Champions Crowned!

Worcester West 56, D&E Painting 33

Worcester West ascends the mountain. What started in early June with 14 teams has ended in late August with 1. Worcester West etched their name into BVBL folklore by taking down their first Championship in their first year of existence. When asked for a post game quote soft spoken Shawn Garreau replied "...".

Worcester West started on a 9-0 run and really never looked back. As many shots as D&E buried from outside last week- they could never really find their stroke on this one and had trouble with the relentless transition game of Worcester West. Dave Doulette scored in volume early on pull ups and mid range stuff he would end with 13 and a playoffs MVP Award. Joe Laroche (finals MVP) paced Worcester West with 15.

The score at the half was 27-10 Worcester West. D&E tried to make a run early in the second half to stem the tide but when Joe Laroche caught and flushed an ally oop in transition with about 12 minutes to go the writing was on the wall. Corey Brunner paced D&E with 10 points while Derek Johnson (13) and Dan Laroche (13) pulled their weight for the Worcester West team. Congrats to the champs who did not lose since week 1.

We will see you all next summer as the BVBL returns for it's fourth year. A thank you to the all the captains and players who made the league run smoothly this year, a special thanks to Bob Saster and the Douglas Municipal Center for giving us a rain site- and thanks to Andrew Calzone for his assistance in the week to week running of the league. From where I sit (behind a sweet shirt and a mustache) I can say this was the most successful year in the league's short history and we'll see you next you!

Worcester West (56): Joe Laroche 15, Dan Laroche 13, Derek Johnson 13, Dave Doulette 13, Chris Foley 2, Kellen Zalneritis 0, Shawn Garreau 0, DNP: Mike Consolmango

D&E Painting (33): Brunner 10, Jonnasen 7, Adams 6, D Farrer 5, C Farrer 4, Atherton 1

Finals MVP: Joe Laroche 15 (15 points)

Playoff MVP: Dave Doulette (12.6 PPG in playoffs, huge semifinal game to get them there)

Final Four Results!

A rainy Sunday (just like the old days) forced the games to be held inside for the semifinals (not like the old days)

10-22

D & E Painting 60, BOHICA 56

Ding dong the champs are dead! D&E Painting controlled the glass and shot the ball well from outside and took down BOHICA in the first semifinals. Congrats to BOHICA on their 2 year run of terror but D & E was not worried about history. Max Masucci had 17 mostly going to the basket and Cory Brunner paced D & E with 18 almost entirely from behind the arc. Mike Balderelli had a heroic performance for BOHICA scorring 28 of their 56 points and Justin Aldrich added 14 in the loss. D & E advances to Sunday's finals at 6 PM.

D & E Painting: Brunner 18, Masucci 17, Jonnasen 10, Atherton 7, C Farrer 5, D Farrer 3

BOHICA: Balderelli 26, Aldrich 14, McCann 8, Felper 2, Leonelli 2

Worcester West 67, Woolies 61 (Double OT)

Maybe the best game in the history of the league. No exageration. The Woolies came out hot and got a lot of offense from Mike O'Learly ( 23) and Tim Swenson (18) and took as large as an 8 point lead early in the second half. Worcester West (winners of 8 straight would not be detered as Dave Doulette (18) lead the way. The Woolies were close to putting the game away in regulation but an intense Worcester West press got them back in the game and a few free throws from Mike Consolmango forced OT. In the first OT Ryan O'Leary made some plays for the Woolies but Derek Johnson hit a huge bucket and a second overtime was necessary. Finally Consolmango (playing in his final game before a NBA internship) made a hesitation move and got all the way to the rim before getting fouled that gave Worcester West the points it would need to get to the finals. Woolies finish a great season in the semis and have come a long way (from the days of having 4 guys including a random asian kid who wasn't on the roster)

Worcester West: Doulette 18, Consolmango 16, Johnson 12, D Laroche 9, J Laroche 4, Gareau 2, Foley 2

Woolies: M O'Leary 23, Swenson 18, R O'Leary 9, Corey 7, Elie 2, Reidy 0, Dean 0

Final Four! Matchup and Notes!

Sunday Aug 22

6 PM D&E Painting versus BOHICA

7 PM Worcester West versus Woolies

Notes:

The North Will Rise Again...Three of the remaining four teams call the North Division home. The North's 2,3,4 seeds all find their way to the semis while D&E Painting finished 4th in the South.

Old School...Three of the final four teams are original franchises in the BVBL's proud 3 year history. BOHICA has a lot of the same roster that took the final 2 titles. Whereas D&E Painting only has 2 players left from it's run to the finals in 2008. The Woolies (although they played under the name "The Pregamers" last year are also in their third year.

New Kids On The Block...Worcester West is a true expansion team. Brand new to the league and none of their players have played in the league before. They currently sport the league's best record.

We're Going Streaking...Worcester West are the winners of 8 straight after opening their season with a loss. BOHICA are winners of 7 straight, after losing to Worcester West in week 2.

