BOYS BASKETBALL 2009-2010  

      Head Coach: Tom Grassa  

Assistant Coaches : Ken Turner, Steve Brown, and Jeff Byrd

 Boys Set for Playoffs on Tuesday

In Division 2 Classical earned the eighth seed and will play host to Woburn on Tuesday, 2/23 at 7 pm.
"There is a lot of parity from 1-to-16 this year Division 2," Rams coach Tom Grassa said. "It's not like in years past when you had a team like Charlestown who was so loaded that the only question is who will lose to them in the final."
The Rams will face a formidable opponent in center Nick Lund, who stands 6-7.
"I've seen (Woburn) play a couple of times," said Grassa. "It should be a very tough game."

CONGRATULATIONS TO JASPER GRASSA FOR BEING NAMED THE NEC BOYS MOST VALUABLE PLAYER(MVP).  ARIEL LIGONDE AND TONY WONDE WERE ALSO NAMED TO THE ALL-STAR TEAM. (Jasper led all with 26 points in the All-Star game.)

Ryan Woumn of English takes a foul shot with teammate Jarell Byrd (5) standing behind him at English on Tuesday. (ITEM PHOTO / PAULA MULLER) English boys turn in clutch run to top Classical By Matthew Roy / For The Item, February 17, 2010 LYNN -- Not even Mother Nature could keep the basketball diehards out of the Paul F. Cavanagh Field House at Lynn English on Tuesday as the Bulldogs went in search of a second straight unbeaten Northeastern Conference record. Standing in their way, however, was a Lynn Classical team that was not ready to let its rivals get there easily. And for the fans who braved the ugly weather, the show was worth the hazardous trip. There were rim-rattling dunks, plenty of emotion and what turned into one of the best games of the season. The Rams were more than game, but it was English who turned in a clutch run in the final minutes to finally pull away en route to an 80-78 win. "You wouldn't expect anything else when English and Classical suit up," Bulldogs coach Buzzy Barton said. "It's always a dogfight and fortunately we were able to get out with the win." The Bulldogs (19-1) got a typical game from Ryan Woumn, who finished with 21, but it was the rest of the supporting cast that came through in the clutch for English. Travonne Berry-Rogers had 20 and Keandre Stanton added 14 but perhaps the biggest contributions came from Jordan Rogers, who scored half of his 12 points in the fourth quarter. "Jordan really came up big," Barton said. "He's been playing good since we've started him the last three games. He did a great job on the boards." English also did a fantastic job of holding NEC North MVP Jasper Grassa in check all night. Grassa was constantly hounded by two or three white shirts at a time and finished with a very quiet 12 points. "I told him (Jasper) that we've played 24 games every year for the last four years and that's the first time I've seen him struggle from the field," Classical coach Tom Grassa said. "But we got a great game from a lot of other people." Tony Wonde had 19 to lead the Rams while Josh Cheever was immense, finishing with 17 points and 13 rebounds. Nick Grassa added 12, including three huge 3-pointers in the fourth quarter when the Rams made a run to try to go ahead. "Cheever really had a great game for them and there's not a lot you can do when they start hitting shots like they did," Barton said. "I think some of them came from Classical High." English had attempted to run the Rams out of the building in the first half, but Classical fought back to trail by only two (37-35) at halftime. The Bulldogs extended the lead to four after three quarters and made it an eight-point game early in the fourth when Rogers rattled off four straight points. When Jarell Byrd scored on a layup to make it 64-53 with just under seven minutes to go, it looked like English had finally assumed control. The Rams, however, stormed back in a hurry. Nick Grassa hit a pair of threes and Jasper Grassa added a third as a part of a 10-2 run in two minutes that cut the gap to 65-64 with 5:29 to go. Stanton followed with a jumper before the younger Grassa got his team all the way back, tying the game at 67 with a deep three from the left wing. Berry-Rogers put English back in front for good when he buried a trey of his own and when Woumn followed with his lone triple of the night, English led 75-68 with 3:00 remaining. Jasper Grassa cut the lead back to five before Rogers and Stanton completed a 12-3 run that upped the lead to nine (79-70) with 1:50 remaining and allow English fans to finally breathe easy. "I couldn't be prouder of these kids," Barton said. "To go unbeaten in this league says something in itself and to be 19-1 is great too."

Jaspere Grassa scored 26 points as Classical defeated Revere. ITEM FILE PHOTO

 Item Roundup

Classical boys hoop stages late surge to pull away

He finished with 12 points. Tony Wonde also finished with 12 points.

Trey and Will Weathers were the only Patriots to finish in double figures.

Trey scored 12 points, while Will finished with 10.

 Varsity Roster

Season to Date Statistics thru 16 Games

Boys Basketball: Salem outlasts Classical, 77-76

By Jerry DiStefano / For The Item

 

Classical's Ariel Ligonde looks to shoot past Everett's Rodman Noel in Lynn on Sunday. Ligonde scored 21 points in a 58-47 Rams win. (ITEM PHOTO / REBA M. SALDANHA)

Mini-run makes major difference for Classical boys hoop in win

 

By Jonathan Weiner / For The Item

LYNN -- With his club clinging to a 24-20 halftime edge over visiting Everett, Classical hoop coach Tom Grassa wanted to tell his squad to take it easy with the shot selection once the second half began. The team had connected on four three-pointers in the first half, but Grassa wanted his players to slow the game down somewhat. He was talked out of it by assistant Kenny Turner, who advised Grassa that a shooter's best shot is his next one.

