* One of the most pleasant
surprises of the high school hockey season thus far this year is the
Pope Francis High School Hockey Team. Having lost many of their
star players through graduation and leaving for high level Junior or Prep play,
in honesty, not much was expected. Yet here today, they sit ranked #1
in Division 1 Massachusetts High School Hockey, with an outstanding 9-0-1
record. When they go out on the ice, you can sense excitement and high energy.
They don't lumber out on the ice like many teams do...they CHARGE out
there!
Team play is definitely evident, but a leader on
the team is Senior Captain Cam
Peritz. A recent MassLive Athlete of the Week, he is
also currently ranked #1 in the Western Mass Player of the Year Watch. After 5
points yesterday and today's game he should be solidly ranked #1 in points in
Division I Mass. HS Hockey.
#4 Cam Peritz In 7-0 Win
Today
Pope Francis v. Barnstable
High
* Frank
Vatrano is hitting stride with the Boston Bruins after
coming back from a pre-season injury. He has played in 12 games so far and has
scored 3 goals and has 3 assists for 6 points. Not bad! Most importantly you can
see his constant improvement in returning from the injury, not easy to do. He
has been playing in the 2nd line for the Bruins as they battle for a play-off
spot in the NHL.
* Longmeadow High
Hockey has earned a #1 ranking in Western Mass Division III
Hockey with an 8-0-1 record. Their leading point getter is
Spencer Robbins with 16 Goals
and 17 Assists for 33 points in 9 games...pretty outstanding. Spencer is ranked
#2 in Massachusetts Division III Hockey for points.
* An unbelievable achievement for
UConn Women's
Basketball in breaking their own record with now 91 wins
in a row and counting. UConn is ranked #1 in the nation. They have won 11 NCAA
Titles, including the last 4 in a row. They have had 6 undefeated
seasons. Coach Geno
Auriemma is not only the best coach in women's college
basketball history, but may very well be the best coach ever in sports, ANY
sport! Not only does he win, but gets / develops the best players..and turns
out fine young women.
Whether they win by 2 points or 50, I love watching
them play. The reason? They play excellent basketball in every facet of the
game...nearly perfect. Frankly, I get tired of watching many men's games where a
fancy point guard dribbles all over the place, self impressed, with no teamwork.
You NEVER see that with UConn, ALL players are involved, at times the ball never
hits the floor with their passes. Men's teams, at every level of basketball,
could learn from watching UConn Women play. Famous UCLA Coach John Wooden said
"The best basketball in America is being played in the women's game." UConn
Women exemplify that.
* How about the New
England Patriots? They certainly have a chance to go all
the way this year. They have a chance for a few good reasons. First, they have a
good all around team. Second, they seem well prepared and outsmart other teams.
Third, they have Julian Edelman
who somehow, some way, gets free and makes some amazing catches at critical
times. And finally, most importantly, they have Tom
Brady, who could very well be the best ever. The Houston
Texans played some very tough defense against Brady and roughed him up a
bit...but somehow he was able to get some key passes off for completion at
critical times. Don't bet against the Patriots and Brady!
Alfredo DiLascia
Image News Service
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