Dunphy: La Salle 'found a way' to beat UMass
Fran Dunphy discusses La Salle's victory over UMass at the 2025 A-10 Men's Basketball Championship and what the Explorers need to do against Saint Joseph's.
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Boston Globe
a day ago
- Boston Globe
Yet another championship moment for Izzy Kittredge as Medfield girls' lacrosse repeats in Division 3
'She shows up for the big games,' said Medfield coach Mary Laughna. 'She loves to compete. She loves winning. She can take over those games.' It's the second straight title, third in four years, and fourth overall for Medfield, which swiftly retooled after losing all-time great Kelly Blake and the rest of a strong Class of 2024. Advertisement Kittredge had plenty of help, as juniors Mia Macropoulos and Stella Scobbo added three goals apiece and eight players scored to fuel the No. 1 Warriors (22-3) to a resounding triumph. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up UMass-bound senior catalyst Reese Bromby paced the No. 2 Clippers (17-6) with five goals, and classmates Avery Tahnk, Grace Chandler, and Emerson Leahy all contributed in a rematch of last year's final. 'We graduated so much and had 13 brand new girls to the team,' said Newburyport coach Cat Batchelder. 'They just grew from the start to the finish. I don't think we ever thought we'd be here at the beginning of the season. It's a huge accomplishment.' Medfield built a 6-3 edge through 1 and led 9-6 at halftime after timely goals from Kittredge to cap each quarter. Advertisement Scobbo, Kendall Herrick, and Sophia Zeppieri helped the Warriors push the margin to 13-7 through 3, then Kittredge provided the dagger and Elizabeth Blake the exclamation point in the fourth. 'I'm in shock,' said Herrick, a senior captain. 'I can't believe we did it back to back.' For Kittredge, who will attend Noble and Greenough School in the fall, it was an exhilarating yet bittersweet end to a truly magical run in her hometown. 'I'm so sad leaving, and I'm probably going to cry my eyes out later,' Kittredge said. 'I'm excited to go there, but I'm also going to miss them so much.' When it was over, the players bolted from midfield to the sidelines to embrace the Warrior faithful. Maeve Kelly, Michaela McDonald, and Blake stealthily snuck up behind Laughna and gave her a Gatorade shower (of water). Laughna has now steered Medfield to consecutive titles on the anniversary of her father passing. Rory, who helped her discover the sport, died June 13, 2022, at age 67. 'It's kind of ironic and crazy that we keep playing in the state championship on this day,' Laughna said. 'I like to think that he probably helps me out a little bit.' Medfield midfielder Izzy Kittredge (25) rifles in one of her six goals in the Division 2 final against Newburyport. Heather Diehl for the Boston Glo Medfield attack Sarah Faust (13) celebrates with her teammates after scoring. Heather Diehl for the Boston Glo The Medfield players shared the trophy with friends and family after winning the Division 3 title. Heather Diehl for the Boston Glo Medfield won its third state title in four years, and fourth overall Friday night at Babson. Heather Diehl for the Boston Glo Trevor Hass can be reached at
Boston Globe
a day ago
- Boston Globe
Determined and relentless, no denying Walpole girls' lacrosse the Division 2 championship
For a perennial contender appearing in its fifth state title game in the last 10 years, including last spring, Friday's Division 2 girls' lacrosse championship game served as an opportunity to finish what they started. Walpole didn't squander it, earning a hard-fought, 16-11, victory at Babson College. UMass-bound senior standout Caitlyn Naughton, senior Jenna Wong, and junior Ava MacLean fueled the No. 2 Timberwolves (25-1) with four goals apiece. Junior twins Emily and Grace Hagan were groundball machines and the glue all night. Advertisement Sophomore Lily Rodgers and senior Molly Trahan led the No. 4 Rockets (21-4) with three goals each, and senior Megan Shanahan scored two. Junior goalie Addy Mathews made 10 saves to keep Reading afloat, but Walpole simply had too much firepower and depth. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up The Timberwolves felt all along like it was finally their moment, and now they have the hardware to prove it. 'We've been knocking at the door many times,' Tosone said. 'It's nice to get in. It really is.' When it was over, Naughton immediately emerged from the pack and bearhugged Tosone. Tosone, who has coached the program since 2012, grinned from ear to ear and the pacing suddenly disappeared. 