Conor Kelly Selected as “Hoop” All Star
Congratulations to Pope John XXIII High School senior forward Conor Kelly on his selection as a Catholic Central League All Star. Head Coach Leo Boucher lauded Kelly, who is also a member of the National Honor Society, for his coachability and effort stating, “Conor is a pleasure to have on the team and plays the game the right way.” Kelly’s selection puts him in exclusive company as a two-sport all-star and two-sport captain. A four-year starter on the soccer team, Conor backboned PJ to two straight MIAA tourney appearances and was an important role player on the 2018 championship basketball team. He stepped into a starting role this season and provided an “in-the-paint” presence both offensively and defensively for the Tigers.
Coach Boucher notched his 300th victory during this year’s state tourney run arrived at Pope John after the sudden closing of St. Clement High School two years ago. In his first season at the helm Leo guided the Tigers (24-1) to the 2018 Division 4 state title. The 2019 squad (17-9) advanced to the EMASS finals and marked the first time in 47 years that PJ made back-to-back appearances at the TD Boston Garden. It was also an astonishing 17th consecutive tourney appearance for Coach Boucher.
Townie Youth Playoff Hockey Continues
The girls program continues with their playoff runs this weekend, with all three age levels competing to go to the championships of the Middlesex League next weekend.
•The U10 girls beat Natick 2-0 on March 21 to get a shot at Nashoba or Westwood on March 30 in Arlington. The winner will head to the championship game on April 7 in Waltham.
•The U12 girls are set to face Waltham on March 30 in Arlington, and if they win, they will head to the championship game on April 6 in Waltham against Allston.
•The U14 girls are set to play Thursday night, March 28, against the top-seeded New England Pioneers in the Arlington Rink. A win there gets them to the semi-finals.
•The boys side at the Valley Hockey League saw most of the teams fall last weekend after a great run for all. The Bantam team lost 3-2 to Beverly on March 24…The PeeWee AA team beat Needham 7-1 to land them in the semi-finals against the Everett/Revere squad on March 24. Results weren’t available from that game though…The PeeWee A team beat Wellesley 6-4 on March 17, which took them to a match with Waltham. On March 23, they lost to Waltham 7-1…Both Squirt teams had already lost their playoff bids the previous weekend. Squirt AA lost to Medford 3-2 and Squirt A lost to Billerica 3-1.
Row, Row, Row Your Boat…
University of Miami junior “Townie” rower Halle Alitz (Boston Latin Class of ’16) helped the Hurricanes Varsity 8 team place fourth with a time of 6:52.798 at the Cardinal Invite competition held at Oak Ridge TN.
College
•Lacrosse
Franklin Pierce junior attacker Colin Doherty notched a goal and an assist in the Ravens 23-6 pounding of AIC…Nichols junior midfielder Hugh O’Donnell (5 points, 29 ground balls) scored a goal and gathered 5 ground balls in the Bison’s 12-8 victory over Birmingham South…Salem St. junior midfielder Rose Sullivan (10 ground balls, 9 shots) scored a goal and tallied an assist in the Lady Vikings 11-10 squeaker over Fredonia.
•Softball/Baseball
Francis Marion sophomore hurler Katelyn Ellard (13-4, 2.19 ERA) tossed a 2-hit shutout to lead the Patriots past Barton by a score of 3-0…Belmont Abbey junior shortstop Justin Moran (28 assists, 13 putouts, 1 error) smacked a single, walked, scored a run and tallied an RBI in the Crusaders 11-7 triumph over Lenoir-Rhyne…St. Joseph (JV) sophomore outfielder Patrick Kelly (.500 AVG, 4 runs, 3 RBIs) belted a 2-RBI single to help the Monks topple Fontbonne to the tune of 13-4.