By Bob Holmes, Globe Staff

Danvers baseball coach Roger Day will take over from Shawn Thornton as the new athletic director at Pope John in Everett.

Thornton, who is in his second year at Pope John after eight as St. Clement's athletic director, is leaving at the end of this school year to take an administrative role at the Clarence Edwards Middle School in Charlestown.

This past winter, Thornton was honored at the District H Athletic Director of the Year and also as the MIAA girls' basketball Coach of the Year. He will step down as girls' basketball coach as well.

Day was elected to the Massachusetts State Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in January, and with more than 400 career victories, he is one of the winningest coaches in state history. His team was 19-2 going into Tuesday's Division 2 North quarterfinal game against Reading.

In addition to coaching, Day recently retired as a physical education teacher at the Holten Richmond Middle School in Danvers.

By Craig Forde, Globe Correspondent

Malden Catholic’s newly refurbished Gerard Doherty Gym will see plenty of action this weekend when the school hosts the inaugural IAABO 27 Referees vs. Cancer Holiday Basketball Tournament.

The two-day event features eight teams with a combined 20-9 record competing in two separate divisions, with each crowning a champion on Sunday.

Saturday
Small School Division
Game 1, Noon - Winchester (2-2) vs. Whittier Tech (3-1)
Game 2, 1:30 p.m. - Arlington Catholic (3-0) vs. St. Clement (4-0)

Large School Division
Game 3, 3 p.m. - Brookline (2-2) vs. Belmont (0-3)
Game 4, 4:30 p.m.- Malden Catholic (3-1) vs. Salem (3-0)

Sunday
Consolation games
Game 5, noon- Small School Division
Game 6, 1:30 p.m. - Large School Division

Championship games
Game 7, 3 p.m.- Small School Division
Game 8, 4:30 p.m.- Large School Division

All proceeds will benefit the IAABO 27 Referees for Cancer initiative, which has raised nearly $13,000 for cancer research in 2012.

Malden Catholic is located at 99 Crystal Street in Malden.

By Eric Russo, Globe Correspondent

The Greater Boston League football coaches and athletic directors met on Thursday morning to discuss how they would determine the league's two playoff teams under the new format that starts next season.

According to Everett coach and AD John DiBiaso, the top two teams in the league, based on record, will qualify for the postseason. Here's how things will work:

League games will be played during weeks 4 through 7.

Each team will play four league games, but only three will count toward their league record. The league's two Thanksgiving games (Malden vs. Medford and Somerville vs. Cambridge) will be discounted. Everett, who no longer plays on Thanksgiving, will have one of their games during weeks 4-7 discounted. This will be done on a rotating, alphabetical basis. In 2013, Everett's game vs. Cambridge will not count toward Everett's league record, but will count for the Falcons. In 2014, their game vs. Malden will be discounted, in 2015, Medford, in 2016, Somerville.

If there is a tie for the second playoff spot, head-to-head record will be used.

By Craig Forde, Globe Correspondent

It’s our first crack at shuffling the deck with our boys soccer Top 20 poll, so of course we have taken the liberty of making some moves since our initial poll at the beginning of the season.

A lot has gone down on the pitch, teams are starting to separate themselves from the pack and this week’s poll will show that as thirteen teams check in with zero losses on their fixtures.

The top two teams switch spots as Concord-Carlisle (7-0) takes over the No. 1 ranking in our latest poll, having allowed only one goal over their first seven games.

Masconomet (5-0-2) slides down only spot due to a couple of early ties, but they have gotten back off track and have rattled off 21 goals over their last four games, all wins.

Weymouth (8-0-2) makes a big leap up from the seventh spot to No. 3 and Oliver Ames (7-0-2) is this week’s big mover, jumping up seven spots from No. 19 all the way to No. 12.

Having racked up some big wins to go along with no losses, Pentucket (6-0-1), Dartmouth (8-0-2), Winchester (5-0-2) and Archbishop Williams (8-0) all make their debut on the poll.

Medford (2-1-2), Lexington (3-2-1), Lincoln-Sudbury (3-3-1) and Georgetown (3-2-2) all bow out after slow starts to their seasons, but all are capable of landing back on the Top 20 with a quick turnaround.

See the Globe boys soccer Top 20 here.

By Anthony Gulizia, Globe Correspondent

Jason Nascimento has been named the interim head coach of the Medford High football program for the remainder of the season after Rico Dello Iacono was relieved of his duties Monday, according to Athletic Director Bob Maloney.

