In an emotional evening, a fitting final event capping a remarkable season, the repeat Massachusetts Division 3 champion Danvers High Basketball Falcons were honored Tuesday night at Spinelli’s in Lynnfield.
Head coach John Walsh, his staff and the players who overcame great odds to win a second consecutive state title took their bows before more than one hundred family and friends who attended the Boys Basketball Boosters-sponsored occasion.
Emcee Gary Larrabee spoke for the entire Daanvers community when he saluted the team on its historic accomplishments, touting the group as the most acc0mplished unit in Danvers High sports history and one of only two area schools to win back-to-back state titles in the annals of the state basketball tournament.
Larrabee also read a congratulatory letter from Danny Ainge, President of Basketball Operations for the Boston Celtics.
The team received plaudits from Danvers High Principal Susan Ambrozavitch and Athletic Director John Sullivan, who made special Falcons history of his own a few years back when he coached the football team to the school’s first two Northeastern Conference titles in similar back-to-back fashion.
After freshman coach Eric Dugan and junior varsity coach Mark Garrity recognized their squads, head coach Walsh paid tribute to his players, from the bench players to the starting five and the two key reserves.
The Coaches’ Awards went to Duncan D’Hemecourt and super sub Jake Cawlina. Kieran Beck, the other super sub, was tabbed the Unsung Hero, while sophomore Vinny Clifford, the top three-point shooter on the North Shore (he made 79), received the Most Improved Award.
Dan Connors was named the Top Defensive Player, Nick Bates and Nick McKenna shared the “Best All-Around Award,” and Eric Martin was acclaimed the team MVP.
Clifford and Beck were announced as next year’s captains. They will have a herculean task before them as they seek to lead the Falcons to their No. 1 goal, another state title. But who would have believed what the Falcons achieved this season and last?