Canton Citizen honors winter all stars

CHS sophomore goalie Colleen Kelleher is our 2015-16 girls MVP. (Mike Barucci photo)

The Canton Citizen is pleased to announce its 2015-16 winter all-star selections. The full list, featuring 27 CHS athletes from 10 sports, appears in the March 31 issue as part of the annual winter sports wrap-up.

Boys Co-MVP

Sebastian Melendez (Swimming)

Only one season removed from winning double gold at the Division 2 sectionals in the 200 and 500 freestyle, Melendez took it up a few notches as a junior, capturing the title in both events at the MIAA state championship meet. His time of 1:41.99 in the 200 free was a new personal record and nearly two full seconds better than the runner-up swimmer from Belchertown. Melendez was equally dominant throughout the regular season, racking up countless victories and leading the Bulldogs to a 7-3-1 overall record. He was also a critical part of three state-qualifying relay teams, including a 200 free relay that won the league title and finished fifth overall at the state meet.

Boys Co-MVP

Brendan Lewis (Wrestling)

A senior captain, Lewis made the leap this season from promising wrestler to all-out stud, highlighted by a remarkable postseason run that included a sectional championship, a state finals appearance, and a strong showing at the MIAA All-State meet. The Bulldogs’ leader in several statistical categories, Lewis proved he was as skilled as he was strong, defeating numerous highly ranked opponents in the 126-pound class while even giving undefeated All-State champ Matt Kelley a run for his money. At the sectional meet, Lewis was so dominant that opposing coaches voted him as the tournament’s Outstanding Wrestler, marking the first time that a Canton wrestler has received that award.

Girls MVP

Colleen Kelleher (Hockey)

A two-time SEMGHL All Star and still only a sophomore, Kelleher proved why she is considered one of the very best goalies in the state after another brilliant season in which she went wire to wire, starting all 21 games and leading the Bulldogs back to the postseason. Although dominant as a freshman, she was even better this year, allowing just 27 goals and posting an incredible save percentage of .947 to go along with seven shutouts.

Boys Hockey

Justin Slocum

A three-year starter in net, Slocum cemented his place among the all-time great Bulldog goalies with a stellar final season, garnering his first All-Hockomock honor in the process. On several occasions this season head coach Brian Shuman referred to Slocum as the team’s most valuable player, and there are plenty of statistics to support that claim, including Slocum’s ridiculous 1.05 goals against average or his equally remarkable .940 save percentage. The senior netminder also racked up six shutouts and allowed one or fewer goals in 17 of the 23 games he played.

Matt Lazaro

A senior captain and three-time league all-star, Lazaro wrapped up an outstanding CHS hockey career with another stellar season, tallying 12 goals and a team-leading 17 assists. Although he could not quite match the production of his past two seasons, he still had a major impact on a 16-3-4 team and came up big in key spots. He also celebrated a major milestone this season as he became the first CHS player since Bryan Rooney to reach the 100-point plateau for his career.

Bobby Mullaney

A senior captain and All-Hockomock selection, Mullaney enjoyed a breakout season for the Bulldogs offensively, scoring a team-high 16 goals to go along with 11 assists. “From start to finish, he was a guy that just exceeded expectations, and he finished the year how he started,” said head coach Brian Shuman. “He was arguably our best player and gave everything he add.”

Jackson Maffeo

A junior captain, Maffeo earned his second straight All-Hockomock selection after another dominant season on the blue line. Coach Shuman said he’s probably the best defenseman in the league, and he also chipped in offensively with two goals and 12 assists. “He’s just so valuable,” said Shuman. “We rely on him so much and he’s just so good defensively.”

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=32911