Nascimento, the Mustangs' defensive coordinator, will coach the next eight games, and the situation will be re-evaluated at season’s end, Maloney said Tuesday morning.

“It was a difficult day in Medford yesterday,” the athletic director said. “But it just wasn’t working out and the administration felt it was time to turn it over to Jason.

“It’s difficult to let someone go, and even more difficult when they are a good person, and Rico is a good person.”

Dello Iacono, who served as the defensive coordinator at Greater Boston League rival Everett High prior to his hiring at Medford in 2008, turned in a 5-5 record in his first season. But the Mustangs dipped to 1-9 and 0-10 the last two seasons. Medford (0-3) has been outscored 90-7 this season.

“We don’t want to come across as putting an emphasis on wins and losses,” Maloney said. “It’s about being competitive, and we want to produce a competitive product.”

Nascimento, who played defensive back at Tufts from 2004-07, was the special teams coach at Everett while Dello Iacono was defensive coordinator, Maloney said.

“We had a meeting yesterday at 3 p.m. with Rico and the staff, and it was a unanimous decision that Jason would take over as head coach,” Maloney said.

Nascimento, an Everett native, is also a math teacher at Medford High.

By Anthony Gulizia, Globe Correspondent

The moment Ben Waldrip first stepped on the diamond at Medford High, he caught the attention of Mike Nestor.

“Ben was a large, tall gifted athlete who was still coming into his own and really didn’t develop as a pure first baseman and hitter until his sophomore and junior year,” said Nestor, then an assistant coach with the Mustangs, and now the head coach.

“He worked tirelessly at his hands and at his hitting. His attitude and work ethic were by far superior.”

That relentless drive and hard work paid off has paid off for Waldrip. A 6-foot-6, 245-pound first baseman at Jacksonville State, he was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the 10th round (318th overall) of Major League Baseball's first-year player draft on Tuesday, one of five players with local ties to be selected.

Waldrip, who hit .330 with 18 home runs and 61 RBIs this season, was previously selected by the Atlanta Braves (42nd round, 2010) and the Kansas City Royals (40th round, 2011).

Waldrip, the MVP of the Greater Boston League as a senior, started his collegiate career at Saint Anselm in the Northeast-10 fore a season at Cypress Junior College.

Malden Catholic grad Dario Pizzano, the Ivy League's Player of the Year as a junior at Columbia, went to the Seattle Mariners in the 15th round (461st pick overall).

This season, starting all 44 games in left field, the 5-9, 200-pound left-handed hitter batted .360 with four homers and 36 RBIs. The Globe's Player of the Year in 2009 for coach Steve Frecker at Malden Catholic, Pizzano was a .364 career hitter at Columbia.

“He’s a great worker and a great person,” Columbia coach Brett Boretti said. “He’s really made himself into a really strong hitter and has worked on all facets of his game, and he’s been our best hitter for a few years since he’s been here.

“He’s real consistent at the bat and gotten the most out of his ability and he’s very excited about opportunity that lies ahead.”

Boston College senior shortstop Anthony Melchionda (Thayer Academy/Braintree) was chosen by the world champion St. Louis Cardinals in the 14th round (450th overall). At BC, he was a .310 hitter this season with 35 RBIs and led the Eagles with 39 runs scored.
He ranks sixth all-time in career hits (205) for the Eagles.

At Thayer Academy, Melchionda was named MVP of the Independent School League (ISL) as a senior.

Tewksbury High grad Scott Oberg, a senior right-hander at the University of Connecticut, went to the Colorado Rockies in the 15th round (468th overall) after posting a 5-0 mark (with a 0.99 ERA) out of the bullpen for the Huskies. The 6-2, 205-pound Oberg has a 14-2 career record in Storrs.

He was a two-time Globe All-Scholastic in 2007 and 2008, and was also named the MVP of the Merrimack Valley League both seasons.

"I was thrilled when I heard my name called," Oberg told the Globe's Ryan MacInnis. "[The Rockies] had called a couple of times throughout the draft, so I had a good feeling they were going to take me. ... I've been waiting for this day my whole life."

A number of others received calls on Wednesday, headlined by Southern New Hampshire junior southpaw Tim Flight of Portsmouth, R.I., taken with the 547th pick (17th round) by the Yankees. Flight (9-1, 1.30 ERA) was the ABCA Division 2 Pitcher of the Year.