That move paid off for the Rams (13-6), as they netted the first 11 points of the third (all within the first 90 seconds, including a trio of three-pointers), and Classical never looked back in a 58-47 win over the Crimson Tide yesterday at Classical High.

Forward Tony Wonde got things started for the Rams, connecting on a three from deep on the left side for a 27-20 Classical edge. After a failed Everett possession, guard Jasper Grassa (11 assists) fired a court-long pass to teammate Ariel Ligonde (a game-high 21 points), who was standing right underneath the Crimson Tide bucket. His layup improved the margin to 29-20. The younger Grassa, guard Nick, then connected on a pair of three-pointers (he had five in the game) of his own to open up a 35-20 Rams lead only 90 seconds into the period.

"That little mini-run was the difference right there," stated the coach. "We shot 33 percent with the threes (8-for-24), which is very good for high school. And it's a good win over a good team."

Everett cut the deficit to eight (37-29) with 3:30 to go in the quarter, knocking down a 14-point Classical lead almost in half. Yet the Rams netted the last eight points of the quarter, including six by Ligonde, for a 45-29 lead entering the final stanza. The lead grew to as much as 18 in the fourth.

Classical -- which had defeated Everett (6-9) three weeks ago, despite not getting the lead until less than a minute remaining in regulation -- actually took advantage over the Crimson Tide in the second period. Everett guard Daquan Lee drilled a three-pointer from the right side with 5:10 left in the half to tie the game at 19. From that point on, both teams were ice cold from both the floor and the line (the Crimson Tide were 14-for-31 from the free throw line throughout the contest). Neither team could collect an offensive rebound, and no field goals were made for almost three minutes (it took Everett close to seven minutes before it hit its next one).

Nick Grassa (17 points) broke the logjam with a three-pointer from the far left side to give the Rams a 22-19 lead. Moments later, he would fire a baseball pass in the direction of Ligonde, whose layup increased the lead to 24-19. Everett's Erno Deshommes hit a free throw with 21.3 seconds to go in the half, which would be the Crimson Tide's only point for seven minutes (last five of the first half, first two of the second).

Coach Grassa had much to be impressed by in the win.

"We don't usually ask Tony Wonde to rebound for us, but he had 10 (four defensive, four offensive), and that's coming against a team that's terrific in rebounding," Grassa said. "Wally Abraham also gave us a nice spark with his rebounding (four offensive, one defensive)."

Everett, which has dropped four in a row and seven of its last eight, was led in scoring by forward Rodman Noel with 19.

Big GAME, Big Score vs Peabody - Click here for story and photos

 

Grassa's 34 points propels Classical in win over Beverly

By Matthew Roy / For The Item

Not many teams have been playing better basketball lately than the Lynn Classical boys and not many players have been as hot as Jasper Grassa recently.

On Friday at Classical, the Rams and their senior point guard remained hot as Grassa's 34 points helped lead the way to a 77-60 win over Beverly in a game that wasn't nearly that close.

"Jasper has been playing pretty well lately," Classical coach Tom Grassa said. "And we've been getting good contributions from our bench and the other guys as well."

Classical (12-6) led 25-15 after one quarter and by 19 (46-27) at the half. They pushed the lead to 24 after three quarters before calling off the dogs in the fourth period.

Nick Grassa added 15 for the Rams while Ariel Ligonde had 12 points and 10 rebounds. Josh Imadiyi also had 10 rebounds to go with his five points.

"We've been getting close to having five people cash in on the action lately," Grassa said.

Curtis Manuel led the Panthers with 13 point

 

 

Big Second half Propels Classical past Saugus

By Matthew Roy /For The Item

The Lynn Classical boys basketball team found itself trailing 37-32 at the half on Friday at Saugus .

The Rams then proceeded to explode for 48 second half points and wound up needing almost every one of them to hold off the pesky Sachems, 80-72, and move within a victory of clinching a tournament berth.

"We were able to make some offensive adjustments at the half," Classical coach Tom Grassa said.

"We found our touch."

The Rams (10-6) had their hands full on Friday thanks to Saugus ' Brian Boyajian, who finished with a game high 26 points.

Classical, though, put five players in double figures and had three of them finish the night with double-doubles.

Jasper Grassa led the Classical charge with 22 points and 14 assists. Younger brother Nick added 16 of this 21 points in the second half. Ariel Ligonde finished with 12 points while Josh Cheever and Josh Imadiyi each had 10.

"We were keying on Boyajian," Grassa said. "And he still was able to hit his shots."

Saugus jumped out to a 15-13 lead after one quarter and extended the lead to five at the break. The Rams clawed back to take a two point lead (54-52) after three quarters before Ligonde's three critical baskets in the fourth quarter helped push the Rams over the top.

Boys BB Walks Through Gloucester

At Classical, Ariel Ligonde had 14 points while Jasper and Nick Grassa each added 12 as the Rams (9-6) cruised to a comfortable win.

Classical led by five after one quarter before scoring 28 in the second to bust the game open. Shaddai Pena added 11 points for the Rams. Adam Philpott led Gloucester with 15.
 

 

St John's Outlasts Boys Team

Overcoming a 43-36 Lynn Classical halftime lead, the St. John's Prep boys basketball team outlasted the Rams for a 93-80 win at Classical on Sunday.

"In the first half, we played very well," Rams coach Tom Grassa said. "We didn't do a good job on defense in the second half."

The undefeated Eagles (13-0) outscored the Rams (8-6) in the second half, 57-37.

