~ RHS Patriots Sports Roundup ~

Revere boys hoops falls to Classical

By Dom Nicastro

Revere fell to 4-6 after a 61-57 loss to Lynn Classical in a Greater Boston League matchup last week. Lynn Classical took an 11-7 lead after the first quarter. Senior tri-captain Ethan Day (12 points, five rebounds in the game), junior forward Zaney Kayembe (four points, four rebounds) and freshman Charles Dobre (15 points, six rebounds) each scored in the quarter.

Lynn Classical controlled the second quarter, especially on the offensive boards. Senior forward Gio Alexandre had a nice basket plus the foul. Day chipped in another basket and a pair of free throws. Kayembe added a putback, and Dobre hit a corner three-pointer, but the Patriots trailed, 31-19, at halftime.

The third quarter was much better for Revere on defense and on the boards. Senior forward Erick Mayorga (nine points, four rebounds) made a three-pointer from the top and had a nice finish on the break. Dobre had two athletic finishes on the fast break as well, and he drained a corner three. Revere won the quarter by five points and trailed, 42-35, heading into the final quarter.

The fourth quarter was up-tempo and back and forth. Day, Mayorga and Dobre each had baskets, and senior tri-captain Avi Lung (16 points, three steals) had 12 points in the quarter, including a three-pointer and three free throws after being fouled shooting a three. This cut the Classical lead to 57-54 with 3:38 to go. Unfortunately, that was as close as the Patriots could get, and the Rams made all but one free throw down the stretch to hang on for a 61-57 win.

“Lynn Classical was dominating on the offensive boards in the first half, and that really put us behind in this one,” Revere coach David Leary said. “We battled back and showed some flashes, but we have to play more consistently the entire game in order to win games. Just need to keep grinding.”

The loss drops Revere to a 4-6 record on the season. It was scheduled to host Medford on Tuesday night, Jan. 21, at 7 p.m. (after press deadline) and then will travel to Malden on Saturday afternoon, Jan. 25, for a 1 p.m. start.

Revere players look for progress on Everett boys hockey

Frank Annunziata and Christopher Argueta have represented Revere on the Everett boys hockey team, a cooperative program featuring Everett, Malden, Mystic Valley and Revere.

Annunziata is a senior captain. This year his role is a bit more important not only for him but for his team – being one of the only older players. He said he can relate to the younger ones because it feels like yesterday he was in their shoes.

“I know how to make them comfortable with playing with kids much older than them,” Annunziata said.

The team has just one win this season: a 6-1 win over East Boston. The team has lost three straight and was 1-11-0 heading into this week.

“We definitely have had a rough start to the year with everyone being so young but when we are doing well out there it’s the structures that we practice every day,” Annunziata said. “And when we run our plays they work very well, and that is something we work hard for. We definitely have things to work on, and we have the chance to realize that after every game. We know we have to work on moving the puck better in the offensive zone. And we just have to be more of a physical team overall.”

Annunziata this year has 11 points: five goals and six assists. He has been on defense for the first time in a while and has had more opportunities to move the puck to teammates.

As for his Revere teammate, Annunziata said, “Chris is doing good for his role on the team. He’s been up and down the lines, and with his first varsity year it’s a new experience for him, but he has definitely handled it well.”