Connect with us

High School Sports

Menlo Atherton basketball coach takes legal action

Menlo-Atherton boys varsity basketball coach Mike Molieri and his team in 2018. Photo by Bob Dahlberg. Mike Molieri, a Menlo-Atherton High School teacher and varsity basketball coach, has taken legal action against the Sequoia Union High School District claiming retaliation and discrimination. Since being placed on administrative leave in August 2024, Molieri has been absent […]

Published

on

Menlo Atherton basketball coach takes legal action
Menlo-Atherton boys varsity basketball coach Mike Molieri and his team in 2018. Photo by Bob Dahlberg.

Mike Molieri, a Menlo-Atherton High School teacher and varsity basketball coach, has taken legal action against the Sequoia Union High School District claiming retaliation and discrimination. Since being placed on administrative leave in August 2024, Molieri has been absent from the classroom and basketball courts while the district investigation continues.

The school district is now involved in at least five lawsuits alleging school administrators engaged in antisemetic practices, wrongful termination and discrimination. 

According to the claim, Molieri believes he was “unlawfully placed on administrative leave in violation of the Whistleblower Protection Act”  after bringing up his concerns about the district’s treatment of students. It also alleges that Molieri was discriminated against for his Latin heritage and his support for students of color.

Molieri worked at M-A as a special education teacher for 21 years and as the boys varsity basketball coach for 12 years. He’s led the basketball team to multiple championship games. 

When his absence was noticed at the start of the school year, students and parents confronted the Board of Trustees during school board meetings asking why he was on leave and when he would return. According to some students, Molieri was known for providing youth with a safe space on campus and acted as a mentor to many students. 

The last basketball season passed without the direction of Molieri who has yet to be interviewed as part of the district administration’s investigation into allegations made against him, according to the claim. Mike Molieri with Menlo-Atherton student Jalen William during the 2023 CCS championship for boys basketball. Courtesy Dan Molieri.The district alleges he violated policies including: failure to notify the district of students he believed needed changes to their special education plan; disclosure of confidential student information to non-district employees; making false statements about students to staff and administrators; and soliciting parents, students and staff to engage in professional services of his brother Dan Molieri, a private investigator for the Law Offices of John Burris. Burris is representing the case involving the arrested M-A student in 2023.

The claim states that Mike Molieri “denies all allegations and denies that any such actions violated any applicable administrative polices or procedures.” It adds that these allegations only arose after he reported his belief that the district was involved in legal violations.

Dan Molieri believes said violations were in relation to sensitive information about the arrest of the M-A student, who was one of Mike Molieri’s students. The student, referred to as K.C. in lawsuits, allegedly had his confidential student records released to the police by an undisclosed person at M-A. 

The claim states that Molieri heard of “an audio tape being shared with people that contained confidential information” regarding K.C. 

According to the suit, Molieri communicated to administrators about his concerns for the student, confidentiality issues and concerns that he was being targeted due to his relationship with his brother and his advocacy for disadvantaged students of color. 

“It was discussed that members of the administration were sharing confidential information that was portraying a minor student in a negative manner and doing so broke the rules of confidentiality as it relates to the Independent Education Program,” said the claim. 

Molieri had intended to file a complaint alleging the district had violated federal policies through this breach of privacy, it added. 

Leading up to his placement on leave, Molieri was involved in other incidents that date back to 2022 involving false accusations against his colleagues and difficulties with the district administrators 

“We strongly believe that this is a case of ongoing harassment, discrimination and most importantly retaliation,” said Molieri’s attorney Harry Stern. 

The claim is asking for more than $70,000 for damages including loss of income, emotional distress and damage to reputation. Molieri is currently seeking treatment for anxiety and stress as a result of being placed on leave, the complaint adds. 

The district was served papers on April 29 and will now have the opportunity to evaluate the claim and decide whether to reject or accept it. If rejected, attorneys will have six months to file a lawsuit against the district.

“My hope is the district will do the right thing and accept responsibility, but we are planning on moving forward with a lawsuit if that is not the case,” Stern said. 

The district did not immediately respond to this news organization about Mike Molieri’s investigation.  

Most Popular

High School Sports

TCGA Amateur Championship

The 96th annual TCGA Amateur Championship continued Saturday with the second round at Endwell Greens Golf Course. The top thirty spots, plus ties, makes the cut and advances to Sunday’s final round. Leaderboard – After Two Rounds (Total score to par after two rounds) 1. Justin Fiato (-2) 2. Luke Barney (-1) 3. Matt Maione […]

Published

on

TCGA Amateur Championship

The 96th annual TCGA Amateur Championship continued Saturday with the second round at Endwell Greens Golf Course.

