'Without him, nothing would be possible': Pettway leads North hoops to another state title game

BOSTON — As Al Pettway addressed his team in the locker room following an emotional playoff win Wednesday night, the North High boys’ basketball coach started to cry.

“We’ve been through a lot,” Pettway said before catching his composure and tapping his chest. “You guys had life, maybe that was Carl.”

Carl is Carl-Hens Beliard. He was the lone senior from last year’s state championship team. On Nov. 1, Beliard died from gunshot wounds suffered in a shooting in Salem.

This season, the Polar Bears are playing in honor of their fallen former teammate.

So after a wild 60-52 win over No. 5 Xaverian in overtime during Wednesday night’s Division 1 state semifinal, the top-seeded Polar Bears were thinking of Beliard.

“We’re going to the state championship,” Pettway said. “We got life. The man above answered our prayers.”

And for the past 22 years, Pettway has breathed life into the North High boys’ basketball program.

The pillar of the Polar Bears

Growing up in a single-parent home in Bridgeport, Connecticut, Pettway didn’t have the easiest of childhoods.

“I saw stuff that someone my age should not have witnessed,” Pettway said.

In seventh grade, Pettway started playing basketball for the first time.

By the time he was a senior at Warren Harding High School, Pettway garnered just enough attention to earn a spot on the Worcester State men’s basketball team.

Initially, it took him a while to warm up to Worcester.

'We want him to always be with us': North High hoops honor former teammate with custom sneakers

“I was homesick after the first week, and I called my aunt, who at the time was taking care of me, and she said, ‘You’re not coming back here.’ I just remember her hanging up the phone,” Pettway said. “The rest is history.”

During his time at Worcester State, Pettway became the all-time leading scorer in Lancer history.

Pettway then embarked on a coaching career that landed him assistant gigs at Worcester Academy, Worcester State and Assumption. Then, in 2002, he took over as the coach of the North High boys’ basketball team.

“I ended up falling in love with young people and high school kids, and I ended up staying and I feel like my journey is helping people and spreading love,” said Pettway, who is the dean of students at North High. “I feel like that’s my calling.”

Over the past two seasons, Pettway has led the Polar Bears to an unprecedented run of success.

Last winter, North became the first Worcester public school to win a Division 1 boys’ basketball state championship. With Wednesday’s victory over Xaverian, North (23-0) has won 44 straight games and is one victory shy of defending its state title.

“He’s taken the program to new heights that we never even thought was possible,” said Angelo Padin, a 2007 North High alum who serves as team videographer. “He’s the pillar. He’s the standard.”

“It’s very humbling, and I’m just enjoying the ride,” Pettway said. “Like I tell the guys, ‘Nothing lasts forever.’ Just to be on this ride has been really amazing. Our hard work has paid off, and we have the right kids who have bought into the program and made actual history — not just for the school but for the community.”

‘The heart of the program’

With most fans from the Worcester community wearing black or orange during the Polar Bears’ win at UMass-Boston Wednesday night, Pettway donned a slightly different shade.

“Blood orange,” Pettway said of the color of his matching sport suit. “Light red, maybe.”

The North High coach has made a name for himself with his colorful outfits the past few seasons. From Dolce & Gabbana and Tommy Hilfiger to Ralph Lauren and Louis Vuitton, Pettway’s closet keeps expanding with each victory.

“We’re always curious to see what he (wears),” North assistant coach Pat Wetherbee said.

“He’s a fashionable guy,” North senior captain Joe Okla said. “So he always wants to look good. So if he looks good, he coaches good.”

No matter the suit choice, Pettway has woven himself into the fabric of North High over the past two decades. Beyond the wins and publicity, Pettway has become a mainstay — both on and off the court.

“He motivates us every single day, anyway he can,” said North senior captain Teshaun Steele, whose two free throws at the end of regulation set the stage for a dramatic overtime win Wednesday. “I love him to death, he’s like another father for me.”

“Pettway is the heart of the program,” Okla said. “I just feel like without him, nothing would be possible.”

Now, the Polar Bears hope to make the nearly impossible — possible.

At 6 p.m. Sunday, North faces No. 3 Franklin in the Division 1 state final at the Tsongas Center in Lowell with a chance to win back-to-back state titles.

With Beliard on their mind, and Pettway leading the charge, the Polar Bear express is full steam ahead.

“I get to spend some more time with them, we get to hang out some more, so it means everything to me because I love these guys like they’re my own kids,” Pettway said. “So I’m just humbled to be able to have (a) second life and be able to defend our state title.”

—Contact Tommy Cassell at tcassell@telegram.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @tommycassell44. 

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Al Pettway leads North basketball to second straight D1 state final