* LHP Nate Koneski (Holy Cross/Dennis-Yarmouth HS); Mariners, 21st round (581)
* RHP Steve Perakslis (University of Maine/Abington HS); Cubs, 21st (644)
* RHP Travis Dean (Kennesaw State/Worcester Academy/Newton South); Rangers, 22nd (696)
* Tucker Healey (Ithaca/Needham); Athletics, 23rd (709)
* LHP Andrew Leenhouts (Northeastern/Franklin HS); Giants, 23rd (718)
* OF Rhett Wiseman (Buckingham, Browne & Nichols, Mansfield); Cubs, 25th
* 1B Chris Shaw (Lexington HS); Mets, 26th (800)
* RHP Dennis Torres (UMass-Amherst, Central Catholic); Orioles, 28th (852)
* OF Michael Yastrzemski (Vanderbilt/St. John's Prep); Mariners, 30th (911)
* LHP Brent Suter (Harvard); Mariners, 31st (965)
* LHP Andrew Ferreira (Harvard/Bishop Hendricken/Rehoboth); Twins, 32d (970)
* 1B/C Jon Leroux (Northeastern/Auburn); Mets, 32d (980)
* LHP Chris Pickering (Rhode Island); Giants, 32d (988)
* RHP Pat Delano (Braintree HS); Red Sox, 35th (1081)
* C Jacob Kapstein (Tiverton, R.I.); Tigers, 35th (1084)

They join University of Memphis pitcher Dan Langfield of Somerset, who was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the third round (109th overall).

Langfield compiled a 7-6 record with a 2.79 earned run average in 93.2 innings this season. He wrapped up his career with 252 strikeouts, ranking third all-time in program history.

Langfield tweeted:

"Couldn't be happier where I ended up playing college for the U of Memphis. Now moving on to the Cinci Reds! Can't wait! #gotigersgo #Reds"

Langfield, a member of Somerset's Division 2 state championship team in 2006, was an Eastern Athletic League all-star as a senior in 2009 when he struck out 118 in 57.1 innings with a 5-2 mark and 0.85 ERA.

He is following in the footsteps of his father, Paul, who pitched at Providence College before brief stints in the minors with the Toronto Blue Jays and the Detroit Tigers.

By Craig Forde, Globe Correspondent

The Medford boys’ hockey team advanced to the Division 1 North quarterfinals for the first time in three years after taking out Greater Boston League foe Everett, 3-0, in a first round matchup on Wednesday night at Stoneham Arena.

The fourteenth-seeded Mustangs (9-12-0) earned their tournament berth by winning the GBL title with a 6-0 league record that included two wins over the Crimson Tide in the regular season.

“They say you don’t want to play a team three teams,” said Medford head coach Steve DeBenedicitis. “But the way the draw is and with how many strong teams there are in the north, I don’t mind playing a team that we beat twice in the regular season.”

Eight minutes into the game the Mustangs got what would turn out to be the game winner when Tyler Zizzo snapped a shot from the slot that trickled past Everett goalie Vinny Sottosanti for a 1-0 lead.

Jake Porrazzo followed up a scrum in front of Sottosanti and stuffed home a rebound on the left doorstep to put Medford up 2-0 with two minutes remaining in the opening period.

After a flat start, the Crimson Tide came out with some gusto in the second and put the Mustangs on their heels with a balanced, physical attack.

Defensively, Everett got stand out efforts from C.J. Sylvester and Ryan Considine, alongside Sottosanti (22 saves) who stood on his head to keep things 2-0 after two periods.

“He was a difference maker tonight,” said Everett head coach Alex Naumman of Sottosanti. “If we could have just grabbed one or two rebounds we would have been right there.”

As play wore on in the third period, the Crimson Tide were unable to figure out Medford goalie Jimmy Cecchini (25 saves) who was spectacular during a mid-period penalty kill in which he stopped five point-blank shots.

“I was very happy for him,” said DeBenedictis of his net minder. “It’s been a little bit of a struggle for us in net down the stretch. We got out of him what I know he’s capable of tonight, and I was glad to see it.”

Added Cecchini, “We went in with a mindset that everyone was against us. We wanted to come out strong and it was great team effort.”

Brett Mecrones picked up the third goal for Medford, wristing the puck home from the left circle with just three minutes remaining in the game.

The Mustangs will face the winner of Thursday night’s game between Chelmsford and Arlington Catholic.

After recording only one win a year ago, the Crimson Tide had a monumental turn around, going 13-6-2 and earning their first tournament berth since 2003.

