Stepping onto the tennis court, his family and friends filling the stands, ready to cheer him on, but despite the pressure of the game, Massimo Manera has confidence.
For many athletes, the final year of high school is a time to reflect on accomplishments and look ahead to the future, but for Massimo Manera, a Senior at Revere High School (RHS), the journey is marked by a competitive drive and a deep connection to his family and friends.
Whether it is on the basketball court, the tennis courts, or playing with his AAU team, Manera’s dedication to sports is firm, but it is his community of supporters that truly fuels his passion and drive in sports.
“I’ve been playing basketball since third grade… My mom was trying to find my sport and found me an AAU team and I started playing from there,” he said.
Manera started playing from a young age, but it is clear that his love for the game grew as he improved his skills.
“There were so many ups and downs in basketball, just like any sport, but I liked working hard and having the chance to prove myself in each game and having my teammates by my side every time,” he said.
Basketball, like all sports, is a game of contrasts—full of triumph and challenges. His drive to consistently improve and showcase his abilities in each game speaks to his competitive nature.
“There is no better feeling than playing in front of the home crowd on a Friday night,” Manera said.
The atmosphere of playing in front of a home crowd—a group full of his friends, family, and classmates—is something that many athletes cherish. During his senior year, Manera also decided to keep his competitive spirit going and try out for the tennis team.
“On the day of [tennis] tryouts, some of my friends reminded me that they were playing this year. I had just got out of basketball, but still wanted to have a season and something to play for and have fun playing,” he said.
Manera could have easily decided to rest, but instead, he chose to continue playing sports.
“Keeping the competitive nature I have going to a different sport has been sweet,” Manera said.
Manera’s drive to compete and win is not contained within basketball. It overflows into tennis and many other aspects of his life. As his senior year comes to a close, Manera reflects on his time at RHS.
“During my senior year, I’ve learned to not overthink and have fun, while setting myself up for my future. Also, I’ve learned to spend as much time as possible with my family and friends before I may move away,” Manera said.
Manera expresses his balance between ambition and enjoying the present moment. He realizes that while setting himself up for the future is crucial, it is equally important to savor the time he has left. Looking ahead, Manera is setting his sights on Miami University where he plans to study business and entrepreneurship. His brother, Luca Manera, reveals how he has seen Manera grow up in high school.
“My brother and I spend a lot of time together on a regular basis… We’ve always had this friendly competition bond between each other over the years, which has helped us bond and push each other to do better,” he said.
The role of family in Manera’s life has helped shape his character. It’s more than just shooting hoops in the backyard or battling it out in video games; it’s a continuous drive to elevate one another.
“[Massimo] has been a great mentor throughout high school and I will for sure be missing him when he goes off to college,” Luca Manera said.
As Manera’s senior year comes to a close and he looks to go off to college, his presence will be missed. The admiration Luca has for his brother speaks to the leadership and guidance Manera has had over the years. Pete Rahas, the varsity basketball coach at RHS, spoke more toward Manera’s character.
”He works hard and gets the things done that need to be done,” Rahas said.
Manera is always willing to sacrifice and work hard for the things he cares about.
As a senior at RHS, Manera has left a lasting impression both on and off the court through his commitment to basketball, taking on the challenge of tennis, and the mentorship he has offered to those around him. As he prepares to attend Miami University, Manera carries with him the lessons learned through sports and the deep connections with those who have supported him every step of the way.