The top thirty spots, plus ties, makes the cut and advances to Sunday’s final round.

Leaderboard – After Two Rounds

(Total score to par after two rounds)

1. Justin Fiato (-2)

2. Luke Barney (-1)

3. Matt Maione (+1)

4. Keith Chesk (+4)

5. Nick Barney (+6)

6. Kyle Nedlik (+7)

t7. Matt Congdon (+9)

t7. Luciano Giammarino (+9)

t9. Mike Meleski (+10)

t9. Blaise Brixner (+10)

t9. RJ Juodaitis (+10)

To see the full leaderboard, click here.

The final round of the TGCA Amateur Championship tees off at 11 a.m. Sunday at Binghamton Country Club. 

Continue Reading

High School Sports

Myles Creighton has a 59 for another sub

WICHITA, Kan. — Myles Creighton of Canada chipped in for birdie on the 18th hole Saturday to become the 15th player with a 59 or lower on the Korn Ferry Tour, the second score of 59 in three days at the Wichita Open. Adrien Dumont de Chassart had a 59 in the opening round at […]

Published

on

Myles Creighton has a 59 for another sub

WICHITA, Kan. — Myles Creighton of Canada chipped in for birdie on the 18th hole Saturday to become the 15th player with a 59 or lower on the Korn Ferry Tour, the second score of 59 in three days at the Wichita Open.

Adrien Dumont de Chassart had a 59 in the opening round at Crestview Country Club.

Creighton had 12 birdies and one bogey, on the par-3 eighth hole on a day when the wind gusted to 38 mph. Crestview is 6,910 yards and plays to a par 70, with both par 5s just over 500 yards and two of the par 4s measuring at under 350 yards.

It was the second time in two years at a Korn Ferry Tour event that two players had sub-60 rounds in the same week. Cristobal Del Solar of Chile set the Korn Ferry Tour record with a 57 in the opening round of the Astara Golf Championship in Colombia. The next day, Aldrich Potgieter of South Africa shot 59. Neither went on to win the tournament.

There have 18 sub-60 rounds on tours around the world since 2023, including a 59 on the PGA Tour this year by Jake Knapp at the Cognizant Classic.

Creighton shared the lead with Quade Cummins (67) at 15-under 195. Dumont de Chassart was tied for 17th at 8 under, following his 59 with rounds of 70 and 73.

Continue Reading

High School Sports

SHS 2025 spring sports roundup

 2025 GREATER BOSTON LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Boys Tennis and Boys Outdoor Track & Field  30 Student-Athletes named Greater Boston League All-Stars.  2 GBL MVP’s: Kerby Luxama (Track) and DJ Freeman (Boys Tennis) Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association Tournament Information (MIAA):  Girls Tennis: Lost 4-1 to Somerset Berkley Regional High School in a hard-fought match in the preliminary […]

Published

on

SHS 2025 spring sports roundup

 2025 GREATER BOSTON LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Boys Tennis and Boys Outdoor Track & Field 

30 Student-Athletes named Greater Boston League All-Stars. 

2 GBL MVP’s: Kerby Luxama (Track) and DJ Freeman (Boys Tennis)

Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association Tournament Information (MIAA): 

Girls Tennis: Lost 4-1 to Somerset Berkley Regional High School in a hard-fought match in the preliminary round of MIAA Tournament play.

Boys Tennis: Won 3-2 in the preliminary round of the MIAA Tournament vs Marshfield High School. The team advanced to the Round of 32, where they lost in a hard-fought match to Hingham High School.

Boys Volleyball: Lost 3-1 the preliminary round of the MIAA Tournament vs Greater Lowell Tech High School. The team battled hard and showed a lot of grit in every set.

Greater Boston League All-Stars and Team Records for the Spring Season 

Baseball: (Record 8-12)

All-Stars: Colin Born and Preston Ardolino

The baseball team wrapped up a strong season, just narrowly missing a spot in the MIAA tournament. The team showed growth and resilience throughout the year, with competitive play and solid teamwork. With only one senior graduating, the future looks bright for Highlander baseball as a talented and motivated core returns next season.

Softball: (Record 3-17)

All Stars: Kailey McWeeny and Lillian Fucile

With a young softball team, this season was all about growth and development. Our players gained valuable experience, and the future looks bright, especially with 8th grader Lillian Fucile, earning league all-star honors. The team is excited to build on this foundation next year!

