Unbeaten In ’26, Belmont High Girls’ Hoops Prepare To Avenge Early Losses By Clipping Red Hawks

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Photo: Belmont High’s Sarah Geller scored her career high with 20 points in Belmont’s win over Melrose, 53-42, on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026.

With her most prominent athlete, senior co-captain Sophia McClendon, on the bench due to an injury, Belmont High’s varsity girls basketball head coach, Antonia Macklin would need to rely on a whole lot of underclass players against visiting Melrose at Wenner Fieldhouse on Wednesday, Jan. 28.

And the youngsters came through as Belmont continued its undefeated run in 2026 with a dominant 53-42 victory over the Red Hawks, as the Marauders clinched a post-season berth in the MIAA Division 1 playoffs.

Belmont will require the same aggressive approach on both sides of the court as they next take on the two teams above them in the Middlesex Liberty standings (and which beat the Marauders early in the season) at Arlington on Friday night before welcoming undefeated Woburn – ranked 5th in the Boston Globe’s poll – at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 3, at the Wenner Fieldhouse. 

In her inaugural season leading the Marauders, Macklin said she “always prepare the girls for a ‘what if’ moment, and today was a ‘what if,’ and they have been stepping up tremendously even before Sophia got hurt.” 

“I’m constantly challenging them. And they stepped up to meet the challenge. They did everything that we needed them to do. Everybody understands their role on this team, and it does take a team effort,” said Macklin.

Leading Belmont Wednesday was sophomore guard Sarah Geller who scored a career-high 20 points and dished out 10 assists. Geller’s point total was limited as she sat on the bench for half of the second half as Macklin liberally used her bench during the game.

“I usually play point guard,” said Geller, “but with Sophia out, we all kind of have to step up, so I moved into her spot” in the 4-Out Offense, where four players play on the perimeter, while one operates in the high or low post. “I think that was different, but that was also great because I was able to contribute in a lot of different ways.” 

“We wanted to make the playoffs, so I just tried my best to step up,” said Geller.

Geller started the game on a hot streak, scoring eight of Belmont’s 15 points in the first quarter as the Marauders took off to a 15-4 lead, with her last basket coming off a fast break layup after a block by senior co-captain Erin Attridge. But it was Belmont’s defensive set-up that proved decisive as the Red Hawks produced a limited number of open opportunities at the basket. In the second quarter, Geller would put up seven points with junior Becca Christensen and first-year forward Gwen Cornett each contributing a bucket to extend the Marauders lead to 26-10 at the half. At one point in the half, Macklin had two first-years, a pair of sophomores, and a senior on the court, providing game time to her bench players. 

While Melrose did cut the lead to 10 (35-25) with a minute and a half remaining in the third quarter, the return of the starters restored a 15-point advantage at the start of the final eight minutes. Nine Marauders hit the scoresheet with sophomore Eva Berlis with three buckets and a three (9 points), Christensen at six and numerous rebounds, while junior Caroline Scanlan hit a critical three to stop Melrose mini-run in the third.

Belmont now prepares for Arlington and Woburn; each will be a good measure of how competitive the Marauders will be against playoff-like teams.

“I think we’ve really grown as a team as the season has gone on,” said Geller. “We kind of had a rough start – coming out of the blocks at 1-4, but we’re a much closer team, and our chemistry has built up, so I think we just need to stick to how we play. We have to control the pace and not get rattled by them.” 

“Against both Woburn and Arlington, we have to be prepared, as we are for every game,” said Macklin. “Whenever we play any opponent, it doesn’t matter who the upcoming opponents are. We are always prepared to play whoever we’re scheduled to play. So it’s going to be a battle, and I’m looking forward to it. The girls are looking forward, and at the end of the day, they’re having fun. So that’s all that matters.” 

Haskell Named Belmont Assistant Town Administrator

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Photo: Matt Haskell, Belmont Assistant Town Administrator

A well-known town employee is moving up into a prominent role in Town Hall.

“I want to announce, very happily, that I have appointed Matt Haskell as the new assistant town administrator,” said Patrice Garvin, Belmont’s town administrator, at Monday’s Select Board meeting, held remotely due to the two-day winter storm that blanketed Belmont with snow. 

