MIAA to Revisit Decision to Drop Boys' Gymnastics

The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association voted in January to drop boys' gymnastics from its roster for sponsored sports.

The Newton North and Newton South boys' gymnastics teams may have a chance at another official season.  The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) recently voted 7-2 to reconsider its decision to drop boys' gymnastics as an official high school sport, according to a report in the Boston.com High School Sports Blog.  Citing low participation numbers, the MIAA voted on January 16 to end sanctioned competition for the seven boys' gymnastics teams in the state. The seven schools with boys' gymnastics teams include: Newton North, Newton South, Braintree, Burlington, Lowell, Attleboro and Andover.  Richard Ellis, coach of the Braintree High School boys gymnastics team, and Braintree Athletic Director Michael Denise, presented …

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How to Get Your Spring Sports Team Featured on Newton Patch

Have info to share on your favorite sports team? It's easy to get it featured on Newton Patch.

What's Happening

Five Things You Need to Know Today: April 5

Local theatre, an art reception and a softball home opener.

1. Art reception. The New Art Center will host an opening reception tonight for its latest exhibit, "From the City to the World." The exhibit features "urban art" – artwork that reflects on city life – by four visual artists and several writers and video makers. Tonight's reception will be held from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. 2. Pinkberry is OPEN. The frozen yogurt shop officially opens to the public today at The Street in Chestnut Hill. It's located behind the new Shake Shack in the former Rugged Bear building, 49 Boylston St. A celebration was held last night where patrons received free froyo.  3. Theatre Ink presents..."Spontaneous Generation" tonight at 7:30 p.m. The show will run April 3-6 at Newton North High School's Little Theatre. Tickets …

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What's Happening

Five Things You Need to Know Today: April 4

A budget public hearing, a BJFF film screening and yoga for your health.

1. "Koch." The Boston Jewish Film Festival will present the film "Koch" tonight in Newton. The film, an "intimate" look at the late New York City Mayor Ed Koch, will start at 7 p.m. at the West Newton Cinema. Tickets will be available at the door. 2. Yoga for Your Health. The Newton Health & Human Services Dept. will host a 'Yoga for Your Health' event today from noon - 7 p.m. in the War Memorial at City Hall. The event will include a panel discussions and information sessions on yoga as well as classes. The event is open to everyone, regardless of experience. For more information, visit the event website or call 617-796-1420. 3. Get your spring sports teams covered on Newton Patch! Looking to get your high school, middle school or …

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Newton Basketball Playoff Run Comes to an End

The Newton South girls' basketball team and Newton North boys' basketball team both played semifinal matches last night.

After beating the odds for three post-season victories, the No. 17 Newton South girls' basketball team ended their South Div. 1 playoff run last night with a 54-53 semifinal loss to No. 4 Franklin.  Meanwhile, the No. 2 Newton North boys' basketball team fell to No. 6 North Quincy in a South Div. 1 semifinal match last night, ending their season with a 51-47 loss at UMass Boston. Over at Massasoit-brockton, the Lions led early on in the game. Franklin would eventually come back to lead at the end of the half and at the end of the third quarter, according to the NSHS Denebola game story. South kept battling back, though, and tied it up at 52 all with three minutes to go in the game.  As the clock wound down, Franklin and South traded free-…

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Newton Athletes Take Home Two New England Track & Field Championship Titles

The 26th New England Track & Field Championships were held on Saturday, March 2 at the Reggie Lewis Track & Athletic Center in Boston.

Newton came home with a pair of championship titles and a few top achievements following Saturday's New England Track & Field Championships in Boston.  Newton South senior Jung Park placed first in the boys' 55-meter hurdle race, finishing ahead of Isaiah McEwen of Bloomfield, Conn. and Ben Colello of Lincoln-Sudbury, Mass., according to stats provided by MileSplit Mass. Park also took home the 55-meter hurdle title at the all-state tournament on Feb. 23.  Newton's second championship title went to Newton North senior Carl Whitham, who finished first in the boys' shot put. Whitham topped second place finisher Evan Dombrowski of St. John's Prep (Mass.) and Jared Bell of Deering, Maine. Whitham had finished third in the all-state tournament …

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Newton South Girls' Basketball Shocks Cross-Town Rival in Playoff Victory

The Lions faced the Newton North Tigers Wednesday night at Newton North

In a thrilling overtime finish, the No. 17 Newton South girls' basketball team (11-10) defeated No. 1 Newton North Wednesday night, 49-45, securing a spot for the Lions in the South Div. 1 quarterfinals.  Although Newton South came in as the underdogs, they jumped on their opponents early on in the game, taking a 7-0 lead in the first quarter, the Newton South Denebola reported.  Going into the half, North had a 20-18 lead, but the Lions regained ground and had a 35-33 lead heading into the final quarter, the Denebola reported. After trading the lead in the fourth quarter, North eventually tied it up and the two teams went into overtime.  Once the teams were into extra time, both senior captain Kayla Burton and junior Lauren Levey sunk …

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Newton North, South Basketball Teams Headed to Playoffs

The Newton North girls' ice hockey team will also head to the Div. 1 playoffs.

Newton will be well-represented in this year's South Div. 1 basketball playoffs, as all four teams from Newton North and Newton South are headed to the post-season.  The Newton North girls' team landed the top spot in this year's South Div. 1 tournament with a 19-1 regular season record. The team has a bye in the preliminary round and will play a first round game on Wednesday, Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. at Newton North. The No. 1 Tigers will face the winner of a Newton South-Taunton game played earlier in the week. With an 18-3 regular season record, the Newton North boys' team was seeded in the No. 2 spot in the South Div. 1 tournament and has a bye in the preliminary round. The Tigers will face No. 15 Madison Park (8-8) in a first round match on …

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Newton South Boys' Hockey Team Close to First Playoff Bid in 17 Years

The Lions need to tie or win against Lowell on Friday in oder to make it to the playoffs.

It's been 17 years since the Newton South boys' hockey team found its name in a playoff bracket -- but this year may be different. The Lions need just one point to make it to the state tournament, meaning that they need either a win or a tie against top-seeded Lowell this Friday, Feb. 22. "It's exciting," says Head Coach Chris Ryberg. "The kids are excited to face a team that is in our league -- that will make [the game] all the more sweet." Friday's game against No. 2 Lowell will be held at 4 p.m. in the Tsongas Arena in Lowell. Fans are encouraged to attend and to cheer on the Newton South team. The young varsity squad is currently 4-4-1 in the Dual County/Merrimack Valley League and 8-8-1 overall, which amounts to a total of 19 points …

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Newton Students Earn All-Scholastic Honors

The Boston Globe named student athletes to its fall All-Scholastic honors list

Three students from Newton South, Newton North and Newton Country Day School were named in this year's Boston Globe Fall All-Scholastic Honors.  Newton South freshman Rebecca Grusby was recognized for her work on the South girls' cross country team. According to the All-Scholastic write-ups in the Globe, Grusby started the season by sweeping the freshman course at the Frank Kelly Invitational. In addition, she won the Bob McIntyre Twilight meet, finished second in the Dual County Championship and Eastern Mass. Division 1 race and finished fifth in the Div. 1 All-State meet. Newton North senior Keane Brazda was honored as an All-Scholastic for her work on the girls' volleyball team. According to the Globe, Brazda had 300 assists and 250 …

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