Charlestown High School

I had the privilege of going to 2 games in a row for this live bunch of athletes. So I decided to do a combined story. Highlights and interviews will be posted in my next blog. The Charlestown Townies are 7-1 right now. They are officially the team to beat in the Boston North Division. Having not lost, they are the top rank in my book in the city. Led by Akosa Maduegbunam, and Rony Fernandez, this team of mostly juniors is putting teams to shame. They already play in the tougher of the 2 Boston divisions, then to add insult to injury, they haven't lost in the city yet. Their only loss came from Franklin High in a Christmas tournament this past school break. In the past 2 games, they had 4 scorers who averaged double digit points. The funny thing about it is, their leading scorer, an all star from last year as a sophomore, who hasn't started in the past 2 games because of disciplinary issues comes in at or about the 2nd quarter and doesn't turn up until halftime or after on the score sheet. You know what that means? They have a habit of beating teams without a need for him to play. They could actually win by double digits against most of the teams in the city without their double digit scorers. But that is just my opinion. They have a lot of height. I have between 3 and 6 picks for the all star game from thier team alone this year. One being, Akosa M. and his backcourt partner, Rony Fernandez. At any time, they don't even have to run the ball down, you have Tyerese Hoxter to do that and he is the tallest ball handler in Boston right now. He is listed at 6'4 and he is only in the 10th grade. Then you have drifters in CJ Dowdell, Iser Barnes, Mike Keough and Omar Orriols who all can be found at any given point for an easy basket. Big man Tyrik Jackson easily averages 12 points a game which could be more except for the fact that the Townies have a plethra of outside shooters and slashers. Maybe I am blowing them up too much, they have yet to play East Boston, Madison Park or South Boston. Not to mention, their toughest challenge which no doubt will be St. John's Prep at the end of this month. South Boston has been rumored to have a good squad. And I look forward to that matchup a couple days from now. Madison Park and East Boston both have less than perfect records having about 3 losses including at least one city loss so far. So I predict that CTown will have challenges but run through the division with no losses. We will find out soon enough. All I am saying is, look out for Charlestown to be a contender for a top spot in the city playoffs and definitely to make a run in Division 1 states. No doubt in my mind, they will have 2 all stars, maybe 3 if the Blue and Red Foundation does another all star game. Yessir, the Townies are on their way and off to a great start.

Last 2 games

Charlestown 75 at Boston Latin Academy 52 Akosa M. and CJ Dowdell 15/points a piece-leading scorers

Hope(RI) 44 at Charlestown 91 Akosa M. 18- leading scorer

NEXT STOP: IF THE WEATHER PERMITS, NEW MISSION AT BRIGHTON 1/12
SOUTH BOSTON AT CHARLESTOWN 1/13