Making its debut in a deep Division 2 field, St. Mary’s reached the Massachusetts mountaintop with a thrilling 59-58 victory over Masconomet Regional in the Division 2 state championship game March 13 at the Tsongas Center in Lowell.

It took every ounce of effort and execution on both ends of the court by the players and every strategic gem by Keilty and company to hold off a resilient, senior-led Masconomet team that was looking to make school history.

Three moments on offense will ultimately stand the test of time in St. Mary’s memorable triumph: senior John Chareas’ supremely clutch, pull-up three-pointer with just over a minute to play after Masconomet had taken the lead, and senior Rolky Brea-Arias’ incredible dunk in the fourth quarter and final floater with 12 seconds remaining for what was the game-winning basket.

Still, the Spartans needed a defensive stop in the final seconds, and they delivered. Masco star Jimmy Farrell’s fade-away jumper from the corner failed to drop as three players rushed to contest the shot.

Jake Fortier, one of the best point guards in the state, lived up to the advanced billing. The sophomore All-Scholastic scored 13 points and his superior quickness, ballhandling, playmaking, and scoring skills were on display throughout the Spartans’ run to the title.

Jason Perry could make a case for game MVP as he scored 10 points in a vital role off the bench. Rowan Merryman drained a huge three-pointer in the fourth quarter, scored 10 points, and provided the tenacious defense and rebounding that St. Mary’s fans have come to expect from the three-sport athlete from Lynn.

Brea-Arias had seven baskets and 14 points, the aforementioned dunk that electrified the St. Mary’s crowd, and the final basket of a dream season. Gabe Makuwa-Sykes scored 5 points and played stellar defense.

For Josh Keilty, we believe he enters unprecedented territory as the first head coach to win state titles at two different schools (Georgetown and St. Mary’s) in successive seasons.

From December to March, St. Mary’s High School was clearly one of the best basketball teams in the Commonwealth and the state title confirmed its rightful place in school and state history.

Rowan Merryman was the team videographer when St. Mary’s High School won the boys’ state basketball title in 2022. His older brother, Omri, was one of the stars on that team.

“I was the cameraman at Tsongas,” recalled Rowan. “Omri led a big, second-half surge against Watertown. When I saw that, I said, ‘I have to win one [state title], too.’ ”

The second son of St. Mary’s super-fans, Rob Merryman and Christy Merryman (his younger sister, Bobbi Merryman, is a St. Mary’s cheerleader), Merryman remembers one moment in his brother’s awesome career particularly well.

“I scored my first varsity point in a playoff game against East Boston at St. Mary’s, and Omri was on the court when I scored it,” recalled Rowan.

Rowan scored 10 points in the 59-58 victory over Masconomet in the state championship game in Lowell. Included among his baskets was a big three-pointer late in the fourth quarter. 

“I was just in the moment,” said Merryman. “I just settled everything down and took the shot.”

While his own three-pointer was a big factor in the victory, Rowan stated that John Chareas’ trey was “the biggest shot of the game.”

Merryman was on the court when Masconomet lined up for its final possession in a one-point game. He was in perfect rebounding position on the left side of the basket, but time expired as the ball hit the back rim and the buzzer sounded.

“A fade-away jumper is a tough shot, but he [Jimmy Farrell] made a couple of those against us,” said Merryman. “I guess it was just the basketball gods.”

As far back as last summer, Merryman felt confident that this year’s team had the ability to make a deep run in the tournament.

“We started to play well together, and I thought we had a good chance to win a championship,” said Merryman. “And we had a true point guard in Jake [Fortier]. He’s a great player.”

Merryman believes his strengths as a player are “driving to the basket, being able to kick the ball out, shooting the basketball, finding the open guy, and bringing everyone on the team together.”

Merryman said first-year head coach Josh Keilty “did a great job” this season.

“He’s just a great coach,” lauded Merryman. “He brought the energy to every practice. He has such a positive attitude, and he came in ready to work from the start.”

Merryman was a three-sport standout in youth sports. He played Pop Warner football near his home in West Lynn. In baseball, his feats were legendary, hitting a city record 41 home runs to capture the Lynn Little League Home Run Derby at East Lynn’s Volunteer Field.

This spring, he’s currently playing for the varsity baseball team as the starting first baseman. Next fall, he returns as a starter for the St. Mary’s football team at running back and linebacker – and hopefully as a team captain. “I would be honored to be a football captain,” said Merryman.

For now, it’s on to baseball season and then college visitations for Rowan Merryman, a champion on and off the court with a bright future ahead.

The city received $200,000, the highest amount awarded in this round of FY26 grants, which totaled more than $3.5 million.

