We know about the championship teams, Athletes of the Year, and legendary state title runs. But what about those single performances? One game, one match, one meet, and so forth.
From the track to the turf, here are the top 10:
10. Preston goes aerial for the Sachems
Sometimes, high school football teams resort to the ground game. But in a mid-September showdown between Saugus and Northeast Metro, the Sachems had other plans.
Quarterback Cam Preston went 11-for-18 with 246 yards and a touchdown. Plus, he shared the wealth and connected with nearly every Sachem going out for passes that night. From 48-yard dots to tight deliveries through traffic, Preston put on a masterclass at the quarterback position.
9. Freitas rips a hat-trick in her first high school game
Back in December, girls hockey star Bella Freitas gave the St. Mary’s faithful an early Christmas gift. Suiting up in her first high school game, the winger netted a hat-trick against traditional archrival Bishop Fenwick.
Her first was on a breakaway, and the second two put a lid on the Crusaders in an 8-0 final.
“She’s a dynamic player who plays at a very high pace,” coach Frank Pagliuca said after the game.
The Spartans went on to win the state championship behind Freitas, who captured Catholic Central League MVP honors in the process.
8. Nasky with a first half to remember
It was just a random Thursday night back in the fall, but Lynn Classical football standout John Nasky made it a memorable one. He hauled in eight catches for 135 yards – 126 in the first half – to lead the Rams to a 38-14 win against Medford.
His three touchdowns were all different, to boot. One was a fade, another a screen, and the third in tight from Medford’s 5-yard line. Enemy territory, no less.
“I was just going in there wanting to win more than anyone else on the other team,” Nasky said.
7. Not four, not five, but six goals for Norton
From time to time, a player’s stats become inflated against a poor team. That wasn’t the case with Lynnfield hockey sniper Will Norton.
In a January tilt against Westwood – a top-25 team in Division 2 at that point – the Pioneer sliced-and-diced his way to a six-goal game. Better yet, four of them came in the first period – a feat Connor McDavid might have been jealous of.
“We asked for someone to spark our offense – light the fuse for the powder keg,” said coach Jon Gardner. “Well, Will got the message.”
6. Laurent fills up the stat sheet on the hardwood
In a highly-anticipated Northeastern Conference showdown between the Peabody and Swampscott basketball programs, Raphel Laurent of the Tanners made it his own.
He racked up 34 points, six rebounds, six steals, five assists, and seven threes to squash the Big Blue. The final score favored Peabody, 69-48, and the team won three games that week behind Laurent’s efforts.
5. Norden saves the day at TD Garden
In St. Mary’s state title game in Beantown, Alyssa Norden of the girls hockey team went down with an injury against Notre Dame (Hingham). Spoiler alert, with a player as tough as Norden, she wasn’t going to sit the rest of that one out.
With the Spartans trailing by two goals, Norden cut the deficit in half with her first goal of the game, then won the championship in the third overtime with her second of the afternoon.
Heroics, and hardware.
“It’s a good feeling,” Norden said. “I was just so happy to see our team win at TD Garden.”
4. Bettencourt puts up video game numbers against Masconomet
Peabody softball star Abby Bettencourt – on her way to Brown University – showed why in an April home game against the Chieftains. She tossed a perfect game in the circle – 15 up, 15 down in a mercied contest – and went 2-for-2 with five RBI and three runs at the plate.
“I don’t think she missed a spot,” said coach Steve Lomasney. “When you have her stuff, you’re going to walk out not having given up too many hits, so credit to her.”
3. Lomasney delivers a 10-piece to Belmont
It was No. 20 Peabody against No. 13 Belmont in girls lacrosse action, but that was no big deal for Brooke Lomasney of the Tanners – aka, the program’s all-time points leader.
With no fear, she scored seven goals and dished out three assists for a 10-point performance. Yes, a 10-point performance against a powerhouse in Belmont. Peabody won the game, 15-11.
“Possession and ground ball control was so strong,” said coach Michelle Roach. “I’m so incredibly proud.”
2. A hat-trick for Padley… in track and field
In the Catholic Conference Championship held at The Track at New Balance in Boston, Daniel Padley of St. John’s Prep left his mark – and then some.
The Eagle flew his way to not one, not two, but three first-place finishes in the mile (4:25), 1K (2:33), and 4×800 relay (1:56.7).
The Prep won the meet with 155 points. Oh, and he was just a junior, by the way, so let’s see what’s in store for Padley next year.
1. Gutierrez to the rescue for KIPP
KIPP football coach Jim Rabbitt has referred to Chanel Gutierrez as a “legend” within the program. Well, this October performance was pretty exemplary of what legends do.
In a back-and-forth, 38-28 win against Lowell Catholic, the Panther totaled 320 yards (205 passing, 115 rushing) and five touchdowns.
Better yet, he did it in crunch time. The Panthers trailed, 22-8, at halftime, but Gutierrez did his thing late to ignite a KIPP comeback.
“It feels like any time we need someone to step up and put us on their back, Chanel is that guy,” Rabbitt said. “His energy is contagious on the field and when he’s running hot, there’s no slowing him down. He was great tonight.”
