Spring is sitting on the horizon as we glance at winter through our rear view mirrors. Such optimism abounds as the South Boston Stars spring soccer and basketball teams get ready to rumble.
This upcoming season, from March through late May, the Southie Stars will be fielding three hoop teams and one soccer team. Southie Stars founder, Marc Iannaco, is coaching the Under 12 and Under 13 boys’ hoop teams, while Megan Cheeseman will be coaching the eighth-grade girls’ hoop team. Basketball practices will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the South Boston Catholic Academy gym. They started Tuesday, Feb. 23. Practice for the boys’ teams are from 6 to 7:30 p.m., while the eighth-grade girls’ team practices are from 7:30 to 9 p.m. The three hoop teams will play in AAU sponsored tournaments at various locations throughout April and May.
Practices for the Under 12 boys’ soccer team starts in mid-March. Tom Harnon and Edward Tirabassi will be coaching this squad. This team will be playing in the South Shore League and games begin in April. Home games are at “M” Street Park and away games are on the South Shore in towns like Braintree, Quincy, and Weymouth. Last year the team was in Division III and did well (7-1) so this season they have been moved up to Division II.
Iannaco is getting ready for the new season and anxious to get down to business.
“I want the players to be willing to attend every practice and work hard,” Iannaco said. “Kids who are committed to the game and will be ready to go every time they step onto the field or the court … and then they can show us what they’ve learned from practice during the games.
“I would like to see these kids improve to the degree,” he added. “…that when they get to high school they can play on their high school hoop or soccer teams. That’s one of our major goals along with character development.
“I’m always looking for coaches to help out,” he concluded. ”Need people who are dedicated to the kids and want to see them improve their game and mature as people and athletes.
Interested athletes should contact Marc Iannaco at 617-820-7505 or visit SouthBostonStars.com for more information.
(Photos courtesy of Iannaco)
