One Last Celebration

boys basketball head coach Joe Maiella put in countless hours of work helping lead the Wildcats to a . Still, his toughest job came in advance of Monday’s end of season banquet.

“They’re all fantastic kids,” said Maiella. “The Coach’s Award could have gone to anybody this year. I feel like I had 15 kids who could have won it. It’s the one award that takes a long time to think about it.”

About 100 players, coaches and supporters filled the banquet hall on Monday as the Wildcat mentor passed out a variety of awards during a celebration of a season that ended in the North Division 2 post season.

Cole Peffer earned Most Improved Player, Derek O’Day was named Sixth Player, Tim McCarthy snagged the Wildcat Alumni Outstanding Player trophy. Chris Frisorre took home an award named after Larry McGrath, Chris DiCecca won the Wildcat Scholar Athlete Award, and Nick Godzyk earned the highly coveted Coach’s Award.

The big winner of the evening was Vinny Scifo, who was rewarded for an outstanding season with the Most Valuable Player award.

Each player received a Cape Ann championship sweatshirt and other items, and all eight seniors were given a plaque as a thank you for their contributions to the program.

Maiella said he was impressed with the campaign his charges put together, and is already looking forward to next year as the Wildcats begin play in the Middlesex League.

“When we hit the court, we have to work as hard as we did this year,” said Maiella. “The Middlesex League, every game is going to be a battle. That’s the big thing is that we have to expect that every game is going to be a battle. We have to be able to bounce back after losses, which we did well this year.”

Maiella said his team’s chemistry was critical throughout the year, and was evident again on Monday.

“It was a great night and a great year,” said Maiella.