Spring Sports

Because last week we ran a tribute to Bay Path football coach Al Dhembe and his induction into the Massachusetts High School Football Hall of Fame, this week we highlight

Two Indian Ranch Spring Athletes of the Week:

Bartlett's Lindsay Bond and Oxford's Nick Cardoni.

(Last week's highlight was a tribute to Bay Path football coach Al Dhembe and his induction into the Massachusetts High School Football Hall of Fame.)

Bond is a three sport athlete for Bartlett and has started in soccer, basketball, and softball since 8th grade. Her leadership skills have been outstanding all year. She has been an example to her younger teammates at Bartlett and remains determined as she ends a great career for the Indians in a few weeks.

Cardoni of Oxford beat Thanksgiving Day rival Auburn, 8-2, on the Pirate baseball diamond last week by throwing a 4 hitter at the visiting Rockets.

Congratulations to both Bond and Cardoni.

Ron Springer Sr.

Gentleman Ron Springer Sr. of Webster died last week after a courageous battle with cancer over the last five years. Springer arrived in Webster in 1970 by way of accepting the Head Football coaching position at Bartlett High School. Springer succeeded Joe Lucido and remained the Indians’ head coach for five years before handing the reins over to Jim Healey in 1975. He then came back as an Indian assistant football coach in the early 80s and humbly coached the line for the Indians and then coached the line at Oxford High School when his son Ron was the Pirate head coach.

"Big" Ron was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers of the NFL as a lineman after a great career at Albion College in Michigan. Springer was the "gentle giant" in these parts for over four decades and touched a lot of us with his unique spirit. "Big" Ron ate you up when he greeted you with that huge handshake of his and his smile that went on forever. He was a favorite of everybody who knew him. Ron was a real, genuine human being who will be missed. Godspeed, my friend.

41st Webster Summer Basketball League

Bartlett basketball coach Tony Paranto has announced that signups for the 41st Webster Summer Basketball League will be held at the Bartlett High School gymnasium this Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to noon. Eligible players are those entering the 3rd grade next fall through the 12th grade. The fee for the entire summer is $75. This is the 16th year that Paranto will be the director of the league. All games are played at Bartlett High School on Lake Parkway. The league once played their games on the upper athletic field court at Memorial field on Ray Street, and then the league moved to the Memorial Beach court before moving to Bartlett High School. If memory serves me correctly, a league was sponsored at the old Sacred Heart outdoor court back in the late 60s. I remember being on a team that John Lefebvre was the captain. Bob Gould, Roberto Alvarez, Bob David, Larry Morin, Kenny Goulet, Randy Daggett, Ron Magnant, Bruce Smith, and John Macuga were a few names that played on the Sacred Heart court.