Franklin October 2018

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Page 22 Franklin Local Town Pages www.localtownpages.com October 2018 CHARRON Tree Service BELLINGHAM, MA 508-883-8823 FREE ESTIMATES • FULLY INSURED KEVIN LEMIRE, OWNER 1060 Pulaski Blvd., Bellingham, MA 02019 Licensed & Insured • COMMERICAL & RESIDENTIAL • TREE REMOVAL BY BUCKET TRUCK /CRANE • LAND CLEARING • STUMP GRINDING • STORM DAMAGE • SNOW REMOVAL • FIREWOOD SALES CharronTreeCompany.com CharronTreeService@yahoo.com Free Estimates Sports Franklin Played Big Role in Copeland Landing Medway Hoop Job By KEN HAMWEY, Staff Sports Writer Eric Copeland’s roots run deep in Medway but the 44-yearold Franklin police detective, who’s been selected as Medway High’s new boys’ basketball coach, will always remember the significant role a pair of Franklin High coaches played in sharpening his technique and preparing him for a head-coaching position. Former Franklin High coach Dean O’Connor and the Panthers’ current coach, CJ Neely, both had Copeland on their staffs, and for 12 years, he worked as a freshman coach, a varsity assistant and last year as the Panthers’ jayvee coach. Copeland, who also has been a freshman and jayvee coach at Medway, hasn’t forgotten how much O’Connor and Neely influenced his philosophy and coaching style. “I learned a lot about preparation and practice planning from Dean,’’ Copeland said. “He allowed me to give a lot of input during practice planning stages and would always explain what he was thinking and what benefit he expected the team to get from it.’’ Copeland truly appreciated the opportunity he got to coach for Neely, whose last two seasons ended with appearances in the Division 1 state finals. “CJ puts in an incredible amount of time in preparation for every aspect of the program,’’ Copeland noted. “His opponent preparation is what I found to be most impressive. The amount of film review and live scouting was certainly a huge part of our postseason success last year. Both Dean and CJ have a great ability to connect on a personal level with the kids they coach, not just with the X’s and O’s.’’ Neely is quick to credit Medway for hiring Copeland and is very effusive in lauding the Mustangs’ new coach. “Eric is one of the most dedicated, loyal and passionate guys I have ever worked with,’’ Neely said. “He never shies away from the hardest parts of the job and has a unique way of connecting with young people. He has high expectations of his players, especially in regard to their effort and attitude. He has a way of making the game fun while helping kids learn how to become better people. Medway got a great coach and is fortunate to have a former Mustang who lives in town and knows what it takes to be successful at Medway High and in the Tri Valley League. I’m so happy for Eric on this well-deserved selection.’’ Copeland played basketball and soccer at Medway High, graduated in 1992, then returned to coach freshman and jayvee basketball for the Mustangs after earning his degree in criminal justice at Western New England College in Springfield. Married and the father of three, he still lives in town with his wife and three children. After 20 years of sub-varsity coaching experience, Copeland will succeed Jason Rojee, who stepped down to devote more time to his family. Copeland coached the Medway frosh squad for three years, and he’s coached the jayvees on two separate occasions. Taking the reins of a varsity program seems like a good fit for both Copeland and Medway High. When he last coached the jayvees at Medway (2014-2017), his teams experienced three winning seasons, one of which was an undefeated campaign. “I’ve learned a lot from some terrific coaches,’’ Copeland said. “It’s not all about winning when coaching freshmen and jayvees — it’s about developing talent. I strived to develop kids to be a positive part of a program’s philosophy. As a sub-varsity coach, it’s important to get players to buy into a team-first concept and to build positive relationships.’’ Copeland has had some topnotch mentors who sharpened his coaching acumen. Besides Neely and O’Connor, he worked for Don Grimes and Rojee at Medway and he played for Brett New Medway Coach and 18-year Franklin Police Dept. veteran Eric Copeland hasn’t coached a varsity game yet, but chances are good that Medway High’s basketball program will continue to be formidable and successful. Bishop, his coach at Western New England, whom he regards as a plus. “Copeland also has a solid grip on other aspects that lead to winning. “My goals are for our program to be respected for our work ethic and the type of kids we have,’’ he said. “I also want to build a strong relationship with the youth program in town. Competing for the Tri Valley League Small Division title is another objective along with qualifying for the tourney.’’ Copeland’s teams will have a specific on-court style that will stress defense. “We’ll take pride in our ability to defend,’’ he emphasized. “I also like to fastbreak and be up-tempo on offense. We’ll attack the basket and be sound in our shot selection.’’ Some of his strengths include preparation, organization, employing strategy and having a sharp basketball IQ. “My coaching philosophy is about building positive relationships, helping players reach their potential and enjoying their athletic experience,’’ Copeland noted. “If those things occur, then winning will follow.’’ When Copeland played at Medway, he earned TVL all-star honors as a senior in basketball, and he competed as a midfielder in soccer, playing on the 1991 state championship team. He was a captain in both sports. At Western New England College, Copeland played four years of varsity basketball, starting for 2½ years at point guard. He was a captain twice for the Golden Bears. Copeland, who’s an 18-year veteran of the Franklin Police Department, was a leader then and he’s ready to lead again — this time as a varsity coach. The Eric Copeland era gets underway on Dec. 14 when the Mustangs host Norwood. And, it no doubt will mirror some aspects of Franklin High’s rich style and tradition.
