North's Al Pettway named Coach of the Year at Central Mass High School Sports Awards
Al Pettway, the boys basketball coach at North High School, won Coach of the Year honors last week at the Central Mass High School Sports Awards, presented by DCU-Digital Federal Credit Union.
Other finalists were Frank Panarelli of Shrewsbury High School and Kelly Rosborough of Uxbridge.
Pettway knew during December tryouts that the 2022-23 North boys’ basketball team was special. He told his talented players then that if they came to practice every day, worked hard, shared the ball, played defense and stuck together as a family, they would have a chance to make history. With Pettway’s leadership, encouragement and teaching, the Polar Bears did just that.
In March, North made its first state final appearance since 1980, and defeated Needham to become the first Division 1 public school from Worcester to win a state title. Pettway, in his 21st season at North, challenged his team at a national tournament in Florida early in the season, and, back in Massachusetts, guided the Polar Bears to a 23-0 record against in-state competition.
After North beat Needham, 73-64, to cap its tremendous 24-2 season, Pettway’s players gave him a very deserving Gatorade shower and he told them, “You have something to celebrate tonight.”
The Central Mass High School Sports Awards are part of the USA TODAY High School Sports Awards program, the largest of its kind in the nation with regional shows and now a national show later this summer.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: North's Al Pettway Coach of the Year at Central Mass High School Sports Awards