Haskell takes over from Jennifer Hewitt, the town’s assistant town administrator/finance director, who left her position late last year.

Garvin noted that going forward, the assistant administrator’s post is now decoupled from the finance director’s role, which will become a separate position in Town Hall. The new Chief Financial Officer post required the elimination of a budget analyst. 

A staff member for nearly a decade, Haskell has held several positions in town, as the administrator for the Select Board, a budget analyst, and recently as the business manager for the DPW. Haskell also worked for the Community Preservation Committee, providing administrative support for all CPC projects.

“Matt holds a tremendous amount of knowledge of the town and will be an excellent addition to the leadership team,” said Garvin, who added that Haskell is currently training the new business manager over the next three months. 

“I like promoting from within,” Garvin told the board. “I like seeing and developing skill sets and potenital in employees. And Matt has been one of those employees that have been phenomenal and has grown in the years that he’s been here.” 

Crash Between Commuter Rail Train And Car At Brighton Street Crossing Leaves Two Hospitalized

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Photo: Map of accident

An early morning collission on Monday, Jan. 26 between a MBTA commuter train and a full-size SUV that stalled on the tracks of the Fitchburg line at Brighton Street sent the two occupants of the car to the hospital with serious but not-life theatening injuries.

The 4 a.m. crash occured at the tail end of the winter storm that left nearly 20 inches of snow on the ground. Belmont and MBTA Transit police along with numerous news outlets all reported the 2014 Toyota “became stuck” at the crossing, which was struck by the train. The impact trapping the driver and passenger in the wreaked vehicle, forcing firefighters to use hydraulic rescue equipment to free them.

The at grade crossing has seen its share of incidents and near misses between commuter rail trains and vehicles. On Dec. 9, 2016, a 58-year-old woman was seriously injuried when her SUV was struck at the same location after the vehicle was trapped on the tracks due to heavy traffic. In June 2013, a vehicle drove onto the commuter rail tracks at the Brighton Street crossing and was struck by a commuter rail train. No one was injured.

MBTA Transit Police said an investigation on the collision is underway.

Belmont Snowstorm Update: Schools Delayed Opening, Parking Ban Lifted, Trash/Recycling Starts Tuesday

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Photo: Opening the roads in Belmont after the two-day storm that left 20 inches of snow.

After weathering a powerful storm that wreaked havoc across the country and dumped more than 20 inches over Sunday and Monday, Belmont is getting back to business.

The Belmont Department of Public Works reports the Snow Emergency Parking Ban will be lifted at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 27.

Trash and recycling collection will begin on Tuesday, with the pickup schedule delayed a day as if Monday was a holiday: If your collection day is Monday this week, it will be picked up on Tuesday, etc.

To the relief of parents, Belmont Public Schools will reopen on Tuesday, but with a two-hour delay.

All town offices – including the Belmont Public Library, the Beech Street Center, and Town Hall – will be up and running Tuesday under normal times of operation. 

Belmont Under Emergency Parking Ban Starting Sunday, Noon; Monday Trash/Recycling Pickup Cancelled

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Photo: Don’t be towed! Park your car off of the street

Starting at noon on Sunday, Jan. 25, a Snow Emergency Parking Ban will be in effect on all roadways and municipal/school parking lots in Belmont, according to the town’s website. The ban will continue until further notice.

All vehicles parked on the street and the lots during the emergence will be towed at the owner’s expense.

And you know it’s a doozy of a snow storm when trash pickup is cancelled for Monday, Jan. 25. A decision on the what’s and how’s of this weeks collections will be determined “following the impact of the storm,” according to the town’s DPW.

Below is an update on the status of town assets during the snow storm:

BELMONT PUBLIC LIBRARY: Closed Sunday and Monday.
BELMONT SPORTS COMPLEX/RINK: All ice rentals and programs are cancelled after Noon, Sunday and all day Monday.
BEECH STREET CENTER: All programs are cancelled after noon Sunday for the remainder of the day and all day Monday.
ALL OTHER BELMONT TOWN BUILDINGS, OFFICES, AND MEETINGS: All Town buildings will close at 12:00 p.m., Sunday and all day Monday. Board and Committee meetings scheduled to take place virtually will still be held at the discretion of each Board and Committee.

