Taunton High School has officially announced its Class of 2026 Athletic Hall of Fame inductees, recognizing a diverse group of six athletes, a coach, and a state-champion team. The announcement was made on September 2 by Taunton Public Schools, marking the third induction class into the Hall of Fame.
This year's inductees reflect the rich history and tradition of athletic excellence at Taunton High School. Mike Fox, the chairman of the Taunton High Athletic Hall of Fame Committee, emphasized the significance of this class, stating, "This year’s class reflects the depth and history of athletic excellence at Taunton High School. These inductees represent multiple generations of Tigers, and their accomplishments have left a lasting mark on our athletic programs." The induction ceremony is set for November 21 at 5 p.m. in the Taunton High School cafeteria, with tickets and further details to be announced shortly.
The inductees for the Class of 2026 include a mix of standout athletes and a pioneering coach. Among them is Hanna Aldrich, a two-time MIAA Division 1 champion in softball, who holds the record for the most home runs (28) and RBIs (133) in Taunton's program history. Aldrich, who graduated in 2021, was recognized as the Taunton Daily Gazette Co-Softball Player of the Year and went on to play at the NCAA Division 1 level at Lehigh University and Providence College.
Doug Alves, a member of the Class of 1997, is another notable inductee. As the captain of Taunton's only MIAA Division 1 state champion boys basketball team, Alves scored over 600 points in his senior year, finishing his career with a total of 1,136 points. His accolades include being named the Old Colony League MVP and a first team all-scholastic by several publications. After playing Division 1 basketball at High Point University, he returned to the Greater Taunton area to coach, currently serving as the head boys basketball coach at Bridgewater-Raynham.
Blair Bourque, a standout baseball player from the Class of 1999, is also among the inductees. He led the 1999 Tigers to an OCL championship with impressive statistics, including a .521 batting average and 10 home runs. Selected in the 1999 MLB Draft by the Milwaukee Brewers, Bourque later returned to Taunton High as the baseball coach, guiding the team to three MIAA Division 1 titles in recent years.
Adrienne Leone (Fatzinger), a key player on the Tigers' first state championship softball team in 1997, is being honored for her contributions to the program. Leone still holds multiple top-five program records and continued her involvement in softball as a coach after her collegiate career.
Jess Maki, a track and field athlete from the Class of 2015, and Kelsey White, a two-time D1 champion pitcher, round out the list of athletes being inducted. Maki achieved a personal best in the 400-meter hurdles, while White, who graduated in 2021, went undefeated in her senior year and later played at Villanova.
Lastly, Steve Matthews, the founder of Taunton High's hockey program, is being recognized for his contributions to the sport. His coaching career spanned from 1972 to 1985, during which he led the team to multiple league titles and established a legacy that continues to influence the program today.
The 1997 Taunton High Softball Team, which secured the program's first MIAA D1 title, is also being honored. This team set the foundation for Taunton's dominance in Massachusetts softball, having won 11 D1 titles since that historic season.
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