Swampscott’s Coco Clopton provided 14 assists last fall that led the team. (Jacob Menendez)
Playing a college sport might as well be synonymous with commitment. From exercises to balance studies to stepping into the limelight — sometimes literally — this is no joke.
There are players who catch, others dribble, others row and so on. However, some athletes do all of this for more than 10 months of the year. With all three high school sports seasons in the pipeline, here are some of the region’s top multiathletes of the year:
Jimmy Ayers-St. John’s Prep
Even as St. John’s Prep competes against top contenders in hockey and lacrosse, Jimmy Ayers will go down in the history books of the school.
The hockey center led the Eagles — who advanced to the Division 1 semifinals — in points (30) and goals (17). In lacrosse, Ayers graduated as a three-time state champion, got involved with Johns Hopkins and was named one of the top five players by BostonLax.net.
Ayers was also named this year’s Moynihan Lumber Student Athlete of the Year alongside Maggie Sturgis of Masconoment.
David Brown-St Mary’s
Brown, one of Lynn’s top athletes, made it difficult for visitors to get to Manning Field and Tony C. High School.
The football player (Bentley) rushed for 1,254 yards and 21 touchdowns in his senior year, averaging more than eight yards per streak. He also recorded 52 tackles and two interceptions as he will play defense at Bentley.
In basketball, Brown averaged 15 points, seven assists, six rebounds and three steals per game, leading the Spartans who were one game away from winning another state championship.
Coco Clopton-Swampscott
Just put a stick in her hands. The Swampscott field hockey and lacrosse star was there this year and the numbers show it.
Clopton recorded three goals and 14 assists in field hockey. She was named a Northeastern Conference All-Star and helped lead the Big Blue to the Division 3 State Tournament.
Even in the spring, production did not slow down. Just look at the game against Beverly, where Clopton (4 goals, 2 assists) scored the game-winning goal, or her hat-trick against Hamilton-Wenham.
Connor CroninMarblehead
Talk about a fan favorite. Piper Field in Marblehead has been a home away from home for the past four years for Cronin, who graduated as one of the school’s most decorated athletes in history.
The attacking behemoth managed 41 balls for 758 yards and entered the end zone six times in football. Two seasons later, he was named NEC Lacrosse Player of the Year, breaking Marblehead’s one-season scoring record (131).
Alex Gentile-Lynnfield
Soccer, basketball, and baseball—there’s not much Gentiles can’t do. He had 21 goals and nine assists in football, was named the Cape Ann League Basketball MVP (13 points, 6.5 rebounds, 4 steals), and baseball coach John O’Brien named him the conference’s top outfielder. Not bad Alex.
From tournament appearances to highlight games, Gentile’s presence in Lynnfield country will be missed.
Vic Mafo—KIPP
Extremely versatile in basketball, he traveled to Amherst to apply for soccer for the UMass Minutemen. Yes, I would say Mafo made good use of his time in KIPP uniforms.
On the hardwood, the senior guard was KIPP’s second-best scorer with 12 points per game, while also providing six assists and nabbing seven rebounds and two steals.
And on Friday night at Manning Field, he had 1,800 all-purpose yards and 16 touchdowns. On defense, he scared the Panthers with 60 tackles and six interceptions.
James Sharkey-Lynnfield
There is hardly a more physical player than Sharkey. Whether it was transporting a defensive back or, well, a lacrosse forward on defense, Sharkey introduced the turf at Pioneer Stadium to many this year.
Sharkey had 80 tackles, seven interceptions, 400 yards and nine touchdowns in football while also being one of the best players on the lacrosse team. His coach for both sports, Pat Lamusta, even calls Sharkey and the equally physical Steven Dreher the “Bash brothers”.
Ava Thurman-Lynn Classical
Thurman must love hosting because she’s very good at it. From soccer’s manning field to basketball’s classical gym, Thurman is leaving Lynn as one of his most decorated athletes.
She scored 44 points for the football team led by Jessica Gambale, who was vocal about how much she loved coaching Thurman.
In basketball, the Suffolk team was then named Co-MVP of the Greater Boston League. What a player she was, from her perimeter defense to her dual threat offensive package.
Brady Warren-Lynn Classic
From youth baseball to the Agganis Games, Warren represented Lynn well. Last season, Warren excelled in golf, basketball and baseball.
On the field, he went unbeaten in league play, including three rounds under par. He was named GBL Player of the Year and led the Rams to the Conference Championship.
Basketball coach Marvin Avery has been full of praise for Warren this season, and in baseball, Warren recently retired as MVP of the Agganis Baseball Game that led South to a 12-4 win.
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