The Rising Star in the Shadows
This season, a new name has surged from the periphery of the hardwood and the cinder track to command the full attention of the Bay State League. Allison Mahan, a Senior Co-Captain of Norwood High School, has spent three years as a vital but often overlooked engine of the Town’s sporting success. Now, the shadows have receded, revealing an Athlete of generational caliber.
Standing 5-10, Mahan has spent her varsity career as a Power Forward for the Norwood Basketball Team. For years, she was the silent partner to Susanne Maher, a Three-Time Globe All-Scholastic whose outside shooting drew College Scouts like moths to a flame. The two were frequently confused by casual fans due to the phonetic similarity of their surnames, but their roles on the Court were distinct. While Maher patrolled the perimeter, Mahan functioned as a Human Vacuum Cleaner under the Hoops, controlling the Glass and securing the Paint with a Strength that Veteran Coach Hank Shachoy describes as “tremendous.”
But to view Mahan solely as a Basketball Player is to miss the full scope of her Physical Talent. On the Track, she is a Four-Event Specialist who seems to have forgotten how to lose. Over the past two seasons, she has remained Undefeated in the High Jump and the 220-Yard Dash. This year, her record is nearly spotless, winning 23 out of 24 Events contested. She currently holds School Records in the High Jump (5-8, a share of the State Record), Long Jump (16-7), and the 200 Meters (25.8).
More Norwood Sports Stories
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Norwood Girls Dominate New England Track Championships-June 10, 1991
Two sisters, two individual New England titles, one historic afternoon. In June 1991, Norwood High’s Sarah and Janny Meeks completely dominated the region’s most prestigious track and field meet in a legendary family performance
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Mustangs Batter Harbormen in Sectional Quarterfinal Rout-June 4, 1991
Pitching took a backseat as the Norwood High baseball order erupted for 16 hits and 18 runs to punch their ticket to the South sectional semifinals.
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Norwood American Legion Baseball Team Battles to a Tie Against Andover-July 27, 1990
⠀ The Norwood American Legion baseball team battled against Andover in a thrilling 10-inning game, coming back from a 4-0 deficit to tie 5-5.
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Adams, Norwood work OT-June 6, 1988
A long, grinding tournament matchup turned wild as Norwood clawed back from a five‑run deficit, blasted two game‑saving homers, and leaned on an unlikely pitching hero.
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Legion Baseball Built on Wall-August 14, 1987
Entering the Massachusetts state semifinals against Natick, Norwood American Legion baseball is guided by legendary 24-year head coach Pete Wall.
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Ace Baxter Dominates on Mound-August 12, 1987
Pitcher Bob Baxter struck out nine and drove in four runs, leading Norwood American Legion to a 9-1 victory over Reading in the Eastern Section series.
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Norwood American Legion Baseball Team One Win Away from State Title and Regional Berth-August 12, 1986
With a dominant 30-1 record, the Norwood American Legion baseball team faces Aldenville at Sargent Field in New Bedford seeking a second consecutive state championship.
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Norwood’s Tom Baxter Tosses Complete-Game Four-Hitter in New England Babe Ruth Tournament-August 4, 1986
Ace righthander Tom Baxter tossed a complete-game four-hitter with seven strikeouts to lead the Norwood Babe Ruth All-Stars past Maine 2-1 in the New England tournament opener in Warwick, R.I.
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Mustangs Punish Rebel Miscues in Tournament Opener-June 5, 1986
Capitalizing on nine defensive miscues by rival Walpole, Coach John Solomon’s Norwood Mustangs cruised to an 11-3 postseason opening statement.
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Norwood Caps Dream Season, Captures First State American Legion Title Since 1942-August 15, 1985
Behind a stellar pitching performance from Bob Baxter and a clutch two-run triple by Ned Brigham, Norwood edged Grafton Hill 3-2 to win the state title.
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