Highlighting the best: South Shore high school rugby all-scholastics

The South Shore was unquestionably the hub of Massachusetts high school rugby in the spring.

The area was home to two state champions - BC High in Division 1 and Weymouth in Div. 2 boys - and a pair of state finalists. The Wildcats successfully completed a three-peat by holding Hanover off. The Weymouth girls also reached the state final, running into a powerhouse program in Belmont.

Of the 13 boys teams that qualified for the state tournament, six hailed from the area.

Let's take a look at the South Shore's top boys and girls rugby players from the 2024 season.

FIRST TEAM

TIMMY CARLSON

Hanover

Senior hooker was a captain and league all-star. ... Helped the Hawks reach the Div. 2 state championship, where they fell to three-time state champion Weymouth. ... "He is a prominent ball carrier and has a very accurate line-out throw," said Hanover coach Andy McLean.

MICHAEL FARROW

Weymouth

Junior fullback had 10 tries in Weymouth's first 6 games. ... That brought his career tally to 16. ... Coach Ryan Casey calls Farrow the 'heart and soul' of the team. ... Helped the Wildcats win state championships each of the last two seasons. ... "The last line of defense and one of the most dangerous counter attackers in the state, he can change a game with his speed, power and intensity," said Casey.

EMMET KELLY

Milton

Senior hooker played every minute for the Wildcats in the front row. ... Three-year varsity starter did not commit a penalty in his career. ... Helped Wildcats finish 5-0 in the regular season and win the Bay State title. ... Most memorable season moment was defeating three-time state champion in the regular season. ... Will attend UMass Lowell in the fall. ... "A true gentle giant who got the job done every day," said Milton coach Joe Dolan.

KATE LOONEY

Weymouth

Senior scrum half led Weymouth in tackles and scored nine tries. ... Helped Wildcats reach the state championship. ... Captain helped build the program from not having enough players to field a full varsity team. ... "Kate leads by example.  She is very dedicated, hard working, and very tough," said Weymouth coach Matt Amonte.

GAVIN MCNICHOLL

BC High

Senior flyhalf led the Eagles in points. ... Had five conversion kicks in the Div. 1 state championship win over Xaverian, 40-38. ... Scored seven tries in the BC High's first nine matches. ... Led the Eagles in defenders beaten. ... Three-year varsity player and two-year starter. ... Two-year selection for New England Free Jacks Academy Team. ... Will play rugby at Fordham University next year. ... "Gavin is the type of player that other teams gameplan around and still manages to have his way," said BC High coach Paul Carty.

More: Champs, once again: BC High holds on to claim program's fourth MIAA rugby state title

JOSHUA RICCIARDI

Milton

Senior prop led Milton's forwards in carries and tackles. ... Three-year starter led the Wildcats in minutes player over that span. ... Most memorable season was battling against three-time state champions Weymouth in a physical match. ... Plans to attend Virginia Tech and wants to play club golf or rugby. ... "Josh's calm demeanor but very physical style of play up front positioned him as the team's anchor and role model," said Milton coach Joe Dolan.

NAHEEM RIDORE

Weymouth

Junior 8-man led the Wildcats in tackles. ... Three-year starter on three state championship teams. ... Tallied 9 tries this spring, bringing his career tally to 24. ... Wants to play football in college. ... "Naheem is the anchor of the team, he’s a quiet leader that plays relentless defense and as an offensive weapon is a coach’s dream player," said Weymouth coach Ryan Casey.

More: Dynasty talk: Weymouth High boys rugby completes three-peat with another state title win

WILL SAVAGE

Weymouth

Senior flyhalf had tallied 124 points heading into the state semifinals. ... Two-time captain graduates with over 300 career points. ... Had 10 tries and 37 conversion kicks in Weymouth's first seven games. ... Three-time state champion will play rugby at Endicott College next spring. ... "Will’s combination of size and speed, coupled with his booming foot completely changes field position and alters the flow of every game," said Weymouth coach Ryan Casey.

MIKE SMITH

BC High

Junior prop led the Div. 1 state-champion Eagles in tries (11). ... Scored two tries in a 40-38 win over Xaverian in the Div. 1 final. ... Captain is a two-year starter. ... Selected for the USA U18 National Team and two-year starter for New England Free Jacks Academy Team. ... Will captain the football team in the fall, where he plays center. ... "Mikey’s impact is obvious on the field, but he has been a leader off the field, building a culture of excellence with players ranging from freshmen to seniors," said BC High coach Paul Carty.

SECOND TEAM

CAMERON AIETA

Weymouth

Junior inside center burst onto the scene in his first year playing rugby. ... Tallied 15 tries in Weymouth's first seven games. ... Scored the winning try in the Wildcats 34-29 state-championship triumph over Hanover.

JAMES BENNETT

Blue Hills

Senior 8-man lead the Warriors with 10 tries. ... Second on the team in solo tackles. ... Most memorable season moment was defeated Chelmsford for the Siwik Cup.

AIDAN BOUTIN

Hanover

Junior 8-man was the Hawks' leading ball-carrier while also leading the Hawks in tries. ... Helped Hanover go undefeated in the league over the last two seasons. ... Most memorable season moment was reaching the state championship.

BELLA HEALY

Weymouth

Senior tallied 11 tries and was second on the team in tackles. ... Helped Wildcats reach the state championship. ... Coach Matt Amonte called Healey the 'heart' of the team.

ANDREW MISKELL

Milton

Senior outside center led the Wildcats in yards gained, scoring, points and tackles made. ... Captain was a three-year starter. ... "Andrew was a consummate rugby player and leader," said Milton coach Joe Dolan.

JUNEAU MOFFORD

Hanover

Junior center was a captain and league all-star. ... Was among Hanover's leaders in tries. ... Helped the Hawks reach the Div. 2 state championship.

CHARLIE THOMISON

BC High

Junior fullback led the Eagles in meters gained. ... Scored 12 tries in 9 matches. ... Two-year starter also plays soccer. ... Helped BC High win the Div. 1 state championship.

CONOR WALSH

Marshfield

Junior fly-half tied for the team lead in tries and was the Rams' primary conversion kicker. ... Three-year rugby player also captains Marshfield's soccer team.

HONORABLE MENTION

Josh Cullivan, Weymouth

Nathan Ehui, Milton

Nunzio Minasi, Hanover

Angie Palmer, Weymouth

James Teeple, Marshfield

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Highlighting the best: South Shore high school rugby all-scholastics