CHS Roundup
Red Devils beat Revere to qualify for state tourney
The Chelsea High boys basketball team qualified for the post-season state tournament with a gritty 47-43 triumph at Revere last Wednesday evening. The victory spoiled Senior Night festivities for the Patriots and also earned the Red Devils a measure of revenge in the Battle of Broadway II after Revere had defeated Chelsea in their first meeting earlier this season.
The contest was a nip-and-tuck affair all the way, but superior Chelsea free throw shooting down the stretch (Revere was just 2-for-9 from the line on the night) provided the Red Devils with the margin of victory.
Chelsea was leading 45-43 with 2.1 seconds on the clock with Jahro Marshall at the line. Although Jahro missed his FT attempt, he front-rimmed the shot and the ball came straight back toward him. The alert Marshall grabbed the rebound and then slammed it home — the second dunk of the season for the 6’-5” CHS pivotman — to put a true exclamation point on the Red Devil victory, much to the delight of the CHS partisans who made the short trek down Broadway.
“Our defense kept us in the game in the first half, because we came out cold offensively to start the game,” said CHS head coach Jay Seigal, referring to Revere’s 18-17 lead at the intermission. “But we picked up the pace in the second half and earned a tough win in their gym.”
The contest was streamed live by Revere’s local cable TV station, allowing RHS alumni — including Seigal’s son, Jason, who played for Revere for four years and who presently is attending Villanova University — to watch the game.
Chelsea’s next two contests proved to be heartbreaking defeats in the closing seconds against two of the top teams in the Commonwealth Athletic Conference
In a 59-57 loss to Mystic Valley, the Red Devils came out as flat as the proverbial pancake in the opening half and trailed 42-23 at halftime. “I told the team at the break that there was nothing I had to say to them, because they were playing with no energy or enthusiasm,” said Seigal, who then promptly left the locker room.
Inspired by their coach’s simple but effective admonishment, the Red Devils came out on fire after the intermission, cutting the deficit to just four points at the third buzzer and then moving out to as much as a five-point lead with three minutes to go.
However, some costly turnovers and clutch shooting by Mystic Valley left the Red Devils clinging to a one-point lead, 57-56, with two seconds remaining and an MV shooter at the free throw line.
The Mystic Valley player made his first attempt, but missed his second. However, an MV player grabbed the rebound and put it back in with a shot at the buzzer for the 59-57 finale.
Monday’s contest against a 17-2 Greater Lowell squad, which had defeated Chelsea in their first meeting this season, saw the Red Devils explode to an 18-2 lead in the game’s opening minutes.
Chelsea maintained a lead in the range of 9-11 points throughout the game until with about three minutes to play and the Devils up by nine, Greater Lowell forged a comeback that eventually culminated with the game-winning basket with seven seconds to go.
“We played hard and gave it our all in both games,” said Seigal. “Unfortunately, we made some unforced errors in the final minutes and allowed both Mystic Valley and Greater Lowell to escape with victories.”
Chris Torrez hit for 17 points in the Mystic Valley contest and the trio of Torrez, Steve Lacey, and Marshall struck for 14 apiece against Greater Lowell.
Seigal and his crew, who now are 10-8 on the season, will wrap up their 2016 campaign tonight (Thursday) against Melrose at the local gym that will be highlighted by Senior Night festivities. They will travel to Greater Lawrence Monday and then will await word of their seeding and first round pairing in the state tourney.
Bruins Beat by Bob Morello
Bruins make their point
It wasn’t pretty, that’s for sure, but the Bruins were happy on Tuesday to take the two points they earned on the road against the lowly Columbus Blue Jackets. The team struggled to post the second point of the night, but picked up the win on a goal by Loui Eriksson, just 33 seconds into the overtime on a feed from Torey Krug. Eriksson has now scored a goal in each of the four games to begin this six game road trip. The return of Patrice Bergeron from a two-game absence, and Adam McQuaid’s 18-game injury status, proved positive.
McQuaid performed capably in just under 15-minutes of ice time, while Bergeron scored an unassisted goal in the first period to tie the game, his 22nd goal of the season, and his 228th of his career, which ties him with Aubrey “Dit” Clapper, Bruins Hall of Famer for 12th on most goals in Bruins franchise history. Clapper’s #5 banner hangs in the Garden rafters, following a 20-year NHL career (1927-47), with 14 years as Bruins captain, and the only Bruins to play on three championship Boston teams – 1929, 1939 and 1941. Bruins legend Milt Schmidt (11th) is one goal ahead of Bergeron, and two behind, to tie former Bruin Don Marcotte (10th) spot.
After having been pulled twice in his previous three starts, Tuukka Rask was solid in the Boston net, stopping 28 of 29 Columbus shots. The only puck to get past Rask came on a penalty shot awarded to Columbus’ Alexander Wennberg, on a Zdeno Chara penalty. Brad Marchand was held scoreless by the Blue Jackets, ending his run of 13 goals in 13 games, during which he earned the NHL “Third Star of the Week.”
