Micah Hauben doesn’t need a scoreboard to know that things are going well at Needham High School.
But you couldn’t fault Hauben, who is entering his eighth year as the Rockets’ athletic director, for stealing a glance every now and then.
Whether it’s the undefeated girls’ soccer team, the boys’ basketball team that finished 17-3, or the girls’ lacrosse team that went 18-2, the scoreboard usually favors Needham.
Still, it’s not the measuring stick of choice for Hauben when he looks over the school’s 34 varsity sports and 13 club sports.
“At Needham High School, we’ve taken a step away from the scoreboard and outcome results, and focused on the building of the culture of the programs,” said Hauben. “Winning is not about the end result.”
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Needham is one of 10 divisional winners in the 44th Globe Scholastic Awards.
The Rockets won 70.50 percent of their games competing in Dalton Division 1 to earn their second straight Scholastic Award. The award is named after Ernie Dalton, the Globe’s high school sports editor from 1938-70. Defending champion Franklin was second.
The awards rank schools based on their win-loss percentage for regular-season play. Scores are compiled and updated daily during the season. Complete results are available on bostonglobe.com/schools.
The numbers tell only part of Needham’s story. Individual games might be won with a last-second shot, but program success requires more.
“I really think that it isn’t something that just happens in a given year or season,” said Hauben, a graduate of Newton South High School and George Washington University. “It’s all the time and energy that goes into building the overall athletic culture.
“The root of the success we’ve had is really a credit to the grassroots level. Needham as a community has put a lot of time and energy into the youth programs. Students coming into ninth grade had a great understanding of what it means to be a part of a team.”
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And when they join a team, they’ll hear about more than just game strategy.
Each team, through the coaching staff, has three tiers to success. First is the outcome goal, the end result, which could be as high as a state championship or as simple as a tournament berth. Second is the process goals, set by the team, which could include things like 100 percent effort at practice, sportsmanship, bonding and chemistry, or diet. And finally, there are individual goals, set by the coach and the student-athletes.
In the fall of 2013, the Needham girls’ cross-country team established its goals. They included winning the All-State title, 100 percent effort at practice, and a team motto: “My attitude is my choice, my attitude is contagious.” The result has been three straight MIAA Division 1 state titles, led by senior Globe All-Scholastics Margie Cullen and Sarah Armstrong.
“With the culture building we’ve done, there’s also credit to the community and the families,” said Hauben.
Through the Field of Dreams project, Needham now has three turf fields, available to the entire community.
“The town of Needham came together and made it happen,” said Hauben.
With close to 1,700 students, “leadership from the top” as Hauben calls it, has been another key component, including coaches and captains.
“We’ve also taken a very hands-on approach with our coaches and team captains,” said Hauben.
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“Every year or two, we identify a different area we’re going to focus on. Most recently we had two years of cultural proficiency training to better understand differences, understand the cultures.”
Better understanding, community support, strong leadership, and goals for on and off the field fuel Needham’s success.
“It has allowed a number of our teams to get to the next level and be successful,” said Hauben.
Add in some talented athletes and it leads to this: a division-best 258 wins and the 2015-16 Dalton Trophy.
There were other winners:
Ames Division 2 — Wellesley won its second title in three years, finishing with a winning percentage of 70.12. Led by teams such as girls’ tennis, which finished 18-0, the Raiders had more wins (275) than any other school in Eastern Massachusetts. Hingham was second.
Dalton Division 3 — Marblehead won its third Scholastic Award but first since 1985, finishing with a winning percentage of 70.24. Spring teams led the way for the Magicians, with girls’ tennis and girls’ lacrosse each going 19-1. North Reading finished second.
Ames Division 4 — Hanover won its second Scholastic title and first since 1998. The Indians finished with a 70.30 winning percentage, led by its winter programs, including a 20-0 girls’ basketball team and a 16-3-1 boys’ hockey team. Nantucket was second.
Nason Division 1 — Fenway came out on top in the Boston City League with a 64.79 winning percentage, led by the 17-3 girls’ basketball team. East Boston was second.
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Nason Division 2 — BC High ended St. John’s Prep’s win streak at 19 years in a row and won the Scholastic title for the first time since 1996. The Eagles finished with a 70.62 winning percentage and were the No. 1 seed in back-to-back Super 8 seasons, first in hockey and then in baseball. Prep was second.
Nason Division 3 — No one had a better year than Bishop Feehan, which finished with a winning percentage of 80.14. The Shamrocks excelled in the winter with a record of 62-7-2, led by the boys’ and girls’ basketball teams, each of which finished 19-1. St. John Paul II was second.
