RECAP & PHOTOS: Westfield Hangs on Against Algonquin

Story and Photos by Andrew Bowman (@andrew_bowman5)

Ed. Note- Continue below for even more photos of the Bombers and T-Hawks. Note that you can click any image to enlarge.

Northboro, Mass. - The Westfield Bombers visited the Algonquin Tomahawks Thursday afternoon and came away with an 11-9 win, led by a ferocious defensive effort.

Westfield got off to a hot start, and did not trail for the entire game.

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.

RECAP & PHOTOS: Shrewsbury Keeps Rolling, downs Rival Algonquin

Story and Photos by Ryan Morgera (@RyanMor_ASSCO)

Ed. Note- Continue below for a full gallery from today's big rivalry game. Click any image to enlarge and launch a slideshow.

Shrewsbury, Mass. - There's no better time to play your best lacrosse than when the tournament is near, and Shrewsbury seems to be peaking at just the right time. The Colonials continued their late season roll Monday, defeating Mid-Wach A rival Algonquin 13-7 for the fifth straight win as we enter the final full week of the regular season.

St. John's (Shrewsbury) tops Algonquin in CMass Lax Showdown

By Joe Fantozzi (@joe_fantozzi35)

Shrewsbury, Mass. - The Saint John’s High School Pioneers defeated the Algonquin Tomahawks by the score 9-5 in a physical boys' lacrosse battle Tuesday afternoon.

The game was yet another chapter in Central Mass' most storied lacrosse rivalry, and these two clubs have also been highly competitive this season.  The leading scorer of the game was senior captain Jack Donahue of the Pioneers. Donahue had a hat trick and tagged two assists to go along with it. 

Algonquin Dominates Wachusett in Mid-Wach A

 By Joe Fantozzi (@joe_fantozzi35)

Holden, Mass. - The Algonquin Tomahawks (7-2) went on the road and destroyed the Wachusett Mountaineers (2-6), 15-2. In a contest that was never really contested, Algonquin took charge of this Mid-Wach A battle from the opening face-off. 

Algonquin senior captains Will Levine and Tommy Ackil combined for three first quarter goals, as the T-Hawks took a 5-0 lead into the first intermission. 

Algonquin Pulls Away from Grafton

By Andrew Bowman (@andrew_bowman5)

Grafton, Mass. - A second half surge by Algonquin lifted the visiting Tomahawks over the Grafton Indians. Led by 5 goals from junior Dom Russo, and 4 from sophomore Noah Larsen, Algonquin defeated Grafton 15-7.

Shrewsbury Hockey tops Rival Algonquin to Defend D3 Central Crown

By Nick Beaudoin (@beaudoin91_)

Fitchburg, Mass. - The Shrewsbury Colonials (16-2-2) defeated the Algonquin Tomahawks (11-4-5) 4-1 at Fitchburg State University on Sunday night to capture their second straight Division 3 Central title.

Coming into today’s matchup, all eyes were on Shrewsbury, to see how the reigning Division 3 state champions would bounce back from a late season loss to rival Algonquin. How would the Colonials play when it mattered most?

They have faced their struggles against the Tomahawks in the last few years, losing in a shootout two years ago and dropping a tough regular season matchup this season.

But the star power from the Colonials' top line of Tyler Borys, and brothers Anthony and Liam Quinlivan provided the spark they have all season and propelled Shrewsbury to the victory.

Henderson Powers Algonquin Past St. John's, Into D1 Central Finals

Algonquin senior Kyle Henderson finished with 36 points to lead Algonquin to its first ever D1 Central title game.

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

Worcester, Mass. - Behind one of the greatest performances in program history, Algonquin is headed to its first ever Division 1 Central final after defeating perennial power St. John's (Shrewsbury) 82-70 at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

That historic performance came from senior captain Kyle Henderson, who poured in 36 points for the T-Hawks, including 19 during a wild third quarter, to help Algonquin avenge a 65-60 defeat at the hands of the Pioneers earlier this year.

Algonquin advances to face top-seeded Franklin Friday night at WPI in its first sectional final since the T-Hawks were a D2 team back in 2001.

PHOTO AND VIDEO GALLERY: Algonquin Boys' Basketball tops St. John's (Shrewsbury)

Photos by Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)
Videos by Matt Siegel (@mattsiegel147)

Worcester, Mass. - We will have a full recap of Algonquin's Division 1 Central semifinal win over St. John's (Shrewsbury) a little later. For now, scroll down for images and highlights of Gonk's 82-70 victory.

Note that you can click any image to enlarge and launch a slideshow.

Algonquin tops Shrewsbury in Mid-Wach Thriller

By Jason Siegel (@jasiegel1821)

Shrewsbury, Mass .- The Algonquin Tomahawks used a next-man-up mentality in Tuesday night’s Mid-Wach A matchup against the Shrewsbury Colonials to pull out a 71-68 win at Shrewsbury High School.

Algonquin star scorer and junior captain Nick Redden suffered an ankle injury while going up for a block three minutes into the game and would not return, but the T-Hawks (8-2, 3-1 Mid-Wach A) made ten 3-pointers to propel themselves past the Colonials (5-7, 1-4 Mid-Wach A).

Marlboro Hands Algonquin First Loss in 2OT Thriller

By Jason Siegel (@jasiegel1821)

Marlboro, Mass. - The CMass basketball showdown between border rivals Algonquin and Marlborough had it all, including a technical against Algonquin during the pregame, two overtime periods, and 199 combined points.

When all was said and done on Thursday night in Marlborough, the Marlborough Panthers (3-1) outlasted the Algonquin Tomahawks (3-1), 103-96 in double overtime, to hand the T-Hawks their first loss of the season.