Established by the state legislature through the Massachusetts Expanded Gaming Act, the Gaming Mitigation Fund provides critical support to Massachusetts performing arts centers to offset competitive pressures created by resort-style casinos. Grant funds are used to secure touring shows and help cover touring artist fees, helping local venues compete for nationally and internationally recognized acts.

“This grant helps offset the impact a casino has on our shows,” said Jamie Marsh, Auditorium general manager and Lynn Community Development director. “We are competing against casinos that have buying and marketing power and a built-in audience that we do not have.”

Marsh said the Auditorium will use the funding to attract and promote more shows.

Now in the second year of a two-year grant cycle, all FY26 recipients previously applied for and received funding through the program in FY25. Individual grant awards this year range from $6,000 to $200,000. Marsh said this is the fourth time the auditorium has received this grant funding.

“The Lynn Auditorium is an economic and cultural hub in our downtown area, and this funding supports their ability to attract great performances and arts experiences,” said Sen. Brendan Crighton. “We are proud to work with Mayor Nicholson, Community Development Director James Marsh, and all those who work to promote the arts and culture in our city.”

“The Lynn Auditorium is a cornerstone of our city’s arts and entertainment community that brings residents and visitors from across the region,” said State Rep. Dan Cahill.  “This funding will help ensure the auditorium can continue to attract top touring acts, support local jobs, and drive economic activity for downtown Lynn.”

As directed by statute, Mass Cultural Council receives two percent of state casino tax revenues to administer the program. The Gaming Mitigation Fund is specifically designed to mitigate the direct competitive impact of casinos, which often operate with larger entertainment budgets and expanded amenities, and preserve the sustainability of nonprofit and municipal performing arts venues throughout the Commonwealth.

Since its launch six years ago, the Gaming Mitigation Fund has invested more than $20 million in more than 90 organizations statewide.

“Lynn Auditorium has long been a cultural cornerstone for the North Shore, bringing people together through music, theater, and live performance,” said State Rep. Jenny Armini. “I’m grateful to Mass Cultural Council for this investment to help ensure the auditorium can continue attracting great acts and vibrant programming for our community.”

“The Lynn Auditorium hosts a variety of events and concerts that not only bring our community together, but also welcomes visitors from across the region,” said State Rep. Sean Reid. “I’m grateful to the Mass Cultural Council for this grant funding, which strengthens the arts and economic impact in our community.”

“Mass Cultural Council is proud to support our performing arts centers and the communities they serve,” said David T. Slatery, acting executive director. “These organizations are vibrant cultural anchors and powerful economic drivers. This funding ensures they can continue to attract exceptional touring performances, expand access to high-quality arts experiences, and strengthen local economies across Massachusetts.”

Winning a state title

“It feels great. I’m just super fortunate, super grateful for everyone involved. I couldn’t be prouder of the team.”

The final play of the state title game (St. Mary’s led by one point, 59-58):

“We knew Jimmy Farrell was taking that shot. Once he drove, he was committed to the last shot, and we just sold out on it. He got a clean look, and luckily it fell off. I’ve seen him [Farrell] hit a bunch of those. That’s the same shot he hit to get Masco to the state final. I was at the game, and with the game tied, he swished it from the same spot. To that kid’s credit, he got to his spot, and he got a great look at it.”

When he felt his team had a chance to do something special this season:

“I felt good about our team pretty early, in the fall. We just had a great group of kids. They were talented but they were also high-character kids – hard workers, selfless. They really bought in from the start, and I thought we had a special group from the jump.”

Playing one of the toughest schedules in the state:

“We do that intentionally. You look at the teams that we played: Bishop Feehan [Division 1 state champion], Salem [Division 3 state champion], Wareham [Division 4 state champion]. The teams we played, they had great years for the most part.”

John Chareas’ 3-pointer to retake the lead in the state championship game:

“That was the biggest shot of year, the biggest three of the year. They had just taken the lead, and John just came back and he stuck it. They were pressing us. John took that shot early in the clock, but he shot the ball with confidence. That was a huge, huge shot. He was one of our best shooters this year and he made the most 3s.”

The remarkable Jake
Fortier’s presence at the point:

“I just learned that Jake made All-Scholastic, which is well deserved. He just scored his 1,000th point this year and he has two more years.

Rolky Brea-Arias’ dunk in the state final:

“That dunk was unbelievable, especially at that time in the game. On his game-winning basket, we just wanted to get Rolky a touch at the rim. Rowan made the pass and Rolky finished point blank. The whole team executed that play, from Jake to Gabe, to everyone to get him that clean a look under the basket with that time [12 seconds] left. He had a great season. He averaged 19 points and 17 rebounds a game and was our league’s [CCL] defensive player of the year.”

