THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, February 28, 2020 Page 9 Tsang’s 31, Dajci’s dramatic three propel MVRCS eagles S enior Joey Dajci ’s three-pointer in the waning moments propelled Mystic Valley Regional Charter School (MVRCS) to a 76-74 victory over Lowell Catholic in Lowell in opening round play of the 2020 Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association [MIAA] Division 4 North Tournament. The win was chock full of storylines – MVRCS senior Alfie Tsang led the way with 31 points, including the 1,000th of his career, becoming the eighth in school history to do so. The Eagles (13-8) were in control of the contest most of the way – despite Tsang being saddled to coach Tony Ferullo’s bench for a majority of the third and fourth quarters with foul trouble – never trailing by more than three points. Behind by one with five seconds remaining, Dajci, who had only scored three points all game, kept his team’s season alive by burying a left corner trifecta on an assist from eight- grader Eli Prophete. The Crusader defense wisely double-teamed Tsang but didn’t account for the streak-shooting Dajci, who has a penchant for burying outside shots. Following a desperation half court heave, the Eagles retreated to their locker room, a jubilant scene, no doubt, as they survived and advanced to a Thursday (Feb. 27) showdown with top-seeded Austin Prep. In addition to Dajci’s heroics and Tsang’s ascendance into MVRCS Superintendent Alex Dan and basketball head coach Tony Ferullo flank Alfie Tsang as the senior was honored for eclipsing the 1,000-point plateau recently. (Photo Courtesy of Mystic Valley Regional Charter School) MVRCS lore, senior co-captain Kenny Jean-Pierre scored 15 points, and freshman Mike Tayag asserted himself as a clear outside threat, netting 14. A winner of more than 250 career games and 200-plus patrolling the Maroon and Gold sidelines, Ferullo was noticeably excited in the moment, savoring the occasion with his squad in the ensuing celebration. A true student of the game, the veteran coach was effusive in his praise for MVRCS’s successful efforts to secure a win on hostile ground. “This has to go down as one of the top victories in the history of the boys’ basketball program,” said Ferullo. “I cannot be more proud of my team and the hard-nosed way they played from start to finish…They are true champions in my book.” Girls protect home court in opening round victory The eighth-seeded MVRCS girls basketball team protected their home court with a 6344 victory over number nine KIPP Academy to advance to Friday’s quarterfinal round against top-seeded Matignon. Holding a 31-18 halftime advantage, the Eagles (12-9) withstood a small Panther run to lead by just 10, 41-31, after three quarters. Clearly inspired by coach Jonathan Currier’s between-quarters talk, MVRCS came out on fire, leaving no doubt that they’d survive and advance in the Division 4 North MVRCS swim teams excel in state meet I n February the boys and girls swim teams of Mystic Valley Regional Charter School (MVRCS) took to the waters at Boston University’s Agganis Arena to finish their season in the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) Division II state meets with swimmers from all over the Commonwealth taking their best shot at earning a medal. Girls The Eagle girls finished 15th with 47 points. Individually, sophomore Deanna Guo cracked the top eight twice, finishing seventh in the 100 fly (1:00.61) and eighth in the 100 back in 1:00.76. Junior Tracy Lam was MVRCS’s other solo competitor, placing 17th in the 200 individual medley (2:18.29) and 23rd in the 100 breast (1:13.95). MVRCS placed 11th in both the 200 individual medley relay (Guo, Lam, senior Olivia Mei and junior Shannon Brady) and the 400 free relay (Brady, Guo, Lam, Mei). The grouping of Mei, Brady, junior Angelina Casucci and sophomore Rupa Raj placed 23rd in the 200 free relay. The future looks bright for the Eagle girls as just one senior, Mei, departs from the state team. Boys Sunday was time for the MVRCS boys’ program to excel, and that’s exactly what transpired as the Eagles road a trio of top-eight relay finishes and strong individual swims on their way to an eighth-place finish with 112 points. Junior Joe Cirame turned in MVRCS’s best individual finish, touching the wall fifth in the 100 breast (1:00.41) to go along with his 16th place showing in the 200 individual medley. Freshman Jeremy Cheng also had a medal hung around his neck after a seventh-place effort in the 100 free (49.79) to accompany his 12th and freshman Armando Inplace finish in the 200 individual medley. In the 100 free, sophomore Andy DiFiore took 18th dreasano finished 23rd. Making his very first state finals individual appearance, senior Sam Lyon swam the 200 individual medley in 2:10.64. Junior Bryant Nguyen also competed in a pair of races: the 50 free and 100 breast. In the 50 free, Indreasano took 24th in 23.31. Freshman distance star Aiden Acuna-Rosa collected a pair of top-15 finishes, taking 13th in the 200 free and 15th in the 500 free. As mentioned, the relays saw the Eagles march to the podium three times with sixth-place finishes in the 200 medley (DiFiore, Cirame, Cheng, Indreasano) SWIM | SEE PAGE 11 Bracket. Sophomore post player Mairead St. Clair led all scorers with a career-best 19 points while snaring 17 rebounds. Junior captains Kate Story (13 points) and Daniela D’Alleva (12 points) continued to fill up the scorebook, and Currier’s team received a much-needed 8 points from sophomore forward Lily Palomino. “I was proud of our effort and how we competed,” said Currier, who saw his team advance to the semifinals a year ago. “Mairead had a great game and really asserted herself in the paint. Kate and Daniela controlled the tempo and keyed our defensive effort. Even when they [KIPP] made a little run at us, I never sensed any panic with our team; we stayed focused and finished the job.” Tsang joins exclusive club With his 31-point effort in MVRCS’s 76-74 opening round victory over Lowell Catholic, senior Alfie Tsang became the eighth player in school history to equal or eclipse the 1,000 point plateau on the hardwood. Needing 30 points to achieve the milestone, Tsang seemed well on his way to having his name stitched on the banner that proudly hangs at the Eastern Avenue Sports Complex – until foul trouble relegated him to a seat on the bench for most of the third and fourth quarters. Career points 1,000 and 1,001 couldn’t have come at a more critical time – the senior from Saugus slashed his way past Crusaders defenders in the closing moments to give his team the lead. “Alfie is one of the hardest working and diligent young men I’ve ever been associated with,” Ferullo said. “He is the epitome of a student-athlete in every sense of the word, and it’s been an absolute pleasure for me to coach him these past four years. He has laid a foundation and example for our younger players to live up to not only for how he conducts himself on the court but for his steadfast commitment to excelling away from basketball.” Still undecided on his college destination, Tsang is a Presidential scholar candidate, a candidate for the IB Diploma, and a member of STEM Club, National History Day and Key Club, of which he is the Lieutenant Governor for the New England & Bermuda District Key Club. He is also one of eight members of the Class of 2020 who eclipsed the 1,500 mark on the SAT.
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