CHS Roundup
Boys basketball team opens with 74-34 win
Tuesday evening at the CHS gymnasium saw the Chelsea High boys basketball team make an impressive seasonal debut, routing Minuteman Regional Vocational School 74-34. The Red Devils’ dominance began early, establishing a 19-6 first-quarter lead that only expanded as the game progressed, reaching 41-15 by halftime.
Senior Angel Alvarez paced Chelsea’s offensive attack with 12 points, all generated from four three-pointers with three coming during the opening quarter. Chris Torrez contributed significantly in that opening frame as well, accounting for six of his eight total points. According to CHS head coach Jay Seigal, The duo’s combined 15 first-period points formed the foundation of Chelsea’s 19 opening-quarter output.
The Red Devil bench proved deep and productive. Double figures belonged to Steve Lacey with 11 points. Nine points went to Guillermo Zelata, eight to Ralphie Otero, seven to Elyas Ahdi, six to Balmeiro Daveiga, four to Mazsial Gratini, three apiece to Mohammed Ghell and Malik Bissett, and two to Jaime Celorio. Colby Molina and Jahro Marshal played well despite not scoring.
Seigal reflected on the outcome, stating that The coach credited their challenging preseason slate against opponents like Wakefield and Beverly with preparing them for this quick start.
Chelsea travels to Lynn Tech Friday before hosting Whittier Monday.
CHS tracks teams defeat Gr. Lawrence
Both Chelsea High indoor track teams—girls and boys—opened their campaigns successfully against Commonwealth Athletic Conference opponent Greater Lawrence.
The Lady Red Devils’ convincing 52-25 victory featured multiple first-place finishers: Junior Melanie Nguyen in the hurdles, Senior Captain Katherine Cabral in the 300, Freshman Jocelyn Poste in the 1000, Freshman Yarid Deras in the mile, Senior Jazmine Castellon in the shot put, and a dash tie between Senior Captain Mariama Kamara and Sophomore Martine Simon. The 4×400 relay team of Kamara, Simon, Poste, and Cabral also secured first place.
Additional scorers included Senior Captain Wendy Becerra finishing third in the 2-mile, Junior Diena Romero second in the hurdles, Sophomore Awa Bajinka second in the 600, Sophomore Keila DeLaCruz third in the 300, Senior Cynthia Guzman second in the mile, and Freshman Mariseh Ceesay earning second in shot put.
Head coach Mark Martineau expressed satisfaction with the opening, noting that He observed that Becerra faced unusually tough two-mile competition before Chelsea pulled away.
The team faced stiffer competition Wednesday at Greater Boston League rival Somerville against a talented Lady Highlander squad. The calendar concludes Sunday with Chelsea’s inaugural trip to the Reggie Lewis Center for the Winter Festival Meet.
The boys duplicated the girls’ success with a convincing 51-34 triumph. Junior Adriel Cedano recorded a double victory in the dash and high jump, while Junior Bryan Rivas won the hurdles, Senior Alezio DeSilva took the 300 (also finishing second in high jump), Senior Captain Jose Aguair captured the 600, and Senior Captain Luka Braga won shot put.
Supplementary point-getters for the Red Devils included Junior Nick Ieng with second in the dash, Senior Captain Johnny Gomez third in the 2-mile, Sophomore Alex Pedrero third in the hurdles, Junior Leonardo DeAlmedia second in the 300, Senior Sam Hernandez second in the 1000, and Sophomore Nelson Hernandez finishing second in shot put.
The 4×400 relay outcome proved different when DeAlmedia got clipped by a Greater Lawrence runner and fell.
Martineau offered his assessment: He acknowledged that while this squad lacks the size of previous teams, their toughness compensates, bolstered by football players who bring discipline and skill.
Yesterday’s Somerville trip offered the boys an early-season measuring stick against a consistently strong Division 1 track program.
noted Martineau. The Red Devils travel to Reggie Lewis in Boston to take part in the Winter Festival meet.
Bruins Beat by Bob Morello
Bruins with chance to move up
Despite Monday’s 3-2 overtime loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Garden ice, Boston’s effort was considered ‘positive’ by Head Coach Claude Julien, as the Bruins put forth a might effort, unloading 49 shots on Oilers goalie Cam Talbot. Further proof came when Julien summed it up nicely following the loss with, The single point earned proves crucial given only a four-point differential separating second through sixth in the Atlantic Division.
At press time Wednesday, Boston stood 6-1-3 across their last ten games entering a home-and-home series versus the Pittsburgh Penguins. Victories in both contests could propel the B’s into second place within their division, mathematically surpassing both Detroit and Ottawa while holding two games in hand. Conference-wise, they could climb from seventh to fifth position. The arithmetic offers genuine opportunity for positive advancement at this season’s juncture.
Pittsburgh operates without standout goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury due to reported concussion, while Kris Letang and Beau Bennett occupy injured reserve. Former Bruins coach Mike Sullivan now leads the Penguins, implementing adjustments aimed at reviving their high-powered offense. Their 3-4-3 ten-game record leaves them outside playoff contention in fifth place within the Metropolitan Division. Melrose, Massachusetts native Conor Sheary received a callup from the Pens’ American Hockey League affiliate Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, the 23-year-old forward having scored four goals across eight recent AHL contests.
Tomorrow night’s 7:00pm Penguins home start completes the back-to-back. Boston returns Sunday facing the New Jersey Devils (12/20) at the unusual 5:00pm puck drop, followed by a St. Louis Blues visit Tuesday (12/22 @ 7:00pm). Boston fans likely appreciate Montreal’s situation—without All-Star Carey Price, the Habs have dropped five of their last six, allowing the Washington Capitals to seize the Eastern Conference’s top spot. This underscores the winter classic game’s importance when boston-montreal meet on New Year’s Day.
The injury report expanded when Zac Rinaldo landed on injured reserve Tuesday for an upper body injury, joining Joonas Kemppainen (undisclosed), David Pastrnak (foot, nearing return), and Chris Kelly (leg). General Manager Don Sweeney recalled 22-year-old forward Alex Khokhlachev from Providence yesterday, the same player previously summoned November 3rd for two prior NHL appearances.
A recent conversation with legendary goalie Gerry Cheevers at The Sports Museum’s The Tradition proved delightful, revealing the Hall of Famer’s unchanged quick wit and humor from his dozen Bruins seasons spanning the 1960s and ’70s, when he helped capture Stanley Cups in 1970 and 1972. Cheevers currently resides in Florida.