St. Mary’s fan support at games

“The fan support was tremendous. The administration, the school, the parents – everyone has just been so supportive of this team since Day 1. Jeff Newhall, especially, runs a terrific athletic program. It is an honor to be a part of it.”

Assistant coaching staff

Keilty also credited his three assistant coaches on the varsity: Nick Privitera, Mike Triant, and Jarrell Byrd for their excellent work. “We had an unbelievable staff. Jarrell and Mike did great work with our bigs.”

Keilty was a two-year starter and senior captain at Georgetown High School. Last season, he led the Royals to the school’s first-ever state championship.

Masconomet was on a major roll. Its sea-of-white shirt-wearing students were standing and cheering. At long last, their team had the lead and Masco seemed poised to bring home the first state basketball title in school history.

The momentum had clearly shifted, but St. Mary’s High School senior John Chareas immediately turned the tide back to the Blue and Gold, swishing a massively clutch three-pointer to help the Spartans regain the lead on their way to a 59-58 victory.

“The shot of the game,” said teammate Rowan Merryman. “To me, that was the biggest shot of the year, the biggest ‘3’ of the year,” said head coach John Keilty.

What made Chareas’ shot so extraordinary and crucial was the instantaneous of his decision under pressure. As soon as Chareas caught the pass on the break from Rolky Brea-Arias, he unhesitatingly released what was undisputedly the most important shot of the tournament for St. Mary’s.

“I had total confidence,” said Chareas. “I had prepared myself mentally for the game, and when my time came to get that shot, I was fully ready and focused for it.”

Chareas was, in fact, “the three point guy” for the Spartans this season. He compiled a brilliant campaign from beyond the arc, tallying 73 pointers on a torrid 44 percent clip. His 73rd and final trey will be remembered forever by those who witnessed it at Tsongas.

Chareas, the team MVP for Manchester-Essex last season, almost saw the magnitude of his monumental bucket and Brea-Arias’ game-winner lessened on Masconomet’s final possession.

“I was guarding Jimmy [Farrell] on that play,” said Chareas. “He got the ball at the top of the key and dribbled past me toward the corner. Rolky and Gabe [Makuwa-Sykes] came in and there was a triple-contest, so without them, it could have been different (Farrell missed on a difficult fade-away jumper).”

A 6-foot-3-inch forward, Chareas stepped right into a key role as a double-figure (15 ppg) scorer and a dependable option in the Jake Fortier-piloted offense.

“Jake is one of the quickest players you’ll ever see and a very disciplined, unselfish point guard,” lauded Chareas.

Chareas arrived at St. Mary’s with an outstanding basketball heritage. His father, Nick Chareas, who stands 6 feet, 5 inches, was a star at Tyngsboro High School before playing college basketball at Fitchburg State. His mother, Kara Mirak, played Division 1 field hockey at the University of Vermont.

Looking back, Chareas said the decision to attend St. Mary’s High School was the right one.

“One hundred percent, no regrets,” said Chareas. “I love the school, it’s awesome. This is my favorite coaching staff I ever had. They made me a better player, a better person, and the confidence to take that shot.”

Yes, that shot. The shot of the game, the shot of the tournament, the one that John Chareas will talk about on the night he and the 2025-26 team are inducted into the St. Mary’s High School Hall of Fame in the future.

Chareas will be attending John Jay College of Criminal Justice in Manhattan and continuing his basketball career with the Division III Bloodhounds.

Medfield’s outstanding long-range shooting was a difference in the game as the two-time defending Division 2 state champions connected on a dozen three-pointers.

St. Mary’s defense, led by Janae Holmes (team-high 10 points) held Medfield to four baskets in the first quarter, but the Spartans couldn’t respond on offense. Freshman phenom Sysy Emmanuel (6 points) picked up her second foul early in the first quarter.

Sky Watson had seven points for the Spartans. MeKenna O’Connell tallied five points. Charleigh Green scored four points.

Abby Broderick led Medfield with a game-high 25 points. Tess Baacke had 17 points while Naya Annigeri netted 16 points.

St. Mary’s, under head coach Jeff Newhall, finished an outstanding season with a 23-4 record.

This is the 19th consecutive year at least one St. Mary’s team has won a state title, a streak that was started by the 2007-08 girls hockey team. The Spartans have won 27 state championships since the beginning of the streak and 33 titles since 2001.