Bow To Your Sensei...Three players still alive in the final 4 (Joe Laroche and Dave Doulette from Worcester West and Mike O'Leary from the Woolies) play basketball at Worcester State where one of their coaches is none other than BOHICA guard Mitch Bajema

Last of the BOHICAns...Scott Felper, Brian Vayda, Jordan Vander Baan, Anthony Leonelli, Joe McCann and Justin Aldrich are the current members of the BOHICA roster to have played for both championship teams.

Young Man's Game...Max Massucci of D&E Painting is the youngest player still alive in the tournament. He is entering his senior year of High School he is averaging 21.5 in the playoffs so looks like he's up to it.

Bye Bye Bye...Both teams that earned the bye week with their play were knocked out in their first playoff game. Banner Bar fell to D&E Painting while 508 Athletics was on the wrong side of the Woolies.

Defense Wins Championships...Only two members of the first team All League team are active in the final 4 (Joe Laroche from Worcester West and Joey McCann from BOHICA), however three members of the All Defensive Team are active (McCann, Brian Vayda from BOHICA and Kyle Dean from the Woolies)

Don't Finish Second...The last 2 years have seen the team that lost in the title game the year before bow out in the first round of the playoffs. In 2009 D&E Painting lost in the first round to 508 Orange, while this year Rusty Aries fell to the Woolies.

We'll see you all Sunday!

Playoffs! Playoffs! -Jim Mora

August 15th, Quarterfinals

BOHICA 66, Blazers 47
BOHICA, riding the broad shoulders of Brian Vayda (21 points) returned to the semifinals with a 19 point victory over the Blazers. The Blazers were paced in defeat by John Young with 12, Chad Gosselin with 12 and Rob Elliot with 8 and bow out in the quarters in their first year of existance. BOHICA was lead by Vayda but Joey McCann added 15 and Justin Aldrich and Mitch Bajema were the driving factors in the backcourt, playing super unselfish. Jordan Vander Baan gave BOHICA great minutes off the bench particular on the glass.

BOHICA- Vayda 21, McCann 15, Balderelli 7, Vander Baan 5, Leonelli 4, Bajema 4, Aldrich 3, Felper 2

Blazers- Young 12, Gosselin 12, Elliot 8, Howe 4, Dolliver 4, Saster 3, Jolie 2, Cutting 0

D&E Painting 55, Banner Bar 44
Banner Bar came out firing especially league MVP Sam Fanfan who scored 11 of the first 14 Banner points and would lead the team on the day with 21. D&E Painting weathered the storm though and actually built a lead at the half mostly through their prowess on the offensive glass. Max Massucci was top gun for D&E with 27 points but Will Jonassen and Sean Atherton in particular carried D&E on the board. Banner would make their run behind Fanfan and Mike Geoffrey (8 points) but Massucci and Jonassen (10 points) would answer as D&E returns to the semis for the 2nd time in 3 years!

D&E Painting: Massucci 27, Jonassen 10, Atherton 6, C Farrar 5, Brunner 5, D Farrar 2, Adams 0

Banner Bar: Fanfan 21, Geoffrey 8, Snow 5, Hopkins 5, St Cyr 3, Collins 0, Bridge 0

Worcester West 62, Agent Zero 48
Classic example of a game that was far closer than the final score. Playing without standout guard Eddie Capstick, Agent Zero hung tight behind the shooting of John Genkos (17 points) and the inside attack of Dave Mack (12) and Ben Landers (11). Worcester West utilized a late 8-0 run to take command behind Chris Foley (14 points), Joe Laroche (15) and Derek Johnson (17) they enter the final 4 in their first year in existance.

Worcester West: Johnson 17, J Laroche 15, Foley 14, Doulette 7, Consolmango 6, D Laroche 2, Gareau 2, Zalneritis 0

Agent Zero: Genkos 17, Mack 12, Landers 11, Palmerino 4, Jiusto 4, Ghiloski 0,

Woolies 56, 508 Athletics 50
Cinderella is wearing maroon and shopping at JT's. The Woolies are in the final 4 after outlasting the top seeded 508 Athletics team. Rob Scarpato had 23 points in a losing effort and was aided by Dan Main with 7 but the Woolies utilized a fast break attack and good ball movement to pull away behind the play of Mike O'Leary 19, Andy Maxwell (11) and Tim Swenson (10). Brett Corey added a few big buckets and Ryan O'Leary played well defensivley in the W.

