Chuck Washington, Marcus Bailey and Jordany Dorismond.

Special Individual Awards were presented to the following:

• Three-Point Contest Champion: Jacoby Hampton (Kings).
• Hot Shot Contest Winner: Joao Geronimo (Sixers).
• Rookies of the Year: Davante Layne (Pistons) & Jaylen Rivera-Fuentes (Celtics) — Co-winners.
• Sportsmanship Award: David Azzolino (Celtics).
• Regular Season MVP: Dante Hector (Sixers).
• Playoff MVP: Jose Juarbe (Sixers).

Each team presented its own awards:

Coaches’ Awards: Logan Wright (Bullets), Damien Jacques (Celtics), Logan Johnson & Aiden Greene (Kings), Mariano Spadafora (Lakers), Joseph Hatch & Jeremiah Dupervil (Pistons) and Landon Bertoncini (Sixers).

Most Improved Players: Adam Hassan (Bullets), Rodner Doricent (Celtics), Jahiem Francillon (Kings), Zion Gomes (Lakers), Mekhi Cook (Pistons) and Jose Juarbe (Sixers).

Team MVPs: Chace Bolling (Bullets), David Azzolino (Celtics), Jacoby Hampton (Kings), Semaj Warton (Lakers), Jemiah Charles (Pistons) and Dante Hector (Sixers).

The evening concluded with the Sixers receiving their Playoff Championship trophies and rings, marking their fifth league championship and first since 2022. Members of the 2025 Sixers are Nashon Melvin, Mike Joseph, Joao Geronimo, Jose Juarbe, Ahyan Ghaffar, Dante Hector, Anthony Noble, Dante Bell, Spencer Paul, Landon Bertoncini, Matthew Maltese and coaches Glen Noble and Sean Hickey.

As the MNBL’s 39th season comes to a close, the league continues to stand as a proud Malden tradition — one that fosters teamwork, sportsmanship and lifelong community connections through the game of basketball.