Revere Boys Punch Ticket to Holiday Final With First Win

By Dom Nicastro

The Revere High boys basketball team began to find its footing over the past two weeks, earning its first victory of the season, advancing to the championship game of its Holiday Tournament and continuing to show progress with a deep, developing lineup. Revere entered its Greater Boston League matchup against Medford still searching for its first win after an 0-3 start. The Patriots responded with a balanced effort and timely plays down the stretch, edging the Mustangs, 53-50, at home.

Junior forward Nico Cespedes scored twice inside early; senior center Zaney Kayembe added an offensive putback; and junior guard Wesley Nunez knocked down a 3-pointer as Revere built an early lead. The Patriots’ bench played a significant role in the second quarter, helping Revere take a 26-17 advantage into halftime. Medford pushed back after the break, trimming the lead with an early run, but Revere answered with baskets from Kayembe, Lucca Albano, Bryan David and Nunez to maintain control. The Patriots opened a nine-point lead midway through the fourth before Medford closed to within three in the final minute. Kayembe drew a key offensive charge late and Nunez finished a strong drive to the basket to seal the win.

Nunez finished with 12 points, four rebounds and three assists, while David added 12 points and five rebounds. Dobre contributed nine points and six rebounds off the bench.

“We got great contributions from up and down the roster,” Revere coach David Leary said. “Basketball is the ultimate team sport. Our bench gave us 41 of our 53 points. We are definitely learning from each other and improving. We made the plays and played a full 32 minutes.”

The Patriots carried that momentum into the first round of their Holiday Tournament, defeating Malden, 64-49, to earn a spot in the championship game. Revere built an early lead behind baskets from Cespedes, Nunez and Dobre, while David provided a strong presence inside. Albano added scoring from the perimeter as the Patriots took a 28-17 lead into halftime.

Malden closed the gap in the third quarter behind hot outside shooting, but Revere matched the surge. Dobre provided a momentum boost with a steal and breakaway dunk, and the Patriots maintained a nine-point cushion entering the fourth. Senior tri-captain Devin Berry scored all six of his points in the final quarter, while Albano, David and Dobre continued to produce offensively.

Dobre led Revere with 16 points, six rebounds and three steals, while David posted 13 points and 10 rebounds. Albano added 15 points as the Patriots closed out the win.

“It was an important win for us for two reasons,” Leary said. “We obviously wanted to be in the final of our tournament, but this was also an opportunity for us to get back to a .500 record in the GBL. We are proud of the energy the whole roster gave us.”

In the Holiday Tournament championship, Revere faced a strong Stoneham team and came up short, falling 69-37. The Spartans’ size and scoring depth proved difficult to contain as the game wore on, despite early baskets from Dobre, Nunez, Albano and David. Stoneham extended its lead in the second and third quarters, while Revere continued to compete with contributions from Isaiah Llanos, Devin Berry, Omar Attabou and several younger players seeing extended minutes. Dobre was named Revere’s Holiday Tournament All-Star.

“That might be the best team we face all season long,” Leary said. “Our kids should be proud of the way they competed in this tournament. Hopefully this gives us a lift heading into the GBL part of the schedule.”

Revere was scheduled to host Chelsea on Tuesday night, Jan. 6, and will travel to Malden on Thursday, Jan. 8, at 7 p.m.