By Ken Chaisson
The Walpole boys’ 2025-26 basketball season ended Friday, with a loss in the round of 32 to the Mansfield Hornets, 66-44.
Senior captain Ryan McDonald ended his Walpole basketball career as the third leading boys scorer in school history behind only Matt Wolff and Tim Clifford.
First year head coach Scot Schaming’s squad had a very successful season despite a rash of injuries including a 1,000 point scorer in McDonald, breaking the team record for points in game with 101 against Weymouth, winning their first round game in the state tournament and winning the Scarlet Hawk Holiday Invitational tournament.
Walpole 63, Fitchburg 46
The Timberwolves had opened the tournament with a win over visiting Fitchburg High.
It took most of a half of basketball for Walpole to warm up in their playoff opener. But when they did, they ran away with a 63-46 victory over Fitchburg (11-10) in the preliminary round at the Walpole Fieldhouse.
This was both squads’ first playoff game since 2023.
Walpole came in seeded 28th in Division 2 while Fitchburg’s senior-laden team is the last qualifier in Division 2 at 37th.
There are 63 miles between the schools who rarely, if ever, cross paths in any sport.
Walpole had four players in street clothes at tip off including senior starter and captain James Patey who fractured his ankle and is out for the remainder of the season. That was a big void to fill.
It was tied at two after four minutes as both teams were brutally cold coming off a ten day hiatus. Fitchburg struck first jumping out to a 11-4 lead with two minutes to go in the quarter. It was 13-7 at the end of the first quarter. Fitchburg’s coach shortened his bench considerably as he never substituted. Walpole, on the other hand, continued the substitution pattern they have been employing the entire season going 8-10 players deep.
Sophomore Chris Niclas picked up where he left off in the Sharon game as he started strong with multiple rebounds, steals and points.
The Red Raiders stretched the lead to 20-12 with 2:43 to go in 2nd quarter. Walpole’s shooting woes continued whether from the field or from the free throw line.
Then the defense kicked in.
Walpole’s tenacious defense caused multiple turnovers coupled with Fitchburg’s poor ball handling. Walpole flipped the scoreboard by halftime going up 27-22. Good defense feeds good offense. Walpole outscored the Red Raiders 15-2 to close the half largely driven by a constant stream of turnovers.
The start of the third quarter continued the trend of Fitchburg mistakes, Walpole steals and converted layups. By the end of the 3rd quarter, Walpole had doubled their lead to 47-37.
The final stanza saw Fitchburg switch to a man-to-man defense to no avail. Walpole extended the lead to 18 with 4:23 remaining. Fitchburg didn’t have a three point threat from any player. When they fell behind, it was difficult to shrink the deficit.
Fitchburg’s senior Djordeny Jean fouled out with 3:20 to go. He was their best offensive threat along with Tyreese Green both ended with 14 points.
With Patey out, Walpole did a tremendous job of spreading the scoring wealth. Junior Shane Harrington led the way with 17, senior captain Ryan McDonald added 15, and sophomore Cole Chase, Niclas, sophomore Jack Benner and freshman Thomas Jolley all chipped in six apiece. Freshman Billy Kinney also added five with solid interior defense.