"We have a core of five seniors that really changed everything for us this year," said Naumann. "I’m grateful for them because they got me back to this place and its’ fun to be here as a coach. I’m very proud of every single one of them.”

Scores and summaries from Monday's basketball tournament games:

Medford 49, Peabody 48 — The Medford boys' basketball team muscled its way into the first round of the Division 1 North tournament last night after junior center James Hawkins blocked a layup attempt by Peabody in the final seconds to secure a 49-48 home victory.

The 6-foot-4-inch center finished with a season-high 15 blocks to go along with four points and eight rebounds as the Mustangs earned their first tournament win since 1999.

‘‘He really swallowed up the paint and anchored our defense early in the second half when we failed to produce offensively,'' said Medford coach Anthony Faradie.

The Tanners jumped out to a 10-2 lead to start the game when Faradie called a timeout to let his team settle down.

‘‘They [Peabody] are a good shooting team from outside and we had a couple of mental lapses and we gave them a couple of easy layups to start the game,'' Faradie said. ‘‘We used a timeout after Peabody's run and we got our guys to focus on their key shooters.''

Point guard Sean Doncaster took control of the Mustangs' offense, scoring 9 of his 23 points in the second half as Medford clawed back to take a 21-18 halftime lead.

‘‘We were fortunate to be up 3,'' Faradie said. ‘‘It was back and forth and we were able to get some key stops and score on the offensive end. I thought we needed to execute better and we needed to penetrate the zone a little bit more and improve our transition defense because [Peabody] continued to beat us on the break.''

The teams traded baskets early in the second half, with Peabody clinging to a 39-38 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

‘‘We struggled to score the entire half,'' Faradie said.

The biggest lead for either team in the second half was 3 points. The Mustangs continued to press the Tanners on defense and deny the passing lanes. Shooting guard Maurice Magras (10 points) sparked the Pioneers' offense with three long 3-pointers. Doncaster also continued to get to the basket and finished 7 of 9 from the free throw line.

‘‘We dug in on the defensive end and it was a great home game,'' Faradie said. ‘‘We have Central Catholic coming up. We have our hands full but we have an opportunity to shock everybody.''

Marlborough 57, North Middlesex 56 (OT) — Conner O'Leary hit the winning shot as time expired in overtime to lift the visiting No. 10 Panthers (12-9) in a Division 1 first-round game. Spencer Little scored 19 points, Mike Tirpak had 13 and Little finished with 8 for Marlboro, which advances to play No. 2 St. Peter-Marian at 7 p.m. Thursday at Assumption. Kyle McDermott had 14 points, and Kevin Marciano scored 13 for the No. 7 Patriots (13-8).

Salem 73, Malden Catholic 68 — After being down by 12 at the half, the Witches made a comeback led by junior guard Marvin Baez (25 points). Christian Dunston added 21.

Marblehead 46, Tewksbury 43 (OT) — Jeff Peras had 13 points and 10 rebounds and Phil Coughlin hit the winning 3-pointer with 1:50 to play in overtime as the Magicians (11-10) held the Redmen scoreless for the final two minutes of overtime.

Dedham 66, O'Bryant 43 — The Marauders were led by junior point guard Jeremy Clifford and senior center Vinny Iarrobino. Clifford scored 21 points and Iarrobino scored 16.

Millis 67, CASH 46 — Senior guard Derek Latosek led the Mohawks with 22 ponits.

Girls’ basketball

Hingham 69, Sandwich 59 — Freshman Sierra Irvin scored 28 points, going 11 of 12 from the free throw line and 3 of 6 from behind the 3-point arc, and senior co-captain Katharine Alger added 11 points for the Harbormen (12-11).

Sharon 50, Silver Lake 28 — Sophomore guard Karlie O'Driscoll powered the Eagles with 20 points, 15 rebounds, and 6 steals.

By Craig Forde, Globe Correspondent

The Medford boys' soccer teamrode the back of their star forward John Dumbuya as he netted the overtime game-winner for a 2-1 victory over previously unbeaten Lincoln-Sudbury in a Division 1 North quarterfinal gem Wednesday in Sudbury.

Both teams leaned heavily on each other out of the gate in an effort to jockey for momentum, with the Warriors (16-1-2) gaining an early edge that led to Medford coach Michael Petrides calling a timeout just seven minutes in.

"It was a hard fought game," said Lincoln-Sudbury coach Dave Hosford. "Both teams are skilled and both teams have a physical attitude about them."