Girls Lacrosse: (Record 12-5)

All-Stars:

Julia Rafkind

Camila Plata

Rowan Buckley

Ava Davis

The girls’ lacrosse team had another great season in the books! While we came up just short of defending the GBL title, the team earned a spot in the MIAA tournament for the third straight year—a testament to their hard work and consistency.

Boys Lacrosse: (Record 7-11)

All-Stars:

Zach Gordon

Sheamus Foley

Timmy Jones

Pasquale Candelino

The boys’ lacrosse team finished second in the GBL and came just a few games short of qualifying for the tournament. They played with grit and determination all season.

Girls Tennis: (Record 13-4)

All-Stars: Carmen Wheeler and Xinyi Zhu

Another strong season for the girls’ tennis program, proving once again that they’re a force in the GBL. The team finished second in the league and earned a spot in the MIAA tournament for the third consecutive year, an impressive run of consistency and success!

Boys Tennis: (Record 13-3)

League Co-MVP: DJ Freeman

All-Stars:

Ethan Cross

Nitish Kaushal

Milo Kochansky

DJ Freeman

Motivated and determined all year, the boys’ tennis team earned the title of GBL Co-Champions alongside Malden. They qualified for the MIAA tournament, went on the road and won their first-round match in the preliminary round before falling to Hingham in the Round of 32. This team has shown growth every season.

Boys Volleyball: (Record 12-9)

All-Stars: Adam Hill and Ozzy Marks

This season was one to remember for our boys’ volleyball program! After missing the tournament last year, the team came back determined and earned a spot in the MIAA tournament. They battled hard all year, and we’re proud of everything they accomplished.

Boys’ Outdoor Track and Field: (Record 8-0)

League MVP: Kerby Luxama (3-time MVP, including Indoor selection)

All Stars:

Kerby Luxama

Jackson Love

Thano Frantzis

Robert Leoni

Lucca Lauers

Mashruf Mahin

With a large number of 1st year athletes assisting with max effort, the Boys Outdoor Track and Field team finished the season undefeated and were crowned GBL Champions for the third consecutive undefeated year! An Impressive group is set to return next year!

Girls’ Outdoor Track and Field: (Record 6-2)

All Stars:

Marissa Luxama

Olivia Scamman

Maggie Cotter

Eva Meli

Our girls’ outdoor track and field team took a strong leap forward this year, improving from a gutsy 2-6 season in 2024 to pushing league champion, Revere, to the brink in an incredible year! With the return of a lot of underclasswomen in the coming year, the team will continue to have a strong presence in the GBL.

Unified Outdoor Track & Field:

What an amazing and fun first season of unified outdoor track and field! Our athletes had a great time competing, supporting one another, and building community. We’re proud of this inaugural season and already excited for next year!

Somerville High School Club Sports Highlights:

Girls Ultimate Frisbee:

The SHS Girls/Non-Binary Ultimate Frisbee team had a great 2025 season, with a record turnout of 23 players on the roster, running 2-7-0 in regular season games. This season players really shined in their tournament performance. Near the start of the season, the team played their first tournament in Winchester, braving the cold and snow and pulled off an incredible 3-0-1 score, winning the tournament! The teams next stop was in May with the 2-day overnight Pioneer Valley Invitational. The Villens placed 5th in their division, with some really hard-fought games. In back-to-back style, the next weekend the team faced Division 1 States, playing 6 games total coming in 7th overall but 1st in Spirit of the Game! We are very proud of all the hard work our players put in this season and so excited to grow the program and show out next season. #villetonattys2026.

Boys Ultimate Frisbee:

After losing an incredible senior class last year, Villen Ultimate went through a bit of a rebuilding season. There was still talent throughout the roster, which was showcased by a 3-1 record in the Winchester Round Robin Tournament early in the season. Varsity had a very tough regular season schedule and had some unlucky injuries, resulting in a 2-6-1 regular season record heading into PVI. Playing in the B Division, Varsity finished the tournament with a solid 3-3 record. This gave the Varsity team a boost heading into DII States, where they were seeded 4th overall. Going into the tournament with a heavily depleted roster, the 12 athletes who played did so admirably, winning their first 3 games and making the semifinals. Unfortunately, fatigue caught up to them and they dropped the final 2, ending the season in 4th place. Varsity’s overall record this season was 11-12-1.

