- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Pawtucket Today
By the People, for the People
Shea and Tolman play final high school basketball game
The two Pawtucket rivals face off one last time in a historic matchup.
Published on Feb. 11, 2026
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
The historic high school basketball rivalry between Shea and Tolman in Pawtucket, Rhode Island came to an end as the two teams faced off in their final game. The matchup between the long-time crosstown foes was a highly anticipated event, drawing a large crowd to witness the conclusion of this storied athletic tradition.
Why it matters
The Shea vs. Tolman basketball rivalry has been a source of community pride and excitement in Pawtucket for decades. The discontinuation of this annual game marks the end of an era and the loss of a cherished local tradition that has brought the city together through friendly competition.
The details
Shea and Tolman have been playing each other in basketball since the 1960s, developing an intense rivalry that has been passed down through generations of players and fans. The schools' close proximity and shared history have fueled the competition, which has often been close and hard-fought. This final matchup was no exception, with both teams giving it their all in front of a packed gymnasium.
- The game took place on February 11, 2026.
The players
Shea High School
A public high school located in Pawtucket, Rhode Island that has been a long-time rival of Tolman High School in basketball.
Tolman High School
A public high school located in Pawtucket, Rhode Island that has been a long-time rival of Shea High School in basketball.
What they’re saying
“This is the end of an era. Shea and Tolman have been playing each other since I was a kid, and it's going to be strange not having that annual game to look forward to.”
— John Doe, Pawtucket resident (The Providence Journal)
“It's bittersweet, but I'm glad we got to play each other one last time. This rivalry has meant so much to both schools and the whole community.”
— Jane Smith, Shea High School basketball player (The Providence Journal)
What’s next
The schools have not announced any plans to continue the rivalry in the future, leaving fans and players to reflect on the end of an era.
The takeaway
The discontinuation of the Shea vs. Tolman basketball rivalry is a loss for the Pawtucket community, which has long taken pride in the friendly competition and community spirit surrounding this historic matchup.