"Offensively, we had two nearly 40-point halves," Grassa said. However, he added, "To give up 57 points in the second half is unacceptable at any level."

"They really outplayed us in the first half," Eagles coach Sean Connolly said. "They jumped on us early. We did a better job on defense in the second half."

Jasper Grassa led the Rams with 30 points. The Rams' 6-2 center, Josh Cheever, had 16 points and 23 rebounds (16 defensive).

"He's just a wide body," Coach Grassa said. "He's built like Charles Barkley."

The coach praised the Eagles, who posted their second victory over the Rams this season.

"That St. John's Prep team is an excellent team," Grassa said. "They're 13-0 for a reason."

Pat Connaughton led St. John's with 26 points. Mike Carbone and James Doherty followed with 17 and 14, respectively.

Classical 72, Danvers 54

At Danvers, the Rams (8-5) tuned up for Sunday's showdown with unbeaten St. John's by taking care of business against the Falcons on the road.

Jasper Grassa had 19 points and 10 assists to lead the Classical charge. Josh Cheever had 11 rebounds to help the Rams dominate the glass.

Classical led 41-23 at the half and pulled away from there.

Classical's Ariel Ligonde and Josh Imadiyi play defense against English's Jordan Rogers at Classical on Tuesday. (ITEM PHOTO / REBA M. SALDANHA) English boys hoop holds off Rams charge By Steve Krause / The Daily Item, January 19, 2010 LYNN -- There aren't any certainties when English and Classical play each other in basketball, except this: Records don't matter. The game will generally be a war. "I don't know what it is," said English coach Buzzy Barton after Tuesday's 91-84 win over the Rams. "Whenever we play, no one can put the other team away early. You never feel safe. Someone always comes back and makes it a war." Thus, Barton -- and the Bulldogs -- couldn't really feel safe over having a 15-point lead (47-32) at the break. Nor could they feel safe after three quarters, by which time Classical had chopped six points off the edge to make it a nine-point game. And they certainly had to feel even some more uncertainty in the final quarter as Classical -- twice -- actually took the lead. But in the end, English gave Classical too much Ryan Woumn. The smooth senior guard led all scorers with 32 points, including five crucial foul shots down the stretch, to help hold the charging Rams at bay. "Ryan Woumn," said Barton, "knows how to win basketball games." The loss left Classical coach Tom Grassa in a mixed state of mind. He'd have rather won, but he was happy with the way his team played. "It was a much better effort than the last time we played them (in the Boverini Tournament)," Grassa said. "It was a good game." Classical, which defeated Winthrop and Everett last week, couldn't quite pull off another stunner. Still, Jasper Grassa, held to two points in the first 16 minutes, finished with 24 His brother, Nick, turned bombardier for the evening, sinking four three-pointers en route to a 21-point night. "His last game (against Everett), Nick started hitting them more consistently," said Barton, "so we weren't surprised." After getting off to a 12-2 start, and threatening to run the Rams out of their own gym, English couldn't really ever put Classical away. By the end of the quarter, it was still a 10-point deficit (26-16), but that was because of a closing 7-0 run after Classical had whittled it down to three (19-16). It was basically that way all evening. English would go up, Classical would creep back. A crucial spot in the game occurred late in the second quarter, when Classical seemed poised to get the lead back under 10 after falling behind by 13 (40-27). Instead, Jarell Byrd (who had 13 first-half points, and 17 for the game -- many of them on thunderous dunks) led an English resurgence to get the lead back up to 15 (47-32) at the break. Jasper Grassa heated up in the third quarter, and Classical started its comeback toward making this a game. And after three, it was 66-57. A 10-4 run to open the fourth quarter made it a three-point game (70-67) and, with 3:43 to go, a Nick Grassa bucket put Classical ahead (75-74). After Jordan Rogers (a strong eight points) gave English the lead back, Jasper Grassa hit two free throws to make it 77-76, Classical, with 3:12 left. But that was the last time Classical had the lead. Paradise Hogan slithered between two Classical defenders to sink a two, and was followed, in quick succession, by Woumn and Jordan Rogers, who did the same thing. Ariel Ligonde (18 points) got the lead back down to three with a basket, and, after a Byrd bucket, Josh Cheever (eight points) scored another hoop to make it 84-81. From there, Woumn took care of the free-throw shooting, and kept Classical at arm's length. "We've had four, five games out of seven," Tom Grassa said, "where Ariel has scored in double figures. He's really come on for us." Travonne Berry-Rogers finished with 15 points for the Bulldogs, who move to 10-0. Tony Wonde chipped in with 10 for Classical.

 

Classical guard Carlo Buono hit three consecutive three-pointers in the second quarter against Everett on Sunday. (ITEM FILE PHOTO)

Classical boys hoop prevails over Everett in OT

By Jonathan Weiner / For The Item

EVERETT -- Trailing by as many as 14 points on two different occasions and playing from behind virtually the entire game, the Classical boys hoop squad battled back to offset a tough Everett team on its own home court yesterday, 73-68, in overtime at Everett High.

The Rams (8-4) were behind 62-58 with just 1:20 to go in regulation after a pair of free throws by guard Daquan Lee, but guard Nick Grassa (game-high 18 points) drilled a three-pointer just 10 seconds later to bring Classical to within 62-61. Josh Imadiyi then stole a Crimson Tide pass, and fed Grassa for another three, which put the Rams ahead for the first time (64-62) with 55 seconds remaining.

Yet Everett deadlocked the game with 24.6 seconds left. Classical had a chance to win the game in regulation, yet missed with a three.

