Hot week nets Gillette honor
While her brother Cedric Gillette is getting headlines for becoming one of the youngest college basketball coaches in the country at Maine Maritime Academy, former Andover High star field hockey goalie Paige Gillette is closing her career at Assumption College playing her best.
Gillette was outstanding on the opening road trip for Assumption field hockey as the Greyhound goalie helped shut down two top-10 nationally ranked teams two weekends ago.
She made nine saves between the first two games, helping the Greyhounds beat No. 6 West Chester and No. 2 East Stroudsburg University.
Then last Saturday, in a 3-1 loss against No. 3 ranked Shippensburg University, Gillette made six saves in a busy afternoon.
Simpson to coach at St. A’s
Haverhill native and Central Catholic baseball alum Connor Simpson has been named the new pitching coach for Div. 2 St. Anselm baseball.
Simpson, who played and coached at Eastern Nazarene College in North Quincy, will oversee the program’s pitching.
He made his mark as a player as an outfielder and hitter, averaging .298 over his four years in college while also toting a .397 on base percentage.
He was a noted pitching coach the last few summers in the Futures Collegiate Baseball League.
Johnson-NAHS Hall of Fame in October
The Johnson-North Andover High School Athletic Hall of Fame will celebrate its 25th Induction Ceremony on October 19th. The event will be held at the Lawrence Elks Club in Lawrence starting at 6 pm.
The Class of 2024 honored inductees includes:
Cassie Bowe, Terry Holland, Kirsten Kasper, Alex Kramer, Karen Murdoch-Lahey, Jarrad Lawlor, Morgan Lumb, Courtney Breen Marble, Amanda Shannon, Brandon Walsh, Matt Zahoruiko, and the 1981 Boys Cross Country State Championship Team.
Tickets ($65) for the banquet may be purchased starting Sept. 3 at the Athletic Office at North Andover High School or by contacting susan_sturtevant@yahoo.com (978-873-3167).
Merrimack men picked 10th
Merrimack College men’s hockey is not getting the respect it was probably hoping for heading into the 2024-25 season. The Warriors are picked to finish 10th out of 11 teams in Hockey East this winter.
Merrimack opens its season at home on Oct. 5 and 6, hosting Sacred Heart University and Stonehill, respectively, in 7 p.m. games.
It then travels to Minnesota State, to face the perennial powerhouse in Mankato, Minn. the following weekend.
Nelson opens in Germany
Tyler Nelson’s fourth year playing for the Rostock Seawolves began on Saturday.
Nelson, the 6-foot-3 sharpshooter, was second on his team with 13 points in an opening day loss, 79-77, to the Crailsheim Merlins.
Nelson is expected to be a key contributor for the German First Division squad.
Nelson averaged over 16 points last year, topping 40 percent in 3-point attempts.