At its meeting on April 10, the Boston City Council proposed and passed resolutions honoring sports teams from around the city who won their respective state championships. Those recognized were Charlestown High School, New Mission High School, Josiah Quincy Upper School, and Boston Latin School.

“Boston is known as a city of champions,” said District 5 City Councilor Enrique Pepén. “But it’s not just the Red Sox, the Celtics, the Bruins, and the Patriots. It’s also [Boston Public Schools].” 

Charlestown High School’s boys basketball team won the Division Five state championship for the first time since 2005. 

District 1 City Councilor Gabriela Coletta, whose district includes Charlestown High School, emphasized the love and support shown for the student-athletes.

“I have to give a shout-out to the support system around this team. It is truly a marvelous and beautiful thing to witness,” said Colletta. “There’s just been an immense outpouring of love around this team.”

The team’s Head Coach Hugh Coleman, who was once a student at Charlestown High School, spoke about the work the students do when not on the court.

“They are very much role models, and many of them may be the first in their families to go to college,” said Coleman. 

Malaky Lewis, the girl’s wrestling coach at the Josiah Quincy Upper School, further remarked on how the student-athletes persevered and showed great character throughout the season. 

“We do it for growth and integrity. We do it for the growth, consistency, and confidence that they’ve been able to see this entire season,” said Lewis.

For Josiah Quincy Upper School, this was the first state championship in the school’s history, which Lewis said would not be their last. 

“All of us being here shows that not only is it possible, but that surely and truly there is more to come,” said Lewis.

Support for high school athletics also comes from within, as reiterated by District 2 City Councilor Ed Flynn, who presented a resolution to Boston Latin School’s boys hockey team, which won the Division 2 state championship. 

“Most importantly, it’s the players that contributed so much, working together through difficult times and supporting each other,” said Flynn.

New Mission High School won the Division Five boys basketball state championship. Their retired coach, Malcolm Smith, noted the sport’s importance in giving students of color more opportunities in life.

In the United States, an estimated 150 thousand sports scholarships are awarded annually, allowing students who may not otherwise attend college to pursue higher education.

“Basketball gets a negative, wicked stereotype [but it is] instrumental in a lot of inner city young black and brown lives,” said Smith. “It opens doors for them.”