Thursday, May 16, 2013
The coach, who lead his team to the postseason in all eight of his seasons, cited conflict with his duties as a firefighter as the resign for stepping down.
Wilmington High School girls basketball head coach Jay Keane confirmed on Thursday that he stepped down from his position after eight consistently victorious seasons with the Lady Wildcats. Keane is currently a captain for the Somerville Fire Department, and is likely to be promoted in the next several weeks to district chief. Keane said it would be nearly impossible to find the time to fill both roles simultaneously. As a result, Keane told Athletics Director Ed Harrison of his decision late last week before meeting with a group of his players who are eligible to return next season. “There’s never an easy way to say it. It was really hard for me,” said Keane. “I genuinely care about these kids and I always want to be there for them. They …
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Wilmington High School
159 Church St, Wilmington, MA
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Friday, March 8, 2013
The Wilmington High School girls basketball team trailed by double digits and pulled within one point in the fourth quarter before falling to undefeated state champion Reading.
In the North Division 2 girls basketball semifinals, David ran out of steam just when Goliath was on the ropes. But it was an impressive effort nonetheless. Wilmington High School took on the role of the massive underdog heading into a match up with unbeaten defending state champion Reading on Thursday night, and things looked bleak with the Rockets leading by 16 points in the second half. But slowly, the Lady Wildcats chipped away until Michelle Woods drained a three-pointer to pull the team within one point. A Reading turnover later and Wilmington suddenly had the ball with the chance to take the lead early in the final quarter. Reading showed its veteran experience, however, as it took over from there and went on to a 63-51 victory to …
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Wilmington High School
159 Church St, Wilmington, MA
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Monday, March 4, 2013
Wilmington High School pushed past Danvers, 54-47, in the North Division 2 quarterfinal round on Sunday and will next face unbeaten Reading.
After losing the lead it held for much of the North Division 2 quarterfinal, there was no quit in the Wilmington High School girls basketball team. They'd been there, done that. The Lady Wildcats leaned on the experience they gained in reaching last year's semifinal round to do the same on Sunday. After Danvers knotted the score at 47-47 with just over one minute to play, Michelle Woods hit several critical shots and Wilmington scored the rest of the game's points en route to a 53-47 win. Woods led the locals with 20 points. Thanks to the victory, the Wildcats earned a date with unbeaten top seed Reading, which is seeking a second consecutive state championship behind Olivia Healy, considered by most the top player in the state. Tip off …
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Wilmington High School
159 Church St, Wilmington, MA
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Thursday, February 28, 2013
Wilmington High School blew out visiting Chelsea, 65-28, in the opening round of the playoffs to move on to a Sunday tilt.
The Wilmington High School girls basketball team made itself right at home at Shawsheen Tech. Playing its playoff opener in Billerica due to the gym demolition, the Lady Wildcats jumped on Chelsea early and often and cruised to a 65-28 victory in the North Division 2 first round. Hot shooting to start the game helped the locals score more in the first half than Chelsea did in the entire game. Michelle Woods and Alex Derian had 12 points apiece to lead the way for the Wildcats. Thanks to the win, Wilmington will face either No. 5 Danvers or No. 12 Gloucester in the quarterfinal round on Sunday. The Wildcats will host the game at 4 p.m., though the location has yet to be determined. Are you a big fan of the Wildcats? You'll also want to see:
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Wilmington High School
159 Church St, Wilmington, MA
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Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Despite a 2-6 start to the season, the Wilmington girls basketball team is heading back to the postseason this year.
A strong group of seven seniors was honored before last night's Wilmington girls basketball game. But it was a pair of juniors who jolted the Wildcats to a postseason berth. Carli and Christa Brent combined for 30 of the team's points in a 47-37 victory over Wakefield that was the team's 10th of the season. That sealed a playoff spot for the locals, depsite a 2-6 start to the campaign. "Even at 2-6, we were right there," said head coach Jay Keane. "It was just about finding a way to compliment each other. We're just moving the ball around a little more and being patient on offense, and as simple as that sounds, it's helped us turn things around." Among the seniors who were honored before the game was Michelle Woods, who chipped in eight …
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Wilmington High School
159 Church St, Wilmington, MA
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Seven girls basketball players were recognized on Senior Night on Tuesday against Wakefield.
