Page 16 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, March 14, 2025 ‘MOST VALUABLE’ TORNADOS: Sophie Tran (Swimming) & Amanda Ebenezer (Girls Basketball) named GBL League MVPs Tran is believed to be first freshman League MVP in Malden history in Swimming By Steve Freker O ne outstanding performer led her team to a fourth consecutive League Championship while accruing lots of personal, individual achievements, which led her to compete on the State Championship level. Another Malden High standout carried the team on her back in some games, helping her squad to an impressive fourth consecutive appearance in the MIAA Division 1 State Girls Basketball Tournament. Sophie Tran is just a freshman and this ninth-grader is believed to have made history as the first-ever swimmer from this grade to be voted Most Valuable Player for the Greater Boston League (GBL). “Sophie [Tran] had one of the best seasons in memory this year and won more individual events than any one on our team and probably any swimmer in the league,” Malden High coach Julie Grillon said. “We are very proud of Sophie’s accomplishment and this very well-deserved honor.” Senior Amanda Ebenezer is the first Girls Basketball GBL MVP in 20 years, it is believed. “Amanda [Ebenezer] has been our go-to player for the past two seasons and she has been one of the top players in the Greater Boston League as well,” said Malden High Head Coach Scott Marino. “It is a tremendous honor to be selected as the league’s Most Valuable Player and Amanda certainly earned this recognition.” Amanda Ebenezer GBL Girls Basketball MVP Ebenezer was the leading scorer, rebounder and shot-blocker for the past two seasons running for Head Coach Scott Marino’s Tornado squad, averaging 12.5 Sophie Tran GBL Coed Swimming MVP points and nearly double-digit (9.7) rebounds per game. Following are just some of Sophie Tran’s accomplishments in the 2024-25 season. • 200 IM time of 2:27.42, Place 1 against Revere on Jan. 9, 2025 (MIAA State & Sectional Championship qualifier) • 100 Butterfly time of 1:04.22, Place 1 against Revere on Jan. 9, 2025 (MIAA State & Sectional Championship qualifier) • 100 Backstroke time of 1:06.26, Place 1 against Lynn Classical on Dec. 17, 2024 (MIAA State & Sectional Championship qualifier) • 50 Freestyle time of 26.73 at the Invitational meet against MVRCS & Malden Catholic on Dec. 19, 2024 (MIAA State & Sectional Championship qualifier) • 100 Freestyle time of 59.13, Place 1 against Lynn Classical on Jan. 16, 2025 (MIAA Sectional Championship qualifier) Malden High Students ‘Teach the Lesson’ in Basketball Victory over Faculty By Steve Freker T he trend started last season when the Students broke up a five-year run of dominance by the Faculty and pulled out a 68-67 overtime win. On Tuesday they made it two in a row, this time in a dominating 85-57 blowout victory in the 2025 Annual Students vs. Faculty Basketball Game at the Finn Gym at Malden High School. The game was fairly close Amanda Ebenezer pulls away from John Frigo. (Courtesy Photos/The Maldonian/MHS Yearbook) through the first half, with the Students pulling away for a 3828 lead at halftime on a couple of long-range missiles just before the buzzer. The “Three-Ball” played a major factor in the second half for the Malden High students, who used the sharpshooting of senior guards Aidan Brett and Wyatt Dessert to spread the lead and effectively put the game away by the early part of the fourth quarter. Brett finished with a game-high 17 points and Dessert added 14 points for the Students. The game was a fundraiser for the Malden Adventure and Travel Club, whose chief advisor Brad Gelling splits between “Deni” Da Cruz and Kimberly Tropnas. (Courtesy Photos/The Maldonian/ MHS Yearbook) Malden High Principal Chris Mastrangelo doubled as the Coach for the Faculty once again this year. (Courtesy Photos/The Maldonian/MHS Yearbook) is Shauna Campbell. The group organizes annual trips to foreign countries each April Vacation. They also host day and night excursions for students to fun places and events around the region.
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