Massachusetts

Nine high school sports takeaways from the first full night of the winter season – The Boston Globe

Published

3 months ago

December 13, 2025

Nine high school sports takeaways from the first full night of the winter season – The Boston Globe

Browse our players to watch for the upcoming season: Boys’ basketball | Girls’ hockey | Girls’ basketball | Boys’ hockey

Preseason Top 20 rankings: Boys’ basketball | Girls’ hockey | Girls’ basketball | Boys’ hockey

Earning their first coaching wins with their programs were Jesse Mitchell (Canton girls), Liv Robles (Essex Tech girls), Mark Garrity (Malden Catholic boys), Josh Keilty (St. Mary’s boys), Danny Burns (Belmont boys), and Adam Russo (Melrose boys).

▪ The North Reading girls emerged from double-overtime battle with Pentucket with a 52-45 victory thanks to a game-high 23 points from Sophia Gallivan.

▪ Amari Moe provided the buzzer-beating basket as the Lexington boys nipped Burlington, 64-62, despite a big night from the Redmen’s Matty Gray (29 points). Charlie O’Brien paced the Minutemen with 23 points.

▪ Eighth-grader Jackson Hines drilled a tying 3-pointer from the corner at the buzzer to send the game to overtime, then scored 4 of his team-high 13 points in the extra period to give the Arlington Catholic boys a 62-55 road win over Revere.

Our first Top 20 team to get taken down was the No. 17 Abington boys, who lost an 89-80 barnburner to New Bedford despite getting 30 points and 10 rebounds from Kingston Maxwell and 24 points and six rebounds from Tyler Staiti.

Noah Bayersdorfer, Winthrop — In a 54-43 win over East Boston, the senior posted 30 points and seven rebounds.

Ashley Cox, Barnstable — The junior led all rebounders on Friday night, pulling down 15 boards to go with 12 points in a 53-28 win over Bourne.

Hannah D’Angelo, Pembroke — Our one hockey entry of the night, the senior paced the Titans to a 5-1 win over Norwell with two goals and two assists.

Kayla Dunlap, Natick — The sophomore saturated the stat sheet with 25 points, 3 assists, 4 rebounds, and 5 steals in a 62-43 triumph vs. Brookline.

Anna Kanders, Swampscott — The sophomore did a tremendous job sharing the ball and looking for her own shot, scoring 20 points with eight assists in a 58-40 win against Gloucester.

Eileen Lowther, Hingham — The junior dominated the paint, blocking seven shots, grabbing 10 rebounds, and scoring 13 points to beat Middleborough, 43-19.

Diego Montanari, New Bedford — The senior dropped 31 points, leading the Whalers to an 89-80 upset of 17th-ranked Abington

Elian Rodriguez, Salem — The junior notched a double-double, scoring 21 points and dishing 10 assists in a 73-51 triumph over Saugus.

Roman Treadwell, Minuteman — The senior filled up the stat sheet with 18 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 blocks ina 68-44 win over Nashoba Valley Tech.

Oliver Van Rhijn, Dover-Sherborn — The junior posted 23 points and 10 rebounds in a 56-44 win over Nipmuc.

▪ St. John’s Prep has a new volleyball coach: Pamela Benzan Leete. Leete coached both the boys’ and girls’ programs at Essex Tech, qualifying for the postseason for 10 consecutive years, capturing seven Commonwealth Athletic Conference crowns, and producing nine CAC MVPs.

“I am thankful and excited for this incredible opportunity,” said Leete in a statement. “I look forward to working with the boys and helping to mold this program’s future.”

Leete has also served as an assistant at Endicott and has spent more than a decade as a clinician at the Jumbos Volleyball Clinics at Tufts. A Danvers resident who grew up in Malden, she is the English department chair at St. John’s Prep, where she has worked since 2018.

“Pam embodies the kind of educator-coach who strengthens the heart of St. John’s Prep,” said athletic director Jameson Pelkey. “She understands how athletics can deepen a student’s confidence, character, and sense of purpose, and she has a remarkable track record of helping teams achieve at a high level while building a culture rooted in integrity and individual growth.”

Leete takes over an SJP program that has reached the Division 1 quarterfinals in two of the last four seasons.

