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A leader on the team: WHSL’s Maddie Soule to serve

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Maddie Soule. / Photo by: Sue Moss

Maddie Soule, a four-year player, will enlist in the Army after hockey season.

Maddie Soule’s importance to the Whitman-Hanson/Silver Lake high school girls’ hockey team doesn’t show up on the stat sheet.

The senior defenseman from Hanson has one point this season. It was a goal back on Jan. 27.

Soule’s niche is elsewhere. It’s her leadership.

“She is a great leader and just a good kid,” said WHSL head coach Kevin Marani. “That’s what we need.”

Soule, a team captain and four-year varsity player, has seen the highs and the lows of the program. After winning back-to-back SEMGHL titles in her first two campaigns, the team has collected just five wins since, as it undergoes a massive rebuild. She is one of just three seniors on the roster.

“[Being a captain] is a lot harder because of our record,” Soule said. “It takes its toll on these girls, especially me, so I to set the tone and keep everyone’s attitude the same and make sure everyone is still committed and giving fill effort.”

Soule described her leadership style as “intimidating.”

“I just feel like people take me more seriously because I’m all business,” she said.

With a passion for leadership, coupled with hockey, Soule will head into the Army after she graduates in May.

“I just knew that I wanted to start doing something right away out of high school,” she said. “I realized going into the Military will help me with my job because I want to go into law enforcement. I’ve always wanted to serve my country.”

Her training kicked into full gear in the fall.

“I met with my recruiter at 5 a.m. at the track at the high school and we worked out,” Soule said.

Being a hockey captain also works to her benefit.

“Making sure everyone follows has prepared me a lot for the future,” Soule said. “Hockey prepared me with mental toughness and physical toughness so I can take hits and get up.”

Soule said her memories as part of the WHSL girls’ hockey team will be everlasting.

“I’ll remember my freshman and sophomore year when we were back-to-back league champs,” said Soule. “My sophomore year we were two games away from going to the Garden.”

Soule said she hopes she left a permeant stamp on the hockey co-op.

“I kind of helped build the program, my freshman year it had just started, so I feel like I was part of starting it,” Soule said.

WHAM’s Navicky goes ‘the extra mile’

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Maddie Navicky / Photo by: Sue Moss

The junior is Whitman-Hanson/Middleboro’s top point-getter this season.

Entering the winter of her freshman year, Maddie Navicky was certain about a couple of things: she enjoyed competing and she loved to swim.

However, she had never mixed the two. That was about to change.

“During my freshman year, I saw that students were given the opportunity to swim with a nearby school as a co-op team, WHAM (Whitman Hanson and Middleboro),” Navicky said, “and I loved swimming at my grandparents’ pool, so I thought, ‘Why not try out?’”

Trying out blossomed into of the best decisions she has ever made. Now a junior at Whitman-Hanson Regional High, Navicky is a two-time South Shore League All-Star and back-to-back team MVP. This season, she’s WHAM’s top scorer and a sectional and state qualifier, which are both firsts for her.

“She is just a really hard worker,” said WHAM head coach Everett Clark. “She’s always trying to push it and go the extra mile.”

It’s that type of attitude since Day One that’s sparked Navicky’s success.

“At our practice, lane one is the fastest swimmers and lane six are the beginners,” Navicky, the first competitive swimmer in her family, said. “During my freshman year I was in lane six and I really wanted to strive to make the goal to get into lane five at the end of the year.”

Not only did she leap a lane, but she developed a deep-rooted passion for the sport because of its competitiveness. After all, she did run cross country in the fall.

“First, it was hard because swimming is draining and it uses every single muscle in your body,” Navicky said. “With all the work put into it, I kept seeing quality improvement in my times and that kind of really pushed me to get better.”

That quality improvement flowed into her sophomore year, as she lowered her time in all of her events: the 100-yard backstroke, 100-yard freestyle, 200-yard freestyle and 50-yard freestyle.

This season she’s topped those times yet again with a 58.57 in the 100 free, a 2:11.21 in the 200 free, a 1:12.28 in the 100 back and a 26.12 in the 50 free. She qualified for states in the 100 free and sectionals in the 50 free, both during the Dec. 14 meet against Randolph.

