Playing a high school sport might as well be synonymous with commitment. From practices, to balancing studies, and to performing in the spotlight – sometimes literally – it’s no joke.
There are some players who catch, those who dribble, others who row, and so forth. That said, some athletes do it all across 10 months of the year. With all three high school sports seasons in the books, here are some of the year’s top multi-sport athletes in the area:
Jimmy Ayers – St. John’s Prep
Even with St. John’s Prep going up against top competition in hockey and lacrosse, Jimmy Ayers goes down in the school’s history books.
The hockey center led the Eagles – who advanced to the Division 1 semifinals – in points (30) and goals (17). In lacrosse, Ayers graduated as a three-time state champion, committed to Johns Hopkins, and was named a top-five player by BostonLax.net.
Ayers was also named this year’s Moynihan-Lumber Student-Athlete of the Year alongside Masconoment’s Maggie Sturgis.
David Brown – St. Mary’s
One of Lynn’s top athletes, Brown made it miserable for visitors to come to Manning Field and the Tony C. Gymnasium.
The football-commit (Bentley) rushed for 1,254 yards and 21 touchdowns his senior year, averaging more than eight yards per carry. He also registered 52 tackles and two interceptions, as he’ll play defense at Bentley.
In basketball, Brown put up 15 points, seven assists, six rebounds, and three steals per game to lead the Spartans, who were just a game away from winning another state championship.
Coco Clopton – Swampscott
Just put a stick in her hands. The field hockey and lacrosse star of Swampscott showed out this year, and the numbers back it up.
Clopton recorded three goals and a team-leading 14 assists in field hockey. She was named an Northeastern Conference All-Star and helped lead the Big Blue to the Division 3 state tournament.
The production didn’t slow down in the spring, either. Just look at the Beverly game where Clopton (4 goals, 2 assists) tucked the game-winning strike, or her hat-trick against Hamilton-Wenham.
Connor Cronin – Marblehead
Talk about a fan favorite. Piper Field in Marblehead was a second home for Cronin the past four years, who graduated as one of the school’s most decorated athletes in history.
The offensive juggernaut hauled in 41 balls for 758 yards and entered the endzone six times in football. Two seasons later, he was named NEC Player of the Year in lacrosse and broke Marblehead’s single-season points record (131).
Alex Gentile – Lynnfield
Soccer, basketball, and baseball – there’s not much Gentile can’t do. He registered 21 goals and nine assists in soccer, was named basketball MVP of the Cape Ann League (13 points, 6.5 rebounds, 4 steals), and baseball coach John O’Brien called him the best outfielder in the conference. Not bad, Alex.
From tournament appearances to highlight-reel plays, Gentile’s presence will be missed in Lynnfield land.
Vic Mafo – KIPP
He’s as versatile as they come in basketball, and headed to Amherst to suit up for the UMass Minutemen in football. Yes, I’d say Mafo made good use of his time in KIPP uniforms.
On the hardwood, the senior guard was KIPP’s second-leading scorer with 12 points per game, also dishing out six assists and snagging seven rebounds and two steals.
And at Manning Field on Friday nights, he put up 1,800 all-purpose yards and 16 touchdowns. On defense, he instilled fear for the Panthers with 60 tackles and six interceptions.
James Sharkey – Lynnfield
You won’t find many players more physical than Sharkey. Whether it was trucking a defensive back or, well, trucking a lacrosse forward on defense, Sharkey introduced many to the turf at Pioneer Stadium this year.
Sharkey recorded 80 tackles, seven interceptions, 400 yards, and nine touchdowns in football, while serving as one of the lacrosse team’s best players. His coach of both sports, Pat Lamusta, even calls Sharkey and equally-as-physical Steven Dreher the “bash brothers.”
Ava Thurman – Lynn Classical
Thurman must love facilitating, as she’s very good at it. From Manning Field in soccer to the Classical Gym in basketball, Thurman leaves Lynn as one of its more-decorated athletes.
She recorded 44 points for the soccer team, helmed by Jessica Gambale who was vocal about how much she loved coaching Thurman.
Then, in basketball, the Suffolk-commit was named co-MVP of the Greater Boston League. From her perimeter defense to dual-threat offensive package, what a player she was.
Brady Warren – Lynn Classical
From youth baseball to the Agganis Games, Warren represented Lynn well. This past season, Warren showed out in golf, basketball, and baseball.
On the course, he went undefeated in league play, including three rounds of under par. He was named Player of the Year in the GBL and led the Rams to the conference championship.
Basketball Coach Marvin Avery was full of praise for Warren this season, and in baseball, Warren recently finished his career as MVP of the Agganis Baseball Game, leading South to a 12–4 win.
