Charlestown, New Mission and Boston Latin School Bring Home State Championship

Boston, Mass. – Monday, March 18, 2024 – Last weekend, Charlestown and New Mission High Schools won the Division Three and Division Five Boys Basketball State Championships, while Boston Latin School clinched the Division Two Boys State Championship in Hockey.

“We are so proud of Charlestown, New Mission, and BLS,” said Superintendent Mary Skipper. “Boston is the City of Champions and these players reminded everyone that that rings truer today than ever before. Congratulations to everyone in BPS basketball and hockey for a great season.”

After a record breaking regular season and a commanding postseason run, the Charlestown Townies bested the Old Rochester Bulldogs 61-40 at the Tsongas Center. It was a lights out performance from sophomore point guard Jaylen Hunter-Coleman and junior forward Jaylin Williams Crawford, who played classic, Charlestown defensive basketball, dominating inside the paint, keeping the Bulldogs at bay throughout the game.

“These boys put in the work and it paid off,” said Charlestown Townies Basketball Coach Hugh Colman. “This is a great day for the C-Town community and as a Charlestown alum, a BPS parent, and a former player on this very team, I could not be more proud.”

In Division Five, the New Mission Titans bested the Hoosac Valley Hurricanes 57-49, capping off an exceptional season, bringing home the state title for the fifth time. After the Hurricanes took an early lead in the first quarter, senior Jamari Toney-Simmons posted an incredible 17 points, including eight points in the fourth quarter, helping to shut out the Hurricanes.

“This is all about teamwork,” said Toney-Simmons. “I believed in my teammates and they carried us to victory.”

“This means everything to us,” said New Mission Senior Lawrence Davis. “We just won it all!”

Off the paint and on the ice, the Boston Latin School Wolfpack defeated Tewksbury Memorial High 4-2 after an incredible third period comeback. Trailing 2-1, junior Billy Cunniffe, Captain Aidan Fitzpatrick, and Captain Matt Carrera roared back with three goals in under five minutes, bringing home BLS’ second state title in school history, their first was back in 2005.

“I’m very proud of this group who showed resilience and mental toughness not only in this game, but all season long, “ said Coach Frank Woods of Boston Latin School. “ We are proud to represent BLS and high school hockey in the City of Boston.”

“This is a huge accomplishment for our teams, school communities and the City of Boston.” said BPS Director of Athletics Avery Esdaile. “It is a long season and many teams in the state have a goal of winning a state title.  Our teams embraced the challenge, competed against some of the best teams in Massachusetts and were successful at the highest level. This is a testament to their grit, their perseverance and their commitment to each other as a team.”

“We are so proud of all of our BPS athletes,” said Boston School Committee Chairperson Jeri Robinson. “This is such a great day for BPS and I want to congratulate every player at Charlestown, New Mission, and BLS for their hard work and dedication.”