Pope John Tigers fall to New Mission in North final
By Cary Shuman
Pope John High School senior guard Gianni Hill was outstanding in the final game of her career but it wasn’t enough as the Tigers fell to New Mission, 57-52, in the Division 4 North final Friday night at Tewksbury High School.
Hill had 22 points and five assists to keep the Tigers within striking distance deep in to the fourth quarter. Freshman Korine Haidul added 18 points in a strong display of outside shooting and junior Anya Wolcott was an inside force with 18 points and 12 rebounds.
But in the end New Mission’s 6-feet-2-inch center, Denis Davis-Stewart was the difference, scoring 32 points to go along with 20 rebounds and five blocked shots. Stewart, who will attend Merrimack College, was 16-of-18- from the field.
“We wanted to force her [Davis-Stewart) to hit jump shots and she did,” said Pope John coach Jake Feraco, whose team finished an excellent season with a 14-10 record.
Feraco was pleased with his team’s overall effort. “They played their hearts out. A stop here, another made free throw here over the course of the game they add up, and they added up in the favor of New Mission tonight by five points.”
New Mission had defeated Pope John, 85-80, during the regular season. “We wanted to tighten up defensively this time and we did that and gave up 18 fewer points.”
Feraco offered profuse praise for Hill, who leaves the program as the school’s all-time leading scorer with 1,332 points. “We’re going to miss her. She’s been an absolute warrior for over 70 games for me and you cannot replace a player like her. There’s never been a time in those games that I had to yell at Gianni Hill for her effort on the court. Offensively and defensively she gives 150 percent every single game. Her effort and competitive edge is unmatched by anyone I’ve ever coached.”
The team received excellent support from its spirited student body who cheered on the girls and boys teams in the North sectional doubleheader (The Pope John boys team lost to St. Mary’s, 68-49, in the Division 4 North championship game). Head of School Dr. Thomas Ryan, Principal Thomas Mahoney, and Athletic Director Bill Gaine III were in attendance.
Pope John girls basketball’s future is a bright one. Anya Wolcott, Korine Haidul, and her twin sister, Katty Haidul, who was impressive throughout the season and in the tournament, and other underclassmen lead a solid returning cast. Pope John reportedly has a talented incoming freshman class as well. The Tigers could be right back in the thick of state title contention next season.
2016 HopeHealth Walk for Alzheimer’s Walk Kickoff Breakfast set fot March 24
HopeHealth announced its 2016 Walk for Alzheimer’s, inviting walkers to support the programs of Hope Dementia & Alzheimer’s Services. The signature event provides funding for essential services for those living with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers, healthcare professionals and community agencies. These services include assessment, individual and group counseling, education, telephonic support, respite care and much more.
Walk Kickoff Breakfast
Thursday, March 24 from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. at The Pavillion at Pinehills Golf Club in Plymouth
Join us at the Walk Kickoff Breakfast to learn more about the HopeHealth Walk for Alzheimer’s and how you can make a difference in the lives of those battling this disease. The breakfast will feature a brief segment with speakers who share compelling stories and perspectives — about personally coping with the disease themselves and caring for a loved one with the disease, along with comments from community leaders who feel passionate about this cause. Walk team captains will receive kits and information to support their fundraising efforts.
The breakfast will be hosted by Sean Doherty, Night Guy and director of marketing at Cape Cod Broadcasting for 99.9 The Q. Cape Cod Broadcasting is locally owned and operated and is a media sponsor for the HopeHealth Walk for Alzheimer’s.
By participating in the Walk on May 15, 2016, you will help to fund critical care and supportive services for those who need it most, making life better for thousands of local families.
You can sign up today at HopeHealthCo.org/Walk.
Alzheimer’s disease is a fatal, degenerative disease of the brain that slowly diminishes a person’s ability to reason, remember, respond to the environment, and carry out the most basic tasks. An estimated 5.4 million Americans of all ages have Alzheimer’s disease, including 200,000 individuals under age 65 who have younger-onset Alzheimer’s. In Massachusetts, 120,000 individuals age 65 and older have the disease.
According to the Massachusetts Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders State Plan, every sixty-nine seconds another American develops Alzheimer’s disease. It is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States and the fifth leading cause of death for those 65 and older. One in nine people age 65 and older has Alzheimer’s disease. Nearly one in three seniors who dies each year has Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia.
Most care for people with Alzheimer’s disease in Massachusetts is delivered at home by family members who are in need of education and supportive services. Family caregivers often suffer from both physical and mental exhaustion.
“HopeHealth is committed to meeting the growing needs of those with serious illness throughout our communities, with a special focus on addressing the challenges associated with Alzheimer’s disease,” said Diana Franchitto, president & CEO, HopeHealth. “Better access to and knowledge of services can significantly enhance the quality of life for caregivers, and for their loved ones as the disease progresses. The emotional stress of caregivers can be greatly reduced when they are given clear, simple information about the disease and its progression and ongoing supportive services.
The 2016 HopeHealth Walk for Alzheimer’s will take place on Sunday, May 15, 2016 at the DCR Scusset State Beach in Sandwich. Registration begins at 9:00 a.m. with the walk starting at 10:00 a.m.
The website is available to make registration and fundraising easier – visit HopeHealthCo.org/Walk to sign up as a team or an individual walker. For questions about the HopeHealth Walk for Alzheimer’s, please contact (508) 957-0282 or [email protected].
More information about Cape Cod Broadcasting can be found at CCB-media.com.