RADIO: Central Mass Lacrosse on the Scholastic Sports Zone

Our Joe Parello called into The Scholastic Sports Zone on WPKZ Radio to give his thoughts the biggest storylines in Central Mass lacrosse, and discuss the growth of the game in general.

The show also features the incomparable Howie Kahn, the legendary voice of Doyle Field, Dick Tucker, and members of the Leominster lacrosse team. Continue below to listen in!

RADIO: Quabbin Football, Doherty Legend Alfred Adakwah and More!

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

It was a bittersweet final episode of "The Local Sports Lunchbox" on WPKZ this week.

It was my final show as host, but I did get to welcome in Sean Sweeney to the studio as a co-host. Mr. Sweeney will take over the time slot, alongside legendary Clinton basketball coach Tony Gannon starting next week, and I know they are going to kill it.

For my final show, we first chatted with Quabbin football coach David Buchanan. His team returns a ton of offensive firepower, including record-setting quarterback Ryan Malkowski. Hear what the Panthers need to do to take the next step.

Then, Doherty football legend Alfred Adarkwah called in to discuss his brand new scholarship to play football at UMass. Adarkwah walked on for the Minutemen three years ago, and his hard work finally paid off, as he was awarded a scholarship just last night.

Finally, Sean and I break down the blockbuster Celtics-Cavaliers trade, and the legendary Dick Tucker makes a surprise call in. All that, and more, in this week's episode below.

Podcast: Chatting with Mets 1st Rd Pick & Boston College Alum Justin Dunn

By Cam Fox (@FoxHSradio)

Listen in to this episode of The Fox High School Radio Podcast with Cam Fox, as he sits down with former Boston College baseball standout and New York Mets first round pick Justin Dunn.

Dunn talks ACC baseball, his recruitment to and experience at Boston College, the adjustment to the pros and, of course, playing with Tim Tebow.

All that and more in Fox's podcast below.

RADIO: Shrewsbury American Legion Baseball and a Charity Event Honoring the Late, Great John Pedace

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

It was another packed episode of "The Local Sports Lunchbox" this week on WPKZ. First, Ken Swain from the Wachusett Dirt Dawgs stopped by the studio to talk about his team's first ever playoff run, and how the Dirt Dawgs can become one of the top local summer league teams in the coming years.

Then, we were joined on the phone by Gianna Allentuck, who is organizing a charity event in honor of her late brother, former Tantasqua lacrosse coach John Pedace. For more on the event, and information on how you can contribute to the "Be Legendary" campaign, click here.

Finally, Chris Kyne of the Telegram & Gazette called in from North Carolina, where Shrewsbury's American Legion baseball team has just prevailed over the top team from Michigan in the national tournament. What more does Shrewsbury have to do to bring home a national title, and how have they gotten to this point? Chris fills us in on all that.

For all of those stories, plus a quick preview of the Patriots' preseason game against Jacksonville, listen in below.

RADIO: Patriots, BC Football, WWE & Tom Brady Day

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

It was an extra full edition of the "Local Sports Lunchbox" on WPKZ today, as football guru John Sarianides phoned in to discuss the prospects of the New England Patriots making history this season, and whether or not Boston College's football team can surprise some people nationally.

Then, the Sentinel & Enterprise's Nick Mallard called to tell us about a former local high school star who may soon be thrilling thousands as a member of World Wrestling Entertainment. Finally, Ethan Winter updates us on American Legion baseball, and everybody gives us their favorite Brady memory on Tom Terrific's 40th birthday.

Oh, and I settle the Brady GOAT debate once and for all (sort of). Listen in for all that, and more, on this week's episode.

RADIO: Grafton Lacrosse & Chris Kyne from the T&G

Brothers Tom (3) and Matt Nicalek helped anchor another outstanding Grafton defense.

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

On this week's episode of "The Local Sports Lunchbox" on WPKZ, Grafton lacrosse stars Tom Nicalek, Brendan Coates and Matt Nicalek call in to discuss the Indians' three consecutive runs to the state championship game.

Then, Chris Kyne from the Worcester Telegram & Gazette phones in to tie a bow on the 2016-17 academic and athletic campaign, discussing the top players, teams and games from a remarkable year in CMass sports.

AListen in for all that, and more, below.

