Cherecwich Helps Lead Mass Miracles to Gold Medal

Weston, MA --- Former Worcester State women’s basketball standout Barbara (Howard) Cherecwich has helped lead the Massachusetts Miracles to a Gold Medal in the 50+ division of the Women’s Three-on-Three basketball competition at the National Senior Games in Houston this past week.

The Miracles, who were making their first appearance in the tournament since 2007 and second overall, went unbeaten with a 7-0 record though pool play and the medal round beating out 10 other teams for the top spot. On June 19 the Miracles defeated the Arkansas Diamonds, 33-26, in the semifinals and the Long Shots of Colorado, 39-26, for the tournament crown.

Cherecwich scored 576 points in 79 career games playing at both forward and center while she helped the Lancers post an overall record of 58-24 (.707) in each of her four years. From 1976-79, Worcester State captured MASCAC regular season championships and made an appearance in the EAIAW Tournament. In 1978-79, Cherecwich helped lead the team to the MAIAW Championship as she made an appearance on the inaugural MASCAC All-Conference team.

Cherecwich, who is originally from Worcester, also played field hockey and softball while she was a three-sport athlete at Holy Name. Cherecwich currently resides in North Attleboro and is a doctor of Audiology at Morton Hospital in Taunton, MA.

The Miracles were originally conceived in 2006 at the Mass Senior Games, held each year in Springfield. The squad actually consists of two teams that compete in two age brackets: the 50-54 group and the 55-59 age group. The two teams practice weekly at Regis College in Weston and compete at various tournaments throughout the New England area and along the East Coast. The 55-plus age group team finished seventh in the medal round out of 18 other teams in Houston.

Cherecwich’s other teammates included Kris Kablin (Stow, MA), Megan Ladd (Stoneham, MA) team captain Tina Quick (Winchester, MA) and June Walton (East Hartford, CT). Walton is the second all-time leading scorer at Morgan State University in Baltimore while Krablin is in the St. Lawrence University (NY) Hall of Fame.

For more information about the Mass Miracles please contact jane.mooney@simmons.edu.