Alan Greenwood

In honor of Celtics legend Tommy Heinsohn, we open by recalling his reaction when fellow Celtics broadcasting icon Johnny Most died on Jan. 3, 1993:

“He was not just the voice of the Boston Celtics. He was the conscience of the Boston Celtics for all of New England,” Heinsohn said before settling behind the microphone for that night’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers at the old Garden.

“To generations of kids, Johnny Most was the Boston Celtics.”

Heinsohn, the Hall of Fame player and coach, did not presume that 27 years later, those words would be said of him,

NOV. 14, 1970: “The Spring Street Junior High Raiders avenged last year’s defeat by the Fairgrounds Falcons as they whipped their cross-town rivals for the city championship yesterday afternoon at Holman Stadium, 26-12.”

“The Raiders held the upper hand in the contest except for the opening minutes of the second half. Leading the offensive attack, both on the ground and in the air, was halfback Bruce Jackson. … Three of the four Spring Street touchdowns were registered by Jackson, two on running plays and one on a brilliant 60-yard pass from quarterback Bill Barrett.

“Another star on the Blue Team was John Gureckis, who had a superb day on the receiving end as well as on the ground attack.”

NOV. 15: “The Skate 3 Huskies roared to three third-period goals and held on to blast the South Shore Braves, 6-4, in a New England Junior Hockey game last night.

“South Shore reeled off four unanswered goals and led 4-2 before Bob Green’s second goal of the year closed the Huskies to within one.

“Jack Stein knotted the score at 4-4 with a goal in the third period just before Green scored his second of the night on a power play to give the Huskies the winning edge.”

NOV. 16, 1955: “The YMCA squash team opens its 1955-56 season this evening against the strong Calumet Club at Manchester. The locals chalked up an impressive record last season, dropping but two decisions.

“Making up the combine is captain Chick DesRosiers, Stanley Purwinis, Mike Lesieur and Ernest Maynard.”

NOV. 17, 1980: “… The Great Football God returned to reward the hardest working team in the state and with 5:10 left, Nashua leading 39-0, He wanted NHS’ loyal fans to share in the excitement.

“‘A late score from Rochester has Trinity beating Spaulding, 26-6.’

“The Panthers went wild, even though the game, or what was still in progress. Finally, after a season-long chase of the Red Raiders, the Panthers had overtaken them and now stood proudly in first place. And as a bonus from that placement, the Division I state championship game will be held in the friendly confines of Holman Stadium.

“‘That’s great,’ said a smiling NHS coach Ken Parady afterwards. ‘I don’t like that ride.'”

Who does?

NOV. 19, 1985: “Everyone got into the act last night as the Rivier College basketball team broke out to an early lead and cruised to a 63-35 victory over crosstown rival Daniel Webster.

“Nashua’s Donna Ferrie led all Rivier scorers with 26 points.”

NOV. 20, 1990: “Wayne Berna of Hollis High School will compete in the Kinney Cross Country Championships Northeast Regional in New York City’s Van Cortlandt Park on Saturday.

“Berna, who won the 14th annual 10-kilometer Telegraph Santa Fund Run on Sunday, won the Class M/S cross country meet in October and was ninth in the New Englands on Nov. 10.

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