Hector Longo

Massachusetts

Writer at The Eagle-Tribune

Once a writer who coaches, then a coach who writes... I write stories. I do not write articles.

Articles

Andover Arrives: Streaking Warriors claim first Methuen Invitational title since 2012

1 week ago | eagletribune.com | Hector Longo

METHUEN – Whether it was getting pelted in Friday night’s relentless drizzle or trailing late in the title game to rival North Andover, the energy and intensity emanating from the Andover High softball dugout never waned. So, as the Warriors rallied for the dramatic, 6-5, Methuen Invitational Tournament championship win on Saturday night, you can imagine the jubilation that ensued.
Methuen Invitational: Andover, North Andover slug way to tourney final

2 weeks ago | eagletribune.com | Hector Longo

METHUEN – Considering the conditions, with a chilly drizzle engulfing Burnham Road, it was a pretty strange night for fireworks. Tell that to the hitters on the Andover and North Andover High softball teams. kAmq@E9 =:?6FAD 762DE65 @? E96 @A6?:?8 ?:89E @7 E96 |6E9F6? x?G:E2E:@?2= $@7E32== %@FC?2>6?E – E96 z?:89ED A@F?565 p>6D3FCJ[ ad\`[ H9:=6 E96 (2CC:@CD 925 E96:C H2J H:E9 E96 9@DE #2?86CD[ `e\c – 62C?:?8 2 DA@E :?
The Dream Starts Here: Area athletes take first steps on road to college football at first 'MVC Showcase'

2 weeks ago | eagletribune.com | Hector Longo

ANDOVER — Any college football coach will tell you, there’s a spot at the next level somewhere for anyone in high school … if you really want it. Wednesday night on the turf at Andover High’s Lovely Field, over 100 Merrimack Valley Conference football underclassmen took their initial steps on that journey, looking to catch the eye of one of the dozens of college coaches gathered at the first-ever Merrimack Valley Conference Football Showcase.
Tejada brings boxing to Haverhill High

2 weeks ago | eagletribune.com | Hector Longo

HAVERHILL – He is barely 24, scratching the surface of adulthood and building a life of his own, but Nicky Tejada understands one key tenet of life. Giving back matters. kAm$@ H96? w2G6C9:== w:89 $49@@= 2DD:DE2?E AC:?4:A2= $62? |4{2F89=:? >6?E:@?65 2? :562 E92E E96 FA\2?5\4@>:?8[ F?56762E65 AC@ 3@I6C DE2CE 2? 27E6C\D49@@= 3@I:?8 4=F3[ %6;252 =62A65 2E E96 492?46 E@ 96=A @FE 2E 9:D 2=>2 >2E6C]k^Am kAmr@>>F?:EJ 7:CDE]k^AmkAm“%96C6 2C6 2 =@E @7 <:5D H9@ 5@?’E 92G6 >F49 8@:?8 @?
'Whatever it takes': Methuen's McNamara steps up, puts it all on line in Rangers' bid for postseason

3 weeks ago | eagletribune.com | Hector Longo

METHUEN — Jason Smith tried to think back to tryouts in 2022 when Colleen McNamara last toed the rubber. “(Assistant coaches) Lauren (Otto) or Jackie (Rubino) might remember, but no, I really don’t,” laughed Smith. “I don’t think she wanted to be there. She threw because she had (done it before).”kAm~? 96C @H?[ E96 7C6D9>2? |4}2>2C2 925 2=C625J 5C2H? E96 4@?4=FD:@? E92E D96 H2D ?@E 2 A:E496C – AC6EEJ H:D6[ 4@?D:56C:?8 E96 52>286 D96’D :?7=:4E65 @?
After monster year at SNHU, Marshall hits NCAA portal

3 weeks ago | eagletribune.com | Hector Longo

New man. Hungry man. kAm$>2CE >2?]k^Am kAm$2>6[ @=5 C:5:4F=@FD=J 56G2DE2E:?8 A@H6C 9:EE6C]k^AmkAmp J62C 27E6C E@C>6?E:?8 E96 vC2?:E6 $E2E6 @? E96 92C5H@@5 2?5 E96 32D632== 5:2>@?5 – 3@E9 C6DF=E:?8 :? s:G:D:@? x DE2E6 E:E=6D – y24<D@? |2CD92==[ E96 a_ac EH@\DA@CE t28=6\%C:3F?6 !=2J6C @7 E96 *62C[ 7@F?5 2 H2J E@ C2:D6 9:D 82>6 2?@E96C 4@FA=6 ?@E496D :? 9:D 7C6D9>2? 42>A2:8? 2E $@FE96C? }6H w2>AD9:C6 &?:G6CD:EJ]k^AmkAmp?5 ?@H[ E96 }@CE962DE\`_ r@?76C6?46 q2D632== #@@<:6 @7 E96 *62C :D D:EE:?8 @?
Salem's Ruel to pitch at Division 2 Post

3 weeks ago | eagletribune.com | Hector Longo

SALEM, N.H. — When Bailey Ruel first committed to play Division 2 college softball, the Salem High School senior picked an alternate path. It would not include high school ball this spring. kAm|2<:?8 E9:?8D @77:4:2= H:E9 2 D>2== 46C6>@?J @? $2EFC52J 2?5 D6=64E:?8 !@DE &?:G6CD:EJ :? r@??64E:4FE[ #F6= :D 4@?7:56?E 96C 49@:46 H:== A2J :>>65:2E6 5:G:56?5D 2E E96 ?6IE =6G6=]k^Am kAm“x 36=:6G65 x’5 36 >@C6 AC@5F4E:G6[ H@C<:?8 @? >J @H? 2?5 7@4FD:?8 @? H92E x ?66565 E@ H@C< @?
Softball: Irwin, hungry Hillies hang on, stop North Andover in thriller

4 weeks ago | eagletribune.com | Hector Longo

NORTH ANDOVER – Hungry for their first Division 1 state tourney appearance since 2022 and driven by the minuscule fractions of a rating point that cost them a spot last spring, the Haverhill High girls are ready to crank it up here in the stretch run. Thursday afternoon at McEvoy Playground, the Hillies avenged an earlier loss to North Andover High with a dramatic, 6-5, win. kAm}@CE9 p?5@G6C[ 8:G:?8 w2G6C9:== 2== :E 4@F=5 92?5=6[ C2==:65 7@C 7@FC CF?D :?
Windham KOs Cards in battle of unbeatens

1 month ago | derrynews.com | Hector Longo

Unbeaten and outscoring the opposition 84-10 through six games, Division I state finalist Bishop Guertin issued a warning shot to the rest of the state in the early going:The Cardinals are back. Claire Ballard and the Windham Jaguars had a message of their own to send last Thursday afternoon. The Bates College-bound senior struck out six in a complete-game, powering the Jags to a 7-2 victory. At 7-0, Windham is one of just three Division I unbeatens, along with Londonderry and Pinkerton Academy.
Bonded by sports, Salem sisters eye one more special spring

1 month ago | derrynews.com | Hector Longo

SALEM — As far as big sisters go, Maddie Beeley has been rock-solid, at least according to her little sister, Abby. “She’s been there for me the whole way, and I definitely appreciate that,” said Abby, the Salem High junior. The Beeleys embarked on their “farewell tour” this spring with Salem softball, though, as Maddie, a senior, will be moving on to study and play at Endicott College next fall. And the plan here is to make it something special and cherish every second.