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Boys’ basketball nets Patriot Cup to cap perfect season

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The Panthers pose after winning the Patriot Cup. / Courtesy photo

The boys’ basketball team capped off a perfect season by netting the Patriot Cup.

Make it 35 straight wins and a Patriot Cup to show.

The Whitman-Hanson Regional High boys’ basketball team completed a perfect 12-0 season with a 74-61 victory over league rival Hingham in the Patriot Cup final on Saturday, Feb. 20.

The Panthers trailed the Harbormen 58-56 with 4:50 remaining, before outscoring Hingham 18-3 — highlighted by a 15-0 run — the rest of the way.

“The kids locked in defensively and just owned the glass,” said W-H head coach Bob Rodgers. “We got the stops and the boards and that allowed us to get more comfortable on offense.”

Junior Amari Jamison gave the Panthers a 61-58 lead with 3:37 left when he knocked down three of his team-high 18 points.

Senior captain Cole LeVangie led the way with 16 points, 11 rebounds and six assists, while fellow senior captain Nate Amado and junior Ryan Vallancourt also scored 16 points apiece in the win.

“Not many teams challenged us this year, so it was impressive to see our kids show such poise,” Rodgers said. “I can’t say enough about our two junior guards. They both stepped up huge. Of course, we all have been privileged to watch two of the greatest players in school history in Nate Amado and Cole LeVangie and down the stretch they made the big plays when we needed them. I will sure miss both of them.

W-H, which has not lost since Dec. 26, 2020, heads into the offseason with the state’s longest winning streak at 35 straight.

“The entire team deserves so much credit for the road they had to travel to make this incredible season a reality,” Rodgers said. “COVID has taken so much away from so many people but these kids just refused to let it steal this season from them. It’s a great lesson for all of us about appreciating what you have and focusing on only that which you can control. Every member of this team should be proud of the league title and the Patriot Cup but more importantly about what kind of friends and teammates they were to each other.”

Season Preview: For boys’ basketball team, the focus is on now

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Senior captain Cole LeVangie is a one of two returning Patriot League All-Stars for W-H. / Photo by: Sue Moss

Bob Rodgers’ bunch is aiming for its sixth Patriot League Keenan Division crown in the past eight seasons.

The Whitman-Hanson Regional High boys’ basketball team experienced that first-hand last season when it was deprived of a chance to finish off what it started in the Div. 2 state title game. 

So the mantra for this season is simple: 

“The biggest thing is to make sure we all appreciate every day we have,” said 21st-year W-H head coach Bob Rodgers. “We try to practice every day like it’s going to be our last practice and we have to hopefully play every game like it could be our last game – just appreciate what we have while we have it.”

That’s pretty easy to do when you have two guys like senior captains Nate Amado (13.7 ppg, 5.4 rpg last season) and Cole LeVangie (11.4 ppg, 5 rpg last season). Both are returning Patriot League All-Stars and two of the “most talented” players Rodgers said he has ever coached. But that’s just part of what makes them special. 

“They are just such tremendous teammates and phenomenal leaders and just good people,” Rodgers said. “I’m excited we get to play the season in part because all of these younger players get to play with them and they get to see how they go about their business and how unselfish they are. Obviously, their talent is off the charts, but what I will remember years from now is just how both of them are willing to do whatever it takes for our team to be successful and to help other kids grow.”

As for departures, reigning Patriot League MVP Stevie Kelly (14 ppg, 6.3 apg and 5.1 rpg last season) is gone from the point and Rodgers knows it will be a joint effort to make up for his contributions. 

“No, we don’t have Stevie Kelly,” Rodgers said. “But we have a trio of (junior) guards that have really stepped in nicely. Ryan Vallancourt is just so dedicated and has so much passion for the game of basketball. Amari Jamison’s potential is off the charts. His skill level and athleticism are something I haven’t really had in a long time. And Andrew Guardia is a steady Eddie — runs the position and gets people involved.”

And as always the defending Div. 2 state champions will rely on their ability to knock down the 3-ball.

“We have a lot of guys that can shoot it,” Rodgers said. “That’s one of the blessings like when you have two players like Nate and Cole, you don’t get worried that the other team is just going to try and just shut down those guys, but if the coach has that as their game plan, I think they’re going to have some difficulties because we do have some other guys that can shoot it.”

And why make playing W-H more difficult than it already is? Rodgers’ club is riding the state’s longest winning streak at 26 games, as it takes aim at its sixth Patriot League Keenan Division title in the past eight seasons. 

“A league championship is always where we start and since there isn’t a state championship on the line this year, I think that’s even more so this year,” Rodgers said. “One of the things I always say to the kids is you look at that banner with all of the league championships on it. Each one of those years represents a group of kids that came committed to a goal, came committed to a certain level of work ethic, and a team attitude. If you want to be on that you’ll have to replicate that same kind of effort.”

The Panthers are scheduled to be back on the court Friday, Jan. 22 at 6:30 p.m. when they host Plymouth North.

“I think that most of the teams in our league get up to play us for a lot of reasons,” Rodgers said. “We’re one of the games that they circle on the schedule and after having the season that we had last year, I think that will be even more so. I’m sure every team would like to be the team that stops our winning streak.”

W-H sports on pause

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Sports at Whitman-Hanson Regional High are on pause until at least January 19.

Following the district’s decision to go full remote until January 19, the Whitman-Hanson Regional High athletic calendar will also be paused until then.

“Teams will continue to be engaged via zoom and other distanced activities,” tweeted athletic director Bob Rodgers. “Please wear your masks and stay safe during this time.”

“No one should be angry with anyone over the move to remote,” Rodgers added. “In our league, Marshfield, Plymouth North and Scituate are also in the same position and others are likely to follow. In addition, there are many other teams that are out because of quarantine.”

Both the boys’ and girls’ hockey teams as well as the boys’ basketball team had already opened their seasons. The girls’ basketball team still hasn’t played a game.

‘Tis the season: Panther athletes get set to play on a very different field

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The fall sports season starts on Friday, Sept. 18 at Whitman-Hanson Regional High.

The wait is almost over.

After nearly six months without high school sports, the fall season is finally set to get underway tomorrow at Whitman-Hanson Regional High.

Cross country, field hockey, boys’ golf, soccer and girls’ volleyball will all begin practice. Football and fall cheerleading were moved to February.

“These have been difficult times for all of us, but especially our kids,” said W-H athletic director Bob Rodgers. “I am so excited to see them back with their coaches and teammates. I’m not sure people truly understand how much being part of a team means to our students but I know this will help them deal with these uncertain times.

“Our teachers have been working so hard for the return to school and the same holds true for our coaches. I hope everyone remembers that this is uncharted territory for all of us and we will do the best we can to serve our students the best we can. We will learn as we go and adjust when necessary.”

There are a few major changes coming to some sports. Field hockey will be played 7-on-7 instead of 11-on-11. There will be no throw-ins, slide tackling or heading the ball in soccer.

“This season is most certainly challenging, but we will meet this challenge with a covered smile,” said boys’ soccer head coach Dave Leahy.

That feeling is universal.

“I’m very excited that we get the chance to play this season,” said girls’ soccer junior Kelsee Wozniak. “It’s definitely going to be a challenge with the new rules, but the fact we even are allowed to play is great.”

Said girls’ volleyball junior Lily Welch: “All of my teammates and I are super excited about having a season. Even though it’s hard under the guidelines, we have all been getting together and training with each other. We have also had the chance to be teachers and work with the incoming freshman and I love that.”

There also won’t be a state tournament, but Wozniak said she’ll have no issue staying motivated playing in the Patriot League.

“We play in a very strong conference with talented teams,” she said. “Our goal is to compete and win our league. That will drive us every day to work very hard as a team.”

Regardless of what this upcoming season will look like or even how it may play out, one thing is certain heading into it.

“I can’t wait to get started,” said boys’ and girls’ cross country head coach Steve George.

No football, cheerleading this fall

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Football and cheerleading have been pushed off from this fall to a “sandwich” season in February.

There won’t be any Friday night lights or Thanksgiving Day football this coming fall.

The MIAA Board of Directors has moved football and fall cheerleading back to the spring in a season it’s calling “Fall II,” that will run from Feb. 22 to April 25. Both are deemed high-risk sports.

“It is the best case scenario for our players and our seniors to get a season in,” said Whitman-Hanson Regional High football head coach Mike Driscoll. “Obviously, we would like life to be normal and have a regular fall season, but that is not the case right now. We will make the best out of the current situation and our guys will be hungry and ready to go come the end of February.”

W-H cheerleading head coach Alyssa Pietrasik also understands the move.

“We are disappointed that we won’t have our fall season, there’s something special and unique about those Friday nights under the lights and the extreme competitiveness of fall cheer,” she said. “But in reality, our day will come when the world is a safer place. Right now we need to buckle down and keep our distance so that we can get to business come February. But I will say that I can’t wait for that day to come.”

The regular fall season, which will include soccer, gymnastics, cross country, field hockey, girls’ volleyball, and boys’ golf, will start on Sept. 18.

The Patriot League will play its games in a bubble, which means schools will only play games against teams in their respective division (Keenan or Fisher). W-H is in the Keenan Division with Duxbury, Marshfield Plymouth North Silver Lake and Quincy. However, there are a few executions: boys’ soccer will face North Quincy, while field hockey and girls soccer’ and girls’ volleyball will play one game against Notre Dame Academy (of Hingham). The league will conclude play with the Patriot Cup, which will end no later than Nov. 20. There won’t be a state tournament.

“This  isn’t really about championships, it’s not about banners in the gym,” said W-H athletic director Bob Rodgers at last Friday’s school committee meeting. “It’s about giving kids participation — allowing them to be part of something.”

Fall sports delayed until at least mid-September

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Fall sports will be delayed until at least Sept. 14.

It could have been worse.

The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association has pushed back the start of the fall sports season until Sept. 14 due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

“I think by making this move, it gives us the best opportunity to have a sustained program,” Whitman-Hanson Regional High athletic director Bob Rodgers told WHDH 7 News’ Byron Barnett. “We could come back at the normal date and it could be very likely we’d be out again. It could have a domino affect. I’m pleased with the decision.”

Rodgers also noted the start date is for tryouts and practices, so games may be on hold until mid-October.

“I think we’re going to have a really workable plan,” Rodgers said. “It won’t be normal, it won’t be what we’ve always had. But let’s face it, this is an unprecedented time, nobody has ever gone though this before.”

“I think we’re probably going to shorten the regular season a bit and then there’s been some talks about whether we change the whole playoff format for a year. Maybe we keep it more regional. Maybe we keep it more district-oriented.”

In addition to a shortened season, Rodgers said he’s expecting some other changes, such as having to rely on parents for transportation to and from games, a limit of guests in attendance and likely no Friday night lights.

“There’s going to have to be some compromise,” he said.

Rodgers said he’s also expecting some bumps along the way.

“My biggest concern is the whole start, stop thing,” he said. “Once we get into this, there will be people that will test positive, and it’s a matter of ‘How do we address those positive tests?'”

Rodgers said his message to the athletes is to just stay positive.

“Stay confident that we’re going to make this happen,” Rodgers said. “If we keep these numbers down then we will have sports. We will have school. I think we have to keep doing what we’re doing.”

Ben Rice set to shoot for a cause

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Ben Rice shoots a 3. / Photo by: Sue Moss

Ben Rice is set to take place in the A Shot for Life Challenge on Aug. 1 and to do so must raise at least $1,000.

Ben Rice hit a team-high 77 3-pointers during his senior season this past winter, helping to lead the Whitman-Hanson Regional High boys’ basketball team to a share of the Division 2 state title.

Now, Rice is ready to line up some more shots for an even bigger cause. Rice is one of 16 Massachusetts high school boys’ basketball players selected to take part in the A Shot For Life (ASFL) Challenge, which is scheduled to be held Saturday, Aug. 1 at Starland Sportsplex in Hanover. 

The event is a hybrid of a highly competitive basketball shooting competition and a fundraiser. ASFL is a multi-dimensional organization that raises money for cancer research, empowers athletes to use their abilities and talents for the benefit of others, and inspires hope. Funds raised by the A Shot For Life Challenge benefit the Dr. Curry Research Laboratory at Massachusetts General Hospital. Each participant must raise at least $1,000. 

“After I was chosen I knew how important this event really is,” said Rice, who will play basketball at Connecticut College, this winter. “My goals are to have my fundraising total be well over the minimum of $1,000, to spread awareness about the cause to as many people as possible, and lastly, win the event.”

“Ben was one of the top shooters in the state his senior year and we all know he loves to shoot, so it’s great he can do something he is so passionate about and help so many people,” said W-H boys’ basketball head coach Bob Rodgers. 

It is a competitive selection process to become A Shot For Life shooter, according to ASFL CEO and founder Mike Slonina. 

“We not only scout all prospective shooters closely, but we also interview for people of great character,” stated Slonina in a press release. “The selection process this year was heavily impacted by the coronavirus pandemic and accompanying lockdown. This year more than ever, a player showing initiative and proactively wanting to use their talent for good carried a lot of weight. We are extremely proud of the 2020 roster as we welcome many new players into the A Shot For Life family. All of the participants involved in the A Shot For Life Challenge have committed to spend a significant amount of time and energy to raise money for brain cancer research. Their excitement and willingness to do so speaks volumes about who they are as people off of the court.”

To donate to ASFL for Rice, go to https://www.gofundme.com/f/2020-a-shot-for-life-challenge and type his name under the comment section. 

If the event is not able to go off as planned on Aug. 1, Slonina said they have contingency plans. 

“I am most looking forward to being able to compete with some of the best shooters I have ever heard of or played against and hopefully I have a great shooting day,” Rice said. 

Season Review: A championship run for boys’ basketball

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The Panthers celebrate a win at TD Garden. / Photo by: Sue Moss

This season’s boys’ basketball team earned the program’s first-ever state title.

Preparation for the state championship game was underway when Whitman-Hanson Regional High boys’ basketball head coach Bob Rodgers heard his phone ring. He had a hunch what it was going to be about.

“We just finished our film session and scouting report and we were about 15 to 20 minutes into the on-court portion of practice when I got the phone call,” Rodgers said. “I stepped out of the gym to take it and walked in and I could see the kids. We all knew it was inevitable.”

The Panthers Div. 2 state title game against Taconic was canceled. While the initial reaction was heartbreaking, Rodgers said it didn’t take long to put it into perspective.

“One thing I told the kids is to look up at the banners in the gym on that boys’ basketball league championship banner, there’s a co-champion in there,” said Rodgers, who wrapped up his 20th year on the Panthers’ bench. “Nobody knows what year it is. It’s such a great accomplishment for the kids to win our first-ever state championship. It’s not going to say co-champions, it’s going to say state champions. That’s what they are.

“We were all pretty confident we were gonna be able to complete it if we were able to play that last game.”

It’s tough to argue with that. The Panthers (25-2) hadn’t lost in nearly two and a half months and were riding a state-best 23-game winning streak.

“When I realized how good of a basketball team we were was when we were at Scituate,” Rodgers said. “Scituate was an outstanding basketball team and we played near flawless basketball and made a big statement (75-45 victory).”

One of many big statements for the Panthers, who knocked off Div. 1 contenders Brockton (75-70) and Mansfield (72-59) to win the Roundball Classic, and capped the season by getting over the hump at TD Garden with an 86-68 rout of Beverly. 

“The accomplishments of the team, to end the season with a win at the TD Garden,” Rodgers said, “so many positives we can take from it.”

The Panthers were buoyed by a balanced attack all season — led by senior captain Stevie Kelly. The Clarion University commit was a stat-sheet stuffer, recording 14 points, 6.3 assists, and 5.1 rebounds per game en route to being named Patriot League Keenan Division MVP.

“Stevie is a great story,” Rodgers said. “He was cut from the middle-school basketball team and he is somebody who has a tremendous work ethic and if he’s not good at something, he’s going to keep practicing it until he gets better at it. He’s like having another coach on the team. He’s one of the all-time best players that ever played at Whitman-Hanson.”

Many of Kelly’s assists were to fellow senior captain and Patriot League Keenan Division All-Star Ben Rice. Rice, who stands at 6-foot-7, knocked down 77 3-pointers, leading the team with 14.7 ppg to complement 5.9 rpg. 

“He just had such a passion and love for basketball and the basketball gods rewarded him by making him 6-7,” Rodgers said of Rice, who will play at Connecticut College next season. “I think he played his best basketball at the end of the season.”

Juniors Cole LeVangie (11.4 ppg, 5 rpg) and Nate Amado (13.7 ppg, 5.4 rpg) were also named Patriot League Keenan Division All-Stars. The captain-elects combined for 99 3-pointers. 

“They’re both incredible, multi-dimensional basketball players,” Rodgers said. “They can shoot it, get to the hole, they can rebound, they can handle it. They both have very similar styles of play. They’re both extremely coachable, very kind and outstanding leaders. I’m really excited about having them as the foundation for trying to continue what we’ve been having going on at Whitman-Hanson for a long time.”

Seniors Tommy Vassil (headed to play at Springfield Commonwealth Academy prep school next year) and John Zeidan were also key parts of the Panthers’ run this season. 

“I consider us to be a character-based program,” Rodgers said. “We try to be the best people we can be. Not perfect people by any means but my kids take pride that they’re role models for the younger kids in the community. They have been through the Whitman-Hanson experience as kids so they recognize the importance they have on the future of Whitman-Hanson basketball and take great pride in it. For me, that’s what makes this program special.”

Googins steps down as W-H boys’ hockey coach

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Whitman-Hanson Regional High is looking for a boys’ hockey coach.

After the program’s best run in at least 15 years, Whitman-Hanson Regional High boys’ hockey head coach Chris Googins has stepped down.

“This is a huge loss for our school, but I get it,” said W-H athletic director Bob Rodgers. “Not only is Chris a tremendous coach, he is an even better father. His youngest son is playing hockey in college and he simply did not want to miss the opportunity to share that journey with him.”

Googins served six seasons as the boys’ hockey coach in the early 2000s before departing to take over the head coaching responsibilities at Framingham State University. He returned to W-H in 2016, as the Panthers skated to a one-win campaign. This past season, they won 17 games and earned a berth in the Div. 2 South semifinals. 

“Coach Googins touched all the bases as a high school coach,” Rodgers said. “ He taught his players so much more than just hockey and in his final lesson to the boys he showed them that family always comes first. We are fortunate that he will remain with our school in his current teaching position.”

Dealing with a delayed spring sports season at Whitman-Hanson

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The spring sports season is delayed until at least May 4.

For the Whitman-Hanson Regional High girls’ tennis team, optimism was high — and rightfully so — as it looked toward this spring.

The Panthers are set to return all 18 players from last year’s team that won its first tournament game in program history.

Now, the girls’ tennis team, like the rest of the clubs, is grappling with a delayed start to the spring due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

“We were looking forward to our best season thus far,” said girls’ tennis head coach Sue Sookiasian. “Coach (Sue) Moss and I are keeping the faith that we will be able to have some sort of an abbreviated season.”

This spring is also key for the boys’ lacrosse team, but for the opposite  reason. The Panthers are tasked with making up for the loss of 10 seniors. Five of those seniors combined for 112 goals, one was its Patriot League All-Star starting goaltender and another was a captain on defense.

“It’s definitely tough because I would have liked to get a full season in to develop the younger guys because the majority of starters last year were seniors,”  said boys’ lacrosse head coach Tyler Sabens. “I’m hopeful that we’ll have a spring season even if it’s short.”

If all goes as planned and there are no further setbacks, that short spring season will get underway on May 4 with tryouts. Games will get underway about a week later, according to athletic director Bob Rodgers. 

Baseball skipper Pat Cronin, who started coaching 47 years ago, has never seen anything like this, but he understands the delay is necessary. 

“[I] Feel for the kids, of course,” Cronin said. “The seniors are in their final year and will be unable to ever get back the time missed. While virtually my entire life has been centered about the classroom and athletic fields, missing a season or part of a season is a small price to pay if we can help to save lives.”

Head girls’ lacrosse coach AC Decker, who was hired last offseason, is possibly facing his first spring without picking up a stick since he was introduced to the sport back in 1975. 

“The girls are devastated, especially the seniors,” Decker said. “I can tell that there were many players who were very prepared and ready for the season. The captains, Marissa Connell and Riley Bina (sitting at 92 career goals), organized teams for indoor leagues and kept the players motivated.

“Going into my second year, I felt much better prepared. We were hosting a small preseason jamboree, and I was able to set my schedule this year.”

Josh Lopes is set to enter his first spring at the helm of the boys’ tennis team. He doesn’t think the season will actually happen — and if it does — he won’t have a good feeling going in. 

“I don’t know much about the team at all, especially what the experience levels are,” Lopes said. “Quite a few are first-year players. I had met with anyone interested in playing but it does feel like we are going into the season essentially blind. I don’t really know what to expect in terms of ability and players. It was actually part of the excitement for me, thinking about what the possibilities could be.”

Steve George, the girls’ outdoor track head coach, noted it’s frustrating not being able to communicate with his athletes about potential practices and workouts because of a strict MIAA policy that states, “A coach may not directly or indirectly require an athlete to participate in a sport or a training program outside of the MIAA defined sport season.”

“This pandemic has created an immensely frustrating time for me as a coach,” George said. “I’m literally isolated from the athletes, but in addition there are rules placing limitations on what we can discuss or suggest out of season.”

With that said, he is immensely concerned about his athletes getting hurt if the season ends up getting underway.

“I have a growing concern about injury, if and when we do return,” he said. “Accelerating training would increase that likelihood, and the MIAA will proceed with caution to ensure adequate practices take place prior to competition. But many of the athletes will not want to hold back, despite a lengthy period of inactivity and that could be disastrous. My job is to keep them healthy and safe and that is how I intend to proceed.”

Boys’ outdoor track head coach Stephen Schlicting tries to post a tweet each day to keep in touch with his athletes, but he knows it’s not the same as seeing their faces. 

“It seems like a long time since I’ve seen the team,” said Schlicting, who also coaches the boy’s indoor track team. “I’m hoping we have this thing beat by May 4. We had a very good group this past winter, and I’m looking forward to the others who will join and start next month.”

Softball head coach Jordan McDermott has been doing her best to keep her players’ spirits up. 

“I did do a challenge for a week with the girls where I gave them a challenge and they had the option to do something,” McDermott explained. “I loved how I made it not only for the softball girls but for all those who follow my account; it was pretty cool to see other girls from other schools and towns get involved. I go live here and there on my account and try to check in on the student-athletes. My goal is to keep the girls engaged, active and optimistic.”

One thing is certain: each coach is devastated for their senior(s).