The success of the Bruins on the road will be severely tested with the two games remaining on their six-game road trip. Tonight’s (Thursday) opposition will be the Nashville Predators who are currently tied in points with the Colorado Avalanche for the eighth and final spot in the Western Conference. Things don’t get any easier for Boston, as they will be hosted on Saturday (2/20 at 8:00pm), by the Western conference leading Dallas Stars. The Stars at press time hold the second best record in the NHL, behind the Washington Capitals. The B’s return to Garden ice on Monday (2/22 at 7:00pm) to face the Blue Jackets, and also host the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday (2/24 at 7:30pm).
The month of February has the Boston Bruins teaming up with Freihofer’s and Cradles to Crayons throughout the month of February to present the ninth Annual “PJ Drive” to benefit Massachusetts’ underprivileged youth. The PJ Drive provides new, unused pajamas to children in need across Massachusetts; Bruins Captain Zdeno Chara will lead this year’s PJ Drive for the second time. Over 75,000 Massachusetts children have received PJ’s through the Bruins PJ drive over the past eight years.
Also on the social calendar is the Boston Bruins Fashion Power Play, to be held at Copley Place Center Court (100 Huntington Ave., Boston) on Tuesday, February 23. Fans can join the Boston Bruins Foundation at the 2nd Annual Fashion Power Play, a special evening of fashion fueled fundraising. Wives and girlfriends of current Boston Bruins players, as well as professional models, will model spring fashions from Neiman Marcus. Attendees will be able to enjoy complimentary cocktails and culinary delights from some of Boston’s best restaurants, as well as a silent auction featuring exclusive Bruins memorabilia. All proceeds to benefit The Boston Bruins Foundation and the Friends of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Ticket costs are $175 VIP seating and $100 General seating, and can be purchased at bostonbruins.com/fashionshow.
Jordan Boys & Girls Club News
Congratulations to January’s Members of the Month for ages 6-12: Julian Vega, Thalia Casado, and Allison Paz. Thank you for being great role models through your participation, positive attitude, and friendly nature at the Jordan Club.
SCHEDULE CHANGES: For February school vacation week, the Club will be open from 9am-4pm for all ages on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday only (Feb. 16-18). Keystone is running a fundraiser the same week, and members who register for extended hours can stay at the Club from 4:00-6:00pm on the same Tues, Wed, Thurs Feb. 16-18. You must register for this by Friday, Feb. 11th. See the front desk or Meg to sign up.
The Club will be closed on Monday, Feb. 15th for President’s Day and the Club is also closed on Friday, Feb. 19th for a mandatory all-day staff training in Boston. On March 25, there is no school for CPS, so we will be open from 9am-4pm only. For April 12th, there is a half day for CPS (grades 1-8), so the Jordan Club’s hours will be 12-6pm. For April school vacation, we are closed on Monday, April 18th for Presidents’ Day, then open Tuesday-Friday (April 19-22) from 9am-4pm.
SATURDAY CLUB: Saturday Club is back! Teen Dodgeball league starts later this month, so see Bri to sign up. Games will take place on Saturday mornings. All members, ages 8-18, can attend Saturday Club: It is a drop in time with special activities that run from 10am-1:30pm. Here is what JP has planned for this month of Saturdays; David has activities every week too. Stop in this week to check it out!
10:00am Open Gamesroom
10:30am Phovid Studio
11:30am Games Upstairs
12:30am Tournaments
NEW BOYS & GIRLS CLUB APPLICATION: The Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston, of which the Jordan Club is a part of, has a new Club application, and we’ve been asked to have every Club member complete this new form this year. If you haven’t already completed this form this school year, you may be receiving an email or phone call to ask you to complete this form as soon as possible. Thanks for your help!
CLUB T-SHIRTS: The Keystone Club is trying to raise funds to attend the National Keystone Conference in Texas this March. They are selling adult and children sizes of Club t-shirts through this Friday, February 11th. Place your order today through the front desk or any Keystoner or Keystone Advisor. Deadline is this for your order.
CLUB FUNDRAISER: The next fundraiser the Jordan Club has is one that we collaborate with the Chelsea Police: Our Annual Chelsea Chase 5k takes place on Saturday, May 7th (the day before Mother’s Day). And though it is far off, we already beginning to plan: We need help with sponsors- If you know any company or individual who would like to support this event, for $100 or more, let us know. We also try to collect great raffle prizes, so if you can donate or have a contact that can donate a gift card, passes to the movies/museums/etc., sports tickets, etc., we thank you for your help. And we needs LOTS of volunteers to help along the race route, to make sure runners (including many of our Club members) travel the route safely. If you have an idea for donation or would like to volunteer, or have a contact that may be interested in donating, give Lisa a call at the Club at 617-884-9435 or email. Every dollar and hour given helps the Club. If you would like to add your email to the mailing list, send to Lisa at [email protected]