During the streak, St. Mary’s has won state championships in nine different sports: girls basketball has won six, girls hockey five, boys basketball four, baseball and golf three apiece, softball and girls flag football two each, and football and boys hockey with one.

“We are proud to set the standard and we hope to keep it going,” said Athletic Director and girls basketball coach Jeff Newhall. “The streak is a testament to the student-athletes and coaches. We also are fortunate to have strong support from families, the administration and alumni.”

The state championship capped a phenomenal winter season for Spartan sports, with four teams ranked in the final Boston Globe Top 20 poll.

The boys basketball team finished 24-3 and was ranked fourth in the poll, which covers all five divisions. After a 19-3 regular season, the Spartans reeled off five wins in the tournament, including a 1-point win over Chicopee Comprehensive in the Round of 8, a 3-point victory over Plymouth South in the state semifinals and a 57-56 nailbiter over Masconomet in the championship game.

Rolky Brea Arias was named Daily Item Player of the Year while Coach Josh Keilty, in his first year on the St. Mary’s bench after winning a state title with Georgetown last year, earned Coach of the Year honors.

“These kids were ready for these moments,” Keilty said. “We’ve been in tight games, and they were very confident. This is what they wanted. And they were tough as nails.”

“This means a lot,” Arias said. We worked hard all season, every day. It feels great to win a state championship with this team.”

The girls basketball team also went 19-3 in the regular season and won four state tournament games before running into a buzzsaw in the final in Medfield, which won its third straight state title and is considered by many to be the best girls high school team in New England. The Spartans were No. 2 in the final Globe poll.

“I still think we have one of the best programs in the state — top two or three anyway,” Newhall said. “I told them you learn two things: You learn from the seniors who are leaving on how hard to play the game; and you learn from the other team on how to play the game on this stage.”

The girls hockey team made a run to the Final Four, where they lost in overtime to Methuen/Tewksbury. The Spartans finished 20-4-2 and were ranked fifth in the final poll, led by Frank Pagliuca, who was named Item Coach of the Year and goalie Avery Sico, the Player of the Year.

“They’re a great group and a lot of fun. They’re easy to coach and it’s a pleasure to show up to practice with all of them,” Pagliuca said. “They worked hard this year and improved tremendously.”

The boys hockey team compiled a final record of 12-10-2 while playing one of the toughest schedules in Division 1 high school hockey. The Spartans beat Bishop Feehan in the Round of 32 before losing to eventual state champion Pope Francis in the Round of 16. They were ranked No. 18 in the final Globe poll.

“This group has been so committed to being coached and playing the right way. They checked all the boxes,” said Coach Matt Smith, who will enter his fourth season next winter. “This season meant a lot to me and I am already looking forward to next year.”

The Spartans’ success spilled over to the track, where Tristan Smith was named Item Girls Coach of the Year and Kelsey Kwiatek earned Athlete of the Year honors.

“The winning is contagious, that’s for sure,” Newhall said. Because we have collectively had so much success over the last 20 years, the bar is set high and players and coaches strive to live up to that. More important, our players are excelling in the classroom and many are getting the opportunity to play at the collegiate level.”

Others have taken notice. Both basketball teams have been invited to play in a tournament in Hawaii next year and the boys hockey team has the opportunity to play in a prestigious tournament in New Jersey.

“We believe we are offering students and families an optimal academic and athletic experience,” Newhall said.

Suckney will be joined on the local team by his Johnson and Wales University ice hockey teammates – Joe Polito, Jeffery Greenip, Dave Thibeault, Jason Dwyer, Gregg Brackman, and original JWU coach Mike Pasquarella – for the game which is scheduled for Sunday, April 12, at 2 p.m. at Warrior Arena in Brighton.

Also skating for the team is Steve Hirsch, owner of Hirsch Landscaping of Lynn and secretary of the Lynn Boys & Girls Club Board of Directors.

Suckney said the benefit game has raised more than $500,000 for various charities. This year’s game will benefit the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and the Boston Bruins Foundation.

 The roster for the benefit game is as follows:

Players

1. Douglas Emond (G)

2. David Woodward

3. Steve Hirsch (A)

4. Greyson Brackman

4. Joe Polito

10. Dino Dipalma

11. Vin Spinelli

13. Ethan Lipset

16. Randy Suckney (C)

18. Jeffery Greenip

21. David Thibeault

24. Jason Dwyer

27. Gregg Brackman (C)

28. John Greenip

41. Bill Veiga

Coaching Staff

Mike Pasquarella Founding Head Coach Johnson & Wales University

National Anthem

Previously performed at Fenway Park for The Boston Red Sox

 Ariel Sandoval

Team Photographer

Scott Jensen

Presenting Colors

Lynn English High School Junior ROTC

Ceremonial Puck Drop

Dana-Farber Cancer Survivor & Randy Suckney’s

Patient Partner Cian Byrne.

