STOUGHTON – It’s onerous to examine the place the state of Massachusetts hoops could be with out Wally Seaver.
Seaver handed away in 2013 following a brave battle with ALS. Since that day, his son Paul, his household, and the state’s basketball group have made it a mission to honor his reminiscence with a event, one which has continued to increase in participation with every passing summer season. On Sunday, the 14th annual Wally Seaver Excessive Faculty Invitational commenced, with among the high groups in New England participating.
“I believe we began with 16 groups,” stated event assistant Greg Lewis. “Right now, we had 134. Additionally this 12 months, Paul added a event up north at St. John’s Prep in Danvers. There have been 30 groups there, in order that brings the whole to over 160 groups complete that have been going to have the ability to donate some cash towards an excellent trigger.”
Along with the newly-added event location on the Catholic Convention establishment, the showcase continued to host occasions on the Dana Barros Basketball Membership in Stoughton, in addition to the Mass Premier Courts in Foxboro.
Through the title video games, just a few acquainted colleges shined, whereas another New England heavyweights had the possibility to make a press release. Through the ladies’ finals in Stoughton, St. Mary’s (Lynn) was in a position to seize the Purple divisional crown, topping Bishop Fenwick in a contested 55-47 battle.
Whereas the Spartans have misplaced numerous key items, you possibly can nonetheless count on them to compete this winter with incoming freshman Sysy Emmanuel. The purpose guard stays assured, as just a few of her closest classmates will likely be becoming a member of her within the endeavor.
“All of our starters left,” laughed Emmanuel. “(The problem) feels fairly good. We will (nonetheless) win all of it this 12 months if we wish.”
Within the Pink divisional title conflict, Bedford (NH) was in a position to proceed its reign, defeating a Massachusetts ladies hoops powerhouse in Foxboro with a convincing 54-28 win.
The Bulldogs have gained 49 straight video games in NHIAA play, with two state championships.
In the event you’re questioning, you may simply see this workforce once more, and actual quickly.
“We’ve arrange one other powerful schedule this 12 months,” stated Bedford coach Kevin Gibbs. “We’re going to play Bishop Feehan and Wachusett as common season video games. We’re taking part in Medfield in a Christmas event. We’re taking part in Sacred Coronary heart, who gained the Class I-AA (title) in Connecticut final 12 months, in a Christmas Event. We’re taking part in Burlington (VT), who gained the Vermont Div. 1 (crown) final 12 months. We’re going to play the opposite (NH) state finalist, Londonderry, twice this 12 months. We’re going to play Pinkerton once more, who we performed within the earlier 12 months’s state last, home-and-home. … My aim is all the time to make this as difficult of a scenario as attainable, in order that once they play the harder video games in-state, it’s not as large of a deal.”
Within the boys’ title video games, Abington relied on its main stars for capturing, with Kingston Maxwell and Tyler Staiti pacing the Inexperienced Wave to a 73-57 win over Lowell Catholic within the Navy divisional last.
In the meantime, senior Justin Grimaldi erupted offensively within the Crimson Division last, as Oliver Ames returned to the forefront with a dramatic 62-56 win over Exeter (NH).
This 12 months, the Wally Seaver Excessive Faculty Invitational partnered with the Peter Frates ALS Basis, with event proceeds benefiting the trigger.
Paul and his spouse, Whitney Howe-Seaver, have been trying to create one thing Wally could be actually pleased with each single day. Because the continues to achieve momentum, one must think about that just a few extra packages could possibly be becoming a member of briefly order.
“I believe the truth that they’ll proceed to hold on his legacy, although these highschool youngsters don’t actually have any thought who he was, what he did, performed in opposition to him or performed with him, is only a testomony to the event itself,” Howe-Seaver stated afterward. “The status that it carries, and the popularity that it carries (is why) it might probably proceed to develop, and even thrive in its 14th 12 months.”
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