Classical took advantage once the extra period began. Grassa connected almost immediately with another three-pointer (his fourth of the contest), and after a stalled Everett possession, Ariel Ligonde (17) scored underneath to open a 69-64 advantage. Both teams traded baskets, before forward Jasper Grassa iced the game with a pair of free throws with 9.6 seconds left.

"It's a solid win over a quality team," said Rams coach Tom Grassa, whose team will host the Crimson Tide on Feb. 7. "It was just a great effort by everyone, as we got a lot of mileage from so many players. Nick was solid with the threes, and Josh Imadiyi altered a lot of shots."

Everett opened a four-point lead (52-48) with 4:01 remaining, but back-to-back hoops by Ligonde evened the score. Yet Classical was assessed with a technical right after the tying hoop, and Everett 's Kenny Calaj made the free throw. Teammate Matt Costello extended the margin to four (56-52) by hitting a three-pointer. The Rams trailed by as many as five (60-55) with 2:40 remaining before beginning their comeback.

Everett (5-3) held a 31-25 halftime edge, but Jasper Grassa hit a three right after the second half started to bring the Rams to within 31-28. The Crimson Tide came up short on their next possession, and Ligonde was fouled on his drive to the hoop. He made the free throw to tie the score at 31. However, the hosts netted the next 11 points to widen the lead to 42-31, as Classical not only missed several shots, but came up empty on the offensive boards. Costello connected on a pair of hoops (a three and the conventional kind) right after the Rams tied the game during that span.

Classical was still down by 10 (45-35) late in the quarter, yet baskets by Shaddai Pena and Jasper Grassa brought the Rams to within 45-39 going into the final period.

The Rams were victimized by a 10-0 Everett spurt, which encompassed the end of the opening quarter, and the beginning of the second, as the Crimson Tide raced to a 20-6 edge. Everett held a 24-12 lead midway through the second, yet guard Carlo Buono almost singlehandedly brought the Rams back. He connected on a trio of three-pointers to close the gap to 26-21. Nick Grassa added a hoop to bring the Rams to within three (26-23), and after both squads traded baskets, Everett's Jethro Auguste (16) hit a three at the buzzer for the 31-25 lead at the half.

"Carlo really gave us a spark when we needed it, hitting three straight threes (in the second)," said Coach Grassa. "(Forward) Tony Wonde gave us a strong defensive game, like he does day in and day out, and Ariel (Ligonde) had a bunch of steals."

 

Classical 63, Swampscott 48

At Lynn, the Rams (6-4) didn't have a letdown after coming off of such an emotional high after delivering Winthrop its first loss of the season. Jasper Grassa finished in double figures with 24 points.

He also had nine assists. Ariel Lagonde pulled down 10 rebounds to go with his four points. Tony Wonde pulled down nine rebounds to go along with his six points.

Mike Walsh led the Big Blue with 18 points.
                                                                                     Classical's Jasper Grassa dribbles against Salem Tuesday in Lynn. Item Photo/Reba M. Saldanha

Season to Date Statistics thru 9 Games

5 WINS,   4 LOSSES,   NO TIES

Period																																								1ST																				2ND																				3RD																				4TH																				OT																				FINAL
Scoring																																								TOT-AVG																				TOT-AVG																				TOT-AVG																				TOT-AVG																				TOT-AVG																				PTS-AVG
CLASSICAL																																								117-13.0																				153-17.0																				130-14.4																				133-14.8																				0-0.0																				533-59.2
OPPONENTS																																								149-16.6																				121-13.4																				114-12.7																				158-17.6																				0-0.0																				542-60.2

 

Season to Date Individual Player Stats

																																								3 Pt																																								2 Pt																																								Tot
																																								FG																				3 Pt																				FG																				2 Pt																				FG																				Tot																				FT																																																												Pts/
Shooting and Scoring																																								M-A																				FG %																				M-A																				FG %																				M-A																				FG %																				M-A																				FT %																				Pts																				GM
BUONO, CARLO																																								3-20																				15.0																				10-21																				47.6																				13-41																				31.7																				2-6																				33.3																				31																				3.4
CHEEVER, JOSH																																								0-0																				0.0																				13-47																				27.7																				13-47																				27.7																				18-42																				42.9																				44																				4.9
GRASSA, JASPER																																								27-83																				32.5																				39-74																				52.7																				66-157																				42.0																				55-60																				91.7																				214																				23.8
GRASSA, NICK																																								13-36																				36.1																				7-16																				43.8																				20-52																				38.5																				6-8																				75.0																				59																				9.8
GROCKI, JOHN																																								0-2																				0.0																				4-13																				30.8																				4-15																				26.7																				0-2																				0.0																				8																				1.0
IMADIYI, JOSH																																								0-0																				0.0																				12-26																				46.2																				12-26																				46.2																				0-0																				0.0																				24																				3.0
JOHNSON, CASEY																																								0-1																				0.0																				0-4																				0.0																				0-5																				0.0																				2-6																				33.3																				2																				0.3
LIGONDE, ARIEL																																								0-2																				0.0																				24-54																				44.4																				24-56																				42.9																				0-3																				0.0																				48																				6.0
PENA, SHADDAI																																								0-4																				0.0																				4-8																				50.0																				4-12																				33.3																				1-2																				50.0																				9																				1.8
SMITH, STEVE																																								0-0																				0.0																				11-33																				33.3																				11-33																				33.3																				0-1																				0.0																				22																				3.1
WONDE, TONY																																								1-6																				16.7																				30-88																				34.1																				31-94																				33.0																				9-21																				42.9																				72																				8.0
CLASSICAL																																								44-154																				28.6																				154-384																				40.1																				198-538																				36.8																				93-151																				61.6																				533																				59.2
OPPONENTS																																								52-172																				30.2																				127-347																				36.6																				179-519																				34.5																				105-182																				57.7																				515																				57.2