RADIO: The End of the Spring Sports Season

On this week's episode of "The Local Sports Lunchbox" on WPKZ, I chat with Sean Sweeney of the Sentinel & Enterprise, and Tom Flanagan of the Telegram & Gazette to close the book on an exciting spring sports season in Central Mass.

From baseball and softball to boys' and girls' lacrosse, we cover it all, and I rant a bit about the Celtics and the NBA Draft toward the end.

We may also discuss the new Han Solo movie, but you'll just have to listen in below to know for sure.

RADIO: St. John's Wins the Super 8, Grafton Lax Headed Back to BU

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

On this week's episode of "The Local Sports Lunchbox" on WPKZ, a pair of SuiteSports reporters called in to discuss the biggest Central Mass high school games of the week.

First, our Connor Evans phones in to break down Grafton's thrilling triple-overtime win over Dover-Sherborn, and look ahead to the Indians' Division 3 state final against Ipswich. What to expect from that game, including Connor's "X-factor" player for Saturday.

Then, former Monty Tech lacrosse coach Jonathan Shea joined us to talk about building a lacrosse program at a Voke school, with all the unique challenges presented there. Which players helped him guide Monty Tech to back-to-back state tournament appearances, and the program's first playoff win this season. Plus, coach Shea offers his thoughts on the state of Central Mass lacrosse in general.

Finally, our Tom Joyce joins me to re-live St. John's (Shrewsbury)'s historic Super 8 baseball win against St. John's Prep. How did the Pioneers live up to their lofty pre-season expectations, and what was the mood after St. John's finally won the big one?

You can hear all that, and much more, on this week's show below.

RADIO: Previewing the Central Mass Lax Playoffs

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

On this week's episode of "The Local Sports Lunchbox" on WPKZ, I break down all 21 Central Mass lacrosse teams playing in the state tournament. Who's a favorite, who's a contender, and who might surprise a high seed early on.

Plus, the Sentinel & Enterprise's Sean Sweeney stopped by in our first segment to break down a host of North Central squads gearing up for the playoffs, including Fitchburg softball, Leominster baseball and many more.

Listen in below.

RADIO: Shrewsbury Lacrosse, Leominster Baseball and More

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

This week on "The Local Sports Luncbox" on WPKZ, I chatted with The Telegram & Gazette's Chris Kyne about local baseball and lacrosse, with a focus on the surging Leominster Blue Devils baseball team. Then, we were joined by Matty Ward and Chris Campbell, stars of the Shrewsbury lacrosse team, to tell us how they've been able to turn their season around.

Listen in below for all that, and more, on this week's show.

RADIO: Nipmuc Lacrosse, Baseball with Tom Flanagan & ESPN Layoffs

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

We were all over the place this week on "The Local Sports Lunchbox" on WPKZ. First, Nipmuc lacrosse stars Brandon Lefebvre, Ryan Richards and Pat Donelan joined me to discuss their early success, and the potential for a Mid-Mass. title.

Then, the Telegram & Gazette's Tom Flanagan called in to break down the Central Mass baseball scene, and I close the show with my thoughts on ESPN's recent brand-wide layoffs (spoiler, ESPN is doing it wrong).

For all that, and more, listen in below.

RADIO: The Scholastic Sports Zone Begins Year 8

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

As many of you know by now, I do a weekly radio show on WPKZ every Thursday from noon to one, talking about the biggest local sports stories in Central Mass. You also have probably heard of The Scholastic Sports Zone, started by the K-Zone Renegade Howie Kahn many moons ago.

Well, Sunday was the show's birthday, as Howie and company began year eight on the air. Since Howie (and of course Dick Tucker, the legendary voice of Doyle Field), gave me my start at WPKZ, I thought it would be great to show a little love and post this week's edition of The Scholastic Sports Zone here on SuiteSports.

This week, Howie welcomes back a number of guests and former co-hosts in a very special birthday episode that every CMass sports fan will enjoy. Listen in below.

RADIO: The Local Sports Lunchbox with Worcester & Grafton Lacrosse

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

On this week's edition of the Local Sports Lunchbox, we welcomed players from two of the best teams in the Mid-Mass. lacrosse league. First, seniors C.J. Gallagher, Richie Burke and Griffin Moore called in from Worcester to let us know what to expect from WooLax. Then, Grafton seniors Tom Nicalek, Jack Fontana and Brendan Coates called in to discuss the Indians' quest for a third consecutive district title.

