Four MIAA coaches of the year come from MetroWest and Milford
A good coach can make the world of difference.
MetroWest and Milford are home to some of the best.
Four area coaches were honored as their sport's 2022-23 MIAA Coach of the Year. They'll receive formal recognition at a banquet Wednesday at the Doubletree Hotel in Milford.
The list includes state champions, longtime leaders and multi-sport mentors.
Peter Boccia, Milford wrestling
The Scarlet Hawks repeated as both the Division 2 team state champions and Division 2 West champions in 2023. Two Milford wrestlers won divisional state championships, and the Scarlet Hawks placed third at All-States. Under Boccia, Milford has won four Hockomock league titles, including the last two.
The psychology teacher is a two-time MIWCA coach of the year. "I was lucky to have many fantastic Hall of Fame coaches during my time playing and coaching sports at Milford. They taught me what it meant to coach and I learned first hand the impact a coach can have on his players," Boccia wrote. "I strive to be a positive role model and make my wrestlers better on and off the mat. Knowing how many deserving wrestling coaches there are in Massachusetts I am honored to be selected."
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Zach Brown, Franklin baseball
The Panthers have become a powerhouse under Brown, playing in the past two Division 1 state championships. He's led the team since 2014 and accumulated a 159-52 career record, including a state title in 2018 and five Hockomock league championships, including the last two.
Brown has been the USA Today Massachusetts High School Baseball Coach of the Year (2018) and National High School Baseball Coaches Association Region 1 Coach of the Year (2019). "It’s very humbling to be recognized with so many other amazing coaches around the state. I believe that it’s really a program award. I am very fortunate to coach extremely talented players, who are great kids," Brown said. "We have an unbelievable staff, tremendous support from the community and the school. The award is really a reflection of everyone working together towards a common goal. I love this town and Franklin High School. It’s a special place."
John Leighton, Franklin unified basketball
Franklin's philosophy for unified basketball is to create an inclusive and accepting environment where they work together to accomplish goals. Leighton, who has coached unified basketball for five years, and the Panthers run a program large enough to support two teams: Blue and White. They had over 20 athletes and 30 partners involved.
Franklin hosted several MIAA/Special Olympics Massachusetts Unified Basketball Jamborees and is a Special Olympics Unified Champion School, which "reflects the truly inclusive environment found at Franklin," Leighton said. Leighton also coaches the Panthers girls basketball team and is an assistant girls lacrosse coach. "This is a true honor for our program. Wins and losses do not really define a successful season," Leighton said. "We try to work with all of our team members regardless of their diverse disabilities to become the best players they can be. In this endeavor, we have found our greatest success in the social bonds built between athletes and partners."
Unified front: Algonquin, Marlborough Unified basketball teams shine on court
Julie Nocka, Lincoln-Sudbury girls swimming & diving
The Warriors captured the Division 1 state title a season ago behind two relay victories. Lincoln-Sudbury also won the Dual County League Thorpe championship, as well. Nocka has been a coach for over 20 years and believes in "the importance of high school sports and the well-rounded development of the student athlete," according to her philosophy in the banquet handbook. She also officiates lacrosse and field hockey. The Central Mass Field Hockey Coaches Association named her the Official of the Year in 2004 during a 30-year career. Nocka's coaching resume also includes crew, field hockey, cross country, indoor track, lacrosse and soccer.
In addition, Franklin girls lacrosse coach Kristen Igoe was named the NFHS sectional coach of the year. The Panthers reached the Division 1 Final Four as a No. 7 seed.
She has won 10 Hockomock league titles and four MIAA sectional championships. Igoe was named the Hockomock coach of the year three times. She also hosts Franklin Youth Girls lacrosse clinics and is the Eastern Massachusetts Girls Lacrosse Association president.
This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Four MetroWest & Milford area coaches named MIAA Coach of the Year