Following the timeout, the Mustangs put their own physical stamp on things and just 11 minutes later Dumbuya put Medford (13-4-1) on the board first after collecting the ball in the box and juking numerous defenders before letting go with a rocket shot that curved past the reach of Warriors keeper Tyler McCarthy.

"I try to put it in the other side from where I am on the field," said Dumbuya "I shoot with power and accuracy and I practice it everyday with my coach and it pays off in the game."

Timely bounces and defensive stops kept the Mustangs on top 1-0 through halftime, as the Warriors could not buy a break despite numerous direct chances in the box.

"Lincoln-Sudbury is an unbelievable team," Petrides said. "I've been telling the kids the whole year, "You're going to have to play somebody good eventually, and it doesn't matter if you play them early or late."

As the Warriors launched a corner kick at the 17-minute mark of the second half, Medford was whistled for an illegal push to the back in the box, setting up Forest Sisk 12-yards away for a penalty kick that he calmly slipped to his left to tie the game 1-1.

Lincoln-Sudbury wrestled momentum back after the goal, but Medford continued to fight and both teams tightened the reigns defensively, leaving the score tied at one as regulation expired.

With just under five minutes remaining in overtime, Dumbuya controlled possesion on the left side, just past midfield, and put on another dribbling clinic as he crossed over three defenders.

Coming clear on the right side of the field, he reared back and launched a 35-yard shot towards the goal that bent into the back of the net, sparking an emphatic celebration as the Mustangs chased down Dumbuya and launched themselves onto their leader.

"It took a perfect shot to beat us," Hosford said. "That was certainly the perfect shot."

When asked about the game-winner, an emotional Dumbuya replied, "Thank you God."

Petrides added, "It's a great win for Medford High School."

The Mustangs will face Masconomet in a Division 1 North semifinal game 10 a.m. Friday at Manning Field in Lynn.

St. Clement senior girls' basketball player Christy Novembre added to her already-impressive list of accomplishments on Monday night, scoring a career-high 43 points in a 66-55 win over Cathedral.

Novembre’s previous high was 41, which she scored last season vs. Marian.

The 5-foot-6 power forward from Cambridge went 2-for-3 from beyond the arc and drained 11 free throws.

“She’s dominant because she’s very aggressive,” said coach Shawn Thornton. “She has a handle like a guard but power like a forward.”

Novembre is approaching 1,500 career points, having surpassed the 1,000-mark as a junior last season. Thornton believes she has a chance at 2,000 if the Anchormen make it to the state title game at TD Garden.

St. Clement improved to 10-3 overall and clinched a postseason berth.

“It was huge, coming from a league standpoint,” Thornton said. “Secondly, clinching the tourney with seven games left is a nice comfortable feeling.”

Even more impressive, Thornton said, is Novembre’s ability to pass. She collected five assists, including three to 8th-grader Victoria Brown, who scored 10 points.

Novembre is the only senior on the starting five, which includes two 8th-graders and two juniors.

“We have a very young team, so we call on her to do a lot of things,” Thornton said.

When Medford takes the field opening night against host Revere, it will be without a longtime staple of Mustang football.

Anthony “Tony” Lucci, a living symbol of Medford athletics for decades, passed away on June 17 at the age of 88. He supported, among many other things, the Mustang football program for decades. Now the Mustangs will support his memory this upcoming season with stickers on their helmets that bear Lucci's initials.

“We are going to dedicate the season to him,” said coach Rico Dello Iacono. “He is a catalyst as to why I am at Medford High School.”

Dello Iacono isn't alone – Lucci has been a catalyst for countless people being places. More than just the owner of (locally) iconic Medford Square Sporting Goods, Lucci was actively involved in making the area a better place through his genuine kindness and generosity.

“He was always a contributor to the Medford Mustang (M) Club, as well as a big contributor to the E (Everett) Club,” Assistant Superintendent of Everett Schools Charles Obremski said of his grandfather-in-law.

“If he could help a young athlete who came (into his store) and didn't have enough money or needed a little help getting into college, he helped them get their foot in the door,” Obremski said.

At Everett, Lucci captained the 1935 football team before continuing to Fordham College. His freshman coach at Fordham? Vince Lombardi.

For a long time, Lucci supplied major colleges such as BC, BU, and Notre Dame with sporting equipment, as well as the New England Patriots. Along the way, he also supplied and supported local Little League teams.

“He was very generous and gave a lot of donations,” said his daughter, Patricia Bagarella. “He was a great man.”