Belmont Closing Down Sunday, (Monday?) As Town Prepares For Biggest Snowstorm In Decade

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Photo: It’s coming!

With predictions of a foot-and-a-half of snow from a massive winter storm heading for eastern Massachusetts, Belmont is buckling down to endure the most snow being dumped

Town and police officials have begun announcing the closure of town facilities in advance of the storm:

Closed all day Sunday:

  • Belmont Public Library

Closing at noon Sunday.

  • Beech Street Center
  • Town Buildings 

Town Programs: those scheduled after noon Sunday are cancelled.

Belmont Recreation Center/Skip Viglirolo Skating Rink: Closing at 3 p.m. on Sunday immediately following the conclusion of the final game.

Town officials will continue to monitor weather conditions throughout the weekend and Monday’s schedule will be reevaluated. Please stay tuned as future communications will be forthcoming via the town’s Website.

Winter Storm & Cold Weather Resources

Belmont’s New Public Library Grand Opening Brings Overflow Crowds To View

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Photo: Belmont Board of Library Trustees Chair Kathy Keohane (left) Library Director Peter Struzziero and Library Building Committee Chair Clair Colburn cutting the ribbon to officially open the new Belmont Public Library.

While it was a gray and dank morning in Belmont on Saturday, Jan. 17, it was bright and celebratory as the town came to visit the new Belmont Public Library.

A total of 3,000 visitors passed through the doors of the 40,500-square-foot, two-story building Saturday – 5,000 over the weekend – to join the organizing and building committee, staff, and town and state officials to officially open the facility to the public.

“This is truly a library designed by the community and for the community,” Clair Colburn, chair of the Library Building Committee, said underneath a banner proclaiming, “A New Chapter Takes Flight.’ Colburn noted that the $5.7 million raised privately from patrons and residents showed “how deeply this project has been supported by the community.”

The $39.5 million structure designed by Boston-based Oudens Ello Architecture is the culmination of two decades of organizing, promoting, and strategizing by a largely women-led body.

We took tremendous pride in the team that built this for our community. And we hope as you explore everything we have here, that you are proud of the work that we’ve done.

“The field of librarianship is mostly made up of women, which is probably why it’s so good,” said Library Director Peter Struzziero. “Our staff is mostly women. Our boards are mostly women. All the volunteers at the library are mostly women. Many groups in town board many of the boards in town, mostly women. And many of the powerful leaders in this community are women.”

The ceremony also honored the lives of “two special individuals” with commemorative benches, individuals who collectively served the town for more than 65 years: John Marshall, the old library’s longtime custodian, and Glen Clancy, the town’s engineer who helped shepherd the process through the town’s permitting and building bylaws.

Kathleen Keohane, chair of the Library Trustees and the champion of the project for more than 12 years, came to the celebration with her ‘hokey’ toy Olympic torch she had shown during nearly every milestone during the marathon planning and building process.

“It’s timely, because the [Winter] Olympics are coming up,” Keohane said, holding the torch. “When you think of the Olympics, … [you] think of dedication, loyalty, teamwork, and pride, dedication, and loyalty. We stand on the shoulders of all of those who came before us: past trustees, past efforts to build a new library, and past town Select Board members, many of whom are here, who helped us put this on the ballot.”

“Dedication and loyalty, we stuck with it, and look what we have,” said Keohane.

Before an enthusiastic crowd that filled the library’s Common – named after the Belmont Savings Bank Foundation, which provided $2 million to the project – Keohane and Colburn used oversized scissors to cut the red ribbon to officially open the building.

Moments after the ribbon was cut, a student found space on the second floor to unpack her computer to study for the high school midterms.

Every nook and cranny of the building was explored with the expanded Children’s Room a highlight, as it was soon a waystation for toddlers and the youngest readers. Visitors ventured into the back office space to view the conveyor belt that retrieves returned books, the goldfish tank, and the location for book donations. 

Many took advantage of the opportunity to walk along the landscaped path along the Wellington Brook. Colburn said one of the most breathtaking qualities the building presents is the relationship between the building’s exterior and interior and how the connection to nature can “help calm and steady us” while using the library.

Colburn – who is an associate principal architect at Finegold Alexander – hoped that those who attended the opening and who come for years to come will take a moment to admire the building and all those professionals and volunteers who put their heart and soul into the library.