Plus, we run through the biggest games from last week, and preview some huge upcoming games that hopefully won't be rained out.

Continue below for all that, and more, on this week's episode on WPKZ.

RADIO: Previewing the 2017 Central Mass Lacrosse Season

Jack Donahue (3) and Drew Kozub (6) should give St. John's one of the most explosive attacks in the state.

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

I decided to do something a little different this year, and use my radio show on WPKZ to break down the upcoming Central Mass lacrosse season.

Listen in below for a league-by-league breakdown of CMass lax, with key teams and players to watch. Excuse my occasionally terrible name pronunciations, I promise to get better as the year goes on.

Note that the lacrosse preview takes place across the show's first and third segments, with special guest Sean Sweeney of the Sentinel & Enterprise popping in for the second segment to break down the end of winter sports, and preview baseball/softball.

RADIO: The Local Sports Lunchbox, Recapping Winter Sports

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

On this week's episode of "The Local Sports Lunchbox" we recap all the state championship action from last weekend.

WPKZ's Daniel Beaulac joins me to recap Nashoba's boys' basketball state championship game, and Shrewsbury hockey's Matty Ward and Pat Shaughnessy call in to talk about their thrilling undefeated championship season.

Plus, I recap Maynard's Division 4 boys' basketball championship. For all that, and more, continue below.

RADIO: The Local Sports Lunchbox, Previewing the CMass Hoops/Hockey Sectional Finals

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

On this week's episode of the "Local Sports Lunchbox" on WPKZ, we break down each Central Mass sectional final in both boys' basketball and hockey. Chris Kyne of the Telegram & Gazette calls in to break down all the CMass hockey action, and his T&G colleague Tom Flanagan gives his thoughts on CMass hoops.

Listen in for all that, and more, below.

RADIO: The Local Sports Lunch Box with the S&E's Sean Sweeney

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

This week on "The Local Sports Lunch Box" on WPKZ, we welcomed in Sean Sweeney from the Sentinel & Enterprise to talk his new book, some local girls hoops, and the upcoming Clark Tournament on the boys side.

Throughout the show I also break down the top contenders at each level of Central Mass boys hoops, discuss which CMass boys wrestlers are moving onto the state level, give some props to the few undefeated teams left in the region, and offer my thoughts on the latest letdown for UMass hoops.

Listen in for all that, and much more, inside this week's episode below.

RADIO: The High School Sports Lunchbox, Recapping National Signing Day in CMass

Leominster's Noah Gray was one of many athletes around the region who signed National Letters of Intent yesterday.

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

On this week's episode of the Local Sports Lunchbox on WPKZ, we recapped all the biggest happenings from National Signing Day.

With players signing to play for schools at every level, there was a ton to cover, and we had Leominster star, and Duke signee, Noah Gray call in, then chatted with Carl Setterlund of the Telegram & Gazette.

It was a full show highlighting the top prospects from across the region, so listen in for more below.

RADIO: The Local Sports Lunchbox- CMass Hoops & National Signing Day

Grafton's Ifeatu Melifonwu has been committed to Syracuse since July, but will some late interest from Michigan change his mind as National Signing Day approaches?

 By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

This week on the show, we welcome Tom Flanagan from the Telegram & Gazette to talk local hoops, and break down where all the best local football players will be signing to play their college ball next week.

Also, we reveal the Local Sports Lunchbox Top 10 for boys basketball, discuss Kevin Mensah, the region's biggest uncommitted football prospect, and wonder aloud where Grafton's Ifeatu Melifonwu (a Syracuse commit) will end up, after some late interest from Michigan. Listen in for all that, and more, below.

The Local Sports Lunchbox: Shrewsbury Hockey, Nashoba Wrestling and More

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

We had a fantastic Local Sports Lunchbox earlier today on WPKZ, and if you missed it live, you'll definitely want to check it out now. We were joined by Shrewsbury hockey stars Matty Ward and Liam Quinlivan, who will look to help Shrewsbury hockey avoid the "Joe Parello jinx" (the last two weeks our guests came into the show undefeated, then suffered multiple losses immediately thereafter) against rival Algonquin Saturday.

We also had SuiteSports reporter Jason Siegel on the show to talk Central Mass hoops, and gave out our weekly awards, which included Nashoba wrestler Lucas Cordio, who may be the best athlete in Central Mass you've never heard of.

All that, and more, in this week's episode below.