Plenty of star power will be on display beginning Sunday as Agganis Classics week will feature many of the area?s best senior student-athletes competing at various sites across Lynn.
The week kicks off Sunday at 10 a.m. at Manning Field with the annual Agganis Awards Breakfast, when all the All-Star participants receive their game jerseys. The Agganis Foundation also will honor its 2015 class of scholarship recipients and induct five new members into its Hall of Fame.
The Classics are named for Harry Agganis, the legendary athlete who starred at Lynn Classical and Boston University. His career with the Boston Red Sox was cut short when he died of a pulmonary embolism at age 26 onJune 27,1955. The Foundation provides college scholarships to deserving student-athletes in his memory
The All-Star week culminates in the 54thannual Football Classic at 7 p.m. Thursday at Manning Field.SOFTBALL
The 18thannual Agganis All-Star Softball Classic begins the games at noon Sunday at Fraser Field. The North team is anchored by Beverly standouts Ally Pia and Hannah Silvestri along with Peabody?s Shelbi Wilson and Gloucester?s Tess Benson.
The South team is coached by Swampscott?s Frank Kowalski, who led the Big Blue into the Division 2 North final for the first time this season. St. Mary?s talented senior class of Molly Doyle, Jess Martiniello, Mollie Mello, and Katarina Roy will play a final game together. Lynn Tech standout Samantha Oliva and Classical?s Ivy Martin also are part of the South squad.BASEBALL
The 21stAgganis All-Star Baseball Classic is at 2 p.m. Sunday at 2 p.m. at Fraser. The North team, coached by Masconomet?s T.J. Baril, features a trio of Peabody standouts ? Ryan Collins, David Hoar and Matt Gonick ? who led the Tanners to the Northeastern Conference/North title. Lynnfield ace Nick Pascucci, who helped the Pioneers reach the Division 3 North semifinals, is also on the North squad along with Fenwick?s Mike Campatelli and Rob Carillo.
The South team is coached by Austin Prep?s Steve Busby, who led the Cougars to a Catholic Central League/Large title and a berth in the Division 3 North final. Local players on the South team include Dan Cacciola (Saugus), Teddy Camp (Marblehead), Anthony de la Cruz (Lynn English), Dylan Driscoll (Winthrop), Andrew Dunn (Danvers), Damien Earp (Lynn Classical), Harrison Engstrom (Marblehead), Lucas Harris (Lynn English), David Kirby (Winthrop), Kyle Morrill (Lynn Classical), Brendan O?Neill (St. Mary?s), Carlos Perez (Lynn Classical), Tim Ryan (Salem), and Joe Tardiff (Lynn Tardiff).BASKETBALL
The 11th Annual Basketball Classics are on Monday at Lynn Classical. The girls are up first at 6 p.m., followed by the boys? game at 7:15.
The Winthrop and Bishop Fenwick girls, who battled in the Division 3 North girls? basketball final in March, will be well represented on the South team that?s coached by Vikings bench boss Ignacio Oyola. Sisters Niki and Poli Tsiotis represent the Vikings while Lexie Rose made the squad from Bishop Fenwick. Peabody?s Danielle Sullivan and Courtney Bua also are on the South roster.
The North team is coached by Masco?s Bob Romeo and features Pentucket?s Kelsi McNamara and McKenna Killian, who led the Sachems into the Division 2 North finals. Salem?s Jackie Panneton and Beverly?s Ashley Augulewicz also on the squad.
In the boys? game, the South team is coached by Saugus?s Paul Moran and has Devan Harris from Danvers High and St. Mary?s dynamic guard, Dennis Bailer, along with English?s Stevie Collins, Jordan Lark, and Johnny Hilaire.
Justin Winn (Saugus), Tommy Chea (Revere), Jake Chiudina (Winthrop), and Bryan Martinez (Salem) also are on the South team.
The North team is coached by Arlington?s John Bowler, who resurrected a struggling Spy Ponders team that reached the Division 2 North final against eventual state champion Danvers. Three of Bowler?s stars ? Gabe Keane, Josh Lee, and Matthew Moroney ? will be together for a final time.
Peabody?s Brendan