Boston, MA

Woburn company proud to make Banner 18 for Boston Celtics

Published

5 months ago

June 20, 2024

Woburn company proud to make Banner 18 for Boston Celtics

WOBURN – New England is still buzzing over the Celtics 18th NBA title win. There are currently 17 green and white banners flying high in the TD Garden with plans to raise the 18th in the fall.

A Woburn company will be tasked with making it as New England Flag and Banner has been creating custom banners for more than 130 years. It has never been more exciting for company owner Ned Flynn. “It was fantastic after the game was over, I couldn’t go to bed I was wired,” said Flynn. “For us to be able to immortalize for them and for the fans their accomplishment is a great thing for us.”

Banner will be ready for opening night

They are one of the few companies in the country still making hand sewn banners and flags with 25 highly skilled employees who will soon be at work making number 18 for the Celtics to hang on opening night next season.

They do it for the pros and for colleges which are the championship banners they are working on right now. Flynn says it’s very labor intensive. “It’s really two banners sewn back-to-back, and each one of those banners takes roughly 22 hours to make,” he said.

Celtics banners — Celtics championship banners at TD Garden in Boston.

CBS Boston

Any fans watching the duck boat parade may see the team holding smaller replicas of the banner which Flynn drove to Boston himself on Tuesday right after the win. “We got to the Garden and the person working the gate said to me, ‘what are you doing here?’ and I said ‘look in the backseat.’ He goes, ‘yes sir we’ll let you right in,’” Flynn said.

The tradition with the Celtics started in 1957 with a call from Red Auerbach for a championship banner.

Lucky penny in every banner

Flynn doesn’t want to jinx it but hopes the wait won’t be too long for banner 19. That’s why they sew a lucky penny beneath the company name on every product, for good luck going forward.

Celtics fans, like Lakisha Hicks, can’t wait to see it unfurled from the rafters. “I’m going to be in attendance. For me and my family we love to see the history we’re making right now,” she said after buying Celtics gear at the TD Garden pro shop.

“As fans you go through the journey with the team, everything is connected, and when they hang it, the fans get the satisfaction as well,” said fan Michael Gonda.

No more satisfaction than Ned Flynn and his employees who know every cut, every stitch that will make the banner hang proud.

Beth Germano

Emmy award-winning Beth Germano is a general assignment reporter for WBZ-TV News. Born and raised in Massachusetts, Germano has been a New England-based reporter for more than 15 years. She joined WBZ-TV as a freelance reporter in 1996 after reporting for several local television stations including WCVB-TV, New England Cable News, Monitor Cable Channel, WLVI-TV, and WGBH-TV.

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Boston, MA

Celtics vs. Raptors preview: Boston readies for NBA’s worst – The Boston Globe

Published

7 hours ago

November 16, 2024

Press Room

Celtics vs. Raptors preview: Boston readies for NBA’s worst – The Boston Globe

Only three teams have gotten in the Celtics’ way so far, and there aren’t many challenges on the horizon. Saturday night will likely be no exception.

Boston, ranked second in the Eastern Conference standings, will host the Toronto Raptors. The Celtics hope to revive a win streak that hasn’t exceeded two games since early November.

At 2-11, the Raptors have the worst record in the NBA. Center Jakob Poeltl ranks seventh in the league with a team-leading 11.1 rebounds per game. Shooting guard RJ Barrett has the ninth-most turnovers in the league (3.6).

With small forward Jayson Tatum at the helm, the reigning champions have thrived this season. Tatum averages 30.2 points and 4.2 3-pointers, ranking third and fourth in the league, respectively.

But, his career performance against Toronto is significantly lower. In 23 games, he’s averaged 18.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.8 assists.

Let’s get into it.

When: Saturday, 8 p.m.

Where: TD Garden, Boston

TV, radio: NBCSB, WBZ-FM 98.5

Line: Boston -16.5. O/U: 228.5.

RAPTORS

Season record: 2-10. vs. spread: 8-4. Over/under: 7-5

Last 10 games: 1-9. vs. spread: 7-3. Over/under: 5-5

CELTICS

Season record: 10-3. vs. spread: 7-6. Over/under: 6-6, 1 push

Last 10 games: 7-3. vs. spread: 5-5. Over/under: 4-5, 1 push

TEAM STATISTICS

Points per game: Toronto 112.8, Boston 121.3

Points allowed per game: Toronto 120.8, Boston 110.5

Field goal percentage: Toronto .458, Boston .461

Opponent field goal percentage: Toronto .478, Boston .466

3-point percentage: Toronto .332, Boston .373

Opponent 3-point percentage: Toronto .346, Boston .344

Stat of the day: The Celtics averaged 109 points across 15 wins and five losses since Sept. 2020 against the Raptors.

