Blackstone Masters League opens new basketball season

BLACKSTONE - They're back at it.

After taking the summer off, the Blackstone Masters Over 35 Men's Basketball League has opened its new season.

In the season's first games, Thrifty's Discount Liquor defeated Vino's, 61-58, in a close battle that could have been won by either team. Dan O'Connor was the big hero for Thrifty's, making three out of four free throws to put his team ahead with 30 seconds and seal the victory.

It was close all the way with Thrifty's taking a slight 31-29 at half. Vino's started to make a move late in the fourth quarter with Steve Winfield scoring six quick points to cut the lead to one, but O'Connor's free-throw sniping sealed the deal.

Rob Howard led Thrifty's with 26 points, followed by O'Connor with 11 and Jeff Fontaine and Dennis Kafalas with 10 each. Dan Belisle led the way for Vino's with 21 points, followed by Winfield with 12 and newcomers Gary Harnois and Brian Chapman each had 10.

Walker's Pub defeated The Polish Club 73-58. Bob Laren led the way for Walker's with 23 points, followed by Adam Briere with 22 and Dan Bourgery with 11.

For the Polish Club it was Chris Jacobs leading the way with 19 points, followed by another newcomer, Skip Ballou, and Paul Nadeau with 12 each.

The Polish Club bounced back to blow out James' Court Street Cafe 66-41. It started out badly for Courts as the Polish jumped to 38 points in the first half to only 24 for Courts, and they never looked back.

Jacobs and Ballou dominated the middle combining for 38 points - Jacobs with 24 and Ballou with 14 - and Paul Nadeau had 16. Jim Dean was the lone man in double digits for Courts with 10 points, and Paul Silva chipped in with nine.

Walker's defeated Thrifty's Discount Liquor 59-41. Walker's jumped out to a 32-13 lead at half as Thrifty could not buy a bucket. Laren led a very balanced attack for Walker's with 12 points, followed by Mike Colletta and Ken Tilton with 11 and Adam Briere with 10.

For Thrifty's it was Mark Migliaccio doing most of the damage with 14 points, followed by O'Connor with 10.