Clark said it’s not just Navicky’s speed in the pool that makes her stand out, but also her willingness to lead by example, which is why she was recently named captain. Clark said he has no better recollection of her leadership than from earlier in the year.

“We were trying to make sectionals for the 400 free relay and we didn’t, and her response is always saying, ‘If I had dropped another second, that could have made the difference,’” Clark recalled. “She didn’t turn to the other three swimmers and say, ‘You could have done better,’ and they could have. It would have been easier for them to drop more time than her, but that’s not how she looks at it.”

Clark said Navicky’s leadership is just important as her point production.

“She’s always trying to push it and go the extra mile, that’s why she’s a captain,” Clark said. “That’s how she’s always been, just always wanting to do a little better. She’s great with her peers. She never asks someone to do something she won’t do.

“You really want someone who is willing to go the extra effort and put the extra time in and not just tell people about it and she shows it, she demonstrates it and lives it. That’s what we want as a leader.”

Navicky said her goal is to continue to take her skills to the next level.

“I’ve made so many friendships in high school that I think in college if I join a swimming team it will help me expand more and branch out and become more comfortable with everyone,” Navicky said.

But she still has another year and a half donning red, orange and black, and she’s aiming high.

“I would like to qualify in sectionals and states for more events, especially the 200 free,” Navicky said. “That would be my ultimate goal by the end of the year.”

Kelly sparks Whitman-Hanson boys’ basketball to win

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Stevie Kelly calls out a play.

The junior scored 10 points to go with six rebounds and six assists in the comeback win.

Whitman-Hanson Regional High junior Stevie Kelly is known for his defensive prowess on the soccer field, but he’s making a name for himself on the hardwood at point guard. 

Kelly opened up his whole toolbox Friday night and the Panthers needed every bit of it to fend off Patriot League foe Silver Lake, 56-54.

“It was a pretty big win,” Kelly said. “Every Patriot League game is big for us.” 

In a fourth quarter that the Panthers (8-2) entered down, 40-37, it was the 5-foot-10 Kelly, who scored five of his 10 points in the final frame to complement six rebounds and six assists on the night, right in the middle of the comeback.

With 7:33 remaining, Kelly drained a triple from the top of the arc, evening the score at 40.

After senior Cole Lewis (10 points) shot the Panthers ahead, 49-47, with a pair of 3-pointers, the Lakers (3-5) would pull even before Kelly passed to a streaking Rian Schwede inside the lane and he laid it in for two.

Clinging to a one-point lead late, Kelly jump cut into the lane for two, giving the Panthers a 55-52 lead, which was enough. 

“He’s a tenacious player for sure,” said W-H head coach Bob Rodgers of Kelly. “He really gets after it. He’s a tremendous defender and a great leader on the floor. He had some big buckets for us down the stretch.”

With the help of six points in the first quarter from sophomore Cole LeVangie (team-high 16 points), the Panthers jumped out to a 18-10 lead after one. 

The Lakers proceeded to outscore W-H, 18-8, in the following quarter to claim a 28-26 halftime edge. 

Kelly sparked the Panthers out of halftime, motoring to the hoop for two, while picking up a foul in the process. His free throw put the Panthers up, 29-28. 

Stevie Kelly

Later in the frame, Kelly drove into the lane and kicked it out to a wide-open Ben Rice on the right side, who drained a three, giving the Panthers a 37-35 lead. 

“It helps (me) with all the shooters we have,” Kelly said. “They work really hard in the offseason.”

The Panthers will visit Hanover next Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. 

“We just got to get tougher around the hoop and play harder,” Kelly said. 

Boys’, girls’ hoop fly high in Week 5

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Looking back on Week 5.

In their only games of the week, the boys’ and girls’ basketball teams took care of business.

Boys’ basketball (6-2) downed Duxbury, 66-55, Friday, Jan. 4. Junior Ben Rice led the way with 24 points and sophomore Cole LeVangie added 14 to pace the Panthers.

