Benz to SNHU
Pinkerton Academy Eagle-Tribune All-Star Brooke Benz will contiue her basketball at Southern New Hampshire University, the school announces this week.
Already a three-year starter at forward for the Astros, Benz is coming off a stellar junior season where she was named to the Division I All-Defensive team and Division I All-State Honorable Mention. He tallied 235 points and 140 rebounds, while always guarding the opponent’s best player.
This past winter, the SNHU women’s basketball roster featured a pair of locals, freshman guard/forward Samantha Pfeil, a former Methuen superstar, and graduate student Stephanie Davis of Windham and Proctor Academy.
NBA Finals local tie
The 2025 NBA Finals has a local connection.
Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault played football at Leominster High School (class of 2003), where his coach was John Dubzinski Sr., the father of longtime North Andover High football coach and teacher John Dubzinski.
The older Dubzinski went on to work as an assistant coach for North Andover under his son. John Jr., led the Scarlet Knights for 10 years, earning 59 wins and the 2018 state title before stepping down following the 2024 season spend more time with his family.
Daccord earns gold
North Andover’s Joey Daccord helped Team USA Hockey snap a 92-year dry spell, by winning its first gold medal at the IIHF Men’s World Championship since 1933.
The Seattle Kraken starting netminder appeared in three games for Team USA, posting a .919 save percentage and a 2.00 Goals-against average. He shared the goalie job with the Bruins’ Jeremy Swayman.
Marshall on a tear
Former Pinkerton Academy Eagle-Tribune baseball MVP Jackson Marshall continues to rake at the plate. He was named Futures Collegiate Baseball League Player of the Week last week after opening the season a scorching 6 for 18 with two doubles, two home runs, eight RBIs and five runs scored for the Worcester Bravehearts. Marshall is current in the transfer portal after a monster freshman season for Southern New Hampshire.
One Final Thought
As Michael Muldoon used to say, “If you can bring a smile to someone’s face today, just do it!
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