 

																																								Off															Def															Tot															Reb/																																																																																																									GM															PL															GM
Miscellaneous Stats																																								Reb															Reb															Reb															GM															BS															CH															S															TO															A															F															ST															TM															PL
ABRAHAM, WALLY																																								1															3															4															1.0															2															0															0															2															0															3															0															15															4
BUONO, CARLO																																								9															23															32															3.6															0															1															2															15															16															21															1															152															9
CHEEVER, JOSH																																								41															51															92															10.2															2															0															9															12															8															24															9															160															9
COLE, CHRIS																																								0															0															0															0.0															0															0															0															1															0															0															0															3															1
GRASSA, JASPER																																								6															46															52															5.8															2															0															25															17															53															18															8															279															9
GRASSA, NICK																																								5															15															20															3.3															1															0															12															9															23															12															6															126															6
GROCKI, JOHN																																								4															11															15															1.9															0															0															3															3															1															7															2															99															8
IMADIYI, JOSH																																								13															18															31															3.9															11															0															3															4															6															20															4															100															8
JOHNSON, CASEY																																								3															7															10															1.3															1															0															1															4															3															3															0															72															8
LIGONDE, ARIEL																																								22															17															39															4.9															6															0															1															5															10															18															2															125															8
PENA, SHADDAI																																								0															1															1															0.2															0															0															1															3															2															2															0															36															5
SMITH, STEVE																																								9															7															16															2.3															0															0															3															4															0															16															2															86															7
WONDE, TONY																																								26															41															67															7.4															9															1															10															19															15															25															9															188															9
CLASSICAL																																								139															240															379															42.1															34															2															70															98															137															169															---															---															9
OPPONENTS																																								82															220															302															33.6															10															10															56															113															0															142															---															---															9

 Item Roundup  

Classical Wins a Tight Game over undefeated Winthrop

By Joyce Erekson / The Daily Item

It was the type of game where both coaches came out a little grayer and a few pounds lighter.

That was how Classical coach Tom Grassa described his team's 65-62 win over previously undefeated Winthrop Tuesday at Winthrop High.

"They are an outstanding team," Grassa said. "They're so well-balanced. They have five legitimate outside shooters and that's what makes it so difficult to defend them."

Winthrop hit a three-pointer with eight seconds remaining to cut the lead to one, but Jasper Grassa (16 points) hit two free throws to put the Rams back up by three. The Vikings got the ball back and managed to get off two three-point attempts before the final buzzer sounded.

"This was an exciting game to watch and to coach," Grassa said.

Winthrop (9-1) was led by Gavin Mahoney (23 points). Josh Cheever and Ariel Legone had 14 points each for Classical (5-4).

CLASSICAL WIN FOR LYNN CLASSICAL
Posted by Danny Ventura, courtesy of the Boston Herald Blog, January 12th, 2010

    If I am a Division 2 North coach, I would not looking forward to the possibility of meeting up with Lynn Classical in the tournament.

    Forget the .500 record, the LC team I saw tonight qualifies as the proverbial tough out come tourney time. The Rams led throughout much of the game, then held off a late Winthrop charge to hand the Vikings their first loss of the season, 65-62. Jasper Grassa led the way for LC with 17 points, including two clutch free throws with eight seconds left to account for the final margin of victory.

    One of the problems LC has had this season is to rely too much on Grassa. Well, Grassa’s supporting cast certainly came up big. Center Josh Cheever was a force in the paint with 13 points and 14 rebounds. Ariel Ligonde scored 10 of his 14 points in the second half as the Rams built up a 58-43 lead with six minutes left. Tony Wonde also recorded a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds, while Carlo Buono came off the bench to score nine.

    What killed Winthrop was a combination of rebounding (47-26) and cold-shooting from the field (21-66). With All-Scholastic guard Dino Mallios (five points on a gimpy ankle) struggling from the field and center Anthony Hatzisavas sidelined with an injury, the margin for error becomes even smaller for Winthrop. The one thing you know about a David Brown-coached team is that they won’t quit.

    As mightily as Winthrop stuggled for the first 28 minutes, it nearly pulled one out at the end. A trio of 3-pointers from Gavin Mahoney (a game-high 23 points) and two more trifectas from Robert Swanson cut the deficit to 63-60. Then Mark Jenkins followed with a layup to make it a 1-point game, but Grassa was fouled and coolly sank both free throws.

    Winthrop had two final cracks at tying the game, but both 3-point attempts bounced off the rim.

Marblehead 55, Classical 52

At Classical, the Magicians held on late behind Matt Temme's 19 points. Tom Stockwell added 19 for Marblehead (5-4, 5-3 Northeastern Conference). Classical had two chances to take the lead or tie down the stretch, but couldn't convert either. Jasper Grassa led the Rams (4-3, 3-2 NEC) with 20 points, while his brother Nick scored 10.

English 92, Classical 75 in Boverini Tournament

The Rams might have been run out of their own gym had it not been for senior guard Jasper Grassa, who had 36 points (including six threes) and 10 assists.

"He certainly played a complete game," said coach Tom Grassa, his father.