Reading Cooperative Bank hosted a seminar, Small Business 101 and Beyond: Tools for New and Growing Businesses,  March 28 at the Lynnfield Public Library.

The event showcased how Reading Cooperative Bank can assist businesses with commercial lending needs for working capital, equipment purchasing, managing inventory, and funding expansion.

Reading Cooperative Bank has modern Treasury Management services and products that help businesses, nonprofits, and municipalities streamline cash flow and day-to-day banking and is dedicated to tailoring treasury solutions that align with the goals of the business for today and future growth.

Dill, who grew up in Lynn and graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 2014, will be trading in his prestigious aviation uniform for traditional running attire on Monday, April 20 when he competes in the Boston Marathon on the famed 26-mile, 285-yard Hopkinton to Boston course.

“It’s my first Boston and my first marathon ever, actually,” said Dill, 29, who lives in Peabody with his wife, Paige. “I ran a half-marathon (13.1 miles) in Marblehead last April, so I’m doubling my distance.”

Dill has been doing some of his training along Lynn Beach, an effort hindered by a succession of snowstorms this winter.

“The snow has made it super tough this year, so I’m done my training more than I’ve wanted to indoors on the treadmill,” said Dill. “But as long there’s half-decent footing, I’m outside, even if it’s cold.”

Dill will be running the marathon as a member of the Brigham and Women’s Hospital Stepping Strong Team. He will be raising funds for the Gillian Reny Stepping Strong Center for Trauma Innovation. Ms. Reny was critically injured in the bombing in 2013 and treated at the hospital.

“I have family members that have been treated at the Brigham, so that was how I first heard of the team,” related Dill. “I started running a couple of years ago, building up to longer distances. I felt this effort would be an excellent opportunity to contribute to a great cause that has helped my family and others.”

To-date, Dill has surpassed his fundraising goal of $15,000 for the cause and the donation drive is continuing. One of the Dill family’s major fundraisers was a New Year’s Eve party in his honor at the Knights of Columbus in Lynn. 

“The party was a great success,” said Bradley. “I give a shout-out to the Knights of Columbus who were amazing. And Rolly’s Tavern [in Wyoma Square] was awesome.”

Bradley’s mother, Estelle Dill, Jane Kelley, and Bradley himself were the organizers of the event that featured a delicious buffet dinner, music, raffles, and dancing. Bradley’s father, Thomas Dill, was among the many family members welcoming friends and neighbors to the festive celebration.

Well-established Lynn roots

leading to career in flight 

Bradley Dill played baseball in the Wyoma Little League and the Greater Lynn Babe Ruth organization, football in East Lynn Pop Warner, and Lynn Youth Hockey. He was a member of the St. Mary’s High School golf team and still plays at Gannon Golf Course (“I’m not very good, I’m an 18-handicap, but I enjoy Gannon, which is a Lynn treasure,” he said).

Following his graduation from St. Mary’s, Bradley attended Bridgewater State University where he received a degree in Aviation Science. While in college, he was a teacher at Bridgewater State and later returned in a flight standards and evaluation position in charge of flight instructors. He also worked as a flight instructor at Beverly Flight Center.

He was a pilot for regional airlines flying to such well-known destination as the Hamptons in Long Island, before taking a position at jetBlue. He has been with Delta Airlines for the past three years in addition to being a teacher in the aviation program at North Shore Community College. In 2023, he received his master’s degree in aviation from Emory-Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida.

His aviation career has taken him all over the globe, from New York City to the West Coast to South America and Europe. 

“I love going to Europe,” said Dill. “I love the people, the food, it’s awesome. I’ve been to London, Paris, Edinburgh, and Dublin, where I ran a 5-kilometer race, which was cool. My mother is a tennis coach at Classical, so I’ve tried to get tickets to Wimbledon (London) and the French Open (Paris), but it’s difficult. A lot of the events run late, and I have to get to bed a little early (to rest up for international flights). So, what we do is informal dinners with the flight crew and check out the big sites.”

Support and encouragement

from his parents

While his mother gets the MVO (Most Valuable Organizer) for the incredible NYE gathering at the Knights of Columbus, Bradley said the support and encouragement he has received from both his parents has been instrumental and positive in his life.

“I love my parents, they have supported me in everything that I ever wanted to do,” said Bradley. “I couldn’t thank them enough, and I wouldn’t be where I am professionally or where I am in any other part of my life without them.”