Extra innings for Abington coach
There was an alumni baseball game at Abington High School on May 20, but it wasn't really much of a contest. The point of being there was not winning. It was to give former players a chance to thank Tom Graham for all he did during his three decades as Abington's coach.
``Tom has become afflicted with Parkinson's disease during the past few years, and it has really limited his strength and mobility," said Steve Maguire, one of his former players. ``After spending the past three months in the hospital, Tom returned home just a few days ago to try to continue his treatment."
The event, which was organized as a chance to thank Graham, mushroomed. As part of the festivities, the baseball diamond at Memorial Park was renamed for Graham.
``We had about 50 players from the classes of 1966 to 2005 returning to the ball field, and many other nonplayers came to enjoy the games, have a hot dog, and to pay tribute to Coach Graham," said Maguire. There were so many former players who wanted to join in that two baseball games were played simultaneously.
Several former players, local businesses, former students, and friends of the Graham family donated items that were raffled off during the games.
The money raised will be offered to the Graham family to help them cover costs to renovate their home to make it handicap-accessible; any remaining funds and future donations will support the Abington baseball program in Tom Graham's name.
Milton athletes stand out at Curry
One of the reasons the Curry College women's lacrosse team advanced to the Commonwealth Coast Conference Championship game and the ECAC Championship game for the first time in school history was the play of sophomore Meghan Tilley.
The Milton native tied for third on the team in goals and was fourth in total points. She led the Colonels in ground balls with 57 and caused 30 turnovers. In the conference, Tilley was ranked 10th in assists per game (0.68) and 13th in points per game (2.53). She was twice selected as the CCC Player of the Week.
Tilley was recruited as a Division 1 player and transferred to Curry in her second semester of her freshman year, said Curry's coach, Caitlin Roberts.
``She probably has the best stick skills in the conference. She is a tremendous all-around player. As a midfield defender she still was able to score 38 goals and have 13 assists." Tilley also led the team in ground balls and was third for caused turnovers.
Besides being named Curry College's ``Most Improved Player," Tilley was selected to the All-Commonwealth Coast Conference squad as a second-team selection.
You can bet Roberts is looking forward to next year with all five of her top scorers and her best defender returning.
Two Milton athletes had banner years for the Curry men's lacrosse team, which advanced to the Commonwealth Coast Conference tournament for the first time since the 2002 campaign. Although Curry finished with a 5-11 overall record and 3-5 in conference play, there is a foundation for the future.
One of the two, junior cocaptain Alex Savioli, ended the season with 34 total points, second best on the Colonels. Savioli tied for the team lead in goals with 25 and ranked 13th in the conference for goals per game (1.60).
The other, freshman Chandler Metz, had 25 total points, third-best on the squad. His 13 goals and 12 assists led all rookies in total points. Twice Metz was named the conference Rookie of the Week and was selected as the Colonels Rookie of the Year.
Hingham player makes tennis finals
Brian Marsden, a hard-hitting tennis player from Hingham, represented Trinity College at the NCAA Division 3 national championships, at Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg, Va., last weekend.
He was upended by Paul Bristow of the host school in straight sets, 4-6, 1-6.
It was Marsden's third trip to the NCAA finals. He was one of 32 singles players selected to compete for the national title. Ranked fifth in the nation, Marsden picked up several national honors during his career. Now a junior, Marsden was an Intercollegiate Tennis Association Division 3 All-America and in 2003-04 was the national Rookie of the Year.
``Brian is the leader of our team which reached the lofty level of tenth in the country," said his coach, Paul Assaiante. ``He is the quiet athlete that leads by example."
Marsden qualified for last year's NCAA Division 3 National Singles and Doubles Championships and advanced to the second round of the 2005 NCAA singles tournament.
As a team this year Trinity tennis posted a 14-4 record and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division 3 Championship Tournament. The Bantams, ranked No. 3 in the Northeast, downed Bowdoin, 4-2, in the first round of the NCAA tournament but were eliminated in the second round by Williams.
Tufts junior named to All-Star squad
Lauren Murphy, a junior midfielder for Tufts University, was selected to the New England Small College Athletic Conference All-Star squad as a second team selection. Murphy is considered one of the best two-way players in the league. She finished this season with 19 goals and a team-high 16 assists for 35 points. She also led the Jumbos with 29 draw controls, turned the ball over just six times all season, and caused 19 turnovers.
``Lauren is one of the finest athletes I have had the pleasure to coach in my 28-year career as a head coach of two sports," said Tufts coach Carol Rappoli, who also serves as a field hockey coach.
``She has the capability to make others around her better, and is able to see plays ahead, she reads the game and makes the right decision at the right time."
Girls' coach steps down in Duxbury
Duxbury High School athletic director Thomas Holdgate has a huge void to fill for next year. Pat Shea, one of the most successful girls' basketball coaches in the state, is retiring as a teacher and stepping down as coach.
``It will be a huge loss for us," said Holdgate. ``Pat took our program and built it to the one of the best in the state."
Local women in lacrosse tourney
The local women playing for Northwestern University in the NCAA Division 1 lacrosse championship at Boston University this weekend are not the only players from the region involved.
Joining Kristen Kjellman and Meredith Frank of Westwood, Laura Glassanos of Hingham, Sarah Albrecht of Braintree, and Caitlin Jackson of Norwell on the
Barry is one of the reasons Dartmouth advanced to the Final Four. She is the Big Green's second leading scorer with 42 points (36 goals, six assists).
Barry was a standout two-sport athlete at Thayer Academy in Braintree, serving as captain of the soccer and lacrosse teams, earning Independent School League All-Star honors in both sports.