Singelais Division — Notre Dame of Hingham took first place, with a winning percentage of 73.82. The Cougars started the school year with a volleyball team that went 17-1 and finished with a lacrosse team that went 17-3 in the spring. Fontbonne was second.
Markham Division 1 — Shawsheen won the vocational school large Scholastic title for the first time since 2013. The Rams won 63.22 percent of their games, led by a 14-6 baseball team and a 17-3 girls’ volleyball team. Bristol-Plymouth was second.
Markham Division 2 — In its second year of existence, Essex won its first Scholastic award, finishing with a winning percentage of 54.85. Essex was led by its 17-3 baseball team and 14-3-1 girls’ soccer team. Defending champion McCann was second.
About the awards
DIVISIONAL ALIGNMENTS
Dalton Division 1 is for schools with enrollments of 1,400 and up, Ames Division 2 is 1,000-1,399, Dalton Division 3 is 700-999, and Ames Division 4 is 699 and under. Nason Division 1 is for Boston Public Schools, Nason Division 2 is for Catholic boys’ schools, and Nason Division 3 is for Catholic coed schools. The Singelais Division is for Catholic girls’ schools. The Markham Divisions are for vocational schools. The enrollment totals reflect students in Grades 9-12; enrollment figures are supplied by MIAA member schools.
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THE NAMES
ERNEST DALTON: Dalton was the Globe’s high school sports editor from 1938-70. He died in 1971.
JERRY NASON: Nason was the former executive sports editor of the Globe. He died in 1986.
NEIL SINGELAIS: Singelais was the Globe’s high school sports editor from 1970-79. He died in 2002.
LARRY AMES: Ames was assistant sports editor/schools at the Globe from 1979-94.
WALTER MARKHAM: Born and educated in Lowell, Markham was president and treasurer of the American Vocational Association for four years and was responsible for initiating the concept of regional vocational and technical high schools in the state.
Past winners
DALTON
1973
Catholic Memorial
1974
Brockton
1975
Division 1 — Brockton
Division 2 —Lincoln-Sudbury
Division 3 —Westwood
1976
Division 1 — Brockton
Division 2 — Concord-Carlisle
Division 3 — Westwood
1977
Division 1 — Newton North
Division 2 — Concord-Carlisle
Division 3 — Holliston
1978
Division 1 — Newton North
Division 2 — Andover
Division 3 — Westwood
1979
Division 1 — Newton North
Division 2 — Methuen
Division 3 — Westwood
1980
Division 1 — Newton North
Division 2 — Methuen
Division 3 — Westwood
1981
Division 1 — Newton North
Division 2 — Methuen
Division 3 — Duxbury
1982
Division 1 — Winchester
Division 2 — Acton-Boxboro
Division 3 — Duxbury
1983
Division 1 — Chelmsford
Division 2 — Beverly
Division 3 — Seekonk
1984
Division 1 — Chelmsford
Division 2 — Marblehead
Division 3 — Westwood
1985
Division 1— Chelmsford
Division 2 — Marblehead
Division 3 — Duxbury
1986
Division 1 — Chelmsford
Division 2 — Lincoln-Sudbury
Division 3 — Duxbury
1987
Division 1 — Chelmsford
Division 2 — Lincoln-Sudbury
Division 3 — Holliston
1988
Division 1 — Chelmsford
Division 2 — Lincoln-Sudbury
Division 3 — Duxbury
1989
Division 1 — Chelmsford
Division 2 — Acton-Boxboro
Division 3 — Holliston
1990
Division 1 — Newton North
Division 2 — Lincoln-Sudbury
Division 3 —Holliston
1991
Division 1 — Newton North
Division 2 — Lincoln-Sudbury
Division 3 — Holliston
Division 4 — Weston
1992
Division 1 — Andover
Division 2 — Beverly
Division 3 — Holliston
Division 4 — Weston
1993
Division 1 — New Bedford
Division 2 — Masconomet
Division 3 — Holliston
