BLACKSTONE VALLEY MEMORIES

December 8

1953With Joe Taylor teaming with Dick Bessette, Bill Truesdale and Joe Hughes, the Central Falls varsity quintet shifted into high gear in the third period and outscored the Alumni by a 17-4 margin en route to a 63-27 romp over the tiring Grads. Hughes, a rangy center, sparked Omer Landry’s Bluejackets by hoisting 25 points over the rim, his biggest single game total since he was playing for CF. Bill Truesdale netted 13, Gerry Pantalone swished 12 and Bessette chipped in with nine for the varsity.

Sacred Heart Academy hoop coach Dick Bessette has four starters and six varsity reserves returning from the club that went to the 1962-63 state semifinals plus a youngster, sixfooter Mike Campbell, who was considered by many to be the outstanding prospect on last year’s Slater Junior High state champs. Heading the starry cast is Dick Rouleau, who averaged a tidy 20.6 ppg, Dennis Augunas and Manny Alvarez, two hefty 6-3 rebounders, and 5-11 ballhandler Spike Froment. The reserves returning include 6-0 Norm Gousie, 5-7 John Bonvouloir, 6-1 Benny Benoit, 6-1 Al Maynard, 6-1 Paul McNeil and 5-8 Mike Audette.

19631973Cumberland hoop mentor Joe Hughes has 6-1 senior Rich Lengieza as his only returning starter and lists junior Jay Grenier and Gary O’Leary, both lettermen, as certain choices for starting roles. Seniors battling for starting jobs are 6-1 Al Ervey and 5-11 Scott Lacroix along with junior hopefuls 5-10 Kevin Gibbs, 6-2 Mike Keenan, 6-1 Dave Walsh and 6-3 Jim Carney. A quartet of lanky sophomores, 6-4 Eric Stevens, 6-3 Ed Judson, 6-3 Mel Hooper and 6-2 Mike Muellar, will spend most of their time with the jayvees.