By Kevin Devlin
On Tuesday evening, August 21, at the Mike Pano Basketball Courts located within M Street Park, the Peter Welch’s Gym Club defeated the T. Robert Sullivan Insurance Club, 49-32, to win the South Boston Basketball Association men’s summer league championship. South Boston Today’s co- MVPs were Miscal “Hook” Vislaint who netted fifteen points (including three treys) and Marty Ridge who scored eight points and hauled down nine rebounds.
Both teams started out slow on the offensive end, but then late in the first half, the Welch Gym Club went on a startling 22-0 run to lead at the half, 34-13. The Sullivan Club stayed ice cold and couldn’t stop their foe on the offensive end. But they didn’t want to give up. In the second half, with five minutes remaining in the tilt, the Sullivan Club-still fighting to win-went on a 9-0 run but it was too little too late for them to go home with a victory.
To round out the scoring for Welch’s Gym Club, Mike Kinahan netted nine points including two treys. Scotty “My Man” Lewis netted eight points hitting two key three-pointers during their first half run, while Dave Blandino contributed six points. For the Sullivan Club, Asa Abbot scored 13 points. Ted Hughes and Kevin Knowles each finished the season with seven points including two treys.
It was another successful (yet hot) season (the 29th) at the outdoor courts for the local men’s league, overseen by Commissioner Eddie “Wilt” Curran.
“It was a great hoop season at the Pano Courts,” said Curran. “The teams were competitive and the players had a great time battling against each other during what turned to be quite a hot and humid summer. But that didn’t deter the players one bit.
“I would also like to mention that this league is dedicated to the memory of the late John ‘Injun’ Horan,” Curran added. “He managed Little League teams, coached youth football and CYO basketball, and officiated hoop games. He did so much for the kids in this community throughout the years and he deserves to be remembered as a tremendously caring and giving mentor.
“And finally I want to thank the league sponsors,” he concluded. “Without their generosity, it would be really tough to run such a league. The sponsors are Sal’s Restaurant, The Broadway, the Quietman Golf Tournament Committee, Southie Auto Service, Peter Welch’s Gym, and the T. Robert Sullivan Insurance Agency.”
Commissioner Curran is looking for hoop teams to play in the 2018-2019 men’s winter league. The games are played at the Tynan School gymnasium on weeknights. Interested parties should contact Ed Curran at eddiecurran@outlook.com
Three pictures-info next page
THREE PICTURES
CHAMPS-TOP PICTURE-RED/ORANGE SHIRTS
Pic #1 for top of article—RED/ORANGE SHIRTS——either#0226 or 0227 or 0228
Caption*** Pictured are the South Boston Basketball Association men’s summer league champions, the Peter Welch Club. The players are: Ed “Wilt” Curran, Jeff Powers, Joey Chapin, Scott Lewis, John Costello, Frank Jankowski, Dave Blandino, Marty Ridge, Mike Kinahan, and Miscal “Hook” Vislaint (not pictured- John Hynes).
FINALISTS-SECOND PICTURE -BLUE SHIRTS
Pic #2 for bottom of article—BLUE SHIRTS either #0223 or 0224 or 0225
Caption**** Pictured are the South Boston Basketball Association men’s summer league finalists, the T. Robert Sullivan Insurance Club. The players are: Kevin Knowles, Dave Brewer, Asa Abbot, Chris Kinback, Mike Doherty, Ted Hughes, Matt O’Malley, Peach Cammachio and TJ Russell.
Picture #3 for bottom of article—GAME OFFICIALS pic #0220 or 0221 or 0222
Caption*** Certified (IAABO) officials, David Shaw (left) and Julius Leary did a great job officiating the championship game.
