NEWTON — There was one familiar face on the Newton North High sideline, and it was red before the end of the first quarter. Coach Paul Connolly  stomped his feet, waved his arms, and blew ear-piercing whistles to get his players’ attention early on in the Tigers’ 50-47 Bay State Conference win over Walpole last week.

After 11 winning seasons as the Newton North basketball coach, his methods have not changed much. His passion is the program’s constant.