Several Peabody Tanners and Bishop Fenwick Crusaders are set to be honored at this Thursday’s Item All-Star ceremony at the Lynn Museum (6 p.m.). With this past winter in the books, what a season it was for Peabody and Fenwick Athletics.
Boys basketball
Anthony Forte – Peabody – Sr.
If you’re wondering how Peabody changed the course of history this season, look no further than Anthony Forte, who helped lead the Tanners to their first state tournament win since 2004. One of the purest scorers in the Northeastern Conference, Forte averaged more than 21 points per game.
He can take his defender off the dribble, and if you get too close to him, his deadly pull-up game will put you on the wrong end of the highlight-reel. Forte earned himself a spot on the Northeastern Conference team, and was named its Most Improved Player.
Girls basketball
Cecilia Kay – Bishop Fenwick – Jr.
Yes, she’s only a junior. Averaging 22.2 points with 12.4 rebounds and 4.1 blocks, she was the player opposing teams focused on. And, that said, it didn’t work most nights.
Kay eclipsed the 1,000-point milestone midway through the season, and led the Crusaders to the championship game of the Division 3 state tournament – a narrow four-point loss to St. Mary’s.
Though Kay did most of her damage in the post, she punished defenses with her midrange game. And if you fouled her, Kay was, essentially, automatic at the line.
Logan Lomasney – Peabody – Jr.
The double-double machine averaged 17.5 points and 12 rebounds per game this season. Lomasney was a force in the post, finding creative ways to rack up the points.
On defense, Lomasney was the rim protector. If anyone got past the initial defense, they were met by Lomasney who, if she didn’t get the block, would alter things just enough to force a miss. The MVP of the Northeastern Conference had a stellar year.
Girls hockey
Michelle Roach – PLNR – Coach of the Year
You knew her as a St. Mary’s hockey star, and now you know her as one of the elite girls hockey coaches in the state. And talk about flipping the switch – Michelle Roach of Peabody-Lynnfield-North Reading has turned her program into a powerhouse.
Yes, a powerhouse, one that went 16-4 at the Division 1 level. PLNR scored 71 goals this season – allowing just 22 – and registered 32 points to snag the No. 8 seed in the state tournament.
PLNR was bounced by St. Mary’s in the Elite 8, but it’s, really, just the start of a program oozing of potential. I’m no betting man, but I wouldn’t be shocked if PLNR finds its way to the TD Garden very, very soon.
Abbey Millman – Bishop Fenwick – Sr.
With the title of captain, one needs to not only play like it, but lead like it. Bishop Fenwick’s Millman put nine goals and 14 assists on the statsheet, and was a true leader off it.
Leading the Lady Crusaders to seven wins and a trip to the Sweet 16 (they lost to St. Mary’s), Millman scored the game-winning goal in overtime against Plymouth in the first round of the state tournament. And if you ask me, that’s not a bad memory to finish your career with.
Alyse Mutti – PLNR – So.
Every now and then, a young player comes along and changes the dynamic of a franchise. When it comes to PLNR, sophomore goalie Alyse Mutti was more than a reliable goalie. There were games when PLNR had plenty of goal insurance, with Mutti serving as a safety, but there were also ones where Mutti stole the show.
Mutti played 1,035 minutes this season, making good use of her time. In 20 games, she made 380 saves, recorded a .938 save percentage, and allowed just 1.05 goals per game.
Penny Spack – PLNR – Sr.
Penny Spack of PLNR is a do-it-all hockey player – just ask anyone in her way the past few months. The assistant captain from Peabody registered 14 goals and 10 assists as a defender.
It’s a rarity when a team’s top offensive option comes from the blueline, but that was, arguably, the case for PLNR. Spack can skate, shoot, and finish, but that’s nothing compared to what she brings as a leader. Her team loves playing alongside her, Roach loves coaching her, and PLNR fans love watching her.
Girls track and field
Savanna Vargas – Peabody – Sr.
What a season it was for Vargas – taking home the Northeastern Conference Athlete of the Year, team MVP, and NEC Conference Meet Champion in the 55m, long jump, and 4×200 relay among other incredible achievements.
Vargas has snagged four school records, and was the fastest girl on the North Shore this winter in the 55m (7.17), 60m (7.77), and 200m (25.8).
Boys track and field
Alex Jackson – Peabody – So.
Well, when you don’t lose a meet at the dual or state level for months on end, and break a 47-year school record in the process, you represent your school pretty well. Peabody’s Alex Jackson threw a 54’7.75 in shot put this season and was named Field Athlete of the Meet at two state meets.
With Jackson, where do we begin? He anchored the boys shot put relay team that won Division 2 for the third consecutive season, was crowned a champion in his division, placed fourth in All-States, and third at the USA Track and Field Meet.
Jackson also took home Peabody’s team MVP, and was named to the Northeastern Conference squad.
Girls swimming and diving
Caroline Blatchford – Bishop Fenwick – Fr.
Only a freshman, Fenwick’s Blatchford certainly entered the pool with purpose this season. Blatchford went unbeaten in the regular season, headlined by a 2:18.09 time in the 200 individual medley.
Snagging Fenwick’s team MVP award, as well as a Catholic Central All-Star nod, the splash is bound to get bigger when it comes to Blatchford’s impact in the sport.
Boys swimming and diving
Theo Roan – Peabody – Jr.
If you’re lined up next to Theo Roan in a swimming pool, good luck. For the third consecutive season, the records just kept on pouring in for the Tanner.
Roan was crowned Northeastern Conference Male Diver of the Year for the third straight season, and also won the league meet for the third straight season. He scored 317 points at sectionals and qualified for states. Oh, and there’s still one season to go for the superstar.
Wrestling
Luke Connolly- Bishop Fenwick – Jr. – 145 pounds
When looking at the history of Bishop Fenwick wrestling, Luke Connolly finds himself in many elite conversations. The junior wrestled to a 47-8 record this past season, and is 84-13 in his career.
At the Division 2 level, Connolly was a North Sectional Champion, snagged second place in states, and finished eighth in New Englands.