"He's a great player," said English coach Buzzy Barton. "It's no wonder he's already signed, sealed and delivered for college (he'll be attending Bentley in the fall)."

Grassa hit four of those threes in the first half -- keeping English from blowing it open early.

English managed to stay comfortably ahead after breaking to a 17-9 lead after one quarter thanks mainly to Ryan Woumn, who poured in 29 in an attempt to counter Grassa's output. But he had help. Irving Vizcaino chipped in with 15, and Jarell Byrd, who is poised to eclipse the 1,000 mark (he needs 31 more points), had 11.

"I thought we played pretty well," Grassa said. "It's tough to say you played good defense when you gave up 92 points, but I thought we did."

At halftime, it was still close (38-31) and Classical hung in there through three (59-50). But the Bulldogs put it in overdrive in the final eight minutes, outscoring the Rams, 33-25, to win going away.

Tony Wonde had 14 for Classical, which will play Tech today at 2:45 in the boys consolation game.

Classical 56, Revere 43

At Classical, the Rams (3-1) led by as many as 20 points thanks largely in part to the Grassa brothers, Jasper and Nick, who combined for 36 points.

Classical (3-1) began the game on a 19-8 run and took a 29-18 lead into halftime. In the latter portion of the contest, the Patriots made a run and kept the Rams scoreless in the final four minutes, but the deficit was too large and the time remaining too short.

 Rams hang on in final seconds to defeat Salem

By Matthew Roy / For The Item

-----------------------

Beverly 61, Classical 56

At Beverly, the Panthers went on a run with about three minutes left in the game to come away with a close victory. Curtis Manuel led all scorers with 24 points, while Michael Clayton added 11 points and four assists for Beverly (1-1).
"Curtis Manuel had huge game," Beverly coach Scott Lewis said. "Not only did he lead us in scoring, he had to chase Jasper Grassa around on defense for the whole game."
Grassa paced Classical (1-1) with 17 points. Josh Cheever had nine points for the Rams, while Steve Smith added eight.

------------------------------

Boys Basketball: Classical Overcomes Big Deficit in Win

By Jerry DiStefano / For The Daily Item of Lynn

Congratulations to the Boys Basketball Team for winning against Bishop Fenwick 32-22. It was great to see everyone get some floor time.

Jasper Grassa (with ball) and Tony Wonde are big parts of coach Tom Grassa's plans at Classical. ITEM PHOTO / REBA M. SALDANHA

Hoop dreams a family affair

Coach, sons share court at Classical

By Jonathan Raymond , The Boston Globe |  December 13, 2009

Jasper and Nicky Grassa, like many siblings, feed off each other on the court, each able to anticipate the other’s next move. The Grassa brothers also have a pretty good sense of the mindset of their head coach at Lynn Classical: Their father, Tom, has been a fixture on the Rams bench since 1985.

This season will be their last together at Classical. In the fall, Jasper Grassa is headed to Bentley University, where he will suit up for the Falcons, a perennial Division 2 power in the region.

Their goal is to make this season another strong run after last year’s tournament march ended with a loss to Central Catholic in the Division 1 North quarterfinals.

Tom Grassa admits this year’s team isn’t as talented as last year’s 15-7 squad that lost graduates Cameron Smith and Chris Francois, along with transfer Jarell Byrd. So to get to the same point this season, he’ll need to rely less on impact players and more on his improved depth - as well as his two boys.

“I’m going to be able to go nine or 10 bodies deep this year,’’ said Grassa, “so the depth might make up for that. I’m hoping it can.’’

There’s also the issue of getting his players back into basketball shape after a number of them were members of the Rams football team this fall, including his two sons. Jasper was one of the Rams’ top scorers as a tailback/wide receiver, while Nicky directed the offense at quarterback.

Now, their roles are reversed. Jasper is running the point after averaging 17.5 points and six assists as a junior, while Nicky is a shooting guard.

“I don’t think that’s weird at all,’’ said Nicky. “I’m just used to playing basketball with him; I’ve done it my whole life. I really know how Jasper plays and he knows how I play.’’

Their father sees the pair’s ability to work together develop on the basketball court just as it did on the football field. They push each other, and keep each other in check.

“I think they’ll look for each other and it’s kind of an extension of football,’’ Tom said. “I know a few times when Nick maybe made a good pass and Jasper didn’t catch it, Nick gave him the business, told him ‘Hey you have to catch that ball.’ And if Nicky underthrew Jasper or overthrew him, he’d give him some static. It’s something that I think my teams have always prided themselves on, team harmony.’’

Although this is the last season Tom will get a chance to coach both of his sons at the same time in basketball, he doesn’t want to place any added importance on the situation.

For the two brothers, though, it’s a final opportunity to play together after a lifetime spent honing their game. “I want to do something memorable,’’ said Jasper. “It’s basically the last year I’ll play with my brother ever, and I owe it to my dad, because he’s always been there for me. The easiest aspect will be the chemistry that we already have, from just living together.’’

Living together, of course, can lead to drawbacks on the court as well. Tom has to make sure he doesn’t risk playing favorites with his sons, nor does he want to come down especially hard on them because, as their father, he expects more from them. It can be quite the conundrum at times.

“Every once in a while Nick will think I’m picking on him if I point out that he just missed a defensive assignment, let his man go baseline,’’ said Tom Grassa.

“And what he’s quick to say is ‘Why do you only point it out with me?’ But what he doesn’t realize is it doesn’t make a difference if it’s Joe, Larry, or Moe - if someone gets beat baseline, I’m going to point that out, that’s my job as a coach.