Villen Ultimate will be sending one player, Oliver Wicks, to the MA HS All-Star Game. He ended the season with 5 goals and 82 assists over 23 games. Villen’s leading scorer this season was junior Steven Cutro, who scored 42 goals and added 9 assists in 23 games as well. Although it was a rebuilding year, this team outperformed their expectations and played incredibly well against some tough competition. It will be exciting to see the growth into next year!

Crew:

The Somerville High School Crew team experienced a season of major transitions and remarkable achievements. Longtime coaches Stu Whitney and Katherine Faigen passed the torch to new head coaches Bryn Garrity and Kelsey Cooke, ushering in a new era for the program. Despite facing what may have been the most weather-disrupted season in recent memory, the team remained focused, determined, and resilient—qualities that defined their year on the water.

Although the opening regatta was cancelled due to inclement weather, the team came out strong at the Mystic Mashup. Hosted at the Tufts Boathouse, Somerville welcomed four visiting teams and delivered some of the fastest times of the day, setting the tone for a competitive season. Unfortunately, the Amber Zapata Regatta was cancelled entirely due to storm conditions, and delays at the Watuppa Sprints meant several Somerville boats were unable to compete. Still, the athletes made the most of their opportunities. Notable performances included Elle Gys finishing 4th in her single, and the Novice Girls 4 securing an impressive 2nd-place finish.

The season culminated at the MPSRA State Championship, Somerville delivered its customary strong performances in the sweep events. The Novice Boys made it to the grand final, finishing 5th in a competitive field. The Novice Girls 4 rowed a gutsy race to edge out Shrewsbury High School at the line and take home the bronze medal. For the first time ever, the Girls Second Varsity 4 captured silver, while the Girls Varsity 4 also earned a silver medal, marking a historic day for the program.

Continue Reading

High School Sports

Faith Academy hires former Homewood star to lead basketball program

Faith Academy turned to a former high school star from the Birmingham area for its newest boys basketball coach. The Mobile school announced the hiring of former Homewood star Joseph “Luke” Touliatos late Friday night. He replaces Butch Case, who resigned at the end of the school year and took an assistant position at Fairhope. […]

Published

on

Faith Academy hires former Homewood star to lead basketball program

Faith Academy turned to a former high school star from the Birmingham area for its newest boys basketball coach.

The Mobile school announced the hiring of former Homewood star Joseph “Luke” Touliatos late Friday night.

He replaces Butch Case, who resigned at the end of the school year and took an assistant position at Fairhope. The Rams announced the hire of Touliatos in an email to the Faith Academy family.

“Coach Touliatos brings a wealth of basketball knowledge, a sharp eye for player development, and a strong foundation in team values,” athletic director Rae Lynn Dennis said. “We are excited for the confident and fearless Christian culture he will bring to our program.”

Touliatos led Homewood to the Class 6A state title in 2016. He scored 31 points in a semifinal win over Huffman, and the Patriots followed that with a win over Muscle Shoals in the championship game.

According to the Faith release, Touliatos has more than seven years of coaching experience and has “made a lasting impact in the basketball world through his work with AAU programs, high school teams and his own athlete development business.”

Faith junior varsity and varsity players are encouraged to an open gym and meat the coach event from 4 p.m. to 5:30 Monday. Parents will meet the coach at 6 p.m. in the main gym.

Continue Reading

High School Sports

Saraland's Jamison Roberts not feeling any pressure as Spartans' new QB1

Saraland quarterback Jamison Roberts just shrugs at the mention that he faces added pressure in following 2024 Mr. Football winner KJ Lacey. “There is no pressure,” he said recently. “I just have to go out there and do my job and try to help us win.” The 6-foot-3, 190-pound junior did just that last season […]

Published

on

Saraland's Jamison Roberts not feeling any pressure as Spartans' new QB1

Saraland quarterback Jamison Roberts just shrugs at the mention that he faces added pressure in following 2024 Mr. Football winner KJ Lacey.

“There is no pressure,” he said recently. “I just have to go out there and do my job and try to help us win.”

The 6-foot-3, 190-pound junior did just that last season when Lacey, who signed with Texas, was out with injury.

Roberts led the Spartans to Class 6A, Region 1 wins over McGill-Toolen and Baldwin County before Lacey returned. Saraland ultimately lost to Parker in the Class 6A title game.

“I know this will be his first full-time year as a starter, but it doesn’t seem that way to me in how he’s playing and how he is communicating to the other guys,” Saraland coach Jeff Kelly said. “He’s a great student of the game like KJ was. He has the ability to extend plays and move and really threaten you with his legs like KJ did. He’s very accurate. He’s going to get better and better as he gets experience. The only thing he is lacking right now is just an extended period of time in the saddle, making those calls, making big throws with pressure on him.”