▪ North Andover announced that former assistant Caitlin Enright will serve as interim girls’ lacrosse coach this spring. A North Andover alumna, Enright played three sports for the Scarlet Knights and went on to play lacrosse at Merrimack. A math teach at North Andover, Enright also serves as a JV soccer coach and freshman basketball coach.

▪ Former Catholic Memorial running back Datrell Jones has entered the transfer portal after three years at Boston College. He played in five games in 2024, with eight carries for 73 yards and a touchdown, but didn’t see the field in 2025.

▪ WPI sophomore Myles Lakin, a Reading graduate, and graduate student Lauren Meinhold, an Acton-Boxborough graduate, were named to the NFHCA Region 1 First Team. Meinhold is a two-time selection after leading the Engineers with 10 goals and five assists. She finished her career with 27 goal sand 26 assists. Lakin, who was named NEWMAC Defensive Player of the Year, logged 14 wins in net with an .863 save percentage and .955 goals against average.

▪ On Tuesday, the United Soccer Coaches released its All-America lists. Massachusetts was represented on the boys’ side by Emmanuel Marmolejo (Berkshire School), Alex Hensch (Longmeadow), Luke Dougherty (Natick), Bless Jeremie Mbuyi Kasongo (Northfield Mt. Hermon), and Garrison Murphy (St. John’s Prep). Honored on the girls’ side: Emmy O’Donnell (Concord-Carlisle), Sarah Tressler (Central Catholic), Emily Burnham (Wellesley), Sidney Heavey (Medfield), Addison Kalaw (BB&N), Tyler Martens (Groton), Nicole Proia (Natick), and Wylie Roossien (Phillips Andover).

▪ North Attleborough will retire Mike Babul’s No. 43 in between the boys’ and girls’ games against Attleboro on Jan. 20. Babul was a standout player for the Red Rocketeers before going on to play at UMass. After several stops as a college assistant, Babul was in his second season coaching Thayer Academy when he died of a heart attack at age 47 in 2024.

