NORTH SHORE – Thanks to their outstanding achievements both athletically and academically, Newburyport’s Lucy Gagnon and Malden Catholic’s Cristian Rios have been honored as the Moynihan Lumber Student-Athletes of the Month for January. Click Here for Lucy Gagnon podcast.
PODCAST – Christian Rios – Malden Catholic High School with Bill Newell
Rios is a junior captain on the Malden Catholic boys basketball team, having led the Lancers to a 12-8 regular 
season out of the Catholic Conference and an appearance in the Division 2 North tournament. Tuesday night he also led his team to a big 59-54 win over Melrose in the first round, setting up a date with top seeded Beverly on Friday.
The 6-foot-4 forward from Revere has averaged 13.7 points, 9.7 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game, helping lead Malden Catholic to big wins over tournament teams like St. Mary’s, Winchester, Bishop Feehan, Cardinal Spellman and Milton.
The assists number is particularly notable, with Rios praising his teammates for taking advantage of the space defenses have often given them.
“If a lot of teams are packing the paint on me, I’m trusting my teammates and passing it out,” he said.
Rios’ best performance was a 27-point, 14-rebound outburst in a 54-42 win over Xaverian. He also had 21 points, 15 rebounds and six assists in a loss to Division 1 power Lawrence and nearly had a triple-double with 14 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists in the Lancers’ 79-67 win over Bishop Feehan.
Academically, Rios has been a straight A student since his freshman year and is a member of the National Honor Society. He has also completed more than 35 hours of community service at the Chelsea Boys and Girls Club working with students and helping with their homework.
As for balancing his own athletics and academics, Rios said it’s just a matter of finding the time to get everything done before and after practice. Down the road he hopes to continue playing basketball in college, where he’s like to study criminal justice or physical therapy.
