THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, February 17, 2023 Page 13 TOURNEY-BOUND! Malden High Boys Basketball Team qualifies for MIAA D-1 State Tourney with win over Somerville, 58-54 Senior Capt. Jonald Joseph scores season-high 20 pts., 13 reb. and 7 blocked shots to lead Malden By Steve Freker I t’s never easy. But then again, why should it be? It makes the victory ever sweeter. Maybe that’s why it took Malden High Boys Basketball right down to the last possession to put away a pesky Somerville High squad that was standing in its way on the path toward a bigtime redemption. A year ago, Malden was not at the bottom, the Tornados were at THE BOTTOM(!!) – the last-ranked team of 56 Division 1 teams in the state at 1-19 overall. After Tuesday’s exciting, 58-54, down-to-thewire win before a loud crowd at Finn Gym, Malden completed a huge turnaround circle, qualifying for its first Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) Division 1 State Tournament berth since 2018. Malden improved to 10-8 overall with the victory, thus lifting the equivalent of an 18-wheeler off the shoulders of Head Coach Don Nally. “I am so happy for these kids. They have worked so hard since the end of last season and to go from one win to 10, and, hopefully, two more, is fantastic,” Coach Nally said. Senior captain Jonald Joseph, who missed all of last year with an injury, was a beast on this night, leading all scorers with a season-high 20 points, 13 rebounds and 7 blocked shots. It was a fully balanced team effort as both junior forward Zeke Noelsaint and freshman guard Ethan Pherjarasai scored 10 points each, and senior Justin Bell added 10 points. Malden also got solid minutes and leadership from senior swing man Peyton Carron and senior forward Andrew Louis. “It was a team effort and a very satisfying win over a wellcoached Somerville team,” said Nally, who has led Malden to the postseason in 11 of his 18 seasons at the helm. “It was also a big relief!” Coach Nally said with a smile. Senior Jonald Joseph skies for two of his game-high 20 points against Somerville. (Henry Huang Photos/ Malden Advocate) GREATER BOSTON LEAGUE UPDATE: Two GBL Co-Op/ Co-Ed Wrestling Team Performers Qualify for This Weekend’s MIAA State Tournament Vargas and Hassan from Malden HS/ GBL finish third at Division 1 Central Greater Boston League (Malden/Everett/Revere Co-ed/Co-op) senior captain Joel Vargas (second from right) finished third at the MIAA Division 1 Central Sectionals and will compete in the Division 1 State Tournament this weekend at Methuen High School. Above he is shown on Senior Night with, from left to right, Mayor Gary Christenson, GBL/Malden/Everett/Revere senior Nicole Zang, Joel Vargas and Malden Public Schools Athletic Director Charlie Conefrey. (Courtesy/Malden Public Schools/City of Malden) By Steve Freker S ometimes a second chance is all you need for a signature achievement in high school sports. Senior Joel Vargas of Malden Ethan Phejarasai looked for an opening against Somerville during Tuesday’s game. High School, a captain for the Greater Boston League (GBL) Co-ed/Co-op Wrestling Team, finished third at the Division 1 Central Sectional Tournament and will be competing in the MIAA Division 1 State Championships, beginning today and continuing through the weekend at Methuen High School. Vargas, who was the 5th seed at 182 lbs. at the Sectionals this past weekend, was pinned in his first match by #4 seed Jacob McLintock of Newton South. Vargas then battled through the loser’s bracket, going a perfect 3-0 with two pins consecutively, and then a hard-fought, 5-2 win over – guess who – McLintock in the 182 lbs. semifinals. “I was really glad to get a second chance with that opponent,” Vargas said. “He pinned me in my first match and I give him credit, but I really wanted another chance at him and I got it. It made me feel great to earn my spot in the State Tournament.” Vargas will be joined by the GBL’s Youseff Hassan in the Division 1 States today. Hassan also finished 3rd in the Sectionals, competing at 195 lbs. Hassan pinned his first two opponents before getting pinned himself, then winning his fourth match by a pin to finish third. Ivan Landaverde-Lemus competed in the 120 lb. weight class and was eliminated. Sean Cochran competed at 138 lbs. for GBL Wrestling and was eliminated. Steven Busillo competed at 152 lbs. for GBL, and Alex Oscar competed at 160 lbs. and they were knocked out. David Parada-Araujo went 1-2 at 132 lbs.
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