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Senior Legion edges Brockton Post 35

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Ten strikeouts from John Murphy pushed Whitman Post 22 past Brockton Post 35, 5-4.

WHITMAN — After the final out was recorded and the handshakes finished, the Whitman Post 22 Senior Legion team gathered in left field as per usual. There was one man who was the center of head coach Todd DeCouto’s congratulatory speech after a 5-4 win against Brockton Post 35 Sunday, and that was John Murphy, and rightfully so.

The right-hander hurled a complete game and simply dazzled the Brockton bats all evening – recording 10 strikeouts and surrendering four hits en route to the victory.

“We came out to play today,” DeCouto said. “Johnny has been our go-to guy on the mound, so I was expecting a good game from him, which we got. When the curveball is working, he is really almost unhittable.”

Thanks to a pair of two-run innings, Post 22 was able to go up 4-0 early and they never looked back in a pivotal bout with playoff implications on the line.

After Murphy was able to strand two Brockton runners on base in the top of the first, Whitman gave him some support. A quick Nick Spyropoulos single that cracked the hole between shortstop and third base got the inning going and he was sent home two batters later when James Dolan reached on an error to put Post 22 up 1-0.

After a Brett Spano double play pushed Tim DeCouto, who was on base via a hit by pitch, over to third base, Ryan Sawtelle knocked him in to make it 2-0.

James Dolan would begin the bottom half third inning with a rocket to left field for a double. Spano then would reach second courtesy of an error to knock in Dolan and make it 3-0.

The next batter, Sawtelle, would continue his monster game with a double to plate Spano and extend the Post 22 lead to 4-0.

After a scoreless fourth inning from both squads, Murphy would get Post 35 1-2-3 in the top of the fifth, in what was the quickest half inning of the game.

In the bottom half of the frame, Spano got the action going with a line-drive single to right field, and he was sent home on a Sawtelle poke to left field, pushing Post 22 up 5-0.

“He’s been huge for us,” DeCouto said of Sawtelle. “He’s had a lot of big hits for us this year.”

However, Brockton would not go easy as Post 35 was finally able to get to Murphy with four runs, on three hits, in the top of the sixth inning to slice its deficit to 5-4.

Murphy would return to the hill for the top of the seventh, after Post 22 was unable to get anything cooking in the bottom of the sixth, and he was able to work around a two-out single to close out a 5-4 Whitman win.

Sawtelle led Post 22 on offense with three hits and two runs batted in as Caleb Burke chipped in two hits.

“He’s been huge for us,” DeCouto said. “He’s had a lot of big hits for us all year.”

The victory moved Whitman to 6-9-1 and Brockton fell to 5-12.

Post 22 sits in the ninth spot, one point behind Rockland Post 147 (7-8), in the Senior Legion standings in a league that the top eight make the playoffs.

Whitman will be back on the field at home against Pembroke Post 143 (12-4) Friday, July 7, at 5:45 p.m.

“That should be a good game,” DeCouto said. “We beat them the first time around, and there at the top of the standings, so it’ll be good to see them here.”

Panthers’ run ends

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Photo by: Sue Moss

Playing in front of a sea of red Monday evening at historic TD Garden, Whitman-Hanson fell to Brighton by the final score of 94-48 in the Division 2 state semifinals.

BOSTON — The Whitman-Hanson Regional High boys’ basketball team’s improbable tournament run has come to a close.

Playing in front of a sea of red Monday evening at historic TD Garden, Whitman-Hanson fell to Brighton by the final score of 94-48 in the Division 2 state semifinals.

North champion Brighton (22-5) stepped on the gas pedal early on and never let up, as its 3-point shooting and presence inside proved too much for South champion W-H (19-4) to handle.

“They’re an outstanding team, they have so much talent,” W-H head coach Bob Rodgers said of Brighton. “They’re so talented, so athletic, can shoot the ball so well. They shot the ball great tonight. They’re very skilled. They deserved to win this game tonight.”

The 94 points are the most allowed by the defensive-minded Panthers all season.

The Bengals darted out of the gate – connecting  on seven of their first 11 attempts – and a Tyrone Perry 3-pointer gave Brighton a 16-7 lead with 3:24 remaining in the first quarter.

