At some point, the Commonwealth Motors Christmas Classic, the current rendition of the classic Greater Lawrence Christmas Tournament, will grow old and weary.
Not.
Let’s just say, I’ve been going to this thing for nearly the entire five decades of its existence. and to this day it remains a unique, trademark, can’t-miss event on the Merrimack Valley calendar.
Here are some thoughts as the holiday tourney season unfolds in the Valley and beyond.
The Right Stuff
Admittedly, walking into the Volpe Center for the first time in well over a decade last year – I didn’t know there was a second rink! – I was I was blown away.
Merrimack College is a flat-out amazing venue for the CMCC. Lawler Arena is big enough that it is comfortable for the large, feisty tourney crowds and still intimate. It’s a Division 1 college venue, something that as great a job as the high schools did hosting the tourney, they can’t provide.
My one disappointment with the tourney’s return a year ago? I didn’t get the opportunity to test the Merrimack College concessions last December. What can the Mack do for me?
I plan on giving a full culinary report/critique from the event this time around.
Moose Tracks
Among some of the more interesting notes from the tourney is the fact that Lawrence High coach Jesus “Moose” Moore is off to an 8-0 start with three titles in his bench career.
Will his team ever lose?
Moore is no stranger to Christmas tourney success. He was 8-1 as a Lancer power forward with a pair of championships.
Of course, Moore has a ways to go in attempting to chase some of the all-time great coaches.
Central Catholic legend Dick Licare has an uncanny 13 titles, while his successor with the Raiders, Rick Nault, has seven. So does Andover’s Wil Hixon.
Did you know?
I’ll always consider myself a connoisseur of quirky coincidences.
So, in reviewing the all-time performances from the boys tourney, I noticed that current Lawrence assistant coach Justin Nieves had both a 38 and 33-point night during his Lancer playing days?
What’s quirky about that? Nothing.
But did you know at last year’s tournament, Beverly’s Ryder Frost tossed in 38 in the opening round, and his Panther teammate Dylan Crowley followed that up with a 33-point effort in the semis?
Each matched a Nieves night. Call me crazy, but that’s just a pretty cool coincidence.
Where stars are born
Andover’s Michaela Buckley is the lone returning player to earn all-tourney team status at the CMCC last year.
That’s one out of the 12 players honored — six boys and six girls.
Who will be the players to step up earn their places in the region’s hoop lore?
Pick a Lancers, any Lancer. Guys like Joendy Rosario, Obbie Luciano, Igor Gonzalez and Courage Agbekpornu all have enjoyed great moments in Lawrence’s 3-1 start.
Could it be explosive Andover sophomore Luca Palermo, or the veteran of so many big wars coming out of North Andover, senior sniper Zach Wolinski? Central’s gritty sophomore captain Javi Lopez?
For the girls, is it Buckley’s time again? Maybe, there’s a Raider ready for greatness, and don’t forget about the Pentucket girls. Methuen’s Sam Pfeil? She’s a two-time returning Eagle-Tribune All-Star hungry for the big stage.
The winter madness is just days away. Do yourself a favor and be a part of it.