THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, March 28, 2025 Page 15 Malden High School Girls Basketball Tri-Captains Honored on Senior Night By Steve Freker T hree Malden High Girls Basketball Seniors were honored at Senior Night festivities preceding their final home game versus Somerville. Tri-captains Amanda Ebenezer, Ina Tolete and Kimberly Tropnas were all recognized and acknowledged by their family and friends as well as Head Coach Scott Marino and his coaching staff. Amanda Ebenezer with family and friends on Senior Night (Malden Advocate/All Henry Huang Photos) as was Tropnas, with all three of the captains scoring the bulk of Kimberly Tropnas with family and friends on Senior Night (Malden Advocate/All Henry Huang Photos) Ebenezer, a 6-0 senior, was also recognized as the Greater Boston League Most Valuable Player after finishing among the league leaders in scoring (12.7 points per game) and rebounding (9.8 rebounds per game). Tolete was also a steady scorer for Malden, the points for the games. “Amanda [Ebenezer] has been our best and most consistent player for three years,” said Coach Marino. “Every night she was counted on the be the goto person on offense and our top defender on the other end and she always did her best to deliver.” “It is never easy to start a game knowing the opponent’s defense is making you the primary target to stop, but that’s how Ina Tolete with family and friends on Senior Night (Malden Advocate/ All Henry Huang Photos) Amanda had to face every night,” Coach Marino added. “You can’t replace players like Amanda, she will be greatly missed. We hope our younger players strive to provide what [Amanda] did for our program.” On Tolete: “Ina was one of the true clutch shooters for our team this year. She always seemed to be there to make a big ‘three’ or other key shot for us,” Coach Marino said. “She led by example and will also be very much missed moving forward.” On Tropnas: “Kim was our top defender and was usually assigned to the other team’s best player. She also had a knack for making a big shot or a layup after a steal in the transition game,” Coach Marino said of the senior who led Malden to a 10-10 regular season and fourth straight State Championship Tournament berth. “We are proud of our three senior co-captains and I join my coaching staff in wishing all three of them and their families the very best in the future,” Coach Marino said. Malden High Baseball Hosts Fourth Annual Tornado First Pitch Classic Season Opener today at Maplewood Park, 4:00 p.m. start; Lynn Tech joins tournament field this season, with Salem Academy Charter By Nick Toscani T he “Early Bird” local baseball squad plays the first high school baseball game to be played in Massachusetts again this year, as Malden High hosts the Fourth Annual Golden Tornado Club First Pitch Classic this weekend. Salem Academy Charter High School hosted Lynn Tech on Thursday in Game 1 of the tournament at Maplewood Park in Malden to open up play. Game 2 is today, as host Malden High plays Salem Academy at 3:45 p.m. at Maplewood Park. The third game of the tournament, which will decide this year’s tournament, will be played at 3:30 p.m. tomorrow, Saturday, March 29, at Maplewood Park with Malden hosting Lynn Tech. While most high school teams – all sports – are just starting up their preseason scrimmage work, Malden High is getting out there for real. “We started this tournament in 2022 and it has been successful since we play against teams coached by guys who are friends of ours,” said Malden High Head Coach Steve Freker. “Mike Barbati is coach for Salem Academy Charter and he knows us well, since he is a former coach at all three schools where I have been. I was also his coach when he was in high school so the connection now is almost 20 years.” Coach Freker said the preseason preparation is fast-forward, but that his team seems to respond. Malden has been the champion of the Golden Tornado Club First Pitch Classic in all three of the years it has been held: 2022, 2023 & 2024. Chelsea High had been a participant the previous three years, but Lynn Tech has stepped in for the third spot for this season. Malden High Baseball opens the regular season today, hosting Salem Academy Charter at 3:45 p.m. at Maplewood Park in Malden. Above, freshman Nick D’Anna (left) and junior Eudy Francisco (right) signal Malden is ready to go for the new season. (Advocate Photo)
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