'There's no one that deserves it more than that man,' Naughton said. 'He's so hardworking. He's there for us every day. He takes out so much time to be there for us. Honestly, we were doing it for ourselves, and doing it for the seniors, but we were most importantly doing it for him.' Advertisement The Timberwolves bolted to a commanding 6-1 lead early in the second, then the Rockets stormed back to cut it to 6-4 at halftime and tie it at 7 early in the third. Walpole didn't panic, answering with conviction to snatch momentum for good. 'When it was on the ground, they were beating us to the footrace every time,' said Reading coach Rachel Monroe. 'Obviously their speed is a tremendous attribute to their game. They're ridiculously fast and scrappy.' Reading, which knocked off three-time defending champion and No. 1 seed Notre Dame (Hingham) in the semifinals, fared admirably in its first state title game appearance. But Walpole has been building something for years and wasn't to be denied. The heartbreak made the ultimate breakthrough even more gratifying. 'It feels so unreal,' Wong said. 'This year, we knew it was going to be different. We're all super close, and we felt like we had it in us.' At game's end, Walpole wasted no time celebrating the program's first girls' lacrosse title. Heather Diehl for the Boston Glo Reading's Abby Shanahan (9) transitions to offense against a Walpole defender in the Division 2 state final at Babson. Heather Diehl for the Boston Glo Walpole's Gianna Frederick (22) and Reading's Lily Rodgers (29) vye for possession. Heather Diehl for the Boston Globe The culmination of a 25-1 season: a banner for the Division 2 state champion Walpole girls' lacrosse team. Heather Diehl for the Boston Glo Trevor Hass can be reached at
CBS News
2 days ago
- CBS News
Philadelphia legend Fran Dunphy reunites with former player at 110th anniversary of Big Brothers Big Sisters
How the relationship between a legendary Philly coach and former player grew bigger than basketball How the relationship between a legendary Philly coach and former player grew bigger than basketball How the relationship between a legendary Philly coach and former player grew bigger than basketball Big Brothers Big Sisters of America hosted its national conference in Philadelphia this week. The longtime mentorship organization is celebrating its 110-year anniversary. For decades, the organization has paired mentors with young people to help set them up for success. And there's few better examples of that than the relationship between a retired college coach and one of his former players. The relationship between coach Fran Dunphy and Steve Nesmith started 46 years ago when Nesmith was a high school student. Dunphy coached a young Nesmith at Malvern Prep and later on at American University. It's where Dunphy became more than just a coach but also a Big Brother. "I can still hear Coach Dunphy in my mind: Be strong, don't give up, there's always tomorrow," Nesmith said. "I admire what he has accomplished. He is truly a good man, which means everything to me," Dunphy said. Dunphy went on to coach at the University of Pennsylvania, Temple University and La Salle University, becoming the all-time winningest coach in Philadelphia Big 5 history. He retired this year. Nesmith and Dunphy reunited at Big Brothers Big Sisters of America's national conference in Philadelphia. Dunphy has been part of the organization for years. Both are now reflecting on their 40 years of friendship and the impact they've had on each other's lives. "What I learned from Coach Dunphy, not just as a coach but in life, and I obtained life experiences through being around this gentleman, listening to him, because it was never about basketball," Nesmith said. Dunphy added, "There's something inside him that says, I want to do this, I want to get better, I want to be the best person I can be so, yeah, maybe I had a little role, but I wouldn't ever minimize what he's done on his own." CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence, Marcus Allen, said Dunphy and Nesmith's story is one of countless examples of the difference a mentor can have on the lives of young people. "Big Brothers Big Sisters is here to not create potential in kids, we are here to protect it," Allen said. As for Dunphy and Nesmith, the two may have helped each other win basketball games, but they also helped each other win at life.
