THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, March 7, 2025 Page 15 Malden High Boys Basketball honors four on Senior Night Brett, Ferreira, Macdonald and Captain Dessert acknowledged on special evening By Steve Freker T he Malden Public Schools Athletic Department honored the four Seniors for the Golden Tornado Boys Basketball Team at the players’ final home game against Somerville on February 13. Three of the Seniors were four-year Varsity Team members while a fourth was a two-year Varsity player. Acknowledged at Senior Night for Malden Boys Basketball were senior captain Wyatt Dessert and fellow members of the Class of 2025: Aidan Brett, Jose Ferreira and Chris Macdonald. Brett, Ferreira and Dessert are all fouryear Varsity players for Malden 19-year Head Coach Don Nally. “We did not have the season we had hoped for in the win column, but we appreciate and respect the commitment and effort these seniors provided for our team this season,” Coach Nally said. “This is one of the youngest overall teams I have ever coached. Most nights we started two ninth-graders and two juniors in our first five, so we relied on our experienced seniors to provide some leadership.” Following is a capsule look at all four Malden High seniors. AIDAN BRETT: Three-sport, four-year Varsity performer in Basketball, Baseball and Football, a rare accomplishment at the high school level. A 5-9, 185 four-year starting quarterback for Malden High football, led team to two Thanksgiving Day wins. Threw for over 1,000 yards this past fall with 14 TD passes... In Basketball, played two seasons his freshman and sophomore campaigns and missed last winter with an injury. Played most of this past season and was one of Malden’s best options as a sharpshooter from Three-PointLand... Played Varsity Baseball as a freshman and sophomore, at outfield, third base and pitcher. Missed season due to in injury and will be back on this diamond for his final high school season this spring. “Aidan’s [Brett] battled through some injuries through the years, but he has always given our team his best effort,” Coach Nally said. *** JOSE FERREIRA: A 5-8, 170 fouryear Varsity player known for his offensive bursts, whether it’s driving to the basket or heating up from behind the three-point line. A fiery competitor, Ferreira often provided an extra spark to the Tornado game, whether it was a big shot to score a basket or some enterprising defense to stop the opposing defense. “Jose [Ferreira] has always been one of your toughest competitors. He plays hard every night and plays to win,” Coach Nally said. “Jose won’t be easy to replace.” *** CHRIS MACDONALD: A 6-1,160 guard-forward, Macdonald is another three-sport “throwback” student athlete. He puts the “student” in student-athlete with the highest grade point average on all three of his Varsity teams: Basketball, Baseball and Golf. Chris has been Malden High’s top golfer for three seasons in the fall and recently confirmed he will continue competitive golf as a member of the Salem State University team next fall. He is also a four-year Varsity Baseball team member, at first base, outfield and right-handed pitcher. In basketball, played as a reserve off the bench who came in and hit “threes” as well as provided some defense around the perimeter or around the basket. “Chris [Macdonald] was coachable, reliable and did whatever was asked of him all season,” Coach Nally said. *** WYATT DESSERT: The 5-11, 160 Dessert was perhaps the best overall athlete on the team. A two-sport competitor, Dessert, who could play literally all five All the Seniors and all of their family and friends are shown above on Senior Night at the Finn Gym at Malden High School. Wyatt Dessert and his family were honored on Senior Night. (Advocate Photos/Henry Huang) Aidan Brett was honored with members of his family. (Advocate Photos/Henry Huang) Jose Ferreira had a large contingent of family and friends at Senior Night. (Advocate Photos/Henry Huang) of the positions on the court due to his ballhandling and jumping ability, was also a two-way, four-year starter for Malden High Football, where he played defensive back and wide receiver. Dessert was a defensive dynamo for the past three seasons for Coach Nally, nearly every game being assigned to guard the opponent’s best scorer. Wyatt could also spot up a “three” or fly to the basket. “Wyatt [Dessert] was our most gifted all-around athlete. He met all the challenges we put to him,” Coach Nally said. “He was our single captain and really led by example. He will be missed.”
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