Mansfield states appeal

By Michael Grossi, Globe Correspondent  |  December 19, 2008

Mansfield High appealed a ruling that the school used an ineligible player - a fifth-year senior - during the football season to a 10-person subcommittee of the MIAA board of directors yesterday at Franklin.

A ruling will be presented in writing within 10 days.

Mansfield faces forfeiture of regular-season victories over Sharon and Oliver Ames in which the ineligible player participated as well as its win over Bishop Feehan in the Division 2 playoffs, in which the fifth-year senior did not play. The school was granted a court injunction to participate in the postseason.

"We are grateful that the MIAA gave us the chance to present all of the circumstances in this unique situation," said Mansfield coach Mike Redding. "There were extenuating circumstances that needed to be expressed and we wanted [the subcommittee] to be aware that we acted in good faith."

The subcommittee was concerned with the timeline of the possible infraction.

"This was a flaw in paperwork and an honest oversight," principal John Maruszczak said. "The incident slipped through the cracks, we made an error, but we acted in good faith. I should be penalized, not the kids. I myself am responsible."

Northeastern: Courtney Finn scored 25 points in Danvers's 65-55 victory over Winthrop.

Tri-Valley: Marissa Pelosi had 11 points and three assists in Medfield's 54-31 win over Westwood . . . McCleary Philbin's free throws in the final seconds lifted Dover-Sherborn to a 37-35 victory over Ashland.

Nonleague: Alexis Peters was the catalyst for Fontbonne in its 60-45 win over Sacred Heart, scoring 25 points, grabbing 5 rebounds, and coming away with 4 steals . . . Morgan Jenkins led the way with 24 points in Revere's 54-37 victory over Medford . . . Mt. St. Joseph's Hayley Nee scored 10 points in a 51-23 victory over Lynn Tech.

Prep-Private: Kaitlyn Mathieu contributed 24 points, 13 rebounds, and 4 blocks, and Caleigh Crowell added 6 points, 18 rebounds, and 4 blocks for Worcester Academy in its 53-21 victory over Loomis Chaffee.

City North: David Campbell had 15 points, 18 rebounds, and 5 blocks, and Spencer Braithwaite added 19 points and 7 assists to help Madison Park beat Latin Academy, 71-54.

Northeastern: Mark Jenkins scored 18 points and Dino Mallios added 17 to help Winthrop beat Danvers, 62-45.

Tri-Valley: Ted Ovellet's 18 points and 19 rebounds sparked Dover-Sherborn past Ashland, 48-35 . . . Connor Hatten poured in 25 points in Medfield's 70-52 win over Westwood.

Nonleague: Shawn Yard contributed 20 points and four steals as Brockton beat Dartmouth, 76-60.

Merrimack Valley: Justin Marsan put the shot 50 feet 6 inches for Methuen in its 69-17 victory over Chelmsford.

Bay State: Keira Flaherty's goal enabled Braintree to tie Walpole, 1-1.

Dual County: Sarah McNicholas's two goals helped Acton-Boxboro top Westford, 4-0.

Patriot: Cam Crowell won the 200 freestyle and 500 freestyle, helping Duxbury beat Hingham, 97-77.

Patriot: Kaitlin Buckley's victories in the 100 breaststroke and 200 individual medley aided Duxbury in its 92-88 win over Hingham.

Globe correspondent Liz Torres contributed to this report.