Former Hendricken and Rhode Island High School standout, Matt Sherry, drafted by the Bengals

(Rak, 21. Sherry 84 before Cranston West Game)

It seems like just yesterday we were getting yelled at together by our freshmen coach, telling us that we ran like our grandmothers. And after that we were walking out as Captains together in our final high school game vs Lasalle and now my former teammate Matt Sherry is in the NFL!

Former Hendricken and Rhode Island High School standout was drafted in the 6th round by the Bengals (thus making the Bengals my 2nd favorite teams).

Sherry played four years at Bishop Hendricken High School then taking his talents to Villanova. He became a captian in his 5th year. He lead his team in recieving and lead the America team in recieving in the Texas vs the Nation game earlier this year. 

CBS Sportsline: Sherry put on a show during his All-Colonial Athletic Association senior season, leading the team in catches (37) and yards (461) in a run-first system and also caught five touchdowns. His performance in the El Paso all-star game really cemented his chance as a potential late-round selection, showing the consistent hands a good reserve tight end must have to stay in the league.

Congrats to Matt Sherry! Take it to the house baby! YEA HAWKS! Good luck in the league, were proud as hell!

(Sherry 84, Tomillio 24, Petarudy 56, Rak 21 Captains)

 

Hendricken Hawks 2002-03 Senior Team

Also a good read:

Projo Matt Sherry Article

 

Bengals coach Lewis Talks about Sherry

Hendricken Hawks Soar to 5th Straight State Championship

  (pic-projo)

Jamal Gomes (my former coach) and the Hendricken Hawks (my alma mater) soared to their 5th straight Rhode Island state championship beating Woonsocket High School in Overtime 67-64. Billy Baron hit two foul shots to put the Hawks ahead by 1 point with 20 seconds left in the game. The Hawks then pressed Woonsocket and pressure by Brandford Sowah and Sean Murray caused a steal by Billy Baron who was immediately fouled and then calmly hit 2 free throws to put them ahead by 67-64. Woonsocket had an open 3 but the shot was off and Bishop Hendricken became state champs. Hendricken is now only the second Division I boys basketball team in Rhode Island Interscholastic League history to win five consecutive state championships.

Woonsocket seemed to control the first half and most of the second half. They lead by 5 at halftime and kept that lead deep into the second half.  With Woonsocket up 5 with under 5 minutes left, Hendricken got big buckets from Brendan Degnan, Billy Baron and Kevin McCarty to get the Hawks to OT. In OT it was a back and forth contest but the Hawks intensity and defensive pressure brought them to victory.

     (pics projo.com)

Woonsocket was lead by big man Michael Akinrola who controled the glass and gave the Nova’s some big put back baskets. He fouled out with 1:20  left in Overtime and it hurt Woonsocket big time. For most of the game Woonsocket played with the same 5 players.  Micheal Laplante, who is only a sophomore, had 18 points and Brett Cordere scored 15 and seemed to come up with big bucket after big bucket.

For Hendricken Baron lead the charge with 26 point going a perfect 7-7 from the line. Brendan Degnan had 16 points with a clutch 3 pointer late in the game. Nick Manning, a steady/heady guard chipped in with 9 pts. Kevin McCartey who wore his emotions on his sleeve was a beast on the boards with 14 rebounds, took two charges and constantly worked the crowd.

Going queit in the box score but certainly not in the game were Sean Murray and Brandford Sowah. Brandford Sowah, the Hawks star football player, came off the bench numerous times and locked down Woonsocket’s guards and created multiple turnovers. Coach Jamal Gomes’ strategy to insert Sowah into the game down the strech  was perfect coaching. Sean Murray, a captain and emotional leader was all over the court, coming up with big offense and defensive rebounds. His defensive pressure and hustle throughout the game spurred the Hawks to victory. Those two players are perfect role players and key pieces to the championship puzzle.

As a Hendricken Alma mater and former player I am extremely proud of Hendricken’s big win tonight and dominance over the last five years. Congratulations to Coach Gomes (who is not only a great coach but also a great person), Coach Robert “Commander” Stephenson and the rest of the Hawks team! Go Hawks!

“Fight for the Green, Fight for the Gold Mighty Men of Hendricken!”