Coaches Reflect With Gym Demolition Approaching
The final game ever in the Wilmington High School gym is slated for Tuesday night.
Tuesday’s girls basketball game has the potential to be an important one as Wilmington can clinch a postseason berth with a win against last place Wakefield. Regardless of the score, however, it’s a game that’ll go into the school’s history books.
The tilt will be the final game ever played in the current high school, as the gymnasium will be demolished next week when students are out of school for February vacation.
A fundraiser will be held after Tuesday’s game as teams can pay $10 per person to play one final scrimmage on the hardwood. Proceeds will go to fund banners for the new school.
Wilmington coaches reminisced in recent days about the action the building has seen since it opened several decades ago.
“I love this gym. There were so many good memories here,” said boys basketball coach Joe Maiella. “It’s exciting for the kids and exciting for the town to have a brand new gym being built.”
Maiella said some of his favorite memories were playoff games with close to 1,000 fans in attendance, winning a league championship with a victory over North Andover, and the magical moment when Kevin Mitchell scored his only high school point on Senior Night.
Like his fellow head coach, Lady Wildcats mentor Jay Keane said playoff performances and consistent crowds are what stood out to him during his coaching tenure. One game in particular Keane remembers was a playoff buzzer beater that helped his team advance on its road towards a Tsongas Center appearance.
Keane is among the coaches who believe that it’s a worthwhile trade off giving up a few years of home games for a sparkling new facility.
“It’s a sacrifice, but one we’re willing to make because it’s going to be worth it in the long run,” said Keane.
Wrestling coach Mike Pimental has been with the Wildcats for close to 20 years, and has seen his share of memorable meets take place on the mats of what he called a great home venue.
While his teams won’t be able to wrestle in their home gym for the next two years during construction, Pimental said it will be worth it in the end.
“It’ll be tough for the next two years to not have that opportunity to perform at home,” said Pimental. “But it’s going to be the great opportunity to move into a new building and start new memories.”
Kevin MacDonald
6:24 am on Monday, February 11, 2013
The Coaches should speak up and tell the voters that this demolition is extremely offensive and disrespectful to all the athletes and students. To do this in the middle of the school year with all the activities can only be a decision made by hack Town Officials. There is still no Plan for an oil spill clean up except to leave it and build a massive storm water drainage system directly abutting it. Every one should put in a public records request to the School superintendent for all costs associated with this proposed project. At $175,000 per year, I believe she owes at least this to the tax payers. Put it on the web site and show that it's not a cover up. People should also find out which contractors and contracts are not being put on the Central register for competitive bidding.
Mr Underhill
2:39 pm on Monday, February 11, 2013
I agree ripping down the gym during the school year will be disruptive. If only they had tried to start the high school project earlier like during the summer. Wait.......
Greg Pots
8:04 am on Monday, February 11, 2013
the most memorable moment in the high school gym was watching Kevin MacDonald getting thrown out of a town meeting. Please just move to some remote location, preferably Alaska. Hear they have lots of underground oil spills to clean up
Stacie
8:52 am on Monday, February 11, 2013
Can't wait for a new HS!!
So many memories I could share
Richard Jertz
9:49 am on Monday, February 11, 2013
I know it feels like Kevin is repeating himself. Maybe because he is. He does have a right to speak. I do agree that when he got thrown out of the town meeting, that was the best memory.
John Bonish
10:02 am on Monday, February 11, 2013
My favorite moment was watching Kevin Mitchell hit a free throw two years ago. I still get goose bumps thinking about that game.
martin t
12:54 pm on Monday, February 11, 2013
Where will these wilmington high teams play their home games for the next two years??