“Usually you got to take one thing away and then hopefully the other thing doesn’t beat you,” Rodgers said. “We really didn’t do a good job at either one of those. They were able to get to the paint anytime they wanted and every time they had a wide-open three they took it and when they missed, they did a great job at rebounding.”

Down 18-7, the Panthers would score the next five points via a Luke Tamulevich layup and Nikko Raftes trey, to pull back within single digits, 18-12.

However, Brighton would respond – outscoring W-H 11-2 to close the opening frame to push ahead 29-14.

“We had a bit of momentum,” Rodgers explained. “I said, ‘Maybe we’ll get to halftime and get it under 10.’ But the fact is it just wasn’t Whitman- Hanson’s night, it was Brighton’s.”

The Panthers buckled down on defense in the second quarter – limiting the high-powered Bengals offense to 16 points – but could only muster 12 points themselves and fell behind 45-26 at halftime.

The third quarter proved decisive for Brighton – which shot 10 of 13 from the field – as it outscored W-H 31-9 to build a commanding 76-35 cushion.

“Our identity all year has been to play great defense,” Rodgers said. “When you’re facing a team like that and you have to deal with their ability to penetrate, it’s really hard to get out on their shooters as well.”

Up substantially, Brighton didn’t let up in the final frame – holding W-H to 13 points while pumping in 18 (six via treys) itself to further pad its victory.

Sophomore guard Tajh Hunter netted four of the Panthers’ fourth-quarter points.

W-H, despite the loss, was able to cycle in all of its players onto the court.

Seniors Raftes and Tamulevich, like they have done all season, led the Panthers in scoring with 11 points apiece. Junior Sean Leahy chipped in five points and four boards as nine Panthers, including seven players set to return in 201718, tallied points.

“It was awesome that a lot of the guys were able to get some points and get that ability to play at the [TD] Garden, it will be a life memory for them, and I guess that was one of the bright spots when you have a game like that,” Rodgers said.

Sachems end WHSL season: Team finishes best campiagn

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The teams shake hands at game’s end. / Photo by: Sue Moss

Whitman-Hanson/Silver Lake girls’ hockey bowed out of the Div. 2 state tournament with a 2-0 loss to Winchester.

KINGSTON — They say all good things must come to an end. For the Whitman-Hanson/Silver Lake girls’ hockey team, that proved true Sunday.

The co-op gave it everything they had, but came out on the wrong end of the stick in a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Winchester in the first round of the Division 2 state tournament held at The Bog Ice Arena.

Sixth-seeded WHSL (15-4-3), which was in the midst of its best campaign since its inception in 2014, allowed a quick goal 3:05 in, and could never recover, as No. 11-seed Winchester added another tally late in the third to secure its victory. The Sachems silenced a WHSL offense, which found the back of the net 120 times coming in, and had only been shut out once (5-0 against Duxbury Feb. 5) all season.

“They did a good job shadowing Hannah [Tracy] and Mel [McAleer] all game, taking away time and space for them to create offense,” WHSL head coach Kevin Marani said. “They played a strong game.” 

Winchester (14-4-4) will meet No. 14 Canton (12-4-6) in the quarterfinals Saturday at 5:15 p.m. at Galo Ice Arena.

At the 11:55 mark of the first period, the Sachems’ Mariah Redler snuck behind the WHSL defense and found herself all alone with netminder Melissa Crone and flung a shot on goal. The senior goaltender looked as if she had made the stop, the referee at the goal line signaled for the save, but the referee at center ice overruled him.

“It absolutely did not go in the net, but sometimes you’ve got to fight through those things,” Marani said. “Melissa was great in goal all game, like she’s done for us all season.”

The Sachems had a few more quality chances on net – including a Redler blast from the face-off circle – but Crone stood strong in goal. WHSL found itself on the power play with 9:14 remaining in the second period, but failed to even record a shot onnet. Late in the second period, Mary Kate Webb ripped a blistering shot on Winchester goalie Baile Lazarus, who turned the senior captain away with a glove save.

With time winding down in the second frame, Tracy found herself in 1-on-1 with Lazarus, who yet again rose to the occasion to preserve the shutout.

2:59 into the third period, Meave Hickey beat Crone on a wrist shot to push the Sachems ahead 2-0, and that is where it would stand.

Over the past three seasons, the Panthers have snatched back-to-back SEMGHL Northeast titles, have not missed the MIAA tournament and have gone 3819-5. 