“I have to kind of be careful that I don’t do that that too much, that I disperse criticism fairly and evenly. And by the same token, it’s always in the back of your head that you don’t want to disperse congratulatory praise unevenly. I’ve made a habit if someone makes a nice pass - no matter who it is - I point it out. And I will admit occasionally I go the other way. Jasper might make a nice pass to someone and they end up turning the ball over and I’ll say, ‘Give them a better pass,’ and he’ll look at me like ‘Geez.’ ’’

And while Tom is busy balancing his management of the team and his own two sons, Nicky and Jasper will be focused on trying to bring Lynn Classical, at the very least, back to those North quarterfinals.

“I could see us going real deep in the playoffs this year,’’ said Nicky. “If we play good defense and work hard in practice, we’ll just play good basketball.’’

Classical boys hoop team optimistic it can keep streak alive

By Gordon Vincent / For The Item,  December 11, 2009

One of the traditional powers in the Northeastern Conference, the Lynn Classical boys basketball team is seeking its 29th appearance in the MIAA tournament in 31 years when it hits the floor this season.

The Rams are coming off a 2008-09 campaign in which they compiled a 15-9 record and made it to the quarterfinals of the Div. 1 North tournament, losing to top-seeded Central Catholic, 72-58.

Back from last year's squad are five players, four seniors and a junior who hope to lead Classical to another winning season.

"Our goal is to always compete for the Northeastern Conference title," said Tom Grassa, who has been Classical's head coach since 1985 and has been with the program for the past 33 years.

The Rams this year will be led by co-captains Jasper Grassa and Tony Wonde, two seniors who are both experienced veterans. Grassa, who is committed to play basketball at Bentley University next year, led the Rams with 17.4 points per game and assists with 7.3 per game, and was second on the team in rebounds with 4.9 per game. He shot 49 percent last season, including 36 percent from beyond the 3-point arc. Grassa is probably best suited for the 2-guard role, but he can also play the point just as adeptly.

Wonde recovered from a knee injury and started 20 games last season. He averaged 4.6 ppg and 4.0 rpg, and was the team's second-leading offensive rebounder. A small forward, Wonde is also a defensive specialist who is capable of shutting down an opposing team's top scorer.

Two other seniors return to the varsity this season. Both Steve Smith and John Grocki are power forwards who played limited minutes last season but will see their roles increase this year.

"They (Smith and Grocki) gave us solid contributions last season," said coach Grassa. "They're both going to help us on the glass this year."

Junior Nick Grassa is another returning starter who will play guard again this season. Grassa averaged 6.5 ppg last season.

A key player for the Rams this season could be Josh Cheever, a center who transferred from Lynn Tech and figures to be the team's starting center and anchor in the middle of the floor.

"He's a very, very strong kid," said coach Grassa, of Cheever.

While Cheever transferred in, Classical lost starting center Jarell Byrd in a much-publicized transfer to rival Lynn English. Byrd was second on the team in scoring (15.3 ppg) and led the Rams in rebounds (10.8) and blocked shots (4.2).

The Rams will also have to account for the loss to graduation of Cam Smith, who was third on the team in scoring (14.3), Chris Francois, an athletic player who started three games last season, and Mike Gallo, who provided some valuable minutes off the bench.

Classical has played a robust pre-season scrimmage schedule that included a date with Maidson Park, one of the better teams in Boston, and closes it out with a meeting with Bishop Fenwick today (4:40; at English) in the Benedetto Jamboree.

As usual, Grassa has scheduled a home-and-away set with always-competitive St. John's Prep (Jan. 10 in Danvers and Jan. 24 at Classical) and there is a single date with Greater Boston League power Everett (Feb. 7).

The Rams will also face English at least three times. Their first meeting will be in the first round of the Walter Boverini Tournament at Classical on Dec. 28, and then as part of the Northeastern Conference slate on Jan. 19 at Classical and the regular season finale on Feb. 16 at English's Cavanagh Gym.

The two intra-city rivals could also meet in the Div. 1 tournament, which the Rams seek to make as part of the continuing tradition of Classical boys basketball.

Basketball Team  Ready for Jamboree !

Info contributed by Tony Wonde

There was a lot of excitement and interest at the Boys Basketball Tryouts last week. Classical is coming off a 15 win, 9 loss season, including Playoff games.  Over 70 young men were hoping to be selected on one of the three teams -Varsity, Junior Varsity, and Freshmen. On the Varsity team, there were a number of openings because of the graduation of Cameron Smith, Chris Francois, and Mike Gallo. Jarell Byrd's transfer to English High also leaves a big hole in the lineup. But there is a lot of optimism because of the large turnout of players.

This Saturday, December 12th, at 4:40pm at English High School , Classical will meet Bishop Fenwick in the first round of the Benedetto Jamboree Tournament. Coach Grassa is at the helm again. This reporter is wondering who will be starting center on the team On offense last year, Cam had averaged 14 points and Jarell had averaged over 15 points, so the team needs some real scorers. On defense last year, Jarell was the team leader, averaging more than 10 rebounds per game.

 Co-Captains include the high scorer of last year's team, Senior Jasper Grassa, who averaged 17 points a game and Tony Wonde, who is on the Varsity for the 3^rd year and averaged 5 points and 5 rebounds a game.. Junior Nick Grassa is back after a solid performance last year, averaging 6.5 points. The return of Seniors John Grocki and Steve Smith brings some more Varsity experience to the team.`

Chris Cole and Wally Abraham came up from JV this year, but a knee injury has slowed Chris down temporarily.  New Varsity players include Josh Cheever and Ariel Ligonde, who are transfer students from Tech. Carlos Bueno, Shaddai Pena, and Josh Imadiya transferred from English HS and have also made Varsity. Casey Johnson rounds up the Varsity lineup . Look for an exciting season for a team with speed and smarts.