“The pride we all have, which I hope you can see it in the attention to detail in this building. The whole team took tremendous pride in every feature, every furniture choice, every fabric, and every amenity. We took tremendous pride in the team that built this for our community,” said Colburn.

Hoops: 1,000! Belmont Girls McClendon Hits Milestone; Boys Just Short In Big Comeback Try

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Photo: Belmont HIgh Senior Sophia McClendon reached the 1,000 point milestone

Belmont HIgh Senior Sophia McClendon came to the charity stripe with the game tied against visiting Winchester at 42 with a chance to put Belmont into the lead in the closing half-minute of Friday’s game.

McClendon’s free throw – awarded after being fouled on a breakaway to the basket with 32.5 seconds remaining – would not only put Belmont in a winning position, but it was also a career milestone: the 1,000th point in her four-year varsity tenure.

Three bounces of the ball, a look at the hoop, a bend of the knees, a flip of the wrists: Nothing but net.

But after making the shot, nothing happened. No jumping up and down, or embraces, and the other celebrations associated with a momentous event. McClendon and the players were preparing for the second free throw when the Belmont bench called a timeout.

As the team huddled during a timeout, the stats were rechecked, and sure enough, McClendon had reached the thousand point plateau. Cheers and applause erupted inside Wenner Field House, with screams, hugs, smiles, congratulations, and many happy tears greeting the senior captain. For the record, McClendon missed the second freebie but Belmont would grab the rebound and run out the clock for the one-point victory over the 10-3 Red and Black.

“That was really emotional, having played for all these years in the Fieldhouse to do it at home,” said McClendon, holding flowers and a poster featuring a photo of her with ‘1,000’ points. 

McClendon recognized her teammates and coaches over the past four years “because they really made it all happen.” 

A stalwart on both ends of the court, McClendon has led the Marauders into the MIAA Div. 1 playoff during her three years – securing two home tournament games – while earning Middlesex League All-Star status in the past two years. 

The game tape of Friday’s encounter isn’t likely to be studied as the apex of high school hoops, as both teams took some time to heat up, evident by the 9-2 score – Belmont in front – at the end of the first. Belmont retained the lead into the half, 20-14, but a seven-point third by Belmont saw Winchester cut the Marauders’ advantage to two, 27-25, entering the final eight minutes. A three-point shot by senior Erin Attridge – the first of two in the fourth quarter by Attridge – saw Belmont’s lead grow to six, 36-30, with five minutes remaining. But a run of four threes by the Red and Black would tie the game at 38-38 with two to go. The second three by Attridge and a pair by guard Sarah Geller would see the contest knotted at 42 when McClendon, who finished with a game high 13 points, came to the line to make history.

Belmont (7-4) is on a midseason hot streak, having not lost in 2026, winning five in a row, which includes a win over Stoneham on Tuesday, Jan. 20. Belmont stands 23rd in the MIAA Div. 1 Power Rankings, with the top 32 receiving automatic tournament bids.

Boys’ Hoops

Coming out of the locker room at the end of halftime, Belmont High Boys Basketball was starring up from a deep hole, trailing Middlesex Liberty leaders and undefeated Winchester by 15 points, 37-22. 

But with a packed Wenner Fieldhouse encouraging the home team on Belmont Basketball Night, the Marauders stepped up both sides of their game, limiting the high-scoring Red and Black to a pair of free throws and throwing down 17 points of their own in the third to enter the fourth quarter tied up at 39. It was a team effort on both ends for the floor with senior co-captain Charles Tingos leading a balanced scoring effort with five points while a tight, suffocating defense allowed Belmont to cut into the lead for the entire eight minutes. 

Entering the final quarter with a single point, senior co-captain Andre Chavushian would spark the Marauders’ effort with 10. In one sequence, Chavushian hit a three to cut a Winchester lead to one, 46-45, made a steal, and with 2:40 remaining, hit a pretty jumper to give Belmont a 49-48 lead. When junior Peter McLaughlin completed the 2+1 nine seconds later, the Marauders had its largest lead, 52-48. 

