(L to R) Athletic Director Shawn Thornton and senior forward Christy Novembre

After 7 years, 8 months and 24 days, Mr. Shawn Thornton will not be sitting in the athletic office on 579 Boston Avenue in Medford when September rolls around. Thornton accepted a job across town in Everett with a Catholic Central League rival in Pope John which is in the small along with Saint Clement.
Each team competes against each other in almost every sport. But the sport everyone will wait and buy tickets early to see is when Coach Thornton takes his Lady Tigers to Medford to face the Lady Anchors.

Thornton has built a strong resume in all athletics but especially in girls basketball. Since he took over the job as head varsity coach, the team accomplished many goals such as make the State Tournament 6 years straight and eventually winning the league last season finishing 16-4 overall and 11-1 in the league. He also saw most of his graduates continue to play college basketball, such as 1,000-point scorer form Medford Jen Sauer who graduated in 2008.
This season he will watch his stud athlete Christy Novembre, who also scored 1,000 points, take her talents to Southern New Hampshire in the fall. Christy was very happy for Coach Thornton and Pope John stating this: “I’ve had Coach Shawn Thornton as my high school basketball coach and he is by far the best coach I ever had. During my four years, he has pushed me beyond my limit and that’s why I am the player I am today. He also pushed the Saint Clement girls basketball team beyond their limit. Being the youngest team and having the odds against us. We won our league 11-1 and finished 4th in division 4 North with an overall record of 16-4, and breaking our own school record at a 14-game winning streak. He knows the game very well. He always gives 150% every time whether it’s practice or games. The Pope John girls basketball team is getting an amazing, passionate, and outgoing coach and an excellent athletic director. Pope john is very lucky to get him. I wish Coach Shawn Thornton the best of luck and also to the Pope John girls basketball team.”
Thornton has many accomplishments throughout his career at Saint Clement. In 2005, he added boys ice hockey in which the team qualified for the State Tournament 3 out of the 5 years of existence. He added a girl’s soccer team in 2006, which plays at the new state of the art Dilboy Stadium along with the football team. Thornton developed a great relationship with Tufts University hosting their Basketball State Tournament Games since 2004, and their annual turkey day football game at the Oval. In 2009, he received the Ted Danko Award, which is a very special award given by the MIAA that distinguishes a service to the student body, high athletics, and the overall mission of developing younger students for life long skills. Thornton remained consistent in league affairs by adding the school when he first arrived there into the Catholic Central. The school didn’t have a home and only played an independent schedule. In 2007-08 Thornton became Vice President of the largest league in Massachusetts and currently holds its Presidency.
This basketball season, his girls basketball team won the Division 4 Sportsmanship Award, which was presented to the entire team during the finals at the TD Bank Garden.
“Thornton’s greatest asset to our school and athletics program is how he handles the parents and students,” quotes a parent. He has the ability to handle situations and keep all the parents updated in all areas. The major one is the overall well-being of the student. Thornton is not only a teacher and athletic director, but also more like a father to the majority of these kids. They look up to him and take his advice respectfully. He is a psychologist and is always willing to help our students out on a daily basis. “He always makes the parents aware of what is taking place in the school and athletically on the court or field,” states another parent. “It is a big loss for our school community but whoever takes his position will be left with more than enough material to follow his footsteps.”
“Shawn Thornton is the best coach I have ever had. I know Saint Clement, especially girl’s basketball, will miss him greatly. He has helped me improve and become a much better basketball player. It’s going to be tough playing against him and not having him on the sidelines, but Pope John is extremely lucky to have him,” quotes sophomore from Medford, Allison Caloggero.