Citizen announces winter sports all stars

Mary McNeil, who led the Bulldogs with 27 points, is the Citizen’s choice for girls MVP. (Mike Barucci photo)

The Canton Citizen is pleased to announce its 2014-15 winter all-star selections. The full list, featuring 24 CHS athletes from seven sports, appears in the April 2 issue as part of the annual winter sports wrap-up.

Boys Co-MVP

Rob DiCalogero (Wrestling)

A senior captain and a four-year varsity starter, DiCalogero entered this season with high expectations and did not disappoint, dominating opponents all season long at 145 pounds and advancing all the way to the New England Championships. He also won his second consecutive Hockomock League title, reached the finals of the central sectional and Division 3 state tournaments, and placed fourth out of 21 wrestlers at All-States. He ended his career with 117 victories, solidifying his place among the program’s all-time greats.

Boys Co-MVP

Sebastian Melendez (Swimming)

Only a sophomore, Melendez swam his way into the school record books with a season for the ages, capturing the gold at the Division 2 sectionals in both the 200 and 500 freestyle — a feat unmatched in central/south sectional history. He then went on to medal in both events at the state championship meet, where he took second in the 500 (4:40.73) and third in the 200 (1:44.01). In addition to his individual brilliance, he also competed as part of several top relays, including the state-qualifying 200 IM and 400 freestyle teams.

Girls MVP

Mary McNeil (Hockey)

A senior captain and a three-sport star athlete, McNeil was brilliant in her final season for the Bulldogs, finishing as the team leader in goals (15) and assists (12) while leading the girls to a 12-7-2 overall record and a spot in the MIAA Division 2 playoffs. She was especially valuable in big games, and her natural hat trick in a 5-4 victory against four-time defending champion Duxbury ranks as one of the greatest single-game performances in team history.

Boys Hockey

John Femia

A junior captain and an All-Hockomock selection, Femia was the Bulldogs’ best all-around player and a big reason why they made it back to the south sectional finals for a second straight season. He finished as the team leader in both assists (29) and total points (48) and was second on the squad with 19 goals. He did everything at a high level — pass, shoot, defend — and was an exceptional leader both on and off the ice.

Matt Lazaro

Already a star after his breakout sophomore campaign, Lazaro took it up a few notches in 2015, scoring a team-best 26 goals and finishing among the league leaders with 43 points. He was electrifying in the Quinn Memorial Tournament, scoring four goals in two games to lead the Bulldogs to the trophy, and he was brilliant in the postseason, particularly in wins against No. 3 Plymouth South and No. 2 Medfield.

Brian Hagan

A senior captain, Hagan followed up an all-star season on the gridiron with an equally impressive season on the ice, finishing third on the team in total points (34) and second in assists (25) en route to an All-Hockomock selection. He also came up with some big goals throughout the season and played well defensively, and he did all of the “little things” expected of a top-line forward, according to head coach Brian Shuman.

Jackson Maffeo

Although still just a sophomore, Maffeo was the Bulldogs’ top defenseman and was recognized by the league’s coaches as an All-Hockomock selection — a rarity for a second-year hockey player. Maffeo also displayed solid leadership skills and was a factor on offense, tallying the fifth-most assists (10) on the team while also chipping in with three goals …

See this week’s Canton Citizen for the full list of all stars, plus season recaps for all of the CHS winter sports teams. Click here to subscribe today.

Share This Post

Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=28988