The Bellingham Bulletin August 2011 : Page 1
The Bellingham Bulletin www.BellinghamBulletin.com a fan Facebook ® ! Bellingham’s Favorite Hometown “Good-NewsPaper” for Become the past 16 on years! Bellingham Bulletin Still Direct-Mailed into every Home & Business in Bellingham FREE OF CHARGE! Since 1994 PRST-STD AUGUST 2011 Postal Patron U.S. Postage Bellingham, ma 02019 1 Bellingham BULLETIN Permit No. 107 Bellingham, MA P A I D , t e, bsi tin.com e w e l s l r u u te it o amB da Vis ellingh nt up e w. B qu Thanks for w w o r f re f delivering to: Volume XVII, Issue 11 Bellingham’s Hometown Newspaper Since 1994 New BHS Basketball Coach AUGUST 2011 U14 Girls Softball Team Wins State Championship Defense, Discipline, Desire Will Be Chiappone’s Focus written by KEN HAMWEY, Bulletin Sports Editor The state champs are pictured above (l–r). Front row: Samantha Kelley, Danielle Schiloski, Kailey Andon; middle row: Head Coach Steve Cook, Megan Cook, Paige Kuchy, Kayla Leary, Kaitie Manis, Katie Lukes, Ellen Wagner, Caroline Stauss, Coach Ken Wagner, Coach Jon Kuchy; back row: Coach John Andon; not pictured: Amber Melideo. The Central Mass Lightning 14U soft-defensively, including back-to-back perfect ball team won the 2011 Massachusetts games thrown by Bellingham pitcher Megan ASA State Championship in late June. Cook. Overall, the Lightning outscored their The Lightning won 5 consecutive games opponents 32 to 3. Twenty-two teams from in one weekend, going 3-0 on Saturday throughout Massachusetts competed in this and 2-0 on Sunday. The team dominated year’s championship tournament. Two Free Outdoor Movies Slated for August The town of Bellingham will host two free Movie Nights in August on its 20-ft. outdoor screen, which is located at the high school football field on Blackstone St. All movies begin at dusk. The concession stand will be open so bring your blanket or lounge chair and mosquito repellant and enjoy the show. On August 4, Tangled (PG), sponsored by Allied Waste, will be shown. On August 18, Toy Story 3 (PG) will be shown. Thanks to the sponsors of these events. Without their support, the town would no longer be able to offer families this oppor-tunity for a free fun night out. T.J. Chiappone is Bellingham High’s new boys basketball coach. The 39-year-old Chiappone, who’s been the varsity baseball coach for 17 years, will replace Will McCoy, who stepped down “for personal reasons.” During McCoy’s three years on the job, the Blackhawks had a 17-43 record and quali-fied for tournament play once. “I’ve resigned because of family com-mitments,” McCoy said. “My mom is ill and there’s the prospect of soon being the father of twins. I wish my three years could have ended on a positive note, but I wish T.J. good luck.” If Chiappone can duplicate the success he’s had as the school’s baseball coach, there likely will be renewed interest in basketball. Chiappone’s baseball teams have qualified for the post-season playoffs for the last 14 years. And the Blackhawks won the state basketball championship in 2003, when Chiappone was an assistant coach to Barry Hutchinson. “I’ve missed basketball,” Chiappone said. “I coached the sport at four different levels for 12 years, but now I’m eager to return. I’m not going to put a number on how many games I think we can win or how long it will take to contend for the Tri Valley League title. What I do know is that our players will work hard, be enthusiastic and have high expectations. They’ll respect the game and they’ll represent their school admirably.” When Hutchinson died in 2006, Chiap-pone did not seek the head coaching post. Rob Evans succeeded Hutchinson, then resigned after two seasons. Chiappone again held off as an applicant. “The circumstances and the fit weren’t right,” Chiappone said. “There was concern BHS Basketball Coach T. J. Chiappone Jamison Mendall Tree Removal “Serving all your tree needs” Pruning, Storm Damage, Aerial Bucket & Bobcat Services Stump Grinding, PLOWING & more... L icensed & i nsured • F ree e stimates 1-508-958-0747 Celebrating our 5th Anniversary! the Advantages of Working with an Chiappone —cont. on page 23 BEER PIZZA•SUBS•CALZONES 828 Diamond Hill Rd. WINE SALADS•PASTA•GYROS Woonsocket, RI 401-765-3555 • 401-765-3755 Wraps • Sirloin Steak Tips • Kids’ Corner Fettuccini Alfredo • Tortellini Alfredo Greek-Style Pizza • New Items Available M O R E C H O I C ES … B ET T ER Q U A L I T Y … B ES T P R I C E www.santas-pizza.com Home of the Gourmet Pizza Visit us on our website at RealtyExecutivesTriCounty.com Serving MA & RI • Nous parlons Francais Delivering to So. Bellingham, Woonsocket & Blackstone 508-966-3563 TRI COUNTY RETriCounty@comcast.net Member, Bellingham Business Association 2 LARGE CHEESE PIZZAS $ May not be combined with any other offers 116 mechanic st. (across from U.S. Post Office) • Bellingham, MA 12 99 + tax 2 LARGE LG. BUFFALO 1-tOPPING CHICKEN PIZZAS PIZZA $ May not be combined with any other offers 9 99 + tax $ May not be combined with any other offers 15 99 + tax
U14 Girls Softball Team Wins State Championship
The Central Mass Lightning 14U softball team won the 2011 Massachusetts ASA State Championship in late June. The Lightning won 5 consecutive games in one weekend, going 3-0 on Saturday and 2-0 on Sunday. The team dominated Defensively, including back-to-back perfect games thrown by Bellingham pitcher Megan Cook. Overall, the Lightning outscored their opponents 32 to 3. Twenty-two teams from throughout Massachusetts competed in this year’s championship tournament.
