Methuen High School boys’ basketball coach Anthony Faradie’s decision to leave the Ranger program after 11 seasons was not an easy one. In truth, it was more about home than the hoops. A resident of Wilmington, Faradie will become the new head boys’ basketball coach at Wilmington High School.

“Coach Faradie was a tremendous coach for us,” says Methuen High School Interim Athletic Director Tom Ryan. “He is a tough-love kind of coach, was able to build and maintain a consistent winner, and held the kids accountable on and off the court.”

Ryan says that the head boys’ basketball coaching job was posted the week of July 22.

“We are looking for someone who is going to come in and build and maintain a strong program,” Ryan relates. “That would include having strong ties to the youth, Methuen High School, and the community at large. The program is in good shape, and there are several senior returners that are all-league caliber players. We are hoping to conduct interviews in mid-August and have a coach hired before the start of the school year.”

As for the departing Faradie, he will look to do in Wilmington what he did in Methuen and previously at Medford High School, namely, resuscitate a moribund program.

“When I came to Methuen, I took over a program that was 4-18 in the MVC. My first year, we went 8-14. My second year, we went 9-11. By my third year, we went 14-10. After that, we made the tournament every year except one season, barring the COVID year, and we were above .500 that season,” he said. “It was very similar to Medford where I took over a program that was 1-19. I learned so many things playing in the Merrimack Valley Conference and competing against some of the great coaches and programs. What I’ll take with me is the great relationships I’ve formed over the years with my players, the community, co-workers and fellow coaches.”

Faradie truly resurrected the MHS program and reflects on some memorable moments: “Number one has to be the State Tournament stunner win at Central Catholic in the 2018 first round. Angel Mejia took a game-winning charge and Dante Rivera hit the game winning shot. It was an amazing thriller and signature win for our program. That one goes down as one of the greatest wins in Methuen history.

“In my third season, we had a buzzer-beater win at Lynn English in the State Tournament. It was the first time we had made the tournament and we struggled to get into a groove. David DiZazzo had a shovel pass to Evan Hardy who drilled the game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer. Our student section stormed the court.”

Faradie also points to last season’s upset state tourney win vs. Springfield Central. Through all of the big wins, his philosophy of building strong character, outworking the opponent and being prepared guided the team, as did the support of the Methuen sports and scholastic community.

“Working with Matt Curran and Rich Barden was a match made in heaven for me,” says Faradie, who lives in Wilmington with wife Michelle, son Dominic, and daughter Kiana. “Matt was simply the best athletic director and Rich the best principal you could have.

“(Athletic trainer) Al DeLano was always outstanding, Paula George in the athletic office, Methuen Youth Basketball President Dan Labelle, the AP’s over the years, and our custodial staff were all so important to what we built.”

Faradie also lauds his assistant coaches including David Brown, Ryan Middlemiss, Doug Ryan, Doug Gemmell, David White and many others. While his Wilmington team will not play vs. Methuen in the 2024-25 season, Faradie will surely keep his Ranger players squarely in mind.

He relates, “We have a very talented team returning this year with Isaiah Andino, Nethaniel Clemente and Lennon Abreu-De La Cruz. They are primed to make a deep run. Obviously, it was extremely tough to leave a team like this. I have spent so much time with these kids. Ultimately, I think they understand that it was a family decision for me.”

For now, Faradie will continue to teach in Medford and plans to stay involved with Methuen basketball alumni events. He points to a personal story from this past year in summing up his feelings for Methuen: “When my nephew got diagnosed with leukemia this past December, it was a really challenging time for our family. Without me knowing, our players made special warmup T-shirts that read ‘Team Ty.’ The parents did fund-raisers and made extra T-shirts for my family. It was really amazing, and I want to thank them for that. We have accomplished so much, and I love all the people who have been part of our program over the last 11 years. We all have great pride in Methuen Basketball.”

 

After 11 seasons, MHS boys’ basketball coach Anthony Faradie is leaving the program to become head boys’ hoops coach at Wilmington High School. Photo by J Silva Sports