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Melanie McAleer (Hanson) was a focal point of the Sachems’ defense. / Photo by: Sue Moss

But this go-around had the makings of something special. Not only was it the first year WHSL had made it out of the preliminary round of the tournament, it was the last season on the ice sporting red and black for seniors Tess Corkery, Crone, Sophia Dauksevicz, Katie Johnson, McAleer, Tracy and Webb. 

If there was ever a lining coming from the defeat, it is the mark all seven of them have had on the underclassmen of the team. They helped establish a culture, a tradition, a foundation and most importantly a hockey program.

“They’re a great group of girls,” Marani said. “With them, they brought girls that could have gone to other schools and now that they get the fever of WHSL hockey, I think they’re going to stay.”

WHSL hockey nets second consecutive league title

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Players shake hands after the game. / Photo by: Sue Moss

The Panthers have locked up the SEMGHL Northeast Crown for a second straight season.

PEMBROKE – The Whitman-Hanson/Silver Lake high school girls’ hockey team continues to show unprecedented success in just its third season.

On Saturday, Feb. 11, WHSL notched a convincing 9-2 victory over Scituate at Hobomock Arenas. The win gave the Panthers their second straight SEMGHL Northeast crown.

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WHSL players celebrate a goal. / Photo by: Sue Moss

“It’s a big deal,” WHSL head coach Kevin Marani said. “Anytime you win your league it’s a big deal and to do it two years in a row with such a young program is pretty good.”

Mel McAleer (Hanson) and Hannah Tracy (Hanson) combined for five goals and two assists as starting defenseman Katie Johnson (Kingston) and Delaney Grace (Halifax) rose to the occasion on the backline to power the Panthers to their third straight victory.

It took WHSL (13-3-2, 9-0-1) all of 30 seconds to get on the board as McAleer was there to clean up a rebound and snipped a shot on Scituate (3-10-2, 3-7-0) goaltender Annabel Christenson that beat her stick side, pushing the Panthers in front 1-0.

Just 59 seconds later, Tracy lit the lamp with a goal that beat Christenson top shelf, glove side off an assist from captain Mary Kate Webb (Kingston) to make it 2-0.

Alyssa Murphy’s (Kingston) 16th tally of the season extended WHSL’s cushion to 3-0 3:41 into the contest.

Tracy and Webb added two more goals in less than a minute as the Panthers held a 5-0 advantage at the end of the first period.

At two minutes into the second frame, sophomore Zoe Lydon (Hanson) joined in on the offensive outburst with her second goal of the season, off assists from Emily Knight (Whitman) and Sarah Govoni (Hanson), making it a 6-0 game.

GAME PLAN

“We wanted to go out and have a good solid first period and [we wanted to] get all the girls that come to practices at 5 a.m. and deserve [it] to get in the game and we did,” Marani said.

Two quick WHSL penalties put the Sailors on a 5-on-3 power play, and Alaina Roman was finally able to break through Panthers netminder Mellissa Crone (Kingston) for a goal to pull Scituate within five, 6-1, with 6:35 remaining in the second period. 

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Hannah Tracy skates into position during her three-goal/one-assist game. / Photo by: Sue Moss

“It was at that point and they had 5-on-3 and we were just having fun at that point, so it was lack of breakdown probably,” Marani said.

Unfortunately for the Sailors, who were still on the power play, WHSL was far from done and Tracy’s short-handed goal less than a minute later, giving her a hat trick – made it 7-1.

“She’s been key all year,” Marani said. “Obviously, she and Mel are a class of their own.”

Both teams would poke home one more tally apiece as McAleer and Liv Haley found the back of the net to make it an 8-2 game at the end of the second period.

Sophomore Maddie Soule (Hanson) capped the scoring with 5:09 remaining in the game with her first goal of the season to push WHSL’s lead to 9-2 and that’s where it would stand.

YOUNG TALENT

“We have a good group of young talent and they’re learning from very good players,” Marani said. 

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Co-captain Mel McAleer scored two goals and an assist. / Photo by: Sue Moss

WHSL’s one tie in the league came in a 2-2 decision against Cohasset/Hanover Wednesday, Dec. 21.

The Panthers have pumped in 27 goals over their past three outings and are outscoring opponents 97-36 through their 18 games.

“They’ve done everything we’ve asked them to do all year,” Marani said. “By no means is this the finish, like we just talked about, we want to compete for the state championship and I’m very proud of every single girl in there.”

