BLACKSTONE VALLEY MEMORIES

March 15

1954 Central Falls’ “Terrific Trio” of 6-foot-3 Joe Hughes, 6-1 Bill Truesdale and 5-11 Dick Bessette along with 6-1 Roland Benoit of Sacred Heart Academy and Saint Raphael Academy’s 5-10 Phil Aylward comprise the Pawtucket Times’ All-Blackstone Valley First Team. Hughes rang up 407 total points and climaxed a brilliant season by being a unanimous choice as the MVP in the state tournament, Truesdale hit a high percentage of set shots and left-handed hooks and Bessette was a driving type of player and one of the most versatile. The rangy Benoit rolled up 409 points and could hit from any spot within range, while the shifty Aylward, the only junior of the group, averaged 17.5 ppg in Class A tilts.

1964 With 6-foot-6 towering superstar Don Suggs laden with four personal fouls with 6:15 left in the second period, the remaining starting five stepped up as Tolman breezed to an easy 78-53 romp over Bishop Cheverus of Portland, Maine and advanced to the New England Tournament’s semifinal round before 9,540 spectators at Boston Garden. Unsung Frank Geiselman captured game-high honors with 21 points – top total of his career – and was immense under the boards and on defense, Jim (Squash) Squadrito, the Tigers’ long range “bomber,” rifled 19 points through the hoop for his highest schoolboy career production and sophomore Gerry Suggs chipped in with 15 points. Bespectacled 6-3 senior, Mike Esielonis, replaced Suggs and did a tremendous job, while “Steady” Eddie DaCruz, a cool-as-a-cucumber ball-handler, hooped eight points.

1974 St. Mary’s, one loss away from elimination, rallied for two straight victories over previously undefeated St. Jude’s, 36-27 and 28-27, to capture the Blackstone Valley CYO Basketball League’s Midget Division title. It was an uphill fight for the Rangers as Fred Young and Joe Sullivan did standout defensive jobs. Dave Rothemich’s basket with a minute left was the deciding hoop for the champs.