Girls’ basketball (5-2) edged Duxbury, 44-42, in a thriller Friday, Jan. 4. Senior Anna O’Neill hit the winning 3-pointer with 1:23 to go. Junior Brittany Gacicia produced a team-high 13 points to guide the Panthers to their fifth straight win.

Boys’ hockey (4-4-1) opened its week by doubling up Cohasset, 6-3, Wednesday, Jan. 2. Freshman John Ward led the offensive outburst with two goals, while sophomore Kevin Willis, junior Chris Stoddard, junior assistant captain Adam Solari and senior captain Ed Scriven all added tallies. … On Saturday, Solari and junior Calvin Cooper struck for goals in the third but the Panthers fell to Quincy, 5-2.

Girls’ hockey (0-5), despite a hat trick from junior captain Alyssa Murphy (Kingston), was nipped by Pembroke, 5-3, Saturday, Jan. 5. The Panthers drew within 4-3, but an empty-netter sealed the Titans’ win.

Boys’ indoor track (2-1) bested Hingham, 51-48, Friday, Jan. 4. The 4×200 relay team of Sean Kukauskas, Billy Martell, Nic Fernandes and Pat Bui clinched the Panthers’ win. Other wins came from Brandon Hager (mile, 4:52.08), Martell (shot put, 40-foot-7), Kyle O’Brien (600m, 1:30.20), Theo Kamperides (2-mile, 10:40.60) and Kakauskas and Jake Caterer both tied for first in the high jump with 5-foot-2 leaps.

Girls’ indoor track (0-3) fell to Hingham, 55-41, Friday, Jan. 4. Senior captain Ally Bartlett took first in the 55-meter hurdles (:09.64) and scored second in the long jump (14-foot-11 ½) and shot put (23-foot-7). Other winners included sophomores Isabelle Amado (1,000m, 3:14) and Anna Sullivan (mile, 5:58) and junior Tori Carleton (2-mile, 13:40).

Gymnastics (0-5) fell to Plymouth on Friday, Jan. 4 by a 124.45-114 score. Senior Sarah Bombardier finished with a 30.1 all-around score to lead the co-op.

Boys’ swimming/diving (2-2) fell to Hanover, 87-85, Thursday, Jan. 3.

Girls’ swimming/diving (3-1) dropped its meet to Hanover also Thursday, Jan. 3 by a 94-88 decision. Sabrina O’Connor, Madison Navicky, Niki Kamperides, Abigail Bonney, Lillian Graham and Mariella Crowley performed well in the defeat.

Wrestling (3-12) hosted its Panther Invitational and sophomore Damari Goldsmith-Greene placed third at 138 pounds.

*Express weekly roundups consist of games from Monday to Saturday.

O’Neill sends girls’ basketball past Duxbury, to fifth straight win

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Anna O’Neill hits the winner as the Panthers knock off Duxbury, 44-42.

It was a moment in the making. 

Anna O’Neill’s name has not been called on much this season. In fact, she didn’t play at all in the two victories posted by the Whitman-Hanson Regional High girls’ basketball team at the Hoosac Valley Tournament.

But O’Neill got her opportunity Friday, and she made the most of it. 

With 1:32 remaining, the senior guard rose up and drained a 3-pointer from the left side of the arc to send the Panthers past Patriot League Keenan Division rival Duxbury and to their fifth straight win. 

“I knew she was going to get hot for us and she came up clutch for us,” said W-H head coach Jenna Olem. 

Said O’Neil: “Coach kept telling me to work and work at practice and she gave me a shot and I hit it. It’s really exciting.” 

After a pair of Dragons misses from the charity stripe, senior Meg Henaghan sealed the win with an offensive rebound.

W-H (5-2) trailed by as much as eight in the second quarter but cut its deficit to 25-23 at the half behind the scrappy play of junior Brittany Gacicia (eight points in first half). 

“We knew it was going to be intense,” said W-H head coach Jenna Olem. “We got off to a slow start but they played really hard and there was just a lot of hustle plays at the end to keep us alive.”  

The Panthers gained a 33-31 edge heading into the fourth on a late 3-pointer by senior captain Kathryn Dunn.

The Dragons (3-4) received a double-double from senior Sam Brennan (10 points, 14 rebounds) and 21 points from senior Teagan Curran. 

Olem noted she was impressed by the play of senior Leah Badger and junior Hannah Damon.

The Panthers host Pembroke Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. 

“They’re finally finding what their strengths are and understanding what their roles are,” said Olem.

Keeping score in Week 4: Panthers claim pair of tournament titles

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Top photo by: Paul Scarpelli and bottom photo by: Sue Moss

A look back on Week 4.

The Whitman-Hanson Regional High sports teams triumphed to a pair of tournament titles – one on the court and one on the ice – in a victory-filled Week 4.

Boys’ hockey (3-3-1) defeated Cashman Tournament host Rockland, 3-0, in the first round Wednesday, Dec. 26. Junior Ed Collins sparked the offense with two goals and senior assistant captain Adam Solari had the other. Sophomore Bobby Siders earned the shutout in net. … On Saturday, the Panthers topped Southeastern/West Bridgewater/Bristol-Plymouth, 3-2, to take home their first Cashman Tournament title. Goals came from freshman John Ward, junior Chris Stoddard and senior assistant captain Owen Manning, and Siders collected the win in net.

Boys’ basketball (5-2) collected two wins in its annual trip to Florida. After kicking off the Haines City Tournament with a 68-60 loss to Colonial High School (Fla.) on Thursday, Dec. 27, the Panthers rebounded for back-to-back wins. … On Friday, Bob Rodgers’ club, keyed by 26 points from junior Ben Rice, shot its way to an 84-75 victory over Archbishop McCarthy (Fla.). Senior captain Joey Depina and junior John Zeidan dumped in 12 points apiece in the victory. … Before staying for a few more days to soak up the sun, the Panthers capped their tournament schedule with a 63-57 win over Viera High (Fla.) on Saturday. Rice led the way with 13 points, totaling 53 over the three games en route to being named to the all-tournament team.

Girls’ basketball (4-2), competing in the Hoosac Valley Holiday Tournament, rallied back from a double-digit deficit to knock off host Hoosac Valley, 51-46, in overtime Friday, Dec. 28. Senior captain Kathryn Dunn sparked the first-round win with 15 points, including a late 3-pointer to force the extra frame. Junior Liv Martin also had 15 points, 12 of which came from the 3-ball, in the win. … On Saturday, Dunn (tournament MVP) was at it again, netting a game-high 18 points, including the winning trey, as Jenna Olem’s club claimed the tournament title with a 42-38 win over Greenfield.

Girls’ hockey (0-4), despite an offensive outburst, dropped a close one to Marshfield, 7-6, Thursday, Dec. 27. Junior captain Alyssa Murphy (three goals), sophomore Ellie Grady (two goals) and freshman Lily Ulvila (one goal), all of whom go to Silver Lake, sparked the offense. … On Saturday, the co-op lost to Archbishop Williams, 8-1. Freshman Abby Powers (Kingston) had the goal.

Big senior season lands Martell at Mass. Maritime

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Billy Martell / Photo by: Sue Moss

Billy Martell is headed to Mass. Maritime.

When he met with Whitman-Hanson Regional High head football coach Mike Driscoll to discuss his junior campaign, Billy Martell was told something he’d work tirelessly over the next year to make a reality.

“Coach Driscoll said, ‘You’re one of a few kids who has the talent to play in college,’’’ recalled Martell.

After an offseason consisting of many grunts, followed by a Patriot League All-Star season, Martell has committed to play football at Massachusetts Maritime Academy.

“Mass. Maritime is getting a great young man and someone who can play football at a pretty high level,” Driscoll said. “He will do big things for Maritime.”

Martell, who said he’s looking into studying emergency management, has had his eyes on attending the Buzzards Bay-based college since August.

“I was thinking about my future and their employment rate is almost 100 percent,” Martell said. “I didn’t want to go too far, and I didn’t want to go on a huge campus.”

After converting to wide receiver as a sophomore, Martell transitioned back to running back this season and flourished, taking 73 carries for 518 yards and three touchdowns. His 7.1 yards per carry led the team.

Martell had his best outing against Bridgewater-Raynham, gashing the Trojans’ defense for 104 yards and a score.

On defense Martell, a two-year starting safety, posted 52 tackles and a team-leading three interceptions.

“I just wanted to show everyone who I am this season,” Martell said.

Martell said it was a rewarding season for him.

“At the end of last season we were in the weight room right away,” Martell said. “I worked much harder this offseason than I ever have. We did our offseason lift and we got a strength coach which helped us a lot and then we had passing leagues.”

Driscoll constantly lauded Martell’s speed throughout the season, calling him “the fastest player on the team.” Whether it was at running back or tracking down the ball carrier, Martell was instrumental in the Panthers’ success.

“He’s very dynamic in the backfield but his defense was really, really impressive at safety,” Driscoll said. “You didn’t have to worry about too much with him in the back.”

Mass. Maritime, which competes in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference of NCAA Division III, finished 2-8 last season.

“I’m looking to work on my speed and improve my footwork,” Martell said.

Season Preview: Gymnastics team goes co-op, works with new coach

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Sarah O’Shaughnessy takes the helm of the gymnasitcs team.

There are alot of changes with the gymnastics team this season at Whitman-Hanson Regional High School.

The first is the program is now a co-op with Middleboro, expanding on the two schools’ relationship that includes boys’ and girls’ swimming/diving teams.

Secondly, Sarah O’Shaughnessy is the new voice of the club, taking over for Rachel Cohen-Sferuzza, last season’s Patriot League Coach of the Year. O’Shaughnessy has an extensive gymnastics background and has been coaching since the age 14.

“My coach at Massachusetts Gymnastics [Center] asked me if I wanted to start coaching,” O’Shaughnessy expanded. “So, I was there for about seven years and I coached recreational and the bronze, silver and gold team.”

After residing in Florida for the past couple of years, O’Shaughnessy returned to Massachusetts in August.

“Someone reached out to the director of mygym, Tammy, and asked her if she would be interested and since she coaches Notre Dame [Academy of Hingham], she was like, ‘I think you should do it,’” O’Shaughnessy said.

The Panthers, who finished 9-4 last season with the help of regional qualifier Britney Blackstone, are led by senior captain Erin McCoy.

“You can tell she is a leader,” O’Shaughnessy said. “She’s very positive. She’s always there and very welcoming to Middleboro girls and she’s a very good person for the team.”

With teamwork key in gymnastics, O’Shaughnessy said she’s aiming to create it between the two schools. Six of the team’s girls come from W-H, while the other four come from Middleboro.

“It’s honestly about making it so the two teams are comfortable and knowing who their teammates are and everything and just have a good time, get to know each other,” O’Shaughnessy said.

O’Shaughnessy said she’s still trying to figure out where the team is strength-wise.

“They’re working together and there haven’t been any negative things, so,” O’Shaughnessy said.

Other players from W-H include captain Joelle Puopolo, Kate Pihl, Adrianna Caperello and Madison Scaccia.

The Panthers return to action Jan. 4 at 6:30 p.m. at Massachusetts Gymnastics Center in Pembroke for a league meet. 

“I’m more trying to get them to come together,” O’Shaughnessy said. “I know they didn’t think they were going to have a team at all, so I’m more trying to get them to come together.”

Week 3: Girls’ swim/divers top charts

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A look back at Week 3.

[ Editor’s note: Due to an early holiday deadline, scores from Saturday, Dec. 22 are not included in this report.]

Week 3 is in the books at Whitman-Hanson Regional High. Girls’ swimming/diving remains the only undefeated team, while girls’ basketball has collected two straight victories.

Boys’ basketball (3-1) defeated North Quincy, 6834, Tuesday, Dec. 18 behind 10 points apiece from juniors John Zeidan and Stevie Kelly. … On Friday, the Panthers topped Marshfield, 65-49. Junior Ben Rice paced Bob Rodgers’ club with 17 points.

Girls’ basketball (2-2) routed North Quincy, 70-25, Tuesday, Dec. 18. Junior Brittany Gacicia sparked the offense with a career-high 18 points. … On Friday, W-H received a double-double from senior captain Kathryn Dunn (12 points and 10 rebounds) to down Marshfield, 39-29. Senior Meg Henaghan added four blocks and 10 boards in the win.

Boys’ hockey (1-2-1) fell to Plymouth North, 4-0, Wednesday, Dec. 19.

Boys’ indoor track (1-1) was dealt a 78-22 defeat to Hingham on Friday, Dec. 21.

Girls’ indoor track (0-2) was also dealt a defeat to Hingham on Friday, Dec. 21, 73-27.

Gymnastics (0-4) lost to Scituate, 118.8-116.3, Wednesday, Dec. 19. Senior Sarah Bombardier won all-around with a 31.9. … On Friday, the co-op scored a 113.6 and lost to Pembroke/Silver Lake (135.1), Marshfield (131.75) and Hingham (124.9).

Boys’ swimming/diving (2-1) received solid performances from senior Nate Manley in the 50-yard freestyle and 200-yard medley relay to tame the Bulldogs of Rockland, 9365, Tuesday, Dec. 18.

Girls’ swimming/diving (3-0) remained undefeated with a 90-72 victory over Rockland on Tuesday, Dec. 18. Junior Madison Navicky broke her time in the 200-yard freestyle, while Abby Bonney and Katelyn Sweeney performed well in the 200-yard medley relay.

Wrestling (1-9) was defeated by Silver Lake, 38-33, Wednesday, Dec. 19. Wins came from sophomores Myles McInnis (113 pounds), Matt Butler (126), Damari Goldsmith- Greene (138) and Nate Morse (145) and junior Mike Gardner (220).

Season Preview: Girls’ indoor track faces a deep Patriot League

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The Panthers will be led by captains Ally Bartlett and Samantha Perkins.

The Whitman-Hanson Regional High girls’ indoor track team is aiming to stay afloat as it works its way down a grueling schedule.

“Ideally, we would like to win several meets in what has become a very deep and talented Patriot League,” said fifth-year head coach Steve George, whose team went 1-3-1 last winter. “But realistically, we have eight to 10 girls who are very athletic and have the experience needed to be successful this season.”

With their multi-event experience and success, seniors Ally Bartlett (captain) and Dorothy DiMascio-Donohue and junior Samantha Perkins (captain) will boost the club.

“All three girls can long jump, high jump, throw the shot put, run the hurdles and dash events and can run mid-distance events if called upon,” George explained.

George said he is also counting on junior Courtney Woodward, sophomore Hailey Minicucci and freshman Skylar Jordan to fill similar roles of competing in multiple events.

“Courtney moves back from distance/mid-distance where she was good, to faster events at which she is very good,” George said. “Hailey is a speedster and Skylar is a diamond in the rough and will improve dramatically through the season.”

In the mid-distance and distance events, the Panthers will be led by the cross country team’s top runner, junior Tori Boss, and senior Maeve McDonough. Sophomores Izzy Amado and Anna Sullivan are also valuable pieces due to their versatility.

“[I] feel certain that we will be very competitive in the 600, 1,000, mile and 2-mile each week,” George said. “I’m also confident with our 300 runners.”

It’s the sprinting, hurdles and relays that have been a focal point on improvement for George. The Panthers added former standout, Samantha Richner to their staff to build up the group.

“Bringing on coach Richner addresses the areas of sprints, hurdles and field events and we are hoping to see improvement in those areas,” George said. “Putting together our relay teams (4×400 and 4×200) is a priority as is getting them in sync with each other. Obviously handoffs are crucial in those events and we are working with all the potential relay runners to find a good fit.”

George said a few freshmen have caught his attention early on, but most namely Emily Hanrahan.

“Emily looks like a terrific shot putter,” the coach said. “[That’s] something we have been looking for since I arrived five year sago.”

The Panthers are back in action Friday, Dec. 21 at 4:30 p.m. against Hingham at the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center in Roxbury.

“With a relatively small team of 35, we necessarily move kids to different events every meet,” George said. “Almost everybody with experience has had to participate in various events already and they are ready to do whatever it’s best for the team.”