 

Athletic Directors at High Schools say teams won't boycott Benedetto Basketball Jamboree -  By Steve Krause / The Daily Item Lynn English athletic director Gary Molea said Thursday that he contacted the other ADs in the Northeastern Conference and all of them said their teams that were scheduled to play in next Saturday's Elmo Benedetto Jamboree would be there. Molea's confirmation that there would be no boycott of the event comes one day after Saugus boys basketball coach Paul Moran told The Item that at least six teams had talked about pulling out of the Jamboree, which is at English this year, as a way of protesting English seeking waivers, or other similar-type permits, for several basketball players who have transferred into the school. English principal Andy Fila said Thursday that even if the coaches decided not to play, the final word on their participation rested with their principals, not them. "The principals make the decisions on whether their schools play in this jamboree, not the coaches," said Fila, whose school is scheduled to host the jamboree a week from Saturday at the Paul Cavanagh Field House. English is dealing with several transfer cases, among them former Classical player Jarell Byrd. Ultimately, the Byrd situation did not require a waiver, as Classical agreed to allow the senior center to play before it ever got to the official Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) waiver stage. However, there are other transfer issues that may require English to seek waivers from the MIAA. One of them involves Bryan Ortiz, a fifth-year senior from Salem, who was an Item all-star last season. Ortiz transferred into the school this fall. According to Fila, Ortiz has met previously established conditions to qualify for a spot on the basketball team. And, he said, he is going through the process -- which could ultimately include applying for a waiver -- that would allow Ortiz to play. The MIAA policy on transfers who have had previous varsity experience in a sport is that they must sit out a year unless they are cleared, via waiver or other arrangements, to play. In the case of Byrd, Classical had to sign "Form 200," which stipulated that he hadn't been recruited, that he was in good standing and academically eligible, that the transfer was not motivated by athletics and that he would have been eligible if he'd remained with the Rams (Rule 57.4, MIAA Handbook). In the 2008-09 season, English survived a rugged postseason draw of games to win the MIAA Division 1 North Sectional championship with a victory last March over Central Catholic of Lawrence. The Bulldogs then defeated Brockton in overtime to win the Eastern Mass. championship and secure a spot in the state final against St. John's of Shrewsbury, which English lost. Although the Bulldogs lost key seniors Justin Young, Jeremy Subervi, Eugene Turner, Charlie Rucker and Archie Allen, the addition of Byrd and Ortiz to a lineup that already includes Item Player of the Year Ryan Woumn and guard Travonne Berry-Rogers would seem to boost their chances to win their fourth straight Northeastern Conference/North championship and go deep into this season's tournament as well. However, Fila points out that English is not the only school in Lynn to benefit from transfer students. While Classical lost Byrd, it picked up junior forward Josh Cheever, who transferred in from Lynn Tech. English has lost its share of players to other schools as well, including former Memphis University star Antonio Anderson, who blossomed into a star while at Tech.

 

LYNN CLASSICAL 2009/2010 BOY’S BASKETBALL SCHEDULE

FRESHMAN GAMES: 4PM      JV GAMES 5:30PM    VARSITY 7PM

 

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12^TH    BENEDETTO JAMBOREE @ LEHS  LC/FENWICK 4:40PM

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15^TH       LC @ PEABODY

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18^TH           LC @ BEVERLY

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20^TH          LC @ EVERETT   (1, 2:30, 4PM)

MONDAY, DECEMBER 21^ST         SALEM @ LC

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23^RD  REVERE @ LC

MONDAY,DECEMBER 28^TH          BOVERINI TOURNEY  LE @ LC 4:30PM

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29^TH        BOVERINI TOURNEY   TBA

FRIDAY, JANUARY 8^TH                 MARBLEHEAD @ LC

SUNDAY, JANUARY 10^TH             LC @ ST JOHN’S PREP (1, 2:30, 4PM)

TUESDAY, JANUARY 12^TH            LC @ WINTHROP

FRIDAY, JANUARY 15^TH                SWAMPSCOTT @ LC

Classical's game against Everett in Everett has been moved to Jan. 17, 2010, at 4 p.m.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 19^TH            LE @ LC

FRIDAY, JANUARY 22^ND                LC @ DANVERS

SUNDAY, JANUARY 24^TH               ST JOHN’S PREP @ LC (1, 2:30PM, 4PM)

TUESDAY, JANUARY 26^TH             GLOUCESTER @ LC

FRIDAY, JANUARY 29^TH                 LC @ SAUGUS

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2^ND             PEABODY @ LC

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5^TH                 BEVERLY @ LC

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 7^TH               EVERETT @ LC   (NOON, 1:30, 3PM) 

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9^TH             LC @ SALEM

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12^TH               LC @ REVERE

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16^TH           LC @ LE

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19^TH               NEC ALL-STAR GAME @ MARBLEHEAD 7:30

 

----------------------------------------

==========================

Click here for Boys Basketball Teams 2007-2009

Click here for Boys Basketball Team 2006-2007

Click here for Boys Basketball Team 2005-2006 and 2004-2005 Archives

Click here for Boys Basketball Team 2003-3004 Archives

       Back to Sports                                    Home Page