On Thursday evening, the Walpole School Board voted unanimously (9-0) to change the high school's "Rebel" mascot. The decision comes two weeks after a petition was started to change the school's mascot amid racial tensions and worldwide Black Lives Matter protests. A counter petition was also started to keep the nickname.
Spotlighting Needham High lacrosse’s 2020 seniors

Pictured clearing a ball last season against Hingham, midfielder Matt Guagliano (27) is one of 10 Needham High School lacrosse seniors who robbed of their 2020 senior season due to COVID-19. Photo by Mike Flanagan.
By Mike Flanagan
Hometown Weekly Sports Editor
In 2019, Needham...
Spotlighting Walpole High lacrosse’s 2020 seniors

Pictured during last season's playoff contest vs. Medfield, senior captain and close D Marc Hirshom (19) figured to serve as an anchor for Walpole's defensive unit in 2020. Photo by Mike Flanagan.
By Mike Flanagan
Hometown Weekly Sports Editor
Despite a bit of an up...
DS announces athletic award winners

Sarah Lamson and teammates pose together with their field hockey state championship banner and trophy back in November at Taunton High School. Photos by Mike Flanagan.
By Mike Flanagan
Hometown Weekly Sports Editor
Dover-Sherborn Regional High School announced its set of athletic award winners this...
Medlax honors seniors through social media

By Mike Flanagan
Hometown Weekly Sports Editor
It was supposed to be a big year for Medfield High School boys varsity lacrosse. Reigning champions of Division II Central/East, the Warriors returned a massive and talented senior class, and nearly its entire starting lineup, from last season's state championship game. The COVID-19...
Spotlighting the 2020 DS softball team

By Mike Flanagan
Hometown Weekly Sports Editor
All of the makings for a big bounce-back year were in place for Dover-Sherborn Regional High School varsity softball in 2020. The Raiders returned a bulk of their roster, including two senior co-captains: catcher/outfielder Emma Stiller and second baseman/outfielder Nora Raftery.
Spotlighting football/baseball star Jake Pfaff

Pictured playing quarterback during his junior season against Norwood, Jake Pfaff (3) has been a key contributor to Westwood High School football and baseball the last four years. Photo by Mike Mao.
By Mike Flanagan
Hometown Weekly Sports Editor
Jake Pfaff has been a key...
Athletes voice thoughts on Rebel mascot

By Mike Flanagan
Hometown Weekly Sports Editor
For many in the town of Walpole, the high school's Rebel mascot holds a lot of sentimental value. At the same time, there are many, both within and outside of the town, who connect the Rebel mascot to racism and the Confederacy.
Walpole High wrestling honors its seniors

By Mike Flanagan
Hometown Weekly Sports Editor
Coming off a sixth place finish at the Division II All-State meet back in February, 2020 was another solid year for Walpole High School wrestling.
It will be hard to forget the strange way the 2020 school year ended due...
Marlow new hockey coach at DS/Weston

A group of DS/Weston High boys hockey players celebrate a goal against Millis/Hopedale last season. Photo by Mike Flanagan.
By Mike Flanagan
Hometown Weekly Sports Editor
On June 2, Dover-Sherborn/Weston High School boys hockey announced the hiring of Alex Marlow as its new head coach, a...
Spotlighting WHS baseball’s 2020 senior class

By Mike Flanagan
Hometown Weekly Sports Editor
After missing the postseason in 2018, Westwood High School baseball had a massive turnaround year in 2019. The Wolverines finished the regular season 11-9 and earned the No. 7 seed in Division II South.
Once the postseason started, the Westwood...
Medfield, Needham lax fill All-Decade team

Pictured during his senior season at Needham in 2017, Sam Eisenstadt has become a defensive mainstay for UMass the last three years and was named to the Boston Herald’s All-Decade (2010-2020) lacrosse team last week. Photos by Mike Flanagan.
By Mike Flanagan
Hometown Weekly Sports Editor
Saluting DS baseball’s 2020 senior class

By Mike Flanagan
Hometown Weekly Sports Editor
The 2020 senior class at Dover-Sherborn represented the final remaining group of players from the 2017 Division III South and Eastern Mass champion baseball team.
Four years ago, this group shocked the entire Massachusetts high school baseball community by making...
Needham Assistant AD Jackson speaks up

By Mike Flanagan
Hometown Weekly Sports Editor
The last two weeks have represented an extremely difficult time for our country. It should go without saying that racism and hate have no place in our country. Sadly, the murders of George Floyd, Ahmad Arbery and Breonna Taylor have proven that hate and...
A tribute to senior athletes

By Maddie Gerber
Hometown Weekly Intern
Last spring, Needham High School’s girls’ softball team played its final game against Braintree, which was not only an undefeated team, but also the league champions. The Rockets, who hadn’t made the playoffs that year, were undoubtedly the underdogs, and knew this would be...
Needham’s Mathias, O’Brien make own marathon

Avery Mathias (left) and Kate O'Brien (right) are cheered on by friends and family as they make their way down Boylston Street in Boston on Saturday afternoon during their makeshift marathon run. Photos by Needham Swim & Diving.
By Mike Flanagan
Hometown Weekly Sports...
Spotlighting Westwood senior swimmer Matt McDonald

Pictured in his Wolfpack hoodie, Westwood resident Matt McDonald will continue his academic and swimming career at NC State this fall. Photo by Laurie McDonald.
By Mike Flanagan
Hometown Weekly Sports Editor
Ranked as the No. 1 swimmer in New England and committed to ACC...
Walpole’s Hirshom added to Plymouth pipeline

By Mike Flanagan
Hometown Weekly Sports Editor
Walpole has become a big-time recruiting ground for Plymouth State men’s lacrosse in recent years. In 2019, the Panthers rostered three Walpole High alums: LSM Charlie Harrington (2016), close D Zach Conrad (2017) and midfielder Harvest Perez (2013).
Last week, Walpole...
Honoring DS’ 2020 Marathoners

For the first time in 124 years, the Boston Marathon will not be run. The 2020 Boston Marathon was cancelled last Thursday due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The race, which was postponed from its original date of April 20 to September 14, will be replaced by a virtual event...
Nora Searle Field adds title plaques

The 2019 state championship plaques of the Dover-Sherborn Regional varsity boys lacrosse and varsity field hockey team were added to the press box at Nora Searle Field on Thursday. Photo by Mike Flanagan.
By Mike Flanagan
Hometown Weekly Sports Editor
With much of the 2020...

