By Ken Chaisson
The Walpole Timberwolves boys’ basketball team renewed acquaintances with the Norwood Mustangs in the sparkling new fieldhouse on Thursday, January 22, 2026. It was the second game of a rare doubleheader along with the girls’ team to celebrate the opening of the new facility.
The old gym could fit 460 people. The new fieldhouse can sit 1,200. And on this night the entire Walpole side was overflowing.
Walpole (7–3) is off to a solid start including winning the Scarlet Hawk Holiday Invitational tournament with impressive wins over Burncoat and Medway. The Timberwolves are currently ranked 13th in the MIAA power rankings in Division 2.
They also shattered the Walpole boys’ all time record for points in their previous victory against Weymouth, 101–70. The previous record was 93 points against Bishop Feehan in 2023.
New head coach Scot Schaming comes to Walpole after being an assistant at Lexington for his inaugural year of high school basketball head coaching.
Walpole returns with a strong core led by senior captains Ryan McDonald and James Patey. McDonald tied the Walpole boys’ school record last season by scoring 46 points in a road win against Weymouth. He was named a Bay State Conference all-star at the end of last season.
The Timberwolves haven’t beaten the Mustangs (5–8) in boys’ basketball in a few years.
The Walpole starters are junior Shane Harrington, sophomore Cole Chase, sophomore Chris Niclas, Patey and McDonald.
Patey scored the first points for the boys in the new arena on a rebound putback. Walpole jumped out to a 15–6 lead on the strength of tough defense drawing multiple charges and timely shooting. The first quarter ended with the Timberwolves up, 15–10.
Norwood fought back to take their first lead at 19–18. In a seesaw second quarter, the first half ended with Walpole narrowly up 32–30.
Walpole had a strong third quarter stretching their lead to ten. The quarter ended with Norwood staring at a seven point deficit, 51–44.
With four minutes to go in the game, Walpole held a 57–52 cushion. However, the Mustangs kept battling as Walpole went cold. Norwood tied the game at 57 with 2:54 to go then they went up 60–57 with 2:00 left. Two free throws by Walpole freshman Billy Kinney narrowed the gap to 60–59 but the home team would get no closer.
The final score was 63–60, Norwood.
McDonald led the Timberwolves with 19. Harrington added 12 while Patey contributed 10.
The unit is a good blend of all grades and abilities from freshman to seniors. Everyone contributes. All eyes are on making the state tournament.
The upcoming non-conference slate includes contests against Bishop Feehan as well as the Dudley Davenport Classic Tournament in Sharon during February school vacation week.