Diego Montananri, New Bedford, 31

Alex Ste. Marie, Manchester Essex, 31

Noah Bayersdorfer, Winthrop, 30

Kingston Maxwell, Abington, 30

Matty Gray, Burlington, 29

Cal Atherton, Newburyport, 28

Justin Flores, Lynnfield, 28

Connor Chiarello, Swampscott, 27

Liam MacPhee, Stoneham, 27

Jovani Melendez, Norton, 27

Caleb Haynes, Brookline, 26

Nate Lane, Salem, 26

Leticia Castro, Greater Lowell, 25

John Chareas, St. Mary’s, 25

Brandon Doherty, Lynnfield, 25

Kayla Dunlap, Natick, 25

George Howell, O’Bryant, 25

Mathaios Stamm, Newton North, 25

Teddy O’Neill, Swampscott, 24

Cam Santos, Bridgewater-Raynham, 24

Tyler Staiti, Abington, 24

Malikhi Tavares, Wareham, 24

Rolky Brea Arias, St. Mary’s, 23

Ethan Elie, Braintree, 23

Sophie Gallivan, North Reading, 23

Sarah Michel, Blue Hills, 23

Charlie O’Brien, Lexington, 23

Jonny Sullivan, Tewksbury, 23

Oliver Van Rhijn, Dover-Sherborn, 23

Harrison Burbine, Winchester, 22

Allie Danis, Newton North, 22

Savvy Eriksen, Abington, 22

Olivia Gaynor, Peabody, 22

Jordan Oliver, Acton-Boxborough, 22

Aiden Richard, Tewksbury, 22

Lily White, Dracut, 22

Weston Bunnell, Stoneham, 21

Elian Rodriguez, Salem, 21

Amare Rose, Wareham, 21

Meredith Gibbs, Dover-Sherborn, 20

Shane Harrington, Walpole, 20

Adyxandra Jimenez, Fenway, 20

Anna Kanders, Swampscott, 20

Ashley Cox, Barnstable, 15

Kelsey Hudon, Dracut, 12

Aboubakar Nimaka, Malden Catholic, 12

Bobby Taku, Malden Catholic, 12

Roman Treadwell, Minuteman, 12

Paige Morrison, Sandwich, 11

Sophia Coburn, Peabody, 10

Jeremy Hernandez, Catholic Memorial, 10

Eileen Lowther, Hingham, 10

Ava Martin, Somerville, 10

Kingston Maxwell, Abington, 10

Cassidy Saindon, Dracut, 10

Oliver Van Rhijn, Dover-Sherborn, 10

George Howell, O’Bryant, 9

Katie McMahon, Natick, 9

Teddy O’Neill, Swampscott, 9

Kate Suneson, Apponequet, 9

Lizzy Bettencourt, Peabody, 8

Kyle Ewans, Gloucester, 8

Jackson Farrington, O’Bryant, 8

Matt Kenney, Salem, 8

Erin Langone, Shawsheen, 8

Lily White, Dracut, 8

Elian Rodriguez, Salem, 10

Anna Kanders, Swampscott, 8

Domenic Paniello-Torres, Beverly, 8

Bridget Pole, Natick, 8

Dom Torres, Beverly, 8

Sienna Miranda, Seekonk, 7

Kaylee Maier, Dracut, 6

Kyle Ewans, Gloucester, 5

Grace Goudreau, Seekonk, 5

Amari Kergo, Somerville, 5

Rex Satter, Ipswich, 5

CC Curran, Natick, 4

Jillian Gagnier, Apponequet, 4

Hanna Kuriscak, Apponequet, 4

Teddy O’Neill, Swampscott, 4

Roman Treadwell, Minuteman, 4

Vin Winter, Ipswich, 4

Caelen Mahoney, Seekonk, 7

Kyle Ewans, Gloucester, 6

Lala Gomez, Shawsheen, 6

Amari Kergo, Somerville, 6

Tori White, Canton, 6

Avery Bettencourt, Peabody, 5

Kayla Dunlap, Natick, 5

Kelsey Hudon, Dracut, 5

Olivia Gaynor, Peabody, 5

Aliana Ryan, Peabody, 5

Connor Chiarello, Swampscott, 4

Jillian Gagnier, Apponequet, 4

Cece Levrault, Apponequet, 4

Sienna Miranda, Seekonk, 4

Denai Williams, Natick, 4

Eileen Lowther, Hingham, 7

Sophia Coburn, Peabody, 5

Carson Sarpong, Winchester, 5

Roman Treadwell, Minuteman, 2

Brendan Kurie can be reached at brendan.kurie@globe.com. Follow him on X @BrendanKurie.

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Massachusetts

Planning a staycation? Tripadvisor recommends this MA city

Published

9 hours ago

March 9, 2026

Press Room

Planning a staycation? Tripadvisor recommends this MA city

Are you thinking about spending some time off but don’t want to splurge on a big international vacation?

A summer 2025 report found that many Americans are choosing nearby staycations over changing time zones.

And Tripadvisor said one of the best travel experiences you could have in the United States would actually be a guided walking tour in Salem, Massachusetts, and the Freedom Trail walking tour in Boston.

As part of 2025 Travelers’ Choice Awards: Best of the Best Things To Do, Tripadvisor said that History and Hauntings of Salem Guided Walking Tour is the second-best experience in the U.S.

As we move on from 2025 onto 2026, here’s what you need to know about this Bay State travel opportunity.

Tripadvisor said Salem has the second best experience in the U.S.

Tripadvisor said the History and Hauntings of Salem Guided Walking Tour is one of the best experiences in the United States. Its AI summary tool said the tour guides paint a vivid portrait of one of America’s most macabre towns.

Here’s what Tripadvisor said about it: “There are many Salem tours out there but few are as compelling as this one, led by a local historian who brings alive the city’s history at the time of day you choose. For a spookier experience, pick a nighttime tour led by lantern light. Visit the Burying Point Cemetery, Witch House, and Ropes Mansion garden as your guide tells stories of the haunted history of Salem, Massachusetts.”

The itinerary says the tour begins at Salem Old Town Hall and ends at Hamilton Hall, visiting sites like the Bewitched statue of Elizabeth Montgomery and The Witch House at Salem on the way.

You can book History and Hauntings of Salem Guided Walking Tour at this link here. Be aware that this event is booked 23 days in advance, the tour’s Tripadvisor page said.

