LOWELL, Mass. — In the bowels of the Tsongas Center, after they had clinched the Division 5 championship in their final game together, Pioneer Valley star Brayden Thayer saw his dad, head coach Scott Thayer, doing an interview. He approached him from behind, wrapped his arms around him for a hug.
“I love you, dad,” Brayden said.
This is a moment he dreamed of. Growing up, Brayden was always around his dad as he coached, and envisioned playing in the big games with him one day. On Saturday, the dream was fulfilled. Thayer scored a game-high 26 points, leading top-seeded Pioneer Valley to a dominant 49-28 victory over No. 2 Hopedale for the Div. 5 crown.
“It’s special, especially to do it with my dad," Brayden said. "He’s my idol, I look up to him so much. I’m just glad I got to win it with him, the last ever time he’ll be coaching me.”