Woolies: M O'Leary 19, Maxwell 11, Swenson 10, Corey 6, Elie 4, R O'Leary 4, Dean 1, Reidy 0

508: Scarpato 23, Main 7, Pettit 5, Salvaggio 5, Calzone 4, Snediker 3, Smithson 3,

August 8th, Opening Round


D&E Painting 36, Yellowjackets 27
D&E Painting (playing close to full strength for the first time in a while) took care of business in the opener. Max Massucci returned to drop 16 in the W while the Yellowjackets were paced with a great effort from Evan Prince with 18 of his team's 27 points. D&E is through to the quarters: Yellowjackets finish up at 2-6


D&E Painting: Massucci 16, Brunner 7, Jonhasen 5, D. Farrer 5, C. Farrer 4,


Yellowjackets: Prince 18, Saltmarsh 6, Cavicci 3,


BOHICA 77, Red Raiders 54
Not a lot of defense in this one. Doug Roberge paced Red Raiders with 15 and Nick Burnett added 14. For BOHICA it was all about balance as Joey McCann lead the way with 16. Anthony Leonelli chipped in 13 and Mike Balderelli added 13 as well. Justin Aldrich had to have upwards of 14 assists. BOHICA advances to the quarters. Red Raiders check out at 1-7


BOHICA: McCann 16, Balderelli 13, Leonelli 13, Vayda 10, Bajema 10, Vander Baan 9, Aldrich 7,


Red Raiders: Roberge 15, Burnett 14, K Van Slette 11, A Van Slette 6, Rival 4, J Randall 2


Blazers 70, Warriors 49
Close early but just too much Blazers. Justin McCann droppe 14 in the loss and Darren Moore added 12. The Blazers balanced attack was lead by Rob Elliot with 13, John Young with 14 and Mike Howe with 10. Warriors end the year 0-8 while Blazers advance to the quarters.


Blazers: Young 14, Elliot 13, Howe 10, Smithson 10, Saster 8, Valleire 8, Gosselin 4, Cutting 4, Jolie 2, Dolliver 2


Warriors: McCann 14, Moore 12, Mespelli 9, Bertrand 4, Rooney 4, Huebner 3


Worcester West W, Millennium Realty L
Disappointing end to a disappointing season , Millennium doesn't show up. Costs the league money...awesome.


Agent Zero 51, Canoe Club 42
A game much closer than the final indicated. Canoe Club shot the hell out of the ball early and on a few runs but there was too much Dave Mack (16 points) and big plays from Ed Capstick (11 points). Canoe got a vintage performance from Jack Mahoney with 17 and a huge lift from Bob Chalmers (8 points). Canoe Club end the year at 2-6 and as one of the classiest teams in the league. Agent Zero is through to the quarters.


Agent Zero: Mack 16, Capstick 11, Landers 10, Genkos 7, Palmiero 4, Jiusto 3,


Canoe Club: J. Mahoney 17, Chalmers 8, Pineau 7, M Mahoney 4, Makridakis 3, Dellarovere 3, Hadfield 3,


Woolies 54, Rusty Aries 40
In a game where the Woolies were the higher seed but weren't getting a lot of love around the league they showed that they belonged by closing out the final game of the night. Mike Perrault had 20 for the Aries but it wasn't enough as Ryan O'Leary (14 points) and Chase Milanese (12 points) lead the Woolies to the quarters. Rusty Aries ends the year at 4-4. Woolies advance!


Woolies: R O'Leary 14, Milanese 12, M O'Leary 10, Dean 8, Maxwell 6, Corey 2,


Rusty Aries: Perrault 20, Himmitou 7, Groth 7, Monaco 3

Awards!

With a successful third regular season in the books the league is excited to announce it's 2010 award winners. In a year with a very strong rookie class and 14 teams there were a lot of difficult calls.

Regular Season MVP: Sam Fanfan, Banner Bar
Playoff MVP: Dave Doulette, Worcester West
Finals MVP: Joe Laroche, Worcester West
Rookie of the Year: Rob Scarpato, 508 Athletics
Defensive Player of the Year: TJ Dolliver, Blazers
Captain of the Year (organization etc): Chris Foley, Worcester West
Citizens Award: Kyle Dean, Woolies

All League First Team
Sam Fanfan, Banner Bar
Joey McCann, BOHICA
Rob Scarpato, 508 Athletics
Dan Main, 508 Athletics
Joe Laroche, Worcester West

All League Second Team
Rob Elliot, Blazers
Greg Walker, Rusty Aries
Brian Vayda, BOHICA
Ben Cavicci, Yellowjackets
John Genkos, Agent Zero

All League Third Team
Max Masscucci, D&E Painting
Mike Perrault, Rusty Aries
Justin Aldrich, BOHICA
Ed Capstick, Agent Zero
Jack Mahoney, Canoe Club

All Rookie First Team
Rob Scarpato, 508 Athletics
Joe Laroche, Worcester West
Greg Walker, Rusty Aries
Ben Cavicci, Yellowjackets
John Genkos, Agent Zero

All Rookie Second Team
Ed Capstick, Agent Zero
Mike Perrault, Rusty Aries
Andrew Dykstra, Millennium Realty
Max Massucci, D&E Painting
Mike Balderelli, BOHICA

All Defensive Team
TJ Dolliver, Blazers
Kyle Dean, Woolies
Joey McCann, BOHICA
Brian Vayda, BOHICA
Mike Mahoney, Canoe Club