Kathleen Wong contributed to the reporting of this story. Rin Velasco is a trending reporter. She can be reached at rvelasco@gannett.com.

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Massachusetts

Massachusetts beach towns look to ease ‘overly strict’ conservation rules: ‘Common sense’

Published

21 hours ago

March 9, 2026

Press Room

Massachusetts beach towns look to ease ‘overly strict’ conservation rules: ‘Common sense’

As certain shorebirds rebound in population along the Massachusetts coast, beach towns are pushing for the state to strike a healthier balance between conservation and recreation.

State Rep. Kenneth Sweezey, a South Shore Republican, is leading the charge on Beacon Hill, authoring legislation to untangle what he describes as “overly strict” regulations hindering his region’s access to its beaches.

Over the years, Duxbury Beach, in particular, has borne the brunt of protecting recovering bird species, including piping plovers and terns, limiting business and recreational opportunities at the prominent South Shore coastline.

The Duxbury Beach Reservation, a private landlord, has had to close certain roads and portions of the shoreline while birds are nesting. Residents and visitors are also required to have an oversand vehicle permit, which costs more than $150, for beach access.

Under one of Sweezey’s proposals, the state Division of Fisheries and Wildlife would only restrict over-sand vehicle access or other recreational activities if the bird species is listed as endangered or threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act.

Sweezey has said that piping plovers are the only species nesting on Duxbury Beach, which his district includes, that are federally endangered, while other birds carry a state designation.

“Birds may be federally protected because they’re doing poorly in one region of the nation, even though they may be thriving in the Commonwealth,” Sweezey said at the State House last week. “Those differences sort of create problems when you’re looking at human access, recreational opportunities on the beaches and conservation on the beach.”

Sweezey made his appeal to the Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, touting shorebird management expert Chris Kennedy for helping him craft his proposals.

Kennedy, a wildlife biologist who has worked for the state Environmental Police and Division of Fisheries and Wildlife over the decades, is championing an equal balance between conservation and recreation.

In response to a post in the ‘Save Duxbury Beach’ Facebook page, Kennedy highlighted how the Bay State has seen a nearly “tenfold” jump in nesting plovers since 1986, going from 140 to over 1,200 last year. Roseate and common terns are also “strongly increasing,” while least terns are “slowly climbing.”

“Reasonable public access is not anti-birds,” Kennedy stated. “It is simply common sense.”

The 1,221 nesting pairs of plovers identified in 2025 marked a record high for the species’ population, up even from the 1,196 in 2024, numbers show.

According to the state’s Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program, Duxbury Beach had 149 days of recreational activity last year.

Sweezey is also calling state regulators to conduct a review of their recreational management guidelines that protect piping plovers, terns and their habitats across the state at least once every two years. Part of that process would include two public hearings.

Patrick Parquette, a government affairs officer for the Massachusetts Striped Bass Association, called the state’s current shorebird management program “long outdated,” having been adopted in 1993.

Parquette pointed out how, decades ago, nests of certain shorebirds needed to be a minimum of an eighth of a mile apart. Today, species, including the piping plover, are nesting within 100 feet of each other.

“At the time, it was based on the best thinking that we had,” he said. “I don’t think there’s a reasonable human being in this building, no matter the ilk or philosophy they come from, that would say that our knowledge base 33 years ago could compare with today’s knowledge base.”

Andrew Marshall, founder of the Save Duxbury Beach nonprofit advocacy group, centers his concerns around climate change and its effects on the Plymouth County town of roughly 16,000.

“We’re being unfairly punished due to climate change, with some of these southern birds moving up to the north here,” Marshall told lawmakers. “These birds aren’t rare or threatened. They’re just new in our area.”

A third piece of legislation that Sweezey has crafted would ban state regulators from prohibiting any beach management program from using all legally authorized shorebird nesting mitigation tools under the state’s habitat conservation plan.

Sweezey said a goal of the bill would be to promote parity among Massachusetts beaches.

“These bills,” the representative said, “are critically important to our environment, our coastal traditions and local economies down in Duxbury, but really along the entire coast.”

A woman takes in the shoreline view at Duxbury Beach. (Staff Photo By Faith Ninivaggi/Boston Herald/Media News Group, File)

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