A Chavushian free throw kept the lead at four, 54-50, and when junior center Braiden Dargon took down the missed second freebie and passed it back to Chavushian who was fouled with 53.9 seconds left, Belmont was looking good at taking down a Top-20 program. But the only thing that came from the two free throws was a miss and an offensive foul that allowed Winchester to pull within three on the front end of the 1 and 1. The second free throw was missed, but the rebound ended up in the hands of Winchester’s senior Harrison Burbine who sank a three-ball with 44.6 seconds remaining to knot up the game at 54, sending the game into OT.

In the four-minute overtime, Winchester’s senior wing Dawson English would not be stopped, scoring six of his game-high 26 points, leaving Belmont feeling a bit deflated as Chavushian could not hit a potential game-tying drive at the death. Three Marauders reached double digits, led by Dargon with 15, followed by Tingos (12) and Chavushian (11).

Belmont currently stands at 6-5 with an MIAA Power Ranking of 38.

Come Attend Belmont’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Breakfast On Monday, Jan. 19

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Photo: Poster for Belmont’s 32nd annual MLK Community Breakfast on Monday, Jan. 19

Join the Human Rights Commission and Belmont Against Racism as they host Belmont’s 32nd annual MLK Community Breakfast at Belmont High School on Monday, Jan. 19 at 10 a.m. to honor his vision of equality and justice for all. There will be speeches, musical performances, and a METCO update.

Child care will also be available.

This year’s keynote speech – “Memory as a Map: Following the Path that Formed Dr. King’s Vision” – will be delivered by Dr. Sophia Boyer, co-founder/executive director of Cambridge-based Sankara Partners. Dr. Boyer’s work offers essential models for supporting communities through socially responsive, human-centered practices that foster environments where collaboration is energizing, purposeful, and deeply fulfilling.

All are welcome, but an RSVP is required. Reserve your spot in advance HERE

Lights, Camera, Magic: Belmont World Film Puts The Spotlight On Family Movies From Around The Globe

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Photo: ‘The Scarecrows’ Wedding‘ will be shown on Sunday, Jan. 25, at Regent Theatre in Arlington.

It’s “Lights, Camera, Magic,” as the Belmont World Film’s 23rd Family Festival runs from Saturday, Jan. 17 thru Saturday, Jan. 24.

The festival will showcase a diverse selection of films from around the world – many making their North American or U.S. premieres – offering young audiences an immersive and culturally rich cinematic experience. It’s a wonderful way to travel the world during Martin Luther King Weekend and beyond.

This year’s lineup includes mostly North American premieres, with more than half of the films adapted from or inspired by classic and contemporary children’s books, a longstanding festival hallmark.

For young readers and those who struggle with reading, a professional voice-over will read subtitles aloud for films in languages other than English, creating an experience much like story time.

FILM SCREENINGS

  • Saturday, Jan. 17, 10:30 a.m.- 5:15 p.m. at West Newton Cinema
  • Sunday, Jan. 18, 10:30 a.m.- 5 p.m. at West Newton Cinema
  • Monday, Jan. 19: 10:30 a.m.- 4:50 p.m. at Brattle Theatre, Cambridge
  • Sunday, Jan. 25, 1 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. at Regent Theatre, Arlington

View all the movies being shown here.

WORKSHOP: Learn to Draw Minions & Hotel Transylvania Characters.

Saturday, Jan. 24, 10:30 a.m.- 5 p.m. at Belmont Media Center, 9 Lexington St.

Here are two highlights:

‘The Scarecrows’ Wedding,’ Betty O’Barley and Harry O’Hay are devoted scarecrows planning a wedding to remember. A joyful tale about loyalty, love, and learning that the most important thing isn’t a grand gesture – it’s simply being together. Academy Award nominee Sophie Okonedo (Slow Horses, Hotel Rwanda) narrates and Jessie Buckley, who won a Golden Globe for Hamnet, and Domhnall Gleeson star.

WE ARE GREENLAND: SOCCER IS FREEDOM: Five young soccer players from Greenland dream of playing for their own country in the World Cup. But before they can step onto the global stage, they must take on a tough challenge of winning the Island Games and convincing the world’s soccer leaders to recognize Greenland as its own team. This inspiring documentary follows a little team that could as they chase a big dream with determination, teamwork, and pride in their sport and home. Sun, Jan 25th, 4:30 PM @ Regent Theatre