Welcome to the Hall: Eight former Durfee athletes, coach set for induction ceremony

FALL RIVER — Eight former Hilltopper high school greats will take their rightful spot in the upcoming Durfee Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Oct. 26 at White's of Westport .

Cocktails from 5-6 p.m and dinner at 6 p.m. with the inductions to follow.

Tickets for the event are $60 and may only be purchased through this link at https://square.link/u/zV2DaGJt . Deadline to purchase tickets is Monday, Oct. 14th.

Here's a brief look at the newest member of the Durfee Hall of Fame:

Emma Santoro

Santoro was a standout swimmer at Durfee who distinguished herself as one of the most accomplished athletes in the school's history. Her remarkable career is celebrated with numerous awards, record-breaking performances and a legacy that continues to inspire young athletes. She currently remains the record-holder in the 200 IM, 50 freestyle, 100 freestyle, 100 butterfly, and 100 breaststroke. Currently, Santoro works at Durfee as a school counselor and serves as the assistant swim coach.

Rhonda Pacheco

Pacheco is known for her hustle, relentless work ethic, and fierce competitiveness. She averaged 12.1 points per game at Durfee, where she hit 75 career 3-pointers, including 33 as a senior. She was a Dave Cowens nominee and was named the school's Athlete of the Year as a senior. She also played softball, earning MVP honors as a senior while being named a Big Three Conference All-Star. She was also named a Big Three All-Star in soccer as a senior.

Carrie Doyle

Doyle was a standout three-sport athlete at Durfee, showcased her versatility in basketball, volleyball, and softball. Doyle earned the title of the Hilltoppers' 1995 Female Athlete of the Year. Her senior year, Doyle was the team's top scorer with 238 points, averaged 11.9 points and 12 rebounds per game while being the top free throw shooter with a 78% success rate. In volleyball, Doyle was known for her skills as a middle hitter and blocker. She played first base during her senior year and contributed to the team’s run to the Division I South Finals in 1993.

Rene Gagnon

After starting out in Diman, Gagnon’s successes continued to pile up throughout his cross country career at Durfee. He was the first Hilltopper runner to ever qualify for the Division 1 MIAA All-State meet at Franklin Park where he placed 19th overall. Gagnon would go on to break his own course record at Durfee with a time of 14:23. Gagnon’s first winter track season at Durfee, he captured the school’s mile record with a time of 4:37. Gagnon also excelled in spring track where he earned points in three events for the team in every meet.

Floriano Lima

Lima joined Durfee High School as a junior varsity coach in 1993 and two years later, took the reins as the varsity coach. Under his leadership, the Hilltoppers girls soccer program flourished, with the team capturing the Big Three Championship an impressive 10 times, including a remarkable nine consecutive title run from 1995 to 2003. Over the course of Lima’s tenure, his record stood at an impressive 127 wins, 58 losses, and 47 ties, totaling 232 games. In 2006, Flo returned to his alma mater and transitioned to Diman where he would start the girls' soccer program at Diman.

Tim Plante

Plante was a distinguished three-sport athlete in football, basketball, and baseball. As a two-year starter for the Hilltoppers baseball team, he had career batting average of .376, highlighted by a standout senior year where he hit .452, the highest in the Southeastern Massachusetts Conference Division 1. He played a key role as the starting centerfielder for the 1985 SMC Division 1 Championship team. After his college playing days, Plante transitioned into coaching where he coached baseball at Fairhaven and basketball for Westport, Joseph Case and Bristol-Plymouth.

Brandon Bouchard

Bouchard left a mark on Durfee athletics, particularly in the sport of golf. Throughout his high school career, Bouchard's passion for golf were evident through his outstanding achievements. As a four-year MVP/Co-MVP and three-year captain, his individual accomplishments on the golf course are nothing short of impressive. Bouchard showcased his talent in the South Sectionals during his senior year, shooting an even par and placed third in the South Sectionals.

Kevin Narciso

Kevin Narciso left his mark during his four-year tenure in the ice hockey program. His skill and dedication were consistently evident, earning him a place among Durfee's all-time greats. As a four-year varsity player (1997-2000), Narciso’s career statistics of 69 goals and 53 assists for 122 points rank him as the third all-time leading scorer in school history, trailing only Bobby Rapoza and Scott Santos. Under his leadership as team captain during both his junior and senior years, he helped the Hilltoppers set a school record with 18 consecutive wins.

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Welcome to the Hall: Eight former Durfee athletes, coach set for induction ceremony