Division 4 — Norwell
1994
Division 1 — Newton North
Division 2 — Walpole
Division 3 — Holliston
Division 4 —Norwell
1995
Division 1 — Newton North
Division 2 — Burlington
Division 3 — Old Rochester
Division 4 — Norwell
1996
Division 1 — Newton North
Division 2 — Holliston
Division 3 — Scituate
Division 4 — Weston
1997
Division 1 — Newton North
Division 2 — Holliston
Division 3 — Medfield
Division 4 — Weston
1998
Division 1 — Newton North
Division 2 — Masconomet
Division 3 — Hanover
Division 4 — Weston
1999
Division 1 — Newton North
Division 2 — Masconomet
Division 3 — Norwell
Division 4 — Tyngsboro
2000
Division 1 — Andover
Division 2 — Dighton-Rehoboth
Division 3 — Medfield
Division 4 — Tyngsboro
2001
Division 1 — Lexington
Division 2 — Arlington
Division 3 — Duxbury
Division 4 — Harwich
2002
Division 1 — Peabody
Division 2 — Danvers
Division 3 — Dighton-Rehoboth
Division 4 — Abington
2003
Division 1 — Peabody
Division 3 — Hopkinton
2004
Division 1 — Peabody
Division 3 — Duxbury
2005
Division 1 — Andover
Division 3 — Duxbury
2006
Division 1 — Andover
Division 3 — Duxbury
2007
Division 1 — Lincoln-Sudbury
Division 3 — Old Rochester
2008
Division 1 — Acton-Boxboro
Division 3 — Winchester
2009
Division 1 — Lexington
Division 3 — Duxbury
2010
Division 1 — North Andover
Division 3 — Medfield
2011
Division 1 — Mansfield
Division 3 — Medfield
2012
Division 1 — Franklin
Division 3 — Hopkinton
2013
Division 1 — Masconomet
Division 3 — Medfield
2014
Division 1 — Masconomet
Division 3 — Duxbury
2015
Division 1 — Franklin
Division 3 — Old Rochester
2016
Division 1 — Needham
Division 3 — Marblehead
AMES AWARD
2003
Division 2 — Lincoln-Sudbury
Division 4 — Medfield
2004
Division 2 — Lincoln-Sudbury
Division 4 — Medfield
2005
Division 2 — North Andover
Division 4 — Cohasset
2006
Division 2 — North Andover
Division 4 — Cohasset
2007
Division 2 — Reading
Division 4 — Norwell
2008
Division 2 — Reading
Division 4 — Westport
2009
Division 2 — North Andover
Division 4 — East Bridgewater
2 010
Division 2 — Reading
Division 4 — Norwell
2011
Division 2 — North Andover
Division 4 — Norwell
2012
Division 2 — North Andover
Division 4 — East Bridgewater
2013
Division 2 — Beverly
Division 4 — West Bridgewater
2014
Division 2 — Wellesley
Division 4 — West Bridgewater
2015
Division 2 — Needham
Division 4 — Cohasset
2016
Division 2 — Wellesley
Division 4 — Hanover
NASON AWARD
1981
Division 1 — Boston English
Division 2 — Matignon
1982
Division 1 — Boston Latin
Division 2 — St. John’s Prep
Division 3 —Bishop Fenwick
1983
Division 1 — No winner
Division 2 — St. John’s Prep
Division 3 — Bishop Fenwick
1984
Division 1 — East Boston
Division 2 — Xaverian
Division 3 — Bishop Fenwick
1985
Division 1 — Dorchester
Division 2 — Xaverian
Division 3 — Abp. Williams
1986
Division 1 — Boston Tech
Division 2 — St. John’s Prep
Division 3 — Bishop Fenwick
1987
Division 1 — Boston Tech
Division 2 — BC High
Division 3 — Bishop Fenwick
1988
Division 1 — Boston Tech
Division 2 — St. John’s Prep
Division 3 — Bishop Fenwick
1989
Division 1 — Latin Academy
Division 2 — St. John’s Prep
Division 3 — Bishop Fenwick
1990
Division 1 — Latin Academy
Division 2 — BC High
Division 3 — Bishop Fenwick
1991
Division 1 — Boston Tech
Division 2 — St. John’s Prep
Division 3 — Bishop Fenwick
1992
Division 1 — South Boston
Division 2 — St. John’s Prep
Division 3 — Bishop Fenwick
1993
Division 1 — West Roxbury
Division 2 — St. John’s Prep
Division 3 — Bishop Fenwick
1994
Division 1 — Latin Academy
Division 2 — St. John’s Prep
