league news

Bob Leighton honored during Championship Sunday
On March 21st the WJBL announced the renaming of Division I to the Leighton Division. This is in recognition of Mr. Robert Leighton's 27 years of tireless volunteer service to the league.

The WJBL 8th grade travel teams finished their travel career by playing each other in the finals of the Quincy Sacred Heart Tournament.    David Harrison and Toastie Roach put on offensive clinics with their unmatched ability to take the ball to the hoop.   TJ Vasquez and Stephen Karlberg anchored the Patriot League team’s defense, while Christian Callahan, Kyle Foote and Ryan Jones excelled for the South Shore team.  In a nail biter, Weymouth won.   The WJBL congratulates these two teams which are the most successful travel grade in history of the WJBL.  Combined, they won over 180 regular season and tournament games over five years with the South Shore League winning three championships and the Patriot League winning one.   The WJBL wishes these players well and wishes them the very best in high school play and/or playing for the WJBL in grades 9 through 12.    The WJBL Board wants to express special appreciation to their terrific coaches:  Kevin Roach, TJ Lacey, Ronnie Long, Steve Harrison and Ken Karlberg.

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Hennelly All-Stars

Championship Sunday for Weymouth JBL began with the Hennelly Division All Star game, in which the Blue All Stars defeated the Red All Stars 45-28. Anthony DeBello, Will Spring, and Kevin O’Brien provided the offense for the Blue team, while Brian Keating and Nathan Ordway added great games for the Red All Stars.

Division II

The next game, the first of three championships on the day, featured a back and forth thriller for the Division II title. Comcast ultimately edged out Park Avenue Market, 42-41 in overtime. Brian Christo led Comcast’s balanced offense with 17 points, while Henry McDonald and Jeff Acciavatti supplied tough defensive pressure. Ryan Craig and Joe Lagrotteria had excellent games on both ends of the court for Park Ave despite the loss.

Next, the Division II All Star game was played, in which the Blue team defeated the Red team 44-31. Josh Andrews paced the Blue All Stars with 19 points, while Brian Umano and Logan Smith played well for the Red team.

Andrew Farrar MVP Awards

Following the third game, 2 players, one from Division II and one from Division I, were presented with the Andrew Farrar Jr. Memorial MVP Award. Josh Andrews of Division II’s Fabiano Florists and Tim Dennehey of Division I’s Comcast were recognized with these awards for the hard work, effort, and excellent team play throughout the season that were characteristic of Andrew.

Leighton Division

JBL president Tom Deegan, accompanied by former presidents Arnold Salvatore and TJ Lacey, and the namesake of the Hennelly Division, Dick Hennelly, made a presentation for a lifetime achievement award to Mr. Robert Leighton. Mr. Leighton was recognized for 27 years of dedicated service to Weymouth as a member of the WJBL Board of Directors, and from now on, Division I will officially be known as the Leighton Division. Thank you Mr. Leighton for all your hard work!

The Leighton Division championship featured a tough matchup between the undefeated #1 seed Weymouth Sharks and the #2 seed D.L. Foote and Sons. It appeared that the Sharks perfect season may be in jeopardy after they trailed by 9 points at halftime, but their high powered offense and tough full court press took over in the second half, earning them a 66-58 victory. Mike Sinopoli and Andy Manoli capped off an amazing season with a combined 35 points. Cory Folsom added 26 for D.L. Foote to close out an excellent offensive showing in the playoffs.

The Leighton Division All Star game ended in a 61-52 win for the Red All Stars over the Blue All Stars. Kyle Foote and James Lamour led the attack for the Red team, while Connor Deegan and Sean Kupris paced the Blue offense.

Senior League

The final game of the day was the Senior League championship which was yet another hotly contested battle. Dunkin Donuts ultimately prevailed over Weymouth Fire, 49-45 in overtime. Mike Long and Mike Cronin led Dunkin Donuts with 23 combined points, while Brendan Fallon and Anthony Mitrano added 31 for Weymouth Fire. It was an incredible day to conclude an excellent year of JBL basketball, and we all look forward to more great games next winter.

Division 1
The #1 seed Weymouth Sharks are one victory away from a perfect season after defeating Mitchelson Club 67-53, although this game was by no means an easy win. Mitchelson Club opened out to an early lead behind Ryan Andrews and Steve Presente’s hot perimeter shooting. However, the Sharks made their attack in the second half, with Mike Sinopoli and Pat Fennell leading a balanced offense that had five players finish with double digit points. The second semifinal matchup featured a thrilling, back and forth affair between #2 D.L. Foote and Sons and #3 Comcast. Kenen Cerkez and Tim Dennehey provided the offensive charge for Comcast, adding 45 points, but Foote and Sons’ Cory Folsom and James Lamour countered with 47 of their own. Trailing 61-59 with less than 3 seconds remaining, D.L. Foote’s chances seemed bleak. But Cory Folsom put on his best Michael Jordan impression, and nailed an indescribable turnaround 3 to beat the buzzer and carry his team to the championship with a 62-61 victory. This sets up a great matchup between #1 and #2. Can the Sharks cap their incredible season with a championship, or will the adrenaline rush from Folsom’s 3 pointer lift D.L. Foote to the top?

Division 2
Ryan Craig and Kevin Lyons led a second half comeback, combining for 16 points, in Park Avenue Market’s 28-26 victory over South Shore Sports Therapy. Justin Willy and Brian Umano played great games for SS Sports Therapy despite the loss. Park Ave advances to the league championship to face Comcast, who won their semifinal matchup 38-21 over Fabiano Florist. Brian Christo and Shane Lynch combined for 24 points for Comcast, while Josh Andrews and Josh Holmes led Fabiano’s offensive attack.