David Willis

Boston

Sports Writer and Videographer at The Eagle-Tribune

Sportswriter/videographer for The Eagle-Tribune. Everything from Pats and Celtics to high school sports. Also a freelance video producer.

Articles

Windham's Brooks brilliant on track, in classroom in debut season for Bryant

1 week ago | eagletribune.com | David Willis

The plan was simple for Windham’s Kevin Brooks, heading into his first season of Division 1 college track. He wanted to make a statement. kAm“x H2D?’E E@@ DFC6 H92E E@ 6IA64E 7C@> >J 7C6D9>2? 4@==686 EC24< D62D@?[” 96 D2:5] “qFE x <?6H x H2?E65 E@ 4@?E:?F6 >J DF446DD 7C@> 9:89 D49@@=] x H2?E65 E@ >2<6 2 ?2>6 7@C >JD6=7[ 2?5 :E 42>6 :? E96 7@C> @7 2 D49@@= C64@C5]”k^Am kAm%96 >:DD:@? H2D 567:?:E6=J 244@>A=:D965[ 3@E9 @? E96 EC24< 2?5 @77]k^AmkAmx? 9:D 563FE D62D@? 7@C s:G:D:@?
With stars returning, Pinkerton softball a title favorite for 2026

1 week ago | derrynews.com | David Willis

PLYMOUTH — While the disappointment and sadness were still clear on Cara Murray’s face Saturday evening, a hint of joy began to appear for the Pinkerton Academy standout after a few moments. “I’m so excited for next year, to see what we can do,” said Murray. “I think we have a group that can do something really special.
Star sprinter Cepeda bringing Whittier track into spotlight

1 week ago | eagletribune.com | David Willis

Mariely Cepeda could feel something special in the air heading into the spring. But the Whittier Tech junior didn’t know just how brilliant it would be. kAm“r@>:?8 :?[ x 925 2 766=:?8 x H2D 8@:?8 E@ 92G6 2 8@@5 D62D@?[” D96 D2:5] “qFE x 5:5?’E 6IA64E E@ CF? E96 E:>6D x 5:5 @C 36 C2?<65 D@ 9:89=J :? E96 C68:@?] xE 766=D =:<6 6G6CJE9:?8 x H@C<65 7@C A2:5 @77] x’> C62==J AC@F5]”k^Am kAm$96 92D C62D@? E@ 36 AC@F5[ 27E6C 56=:G6C:?8 @?6 @7 E96 8C62E6DE D62D@?D :?
Timberlane's Bates takes home New England high jump title

1 week ago | eagletribune.com | David Willis

Even as Danielle Bates felt her body hit the high jump bar, she knew she had done it. The Timberlane star was a New England champion. kAm“x 76=E G6CJ 4@?7:56?E 8@:?8 :?E@ >J =2DE ;F>A 2E d\f[” D2:5 q2E6D] “x’> ?@E DFC6 H9J[ 3FE H96? x 8@E @G6C E96 32C[ x H2D E@E2==J 4@?7:56?E :E H2D?’E 8@:?8 E@ 72==[ 2?5 x H2D D276]”k^Am kAmq2E6D ?2:=65 96C ;F>A 2E d\f[ 8:G:?8 96C E96 8:C=D 9:89 ;F>A E:E=6 2E E96 }6H t?8=2?5 %C24< 2?5 u:6=5 r92>A:@?D9:A @? $2EFC52J 2E '6E6C2?D $E25:F> 2E (:==@H3C@@< !2C< :?
With stars returning, Pinkerton softball a title favorite for 2026

1 week ago | eagletribune.com | David Willis

PLYMOUTH, N.H. — While the disappointment and sadness were still clear on Cara Murray’s face Saturday evening, a hint of joy began to appear for the Pinkerton Academy standout after a few moments. “I’m so excited for next year, to see what we can do,” said Murray. “I think we have a group that can do something really special. I can’t wait.”kAm%96C6’D 2 =2F?5CJ =:DE @7 C62D@?D E@ 36 6I4:E65 23@FE E96 a_ae 65:E:@? @7 E96 !:?<6CE@? D@7E32== E62>[ 27E6C E96 pDEC@D 76== E@ 2C49C:G2= {@?5@?56CCJ[ c\`[ :?
Pinkerton falls to Londonderry in Division I softball title game