Notes: The Raptors will attempt to collect their first road victory Saturday night when they visit the Celtics for the first of four meetings between the teams this season. … The Raptors are 0-7 in road games. The Celtics are only 3-2 at home but 10-3 overall. … It will be the second game in as many nights for Toronto, which is coming off Friday night’s 99-95 loss against Detroit in the second NBA Cup game for each team. The loss extended Toronto’s overall losing streak to six games. … Boston hasn’t played since it beat Brooklyn 139-114 Wednesday night. … The 139 points were the most the Celtics have scored in a game this season. Boston scored 74 points in the second half. … Tatum, at an average of 30.2 points a game, and Brown (25.4) are Boston’s leading scorers this season. Tatum also leads the team in rebounds (7.6) and steals (1.5). Brown is second on the team in rebounds (7.2) and is tied with Pritchard for second in steals (1.2).

Alexa Podalsky can be reached at alexa.podalsky@globe.com.

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Boston, MA

Boston officials propose vacancy fee to address empty storefronts, boost economy

Published

15 hours ago

November 16, 2024

Press Room

Boston officials propose vacancy fee to address empty storefronts, boost economy

Boston officials are considering whether a fee on vacant storefronts in the city’s neighborhoods could boost the local economy by pushing commercial landlords to bring in tenants.

According to Chief of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion Segun Idowu, long-term vacant storefronts can lead to decreased property values, crime and disinvestment in the area, as well as a “negative vibe” of blight. These issues particularly affect communities of color in neighborhoods such as Roxbury and Mattapan, he said.

“The hustle and bustle of our main streets is important not just for supporting small businesses, but attracting others to the neighborhood, making folks want to live in that area because of what’s right down the street from them,” Idowu said during a Friday morning hearing of the Committee on Small Business and Professional Licensure. “When there are too many vacancies in our main streets, other businesses are negatively impacted.”

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Boston, MA

How to Watch SMU vs. Boston College: Time, TV Channel, Live Stream – November 16, 2024

Published

22 hours ago

November 16, 2024

Press Room

Data Skrive

One of the best runners in college football will be on display when Brashard Smith and the SMU Mustangs (8-1) take on the Boston College Eagles (5-4) on Saturday, November 16, 2024.

You should check out ESPN in order to watch this game.

Keep up with college football all season on FOX Sports.

Catch Up with Highlights

College Football – Houston at Arizona

Learn more about the SMU Mustangs and the Boston College Eagles.

How to Watch SMU vs. Boston College

When: Saturday, November 16, 2024 at 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Gerald J. Ford Stadium in University Park, Texas
Live Box Score: FOX Sports

SMU’s 2024 Schedule

Date	Opponent	Score
8/24/2024	at Nevada	W 29-24
8/31/2024	vs. Houston Christian	W 59-7
9/6/2024	vs. BYU	L 18-15
9/21/2024	vs. TCU	W 66-42
9/28/2024	vs. Florida State	W 42-16
10/5/2024	at Louisville	W 34-27
10/19/2024	at Stanford	W 40-10
10/26/2024	at Duke	W 28-27
11/2/2024	vs. Pittsburgh	W 48-25
11/16/2024	vs. Boston College	–
11/23/2024	at Virginia	–
11/30/2024	vs. California	–

SMU 2024 Stats & Insights

SMU has the 46th-ranked defense this season (341 yards allowed per game), and has been more effective on the other side of the ball, ranking 21st-best with a tally of 446.1 yards per game.
With 251 passing yards allowed per game on defense, which ranks 22nd-worst in the FBS, SMU has had to rely on their 43rd-ranked passing offense (249.6 passing yards per contest) to keep them in games.
Offensively, the Mustangs have been a top-25 unit, ranking sixth-best in the FBS by totaling 40.1 points per game. They rank 38th on defense (21.8 points allowed per game).
The Mustangs rank 29th in rushing yards this season (196.6 rushing yards per game), but they’ve been playing really well on the other side of the ball, ranking fourth-best in the FBS with 90 rushing yards allowed per game.
SMU has been making things happen on both sides of the ball on third down this year, owning the 19th-best mark in third-down conversion rate (46.6%) and 23rd-best in third-down defense (33.1% third-down percentage allowed).
The Mustangs have forced 19 total turnovers (11th in the FBS) this season and have turned it over 16 times (102nd in the FBS) for a turnover margin of +3, 46th-ranked in college football.

