Author: The Boston Herald

Published On: 01/27/2023

Without playing a single second on the court, Medford sophomore Jonathan Malerba has dedicated much of his time and energy to make an impact for the boys varsity basketball program.

Tuesday night, the Mustangs reciprocated that dedication right back to the team manager who’s supporting them every game.

Wearing blue warmup shirts that read “Committed to curing NF” on the back, Medford’s 58-31 triumph over Malden not only marked a huge Greater Boston League win for the program’s fifth straight victory, but also a win toward further promoting the awareness of the debilitating condition Malerba fights through.

Seeing how passionately the sophomore contributes to the team in any way he can despite battling neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder of the nervous system, head coach John Skerry wanted to give back any way he and the program could.

This win, and the $525 fundraised through raffle tickets, was for him.

“I said to the guys in the locker room (before the game), ‘Look to your left, look to your right,’ ” he said. “’If any of you guys get tired at all tonight, just remember who you’re playing for.’ Jonathan would kill to be out here. And he’s just the man.”

Read the full story with The Boston Herald here.