DeCristoforo, Barton, Faieta all honored at IAABO dinner

DANVERS – Three of the area’s top stars this winter were honored Tuesday night at the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials’ Board 130 awards dinner at the Danversport Yacht Club.In addition, referee Bob “Mooner” Mullins, a Lynn firefighter, received the Charles S. Cook Award for his service to the board.Receiving the John Squires Sr. award signifying the girls coach of the year was Revere’s Diana DeCristoforo. Buzzy Barton of Lynn English was given the Robert S. Pierce Award as the boys coach of the year. And St. Mary’s center Tori Faieta, who led her team to a Division 3 state championship, was presented with the Courage Award, along with Everett’s Erno Deshommes.Ironically, both Barton and DeCristoforo are leaving their positions. Barton, who coached the Bulldogs to four straight Northeastern Conference/Large championships and led them to the state final in 2009, is retiring and running for councilor-at-large in Lynn in the fall.”This award means the world to me,” said Barton, who was commended by the board for his congenial dealings with officials. “I’ve always told my players that if you give respect, you get respect, and this just reaffirms that.”DeCristoforo will be leaving Revere to become an assistant women’s basketball coach at Salem State University. In accepting the award, she thanked her father, Richie, “who has been supportive of me both as a player and as a coach.””I’m humbled,” she said. “The only thing I wish is that when I looked out tonight, I saw my players. They aren’t here.”Faieta, who is deaf, was recognized for her ability to rise above her challenges and be a standout, both on the court and in the classroom.”She carries a very high GPA, and is on the National Honor Society,” said IAABO official Paul Halloran, who presented the award to her. “And this despite the fact that her teachers have to use a special microphone and adjust it to levels so that she can hear.”But,” he said, “she doesn’t use a hearing aid on the floor and never misses a beat.””I’m so grateful for the award,” said Faieta, who is heading to Stonehill in the fall. “But more than that, I’m so grateful for all the patience people have shown with me. It really means a lot. It’s rewarding to know that all the hard work I’ve done has paid off. I feel really blessed.”Mullins, who retires as a firefighter later this year, has been held back from officiating in the last few years due to health issues. But he says he’ll be back this winter.”I was completely surprised to receive this award,” said Mullins (the identity of the winner is not known until it is presented). “It’s ironic. I helped Buzzy write his acceptance speech. And he never told me about this.”Mullins spent the winter critiquing officials, since he couldn’t be working, “and I learned an awful lot. There’s always something you can learn.”Other winners were Hannah Cain of Gloucester, Roger Alley (best girls player) and Michael Gorman, Methuen, Edward “Gint” Middleton Award (best boys player); T.J. Baril, Bernard Hollins, Vasili Mallios and Brian Shapiro, Robert A. Gallagher Award; and Dr. Jay Epstein of Marblehead, the John J. Mulkern Award.