October 2018 Franklin Local Town Pages www.localtownpages.com Page 23 36 MO. LEASE $ 169/ MO NEW Summer Savings +TAX $5,108 SAVINGS OF OVER 2018 FORD ESCAPE AUTO, PW, PL, CD, AC. Stk. #59555 MSRP .................. $24,845 FORD REBATES ........... $3,750 Franklin Ford DISCOUNT .. $1,358 YOU PAY $ 19,377 36 MO. LEASE $ 239/ MO NEW +TAX $7,114 SAVINGS OF OVER 2018 FORD EXPLORER XLT 4X4 ECOBOOST, ALLOYS, SYNC. Stk. #86501 YOU PAY MSRP .................. $38,655 FORD REBATES ........... $5,000 Franklin Ford DISCOUNT .. $2,114 36 month lease, 10,500 miles/yr. $3,000 in Cash or Trade due at start, tax, title, first payment and fees extra. Must finance with dealer and qualify for all applicable rebates. Sports $ 31,541 FRANKLIN FORD BIG CITY DEALS WITH A HOMETOWN FEEL! 175 EAST CENTRAL STREET FRANKLIN, MA 02038 508-520-3600 WWW.FRANKLINFORD.COM WE BUY USED CARS Even if you don’t buy ours! For a Free Appraisal Call Bob Defense is Key to Defending Tri County Girls’ Soccer Title By Christopher Tremblay, Staff Sports Writer Over the past four seasons, the Tri County girls’ soccer team has been able to qualify for the Division 3 South Tournament, putting together a 35-26-6 regular season record. However, once in the tournament, the Cougars have not fared all that well, getting knocked out in the first round all four years by a combined score of 21-4. Last fall, Tri County lost to Bristol Plymouth 5-3 in the MIAA tournament after having captured the Division 3 State Vocational Championship for the first time in Coach Mark Spillane’s 9-year tenure with TC. And although TC now has the trophy to acknowledge their championship season, it wasn’t something that the Coach was chasing, so to speak. “You’re always hoping to win a championship, but at the beginning of the season, I didn’t really think we had a chance,” Spillane said. “I knew that there was always that slight chance, but there were so many good teams in our league, it would be difficult.” Spillane’s mind changed when his Cougars defeated Norfolk Aggie in the first round of the tournament, and at that point, he knew the team’s chances were good. As Tri County looks to defend their Vocational Title this fall, Spillane has a different outlook than he had last season. “We’ve only lost three seniors from last year’s team, including defender and league MVP Amanda Merigo and Bella Leonardi, who scored 49 goals for us,” the coach said. “In addition to our returners, we also have some The outlook for Tri-County girls’ soccer has brightened since their Vocational Championship last year. Coach Mark Spillane things the team brings strength this year. young athletes coming in this year who should help. If we play as a team this year, we will be good and once again have a shot at the championship.” Two important returners that Spillane will look to guide this year’s squad will be captains Jill Plante and Alana Kessler. According to the coach, Plante will lead the offense this season, while looking to fill the big shoes of Leonardi and Kessler will be the mainstay on defense. Kessler is a true competitor and always gives 110% on the field and should give the Cougars an advantage with her speed. In addition to the captains, the Cougars have a strong junior class and Spillane is looking for these players to aid in the scoring. The three biggest names will be Emily Foley, a Mayflower League All Star last fall as a defender and Julia Hutchinson and Karoline McNamara, both outside midfielders. Although the juniors will be looked upon to put the ball behind the opposition’s keeper as much as they can, Spillane knows that they don’t need a lot of scoring to win. “Offense is not really needed when defense is our number one offense,” Spillane said. “The girls do not allow the opposition to get into our end all that much, and when they do, we have Chloe (Lynch, the team’s senior goalie).” Lynch is entering her third year as the Cougars keeper, and over that time she has been able to keep Tri County in striking range for just about everyone games. The senior goalie always gives her team a chance to win. In front of Lynch, Spillane will have Kessler, Foley and sophomore Annie Yeaton, who will be playing in her second year for the Cougars. Another senior who will have a hand or a foot in helping the team get back to the championship game will be center midfielder Emily Pion. “Emily is the glue that keeps us together,” the TC Coach said. “She controls where we go, whether it is to get back on defense or attack offensively. Shew is a true leader by example on the field.” Having lost in the MIAA tournament in the first round on numerous occasions Spillane had put Whitinsville-Christian on their schedule the past few year to try and give team the experience of playing higher division teams. With the makeup of this year’s squad having the experience of a making a run for a championship Spillane is hoping that the girls can once again find themselves amongst the top of the Mayflower League, which in turn will give them the opportunity to defend their State Vocational Championship.
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Franklin October 2018

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