1 week ago | eagletribune.com | David Willis

PLYMOUTH, N.H. -- For a few moments, it appeared Pinkerton softball may have stolen the momentum with a state title on the line. Cara Murray led off the third inning by blasting a triple to right field, then scampered home on a wild pitch one batter later to tie the game, and send the upset-minded Astro players and fans into hysterics. kAmqFE E92E H2D 2D 8@@5 2D :E H@F=5 86E 7@C !:?<6CE@?]k^Am kAm{@?5@?56CCJ 246 t=:D236E9 z62C?6J D6E E96 ?6IE `b 32EE6CD 5@H? :?
Under the Lights: Kwakye picks Curry

2 weeks ago | eagletribune.com | David Willis

Methuen High multi-sport star Josh Kwakye will continue his football career at Curry College, he announced this week, after an extended search. kAmp EH@\E:>6 t28=6\%C:3F?6 p==\$E2C 5676?D:G6 324< 2?5 52?86C@FD CF??:?8 324<^C646:G6C^<:4< C6EFC?6C[ zH2<J6 7:?:D965 E96 a_ac D62D@? H:E9 ae E24<=6D[ 2? :?E6C46AE:@? 2?5 cfg CFD9:?8 J2C5D @? be 42CC:6D 2?5 D:I E@F495@H?D]k^Am kAmp=D@ 2? t28=6\%C:3F?6 EC24< p==\$E2C[ zH2J<6 C2?<D }@] a :? E96 a__\>6E6C Waa]a`X[ }@] c :?
Local track stars ready to take on New England's best

2 weeks ago | eagletribune.com | David Willis

From the moment Maddie Goncalves hits the track on Saturday — and to a greater extent when she enters the shot put circle — the Haverhill High superstar knows she won’t just be taking on the best opponents New England has to offer, she’ll also be battling her own emotions. Goncalves is the top seed in the girls shot put, leading an impressive group of local standouts that will compete in the New England Track Championship on Saturday at Veterans Stadium at Willowbrook Park in New Britain, Conn.
Eason to close out brilliant high school career at Shriners Classic

2 weeks ago | eagletribune.com | David Willis

Shane Eason knows that emotions will be high. On Friday night, seven months after closing out his record-setting Methuen High football career, Eason will don the blue and white Rangers helmet one final time. kAm“~9 J629[ :E’D 8@:?8 E@ 36 6>@E:@?2= 7@C DFC6[” D2:5 t2D@?] “xE’D 8@:?8 E@ 766= D@ DEC2?86] xE’D D25 E92E E92E E9:D H:== 36 E96 =2DE E:>6 x’== H62C |6E9F6? 3=F6[ 2?5 x H2?E E@ 8@ @FE 2?5 >2<6 >J 4:EJ AC@F5 @?6 >@C6 E:>6]”k^Am kAmt2D@? :D @?6 @7 D6G6?
NH Softball Semifinals: Caruso fires no-hitter, Pinkerton surges into title game

2 weeks ago | eagletribune.com | David Willis

PLYMOUTH, N.H. — As the final out was harmlessly popped into the air, a sea of Pinkerton red and white overtook the pitcher’s circle, converging on emotional ace Julia Caruso. With the chance to send Pinkerton softball to its first state title game in 20 years, the superstar pitcher was better than dominant. kAm$96 H2D E@E2==J F?9:EE23=6]k^Am kAmr2CFD@ 7:C65 2 ?@\9:EE6C[ @G6CH96=>:?8 2 q:D9@A vF6CE:? DBF25 E92E 4@F=5 ?@E >2?286 2?J C62=[ D@=:5 4@?E24E :?