Division 3 — Bishop Fenwick
1995
Division 1 — Latin Academy
Division 2 — St. John’s Prep
Division 3 — Bishop Fenwick
1996
Division 1 — South Boston
Division 2 — BC High
Division 3 — Bishop Fenwick
1997
Division 1 — South Boston
Division 2 — St. John’s Prep
Division 3 — Bishop Fenwick
1998
Division 1 — Latin Academy
Division 2 — St. John’s Prep
Division 3 — Bishop Feehan
1999
Division 1 — East Boston
Division 2 — St. John’s Prep
Division 3 — Bishop Feehan
2000
Division 1 — East Boston
Division 2 — St. John’s Prep
Division 3 — Bishop Feehan
2001
Division 1 — East Boston
Division 2 — St. John’s Prep
Division 3 — Bishop Feehan
2002
Division 1 — Charlestown
Division 2 — St. John’s Prep
Division 3 — Bishop Feehan
2003
Division 1 — Madison Park
Division 2 — St. John’s Prep
Division 3 — Bishop Feehan
2004
Division 1 — O’Bryant
Division 2 — St. John’s Prep
Division 3 — Bishop Feehan
2005
Division 1 — Charlestown
Division 2 — St. John’s Prep
Division 3 — Bishop Feehan
2006
Division 1 — O’Bryant
Division 2 — St. John’s Prep
Division 3 — Bishop Feehan
2007
Division 1 — East Boston
Division 2 — St. John’s Prep
Division 3 — Bishop Feehan
2008
Division 1 — Latin Academy
Division 2 — St. John’s Prep
Division 3 — Bishop Feehan
2009
Division 1 — East Boston
Division 2 — St. John’s Prep
Division 3 — Bishop Feehan
2010
Division 1 — East Boston
Division 2 — St. John’s Prep
Division 3 — Bishop Feehan
2011
Division 1 — Madison Park
Division 2 — St. John’s Prep
Division 3 — Bishop Feehan
2012
Division 1 — Brighton
Division 2 — St. John’s Prep
Division 3 — Cardinal Spellman
2013
Division 1 — Latin Academy
Division 2 — St. John’s Prep
Division 3 — Bishop Feehan
2014
Division 1 — New Mission
Division 2 — St. John’s Prep
Division 3 — Bishop Feehan
2015
Division 1 — East Boston
Division 2 — St. John’s Prep
Division 3 — Bishop Feehan
2016
Division 1 — Fenway
Division 2 — BC High
Division 3 — Bishop Feehan
SINGELAIS AWARD
1988
Notre Dame of Tyngsboro
1989
Notre Dame of Hingham
1990
Notre Dame of Hingham
1991
Notre Dame of Tyngsboro
1992
Notre Dame of Hingham
1993
Notre Dame of Tyngsboro
1994
Notre Dame of Hingham
1995
Notre Dame of Hingham
1996
Notre Dame of Hingham
1997
Notre Dame of Hingham
1998
Notre Dame of Hingham
1999
Notre Dame of Hingham
2000
Notre Dame of Hingham
2001
Notre Dame of Hingham
2002
Ursuline Academy
2003
Notre Dame of Hingham
2004
Ursuline Academy
2005
Mt. Alvernia
2006
Notre Dame of Hingham
2007
Notre Dame of Hingham
2008
Notre Dame of Hingham
2009
Notre Dame of Hingham
2010
Notre Dame of Hingham
2011
Notre Dame of Hingham
2012
Notre Dame of Hingham
2013
Notre Dame of Tyngsboro
2014
Notre Dame of Hingham
2015
Notre Dame of Hingham
2016
Notre Dame of Hingham
MARKHAM AWARD
1997
Shawsheen
1998
Greater Lowell
1999
Greater Lowell
2000
Keefe Tech
2001
Keefe Tech
2002
Division 1 — Shawsheen
Division 2 — Norfolk
2003
Division 1 — Shawsheen
Division 2 — Norfolk
2004
Division 1 — Shawsheen
Division 2 — Norfolk
2005
Division 1 — Shawsheen
Division 2 — Blue Hills
2006
Division 1 — Greater Lowell
Division 2 — Blue Hills
2007
Division 1 — Shawsheen
Division 2 — Blackstone Valley
2008
Division 1 — Shawsheen
Division 2 — Blackstone Valley
2009
Division 1 — Shawsheen
Division 2 — Blackstone Valley
2010
Division 1 — Shawsheen
Division 2 — Blue Hills
2011
Shawsheen
2012
Shawsheen
2013
Division 1 — Shawsheen
Division 2 — Norfolk Aggie
2014
Division 1 — Blackstone Valley
Division 2 — McCann Tech
2015
Division 1 — Blackstone Valley
Division 2 — McCann Tech
2016
Division 1 — Shawsheen
Division 2 — Essex Tech