Tobin and Geiger push Reading Past Concord-Carlisle for D2 Boys' Lax Title

By Michael Abelson (@ABELS0N)

BOSTON -There isn’t a team in the Commonwealth more comfortable being down than the Reading boys' lacrosse team.

The Rockets made it a habit to dig a hole this tournament, only to climb out and claim victory by the end of the game.

In the program’s first ever state title game it was no different. The Rockets were down three midway through the second quarter, before the tandem of Jack Geiger and Michael Tobin took over.

The Rockets scored 10 of the final 13 goals to defeat Concord-Carlisle 13-9 and claim the Division 2 state title at Nickerson Field.

“This is why you stay home, why you play for your town,” Tobin said. “For this. Everything pays off. When everyone’s sleeping you’re down at the turf working on your game. This is why you play for your town. All of this.”

Concord-Carlisle's Brozowski Hopes to Capture Another NCAA Lax Title With Maryland

Concord-Carlisle alum Nick Brozowski will again take the field for Maryland in the NCAA Lacrosse Final Four at Gillette Stadium, and he's dreaming of another national title.  Photo courtesy of Maryland Athletics.

By Michael Abelson (@ABELS0N)

Foxborough, Mass. - Last year Nick Brozowski had the ball in his stick as the clock ran out on the NCAA Division 1 Lacrosse national championship game.

The Concord native threw his stick, gloves, and helmet into the air at Gillette Stadium as he, and the Maryland lacrosse team, celebrated the program's first national title in 42 years.

Now a redshirt junior, Brozowski and the Terps are back in the Final Four in Foxboro, looking to cement their spot in Terrapin lore.

Concord-Carlisle nips Algonquin in OT

By Andrew Bowman (@andrew_bowman5)

Northborough, Mass. - It was a back-and-forth battle between the Algonquin Tomahawks and the Concord-Carlisle Patriots on Friday evening, and the two teams needed more than four quarters to settle on a winner.

But, less than 30 seconds into overtime, Jack Bowen netted the game-winner to lift the visiting Patriots past the Tomahawks 11-10.

Your 2017 MIAA Lacrosse Primer: Division 2

Medfield is used to celebrating, having won three consecutive D2 state title.  Photo from @Med_Lax

By Mike Abelson (@ABELS0N)

There is no more consistent program in Massachusetts lacrosse than Medfield. The three-time reigning Division 2 state champions have made high-level play on the field their calling card under head coach John Isaf.

This year the Warriors will, once again, be among those at the front of the D2 field in the quest to lift the trophy at Boston University, but Isaf is firmly planted in the present, as he will put together a team that lost three Division 1 talents last season- Kevin McCordic, Jack-Henry Vara, and John Maclean, as well as scorer Matt Trieber (Tufts) and starting goalie Kyle Gately (Hamilton).

“Number one, we’re not state champ,” Isaf said. “It’s 2017 and this team hasn’t done anything yet. We really don’t look at ourselves as state champs. This is a new team and a new season. We’re in pursuit, and we’re pursuing being the best team we can be. We have some good talent coming back.”

Concord-Carlisle Outlasts Holliston in D2 Central Quarterfinals

Concord-Carlisle senior captain David Poor (21) scored a game-high 32 points, and pulled down 11 rebounds to lead the Patriots past the Holliston Panthers in the MIAA D2 Central Sectional Quarterfinals.

By Jason Siegel (@jasiegel1821)

CONCORD, Mass. - In recent weeks, the Concord-Carlisle Patriots have received outstanding individual performances, including 30 points on eight 3-pointers by senior captain John Mulligan in Concord-Carlisle’s win over Dual County League rival Weston.

In the MIAA D2 Central Sectional Quarterfinals against Holliston, it was senior captain David Poor’s turn to have a career night.

Poor scored a game-high 32 points and pulled down 11 rebounds to lead the Patriots (16-5) past the Holliston Panthers (15-6) by a score of 82-71 on Thursday night in Concord.

Concord-Carlisle Defeats Bedford for 9th Consecutive Victory

By Jason Siegel (@jasiegel1821)

Concord, Mass. - Concord-Carlisle's senior-laden starting lineup is playing with a sense of urgency.

Senior captains John Mulligan, Spencer Patenaude, and David Poor combined to score 54 points in the Patriots’ 69-59 victory over the Bedford Buccaneers on Monday night in Concord.

The win gives Concord-Carlisle (16-6)  a share of the Dual County League Small division regular-season title with rival Weston.

C-C head coach David Cohen said that having a senior-laden squad can pay big dividends come tournament time.

Concord-Carlisle Defeats Weston in Dual County League Showdown

Concord-Carlisle senior captain John Mulligan scored 27 of his game-high 30 points in the first half, as the Patriots knocked off Weston. Mulligan made 8 3-pointers, including 7 in the first half.

By Jason Siegel (@jasiegel1821)

CONCORD, Mass. - Friday night’s Dual County League contest between the Weston Wildcats and the Concord-Carlisle Patriots was a wild one.

The game included three players who scored at least 20 points, 15 total 3-pointers, and a head coach being ejected.

When all was said and done in Concord on Friday night, Concord-Carlisle (13-5) extended its winning streak to eight games by taking down Weston (19-3) by a score of 87-70.

MIAA Top 25 Boys Basketball Poll: 2/14/17

Mansfield has won 9 in a row and the Hockomock Kelley-Rex.

Our rankings of the best teams in the state during the 2016-17 basketball season, as selected by our panel of staff writers and correspondents. (Updated 2/13)

1. Cambridge (15-0; Last Ranking  –  1): The defending D1 champs have defeated every in-state opponent they faced by at least 25 points since edging Concord-Carlisle, 71-63, in their season opener.    

2. BC High (15-1; Last Ranking  –  2):  Eagles will look to avenge their first loss of the season when they travel to Catholic Memorial this Tuesday. 

3. Mansfield (16-2; Last Ranking  –  4): Hornets avenged a home loss to Franklin by defeating the Panthers in convincing fashion for their ninth consecutive victory and another Hockomock Kelley-Rex Division League Title.

Jakigh Dottin leads Cambridge to 71-63 victory over Concord-Carlisle on opening night

By Nate Weitzer (@nwitzer)

Cambridge, Mass. - The defending Division 1 champions came out a bit slow in their season debut, but thanks to a strong second half from senior captain Jakigh Dottin, the Falcons were able to hold off an inspired Concord-Carlisle team by a final of 71-63. 

Jakigh admits that he and his teammates felt a little tight in the first game of their title defense. 

“It was a big crowd as usual and of course there were some nerves coming out for our first game trying to defend a state title,” said Jakigh. “A lot of guys were stepping into new roles and we had a new starting lineup but in the second half we played unbelievably well.”

Even with the Falcons struggling from the floor, they held a 32-26 lead going into halftime and a 60-56 advantage after three quarters.

In the fourth quarter, the stars shined brightest.