SMU 2024 Key Players

Name	Position	Stats
Brashard Smith	RB	903 YDS / 11 TD / 100.3 YPG / 6.5 YPC 22 REC / 190 REC YDS / 2 REC TD / 21.1 REC YPG
Kevin Jennings	QB	1,900 YDS (64.8%) / 12 TD / 5 INT 317 RUSH YDS / 3 RUSH TD / 35.2 RUSH YPG
Roderick Daniels Jr.	WR	15 REC / 323 YDS / 1 TD / 35.9 YPG
RJ Maryland	TE	24 REC / 359 YDS / 4 TD / 39.9 YPG
Kobe Wilson	LB	45 TKL / 2 TFL / 2 INT / 2 PD
Isaiah Nwokobia	DB	43 TKL / 1 TFL / 0.5 SACK / 2 INT
Ahmad Walker	LB	36 TKL / 3 TFL / 1 INT / 1 PD
Jahfari Harvey	DL	14 TKL / 5 TFL / 4 SACK

Boston College’s 2024 Schedule

Date	Opponent	Score
9/2/2024	at Florida State	W 28-13
9/7/2024	vs. Duquesne	W 56-0
9/14/2024	at Missouri	L 27-21
9/21/2024	vs. Michigan State	W 23-19
9/28/2024	vs. Western Kentucky	W 21-20
10/5/2024	at Virginia	L 24-14
10/17/2024	at Virginia Tech	L 42-21
10/25/2024	vs. Louisville	L 31-27
11/9/2024	vs. Syracuse	W 37-31
11/16/2024	at SMU	–
11/23/2024	vs. North Carolina	–
11/30/2024	vs. Pittsburgh	–

Boston College 2024 Stats & Insights

Boston College ranks 97th with 354.2 total yards per contest on offense, and it ranks 73rd with 372.7 total yards allowed per contest on the defensive side of the ball.
Boston College ranks 20th-worst in passing yards per game (178.7), but it has been more productive on the defensive side of the ball, ranking 103rd in the FBS with 243.3 passing yards ceded per contest.
The Eagles rank 72nd in the FBS with 27.6 points per game on offense, and they rank 55th with 23 points given up per game on the defensive side of the ball.
The Eagles are compiling 175.6 rushing yards per contest on offense this season (49th-ranked). Meanwhile, they are allowing 129.3 rushing yards per contest (44th-ranked) on defense.
Boston College is generating a 43.9% third-down conversion rate on offense this season (35th-ranked). Meanwhile, it is giving up a 36.8% third-down rate (52nd-ranked) on defense.
At +4, the Eagles own the 33rd-ranked turnover margin in the FBS, with 17 forced turnovers (21st in the FBS) and 13 turnovers committed (62nd in the FBS).

Boston College 2024 Key Players

Name	Position	Stats
Thomas Castellanos	QB	1,366 YDS (61.5%) / 18 TD / 5 INT 194 RUSH YDS / 1 RUSH TD / 21.6 RUSH YPG
Treshaun Ward	RB	369 YDS / 2 TD / 46.1 YPG / 5.3 YPC 13 REC / 251 REC YDS / 4 REC TD / 35.9 REC YPG
Kye Robichaux	RB	471 YDS / 6 TD / 52.3 YPG / 4.7 YPC 3 REC / 10 REC YDS / 1 REC TD / 1.4 REC YPG
Lewis Bond	WR	44 REC / 438 YDS / 3 TD / 48.7 YPG
Donovan Ezeiruaku	DL	52 TKL / 11 TFL / 10 SACK
KP Price	DB	44 TKL / 1 TFL / 1 INT / 1 PD
Quintavious Hutchins	DL	19 TKL / 3 TFL / 3 SACK / 1 INT
Carter Davis	DB	32 TKL / 0 TFL / 1 INT / 1 PD