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.

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: 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: 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 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.

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.

RADIO: The Local Sports Lunch Box- 1/5/17

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

On this week's episode of "The Local Sports Lunch Box," on WPKZ, I welcomed in the Telegram & Gazette's Chris Kyne to talk local high school hockey, and the Sentinel & Enterprise's Chad Garner to talk local boys and girls hoops.

If you want to learn a ton about local sports, particularly hockey and girls basketball, this week's show is for you. Plus, I preview the biggest games of the upcoming week, and hand out my weekly awards. Listen in for all that, and much more, below.

RADIO: The Local Sports Lunch Box

Photo by Ryan Bowman

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

It was a hoops-tastic episode of "The Local Sports Lunch Box" on WPKZ, as I welcomed in Tom Flanagan of the Telegram & Gazette, and chatted with Marlboro basketball star Chris Doherty.

Flanagan broke down Inter-High for us, along with the best Catholic Schools in the area, and explained why Division 2 may be better than Division 1 for boys hoops this year in Central Mass. Doherty, meanwhile talked his team's chances of bringing home a state championship this year, and his many college suitors.

If you love local basketball, you don't want to miss this episode. Continue below for more from Flanagan and Doherty, plus our weekly awards.

RADIO: The K-Zone Local Sports Lunch Box

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

For those of you unaware, today was my first solo show for WPKZ, and it was a fun maiden voyage. We welcomed in the Telegram & Gazette's Chris Kyne, who gave us everything we needed to know about Central Mass hockey, and chatted with Anthony Dandini and James Purcell of the Leominster Blue Devils basketball team.


Dandini, a talented football prospect, also updated us on his college football recruitment.

We also recapped Shepherd Hill offensive lineman Alec Lindstrom's signing with Boston College, and looked at a few local football prospects who will be taking their games to the next level next season. All that, plus our Unsung Hero of the Week, Studs n' Duds, and much more on this week's show.

RADIO: The High School Football Lunch Box, Season Finale

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

It was a heck of a season across Central Massachusetts, but all good things must come to an end. The gang is joined on its final episode by SuiteSports reporters Matt Feld and Connor Evans to break down last Saturday's Super Bowls, and Shrewsbury coach John Aloisi calls in to talk about his team's surprising run to Gillette Stadium.

Finally, we reveal who had the best year picking games, and tell you our favorite memories from the 2016 season.

For all that and more, listen in below.

RADIO: The Scholastic Sports Zone, Talking CMass Football

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

I had the distinct honor and privilege of guest-hosting Sunday's episode of "The Scholastic Sports Zone" on WPKZ with Billy Thomas and Todd Robbins, and we talked all things Central Mass football.

Maynard coach Harold Ogilvie called in to discuss his team's mindset heading into the Division 4A state championship game Saturday, and his thoughts on the Tigers not getting to play their title game at Gillette Stadium. Tom Flanagan of the Telegram & Gazette also called in to discuss Maynard, Shrewsbury and Grafton's chances of bringing home state titles Saturday, and the gang also broke down the upcoming MIAA football realignment (Todd had some thoughts) and recapped Turkey Day in Central Mass.

If you're a football fan in the Heart of the Commonwealth, you won't want to miss this week's episode. Continue below for more.

RADIO: The High School Football Lunch Box, Thanksgiving Special

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

On this week's episode of "The High School Football Lunch Box" on WPKZ, Joe Parello and Dick Tucker welcome in SuiteSports reporter Connor Evans to recap last weekend's state semifinals, then chat with the Sentinel & Enterprise's Sean Sweeney about some upcoming Thanksgiving Day games.

The gang also had Leominster football stars Dylan Tanner, Anthony Dandini and Travis Storm in studio to discuss the Blue Devils' big game against Fitchburg, and Leominster coach Dave Palazzi called in as well.

Listen in below for all that and more.

RADIO: The High School Football Lunch Box- CMass Title Games Preview

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

On this week's edition of The High School Football Lunch Box, Joe Parello, Dick Tucker and Howie Kahn preview all six of the Central Mass championship games, which will take place Saturday.

The gang also welcomes SuiteSports reporter Connor Evans to discuss Algonquin and Grafton's chances of making it to Gillette, along with Littleton stars Eric Rauker, Anthony Rausa and Griffin Shoemaker, who talk about slowing down West Boylston's Cole McCubrey in the Division 4 title game.

Finally, Shrewsbury coach John Aloisi calls in to talk about his team's run, and what the Colonials must do to turn the tables on Algonquin.

Listen in below for all that, and more.