Roberts completed 71 percent of his passes in limited varsity playing time as a sophomore, throwing for 492 yards and 8 TDs. He was not intercepted.

“I primarily played on JV last year but to get a taste of varsity and know what it’s going to be like and not have my first game be a really big game against Jackson? I feel like that is really going to help me and help calm my nerves because I know I can compete on a high level,” Roberts said. “I know what I can do and know my God-given abilities.”

The Spartans, who have played in the last three Class 6A title games, play at reigning 4A champ Jackson to open the 2025 season Aug. 22. Saraland beat the Aggies 35-27 in last year’s season opener.

Saraland

Saraland QB Jamison Roberts rolls out against McGill-Toolen on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. Roberts replaced the injured KJ Lacey at QB. (Helen Joyce | preps@al.com)Helen Joyce | preps@al.com

“Jamison, to have a small amount of experience, has a unique gift and understanding of how to play the position,” Kelly said. “He’s worked really hard to be ready. I think that showed last year when he was thrust into some big games for us. We needed him to play well, and he was able to do that. He’s really fun to coach because he’s such a great student of the game, and he’s competitive.”

The Spartans will have some key holes to fill on offense, including at running back with the departure of Santae McWilliams and at wide receiver without All-State standout CD Gill. However, Roberts will have a key returning weapon in receiver DeShawn Spencer, who likes what he sees in his new QB.

“He’s a little funny sometimes, but he’s a great leader,” Spencer said, jokingly. “He is going to really lead our team this year. Those two games when KJ went down last year he really stepped up and made a big impact, and you could see a glimpse of what he could do and what he could bring to the table. I’m excited to see him play this year and ball out.”

Kelly said the Saraland offense will look different this fall but not necessarily because Roberts is taking the snaps instead of Lacey.

“We will look different because we want to blow it up every year and start over and try to build offense around the strength of our players,” he said. “We will do some things differently, but it’s not necessarily because of him. It’s because our players on that side of the ball are different. That’s the fun part: finding out what we can do well and finding more diverse ways to do those things. It’s a process. It starts in spring and goes to this summer in practice and in 7-on-7. We’ll learn a lot about our players and our coaching staff.”

Roberts said he learned a lot from watching Lacey. He said he’s been working on his footwork in the offseason and trying to learn how defenses might want to attack Saraland and how he needs to respond in those situations.

Roberts is already on the radar of college recruiters, having received offers from Appalachian State, Charlotte, Georgia Southern, North Alabama and South Alabama. He is scheduled to be at the University of Alabama prospect camp today.

Continue Reading

High School Sports

How to WATCH today's Idaho All State Game

At 10 a.m. Mountain Time (Noon Eastern), the 2025 Idaho All State Game will kickoff LIVE on the All State Game’s website. The game, featuring the top 6th, 7th and 8th grade players in the state, will be streamed from Idaho State University in Pocatello. Chicago Bears first round draft pick Colston Loveland, who played […]

Published

on

How to WATCH today's Idaho All State Game

At 10 a.m. Mountain Time (Noon Eastern), the 2025 Idaho All State Game will kickoff LIVE on the All State Game’s website. The game, featuring the top 6th, 7th and 8th grade players in the state, will be streamed from Idaho State University in Pocatello.

Chicago Bears first round draft pick Colston Loveland, who played in the game as a youth, will be on-hand for a cermony retiring his number from the game. The tight end played his high school football at Idaho’s Gooding High School.

About the 21st annual Idaho All State Game

This football event showcases the best 6th, 7th and 8th grade football players in a Treasure Valley vs. rest of the state (Team Idaho) format. In the high school division, the best 8 man high school players in the East (district 4,5,6) compete versus West (district 1,2,3).

Our mission is to celebrate the accomplishments of youth across the state through the annual games.  Through celebrating these extraordinary young athletes, we hope to reward and motivate a lifetime of achievement.  

Additionally, the All State Game believes in the importance of charitable activities and we have partnered with Fostering Idaho, a program that holds significant importance to event organizer (& multi-foster parent) Barry Tarter.  Since 2004 the Idaho All State Game has raised $250,000 in backpacks, clothes, and gift cards that go directly to foster kids in need.  Thank you to our 2024 families for raising over $40,000 this past year.

Continue Reading

Most Viewed Posts

Trending