Boys’ hoops net first back-to-back league titles

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The Panther players and coaches gather for a team photo after winning their second consecutive league title Feb. 10. / Photo by: Sue Moss

With a 56-42 victory over Hingham, the Whitman-Hanson Regional High boys’ basketball team has won its league for the second straight season.

WHITMAN – On Friday, Feb. 10, the Whitman-Hanson Regional High boys’ basketball team felt a sense of accomplishment. 

The Panthers defeated Hingham, 56-42, to capture the Patriot League Keenan Division, giving the program back-to-back titles for the first time.

W-H, which graduated eight seniors, including its entire starting five, from the roster that made it to the Division 2 state semifinals last year, has defied all odds thus far.

“It’s pretty emotional,” Panthers head coach Bob Rodgers said of the win. “I think when a lot of people don’t give you a chance to do something, in particular these kids that had to keep hearing about last year’s team. They wanted their own identity and they came into this season with just some thing to prove.”

When W-H (13-3, 11-2) needed a basket, Nikko Raftes was there to deliver. The Panthers, who led by as much as 10 in the fourth quarter, watched their advantage shrink as Hingham (8-8, 8-5) sliced its deficit to five, 45-40, midway through the final frame. On W-H’s next trip down the court, Raftes drilled a turnaround jumper to push the Panthers lead to 47-40.

“Such a big play,” Rodgers said. “That was probably the dagger when he hit that.”

On the ensuing W-H possession, the senior captain then spotted up from beyond the arc and drilled a 3-pointer to push the Panthers cushion to 10, 50-40, all but sealing their victory. 

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Lucas Franklin, who had six points in the game, adds two to the tally. / Photo by: Sue Moss

“He’s amazing,” Rodgers said. “He’s just one of the best shooters we’ve had and we’ve had a lot of good shooters.” 

Two Raftes free throws in the final minute made it a 56-42 game.

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Jacob Hanson-Bartlett is guarded by Hingham’s big man Lorgan Larsen who stands at 6’8″ in some close action under the basket. / Photo by: Sue Moss

However, the Harbormen, who were out to avenge a 52-37 loss to W-H Jan. 13, gave the Panthers a bit of a scare early on. Luke Tamulevich (16 points in first half) kick started the Panthers offense with a 3-pointer, steal and layup to push W-H in front 5-0Jacob Hanson-Bartlett is guarded by Hingham’s big man Lorgan Larsen who stands at 6’8″ in some close action under the basket. / Photo by: Sue Mos

“Luke has been one of the biggest offensive weapons we’ve had all year,” Rodgers said. “He’s somebody who can get it done on both ends of the floor.” 

Hingham would battle back behind the play of center Logan Larsen, and pulled ahead 12-11 at the end of the opening quarter.

W-H would begin to drive to the basket to begin the second quarter, despite the lengthy presence of Larsen inside, which opened the floor for four treys in the frame.

With W-H trailing 24-23, Raftes drilled a 3-pointer to push it ahead by two, igniting an 8-0 run.

Hingham followed up the triple with a pair of fouls, two missed field goals and a turnover.

Tamulevich’s trey with under a minute remaining in the second quarter – giving W-H its largest lead of the first half, 31-24, –capped off the run.

The Harorbmen sliced their deficit to as few as six in the third quarter, but W-H allowed just three field goals in the stanza to retain its lead. 

The victory extends the Panthers winning streak to four games, which they are holding opponents to 44 points per contest

Tamulevich led all scorers with 19 points, Raftes chipped in 15 and Jacob Hanson-Bartlett added 10 points and seven boards (five offensive).

“We just have to keep doing what we do,” Rodgers said. “Great plays don’t win championships, the boring plays win championships. All the little things [such as] boxing out, closing out and all of that.”

W-H falls to Westwood in Hingham Holiday Hoops Classic

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Senior captain Taylor McVeigh (22) and sophomore guard Kathryn Dunn (33) join the battle for ball control under the boards vs. Westwood in the Hingham Holiday Classic. / Photo by: Nate Rollins

The Panthers dropped to 2-3 on the season with a loss to Westwood.

HINHGAM – A late Panthers charge was not enough Friday evening as the Whitman-Hanson Regional High girls’ basketball team fell to Westwood 47-40 in the consