Johnston High Athletic Hall of Fame's class of 2016 announced

Five former athletes whose resumes date back to the mid-1960s, along with the 1976-77 boys’ hockey team and two individuals who enriched the lives of students for a number of years, will make up the Johnston High School Athletic Hall of Fame’s class of 2016.

“This is certainly a well-rounded class,” said Dennis Quaranta, a former Panther football standout and Hall of Famer who recently joined the selection committee. “Our group is excited to have such a wide range of selectees. Everyone is really looking forward to the induction ceremony and dinner.”

In keeping with tradition, the Athletic Hall of Fame – which was founded by the late Gary Mazzie to honor those one-time Panthers who distinguished their alma mater – will have two ceremonies for the annual induction, which Quaranta said will be held in early October.

The actual Hall of Fame induction will take place inside Johnston High’s Edward L. DiSimone Gymnasium. The post-ceremony dinner will be held immediately following in the dining room at Brookdale Pocasset Bay off Hartford Avenue in Johnston.

“Gary always wanted as many people to come to the induction ceremony as possible,” Quaranta said. “He didn’t want people to have to pay for a ticket to see their loved ones and family members inducted into the Hall of Fame. That’s why we’ll have the induction ceremony in the gym.”

Once the induction is complete, people will make their way to Brookdale Pocasset Bay – formerly Pocasset Bay Manor – for the dinner, which is also open to the public. Ticket prices and the menu will be announced soon.

Stephen J. Gaskin, class of 1974, is the only male three-sport standout to be elected with the class of 2016.

Gaskin starred in track and field and also played basketball and football on Cherry Hill. He enjoyed a 12-2 dual record in the Class B 100- and 220-yard events, and was 12-10 in the 440.

Edward A. Skovron, who landed All-Division baseball honors in 1964 and 1965, represents the class of 1965 in this year’s Hall of Fame class. He was also a standout on Johnston’s only overall state baseball championship squad, and today is regarded as one of the nation’s leaders in the AAU (Amateur Athletic Union).

Former All-League Lady Panther basketball standout Christina DeLuca – who starred from 2002 to 2004 and was an All-Division softball player – represents the class of 2004. She is the only female three-sport standout in the class of 2016.

Robert A. Comella, 1976, who was a standout in baseball and landed All-League honors in 1975 and 1976, and Jason A. Ginolfi, class of 1993, who was All-Division in football, complete the list of former athletes in this year’s class.

Former sports writer Al Alexio, who authored many articles about the Panthers, and Gloria E. Barone, a long-time matron at the school, are also included in this year’s Hall of Fame class.

The 1976-77 boys’ hockey team, which won the Rhode Island Interscholastic League’s Suburban State Championship and posted an overall 19-6 record, will also be induced with the class of 2016.

The team includes head coach John Marchetti, assistant coach Steve Barlow, and manager Mark Desrosiers, and players Len Andrews, James Cambio, Frank Croce, Anthony DiChiara, Jack Flynn, Brian Forrest, David Mallette, James McDonnell, Philip Octeau, David aRusso, Raymond Cappelli, Robert D’Arpino, Jack, DiLorenzo, Kevin Flynn, Jon Graham, Michael Mallette, Kevin Miller, Raymond Pensalfini, Alan Atkinson, Rick Ciullo James DeLeo, Robert Fairbanks, Robert Ferro, David Kloza, David Martin, Michael Mollicone, and Daniel Petrosinelli.