Marlborough head coach Scott Bauman said that the game was a learning experience for his team.

PHOTO GALLERY: Shepherd Hill vs Algonquin Football

Photos by Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

NORTHBOROUGH - We will have a full postgame blog up shortly on Shepherd Hill's 61-36 win at Algonquin, but for now, just enjoy a few of these shots from the game. Note that you can click any image to enlarge it and launch a slideshow.

Postgame Blog: Wachusett Gets Payback Against Algonquin

By Connor Evans (@RonnocEvans)

HOLDEN - Tonight I took the trek out to Holden to catch a CMass heavyweight matchup between the Wachusett Mountaineers and the Algonquin Tomahawks. Though the Mountaineers would pull out a 39-17 victory, the game felt close throughout.

The win gave Wachusett a measure of revenge, after Algonquin defeated the Mountaineers both in the regular season and playoffs last year. Let’s break down Friday's big win for Wachusett.

New Coach, New Quarterback, Same Tomahawks- Algonquin Tops Worcester North

It was a sterling starting debut for Algonquin quarterback Hayden Kea.

By Ethan Winter (@EWints)

WORCESTER – The Algonquin Tomahawks began their 2017 season where their 2016 season ended. This time, however, they walked away from Foley Stadium victorious after defeating the Worcester North Polar Bears 35-14 in dominating fashion.

“It’s a new year, the kids know what happened last season, but we really wanted to just focus on what we had to do to win today," first-year Algonquin coach Taylor Allen said.  "But sure, it feels great, especially for the coaching staff who worked their butts off last year. It feels good to finally get that sour taste out of our mouth."

"It feels great to get my first W with my brother Mark, I can’t be any happier than I am right now,” Allen added.

MIAA Football Camp Road Trip: The Algonquin Tomahawks

New Algonquin coach Taylor Allen coaches up running back John Polymeros during the T-Hawks' first day of camp.

By Ethan Winter (@EWints) 

NORTHBOROUGH – While it was certainly a shock when former Algonquin head football coach Justin McKay announced to his team that he would not be returning to coach them next season, the Tomahawks look to continue the progress that McKay has made with the program.

“We were all shocked, it was kind of random but we bounced back from that and it hasn’t set us back at all," running back John Polymeros said. "We are just excited to move on to this year.”

Last season the Tomahawks had their best season since the Dick Walsh coached teams of the 1980s, coming within two games of playing at Gillette Stadium in the Division 2 Super Bowl. Algonquin lost to Mid-Wach A rival Shrewsbury 21-14 in the Division 2 Central Mass final.

The Tomahawks lost 22 seniors and their head coach from that team last year, but even with all the personnel turnover, everything for the most part is staying the same.

Central Mass Lax Power Rankings: The End of 2017

It's hard to deny the significance of what coach Alan Rotatori (right) and his Grafton Indians have done the last three years, but is Grafton our top team in CMass this season?

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

The state championships have come and gone, and another season of Central Mass lacrosse is in the books. It was a year of surprises, memorable runs and, unfortunately, tragedy, with the passing of former Tantasqua coach John Pedace.

While it was a bitter sweet season for many in the region, several teams did make their presence known at the state level, some for the very first time. So, without further ado, here are our final Central Mass Lax Power Rankings of 2017. Be on the lookout for our annual CMass All-Stars and Award Winners later this week.

Postgame Blog: Big 3rd Quarter Helps Shrewsbury Survive Late Algonquin Rally

Junior Alec Buduo led Shrewsbury with four goals, all in the third quarter.

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

SHREWSBURY - While it may not have been a picture-perfect finish for the Colonials, it was an ending Shrewsbury will enjoy all the same. Thanks to an eight-goal third period, Shrewsbury built a lead, then held on for death life in the fourth to edge rival Algonquin 11-10.

The win moved Shrewsbury, who began the year 2-5 following a blowout loss to cross-town rival St. John's, to 7-5, and 4-0 in Mid-Wach A play. As the Colonials sit atop the league, they do so knowing they have defeated the next three best teams in Mid-Wach A (Wachusett, Groton-Dunstable and now Algonquin) each by a single goal.

"Every Mid-Wach game we go in to, we know it's gonna be a battle," senior midfielder Matty Ward said. "I'm proud that we pulled it out, and we've been able to pull out these kinds of games the past few weeks. It's huge for us, being 4-0 our first time through the league, and we're looking to continue it the rest of the season."

PHOTO GALLERY: Shrewsbury Lacrosse vs Algonquin

Photos by Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

SHREWSBURY - Shrewsbury and Algonquin renewed their rivalry Thursday afternoon, and it was the host Colonials who came away with an 11-10 victory.

We'll have a full postgame blog up later tonight but, for now, enjoy the images of this thrilling Mid-Wach clash.

Note that you can click any image to enlarge and launch a slideshow.

Central Mass Lax Power Rankings: The Start of 2017

Grafton is coming off back-to-back district titles and state championship game appearances, but with plenty of talent gone to graduation, the Indians will need to find new stars in 2017.

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

Ah, it's that time of year.

The weather is going back and forth from beautiful to horrid, and I now get to pretend I know how the Central Mass lacrosse season will go.

This year is especially tricky as, outside of St. John's, it seems like every team is losing multiple star players. But, at the same time, many of the best players in the region are back, and nearly all of them will have to carry even bigger loads in 2017.

I'd love to cop out and wait a few weeks to do my first Power Rankings, but that's way too easy. So, with many teams across the region set to open their schedules today, here are my first Power Rankings of the year, which I'm sure will look silly in a few weeks.

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.