Page 14 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, FEbRuARy 14, 2025 Crimson Tide boys basketball’s postseason fate comes down to this weekend’s Dudley Davenport Classic in Sharon After losing to host North High in OT, Everett needs to win both games starting with Sunday’s opener vs. Walpole at noon By Joe McConnell T he Everett High School boys basketball team (810) played just one game this week, and it was a heartbreaking 45-44 overtime loss to non-league host North High School out of Worcester on Monday night (Feb. 10). It was a battle of Division 1 clubs that came down to the wire, plus an extra period to decide the outcome. “Scoring proved to be a challenge for us throughout this game,” said coach Gerard Boyce. “We had many missed opportunities and unforced turnovers that caused significant setbacks. “But despite those troubles, we did have some standout performances,” added the second-year Everett boys coach. Boyce singled out Jayden Alsaindor, who led the team in scoring with 15 points. Geordiell Luna Morales was close behind him with 14 points. “They also both showcased their determination to play good basketball on the court (all the time),” said Boyce. The Everett boys now have two regular season games left on the schedule, and they need to win both to qualify for the state tournament. The two games will be away from home in the annual Dudley Davenport Classic at Sharon High School. The Crimson Tide will take on Walpole in the fi rst game of the tournament on Sunday (Feb. 16), starting at noon. The host team Sharon will then go up against Dedham at 1:30 p.m. The championship and consolation games will take place the next day. “This tournament (obviously) holds significant importance for us,” said Boyce. “We need to win both games to secure a spot in the postseason tournament, but more than that it’s an opportunity to see if the boys will dig deep, defend well, rebound eff ectively and share the ball (to put them over the top).” Weather It Better: Outdoor Power Equipment Helps Clean Up After Storms Weatheritbetter.com offers checklist, safety tips for home & business owners A LEXANDRIA, Va. -- Chainsaws, generators, snow throwers, utility type vehicles (UTVs), water pumps, and other types of outdoor power equipment help home and business owners maintain properties and clean up after storms or weather-related emergencies. Home and business owners are urged to visit WeatherItBetter.com, the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute’s (OPEI) hub for storm preparation, safe equipment usage tips and checklists to help them prepare for today’s unpredictable weather. “Bad weather can hit anyEverett Head Coach Riley Dunn called a timeout as the Crimson Tide took on Revere and won 48-42 Tuesday night on the road. BASKETBALL | FROM PAGE 12 trouble. Together, we fought until the end.” Senior captain Emilia Maria Babcock led the way with 12 points and six rebounds in just the fi rst three quarters of the game. Julianna Rivera was next in line with 10 points to go along with her two assists and three rebounds, which completed an excellent all-around game for her. Nicole Damaceno worked relentlessly on defense, and also collected four points, while pulling down 12 rebounds that helped keep the score close throughout most of the game. But the game against the aforementioned Patriots had nothing but positive vibes from beginning to end. “This was a huge team win against a tough Revere squad,” time, anywhere, so plan for it,” says Kris Kiser, President and CEO of OPEI. “With any weather event, like hurricanes, snow and ice, we usually know they’re coming. Get fresh fuel, charge batteries, and test outdoor power equipment in advance so you’re powered up and ready to use it. If the power goes out, you can’t get those things easily.” In particular, says OPEI, when using a portable generator, homeowners should make sure they have weather-approved extension cords that keep it a safe distance from the house and users follow all manufacturer’s guidelines. Kiser says storm preparation boils down to thinking strategically about what equipment is needed. “Our industry is constantly evolving and innovating, and there’s a lot of equipment on the market today that can make big jobs easier, to help you ‘weather it better’ when storms hit,” says said Dunn. “I’m so unbelievably proud of my girls, and the grit and unselfish play they displayed throughout the entire game. They played like a true team, with every single player stepping up. We needed all of their contributions, because we were shorthandKiser. “But you need to have the right equipment on hand before damaging weather hits.” When the power goes out, a generator can keep the lights on and phones charged. A utility type vehicle can move people and supplies quickly, and a water pump can get out flood waters from basements and other spaces. String trimmers, leaf blowers, and mowers can remove combustible material away from a structure. Chainsaws and pole pruners can take down dead limbs and trim trees and bushes. “Safety gear and following manufacturer’s directions is key to using outdoor power equipment,” adds Kiser. “It’s important to ensure everyone who uses equipment knows and follows all safety procedures.” Find safety tips, checklists and more at WeatherItBetter.com. ed with a limited roster. “It’s been an extremely challenging season, but in this game, they focused on the goal at hand,” said the veteran Everett coach afterwards. “Their resilience, tenacity and BASKETBALL | SEE PAGE 16
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