Two Free Outdoor Movies Slated FOR August
The town of Bellingham will host two free Movie Nights in August on its 20-ft. Outdoor screen, which is located at the high school football field on Blackstone St. All movies begin at dusk. The concession stand will be open so bring your blanket or lounge chair and mosquito repellant and enjoy the show.<br /> <br /> On August 4, Tangled (PG), sponsored by Allied Waste, will be shown. On August 18, Toy Story 3 (PG) will be shown.<br /> <br /> Thanks to the sponsors of these events. Without their support, the town would no longer be able to offer families this opportunity for a free fun night out.
Defense, Discipline, Desire Will Be Chiappone's Focus
Ken Hamwey
T. J. Chiappone is Bellingham High’s new boys basketball coach. The 39-year-old Chiappone, who’s been the varsity baseball coach for 17 years, will replace Will McCoy, who stepped down “for personal reasons.” During McCoy’s three years on the job, the Blackhawks had a 17-43 record and qualified for tournament play once.<br /> <br /> “I’ve resigned because of family commitments,” McCoy said. “My mom is ill and there’s the prospect of soon being the father of twins. I wish my three years could have ended on a positive note, but I wish T. J. good luck.” <br /> <br /> If Chiappone can duplicate the success he’s had as the school’s baseball coach, there likely will be renewed interest in basketball. Chiappone’s baseball teams have qualified for the post-season playoffs for the last 14 years. And the Blackhawks won the state basketball championship in 2003, when Chiappone was an assistant coach to Barry Hutchinson.<br /> <br /> “I’ve missed basketball,” Chiappone said. “I coached the sport at four different levels for 12 years, but now I’m eager to return. I’m not going to put a number on how many games I think we can win or how long it will take to contend for the Tri Valley League title. What I do know is that our players will work hard, be enthusiastic and have high expectations. They’ll respect the game and they’ll represent their school admirably.” <br /> <br /> When Hutchinson died in 2006, Chiappone did not seek the head coaching post. Rob Evans succeeded Hutchinson, then resigned after two seasons. Chiappone again held off as an applicant.<br /> <br /> “The circumstances and the fit weren’t right,” Chiappone said. “There was concern about coaching in back-to-back seasons, how baseball would be affected and whether burnout would occur. Now, my family is older, I know I have high-quality assistants in baseball and the timing seems right. The main reason I’m returning to basketball, however, is because I’ve missed it.” <br /> <br /> Chiappone will have to roll up his sleeves and face a major challenge immediately. Twelve seniors from last year’s 4-16 squad have graduated, and there are only two varsity returnees and two others who played on both the varsity and the jayvee teams.<br /> <br /> “There’s no doubt next year’s team will be young,” Chiappone said. ”We’ll also be very inexperienced. But every year is a challenge, and a coach is always faced with meeting challenges. One thing I’m sure about: we’ll bring our enthusiasm every day.” <br /> <br /> Another component Chiappone’s players will have to bring to practice and games is a willingness to play defense. “Our focus will be on defense,” he said. ”We’ll work to win possessions, we’ll dive for loose balls and we’ll grind it out on the defensive end. If a boy doesn’t want to commit to defense, then his minutes will be few. Defense keeps a team in games. Our style on offense will depend on the kind of talent we have.” <br /> <br /> Chiappone points to Medway and Hopkinton as the elite teams in the TVL and expects Ashland to be improved and in the pennant mix. He’s not sure where Bellingham will fit in but wouldn’t mind if opponents take the Blackhawks lightly. ”Other teams may look past us,” he said, ”and view us with low expectations. I hope we can surprise some teams If we’re taken lightly. Right now, the key is to generate excitement and enthusiasm in the program and to get our young players to recruit others.” <br /> <br /> Chiappone, a native of Bellingham, played baseball and basketball for the Blackhawks. He was on TVL championship teams in baseball (1988) and basketball (1990). A TVL all-star, he graduated in 1990, then played basketball for four years at Bridgewater State, where he was captain for three seasons. After graduation from Bridgewater, where he was chosen unsung athlete of the year, he joined the Bellingham faculty and has taught physical education at the middle school.<br /> <br /> Chiappone lives in Bellingham with his wife, Sherilyn, and two children (Corey, 10; and Rylee, 7).<br /> <br /> When he coached with Hutchinson, Chiappone says he learned lots of technique, especially how to communicate with players. “Barry was always meeting with his kids and talking with them about sports or real-life situations,” Chiappone noted. “He taught me the value of communication. I know I’m an emotional coach and if I raise my voice to a player, there will always be a follow-up conversation. I believe in discipline. Discipline wins games, it wins in the classroom and it wins in the workforce.”
