Good morning, Hopkinton! Welcome to the daily update we call Hopkinton Today — a quick recap of yesterday’s news, highlights of what’s on tap, and a photo of the day.

HHS graduate to lead girls basketball

Mikayla Pucci (second from left), with the HHS girls basketball team this past season, has been named head coach following Mike Greco’s departure. PHOTO/JEN DADAGIAN

A familiar face with a strong coaching record will lead the Hopkinton High School girls basketball team next season after longtime coach Mike Greco announced his exit.

Mikayla Pucci will take on the role next winter after spending two seasons as assistant coach under Greco. Pucci, a Hopkinton High School graduate, has a long history with the team and is excited for this new opportunity.

“This program means so much to me,” said Pucci, noting she played basketball all four years at HHS before graduating in 2017. She went on to play for Wheaton College before returning to the high school in 2021 as a mathematics teacher.

Pucci jumped right into coaching when she returned to Hopkinton. She served as the junior varsity basketball coach for three years before becoming to the top varsity assistant. She also coaches volleyball and track.

“I love coaching,” Pucci said of the many sports she’s involved with. “I love building leaders, [and] I love being a part of something I think is so valuable in high school.”

Pucci credited all the coaches she has worked with in her tenure as both a player and a peer. She gave thanks to Greco — who was her high school coach — for his support over the years.

“He’s been like such a mentor to me,” she said, noting that Greco is a fellow HHS math teacher.

“I learned so much from him,” Pucci added. “He was so supportive of me going for [the position].”

Greco was coach of the girls varsity team for 11 years and spent 23 years total with the athletic program. He announced in April he would be stepping down to focus on his family.

Although the winter season is still a ways off, Pucci said her players already have shown enthusiasm for her as their coach. As far as ambitions for the coming year, Pucci said she is focused on building the girls into the best players and leaders they can be. She added that competitiveness and turning the varsity team into “the best team out there” are also top of mind.

“It’s going to be great,” she said.

— NICK SCHOFIELD

Latest News

A Hopkinton man was arrested and charged with attempted murder after an altercation at Sandy Beach on Wednesday night. Stephen Dana pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including attempted murder, at a hearing in Framingham District Court on Thursday.

The Hopkinton Police Department is asking the public for any information related to a suspicious video circulating online.

Starting Monday, the Department of Public Works will be conducting crack sealing work on a number of streets in town.

The latest Schools Notebook highlights Thomas Donohue, who recently was awarded a $2,000 scholarship by the Hopkinton Area Land Trust.

This week’s Baypath Adoptable Animal is 9-month-old Mikasa, a playful and affectionate dog who “greets every day like it’s the best day ever.”

Agnes Fennelly, 77, formerly of Hopkinton, passed away May 31.

Julian Whitney, 93, died May 30.

Local historian Dave Cormier, the author of “The Complete History of Lake Maspenock,” will discuss the lake’s history during a presentation at the Hopkinton Historical Society on Wednesday.

Photo of the Day

Town Clerk Connor Degan (left) swears in new Hopkinton Police Officer Victoria Fullagar at Town Hall on Monday.

PHOTO/HOPKINTON POLICE DEPARTMENT