Senior Night lasted longer than any other during Jay Keane's tenure. It is, after all, the largest senior class the girls basketball coach has had in Wilmington. "I've never had seven before and it's kind of fun," said Keane. "They've dedicated themselves to this program for four years, and that means a lot to me." The Wildcats made Senior Night count, earning a 47-37 win that clinched a playoff berth despite a 2-6 start to the season. Wakefield hopped out early to a 5-0 edge, but the hosts took over from there. Check back later Tuesday for complete coverage of the game. "Senior Nights are emotional and you tend to come out slow," said Keane. "Once we got over that emotion, I think you saw us turn that around halfway through the first …
Monday, December 10, 2012
The Wilmington girls basketball team tips off its regular season on Friday at home against Woburn.
Many of the faces on this year’s girls basketball team are familiar. Head coach Jay Keane hopes the results follow suit. Eight players return from last year’s team that made a deep postseason run. Despite the loss of Middlesex League MVP Emily Cranell to graduation, the Wildcats have high expectations entering the current campaign. “We have a good core of experienced players,” said Keane. “It’s important to know how to win. We’ve proven with our freshmen and JV teams who are historically having winning seasons that we’re capable of doing that. The more they win, the more it becomes an expectation. That’s the kind of program we’ve built.” Senior captains Michelle Woods and Alex Derian lead the charge of veteran Wildcats. Rounding out the …
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Lady Wildcats erase halftime deficit to beat Belmont and earn 10th win of the year.
There are still seven games remaining in the regular season for the Wilmington girls basketball team. But head coach Jay Keane's charges already know they're adding at least one more game to the schedule. On Tuesday, the Lady Wildcats erased a 28-22 deficit at the intermission, and turned on the jets in the second half to snag a 56-47 victory. With the win, the locals are now 10-3 and qualified for the Division 2 playoffs. "There was a lot excitement after the game, and I let them enjoy that moment," said Keane. "Starting (Wednesday), we have to get right back to work. But qualifying for the playoffs in just 13 games is a tremendous accomplishment for the girls." The victory also helped Wilmington keep pace with Melrose and other teams …
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Wilmington High School
159 Church St, Wilmington, MA
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Saturday, January 21, 2012
Girls hoops thumps visiting Burlington, 48-28.
Jay Keane's Wilmington girls basketball team aced chemistry this year. And Wildcats' reward for their high marks will soon be a trip to the postseason. The locals are just one win from clinching a playoff berth thanks to a 48-28 thumping of visiting Burlington on Friday night. Wilmington allowed just six points in the first half and never looked back during the blowout. As she has throughout the campaign, Emily Crannell led all scorers with 21 markers. She was followed by Jen Stewart who had six points of her own and played well on the glass. In total, 10 Willmington players found the scorebook. With the win, Keane's charges are now 9-3 on the year, 4-1 in Middlesex League Small School Division play. That mark is good for first place in …
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Wilmington High School
159 Church St, Wilmington, MA
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Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Girls basketball lets double digit lead dwindle before earning 56-53 win.
The Wilmington High School girls basketball team went to Florida and all they brought back was the confidence to keep winning games. Following a successful trip to the Sunshine State that saw the Lady Wildcats grab a second place tournament finish, Wilmington continued its recent winning ways on Tuesday with a 56-53 win over visiting Stoneham. It was the first Middlesex League Small School Division contest for both teams, and thanks to the win, the Wildcats improved to 5-2 on the year. As she has throughout the early going, Emily Crannell led the way for the locals. She poured home 23 points on the evening as the only Wilmington player in double digits. Following Crannell's output, the scoring was balanced throughout the roster. Meaghan …
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Wilmington High School
159 Church St, Wilmington, MA
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Kevin MacDonald
6:32 am on Friday, May 17, 2013
Eight consistently victorious seasons!!! This guy knows how to win. I would propose taking a hard look into this guy's ability as a leader in the fire fighting profession. He is about to be made Fire Chief and is leaving coaching basketball. The problem is that it's not in Wilmington. It would seem logical to me that he may be able to make our fire department a winner. If there was leadership on … more ›