2017 KEY MOMENTS
1. Controversy on the green
Lunenburg's Emily Nash became a national issue after she won the Div. 3 Central boys golf title, only to be denied the winner's trophy due to an MIAA rule. Nash received support throughout the country and was later invited to compete in the ANNIKA Invitational by golfing legend Annika Sorenstam.
2. Coaching carousel in Braintree
Braintree's highly-successful girls basketball coach Kristen McDonnell stepped down shortly after the season due in large part to issues with certain parents. McDonnell reconsidered her decision three months later and returned to her old coaching job at Braintree High.
3. Goodbye to a great one
Everett's John DiBiaso became the fourth football coach in state history to win 300 games after his team defeated St. John's Prep, 49-14, in the first round of the Div. 1 North tournament. Five weeks later, after guiding the Crimson Tide to their 12th Super Bowl title, DiBiaso announced he is stepping down as head coach.
4. The long streak ends
Winchester ended Watertown's streak of 184 consecutive field hockey contests without loss, defeating the Raiders, 3-0, on goals by Madison Micciche, Clare Moloney-Kolenberg and Niki Micciche. Watertown did keep one streak alive as the Raiders captured their ninth straight Div. 2 state title.
5. A good man remembered
The Needham High girls lacrosse team dedicated their season to the memory of Joe O'Brien, the husband of head coach Beth O'Brien, who passed away in December. The Rockets capped off an emotional year by defeating Longmeadow, 8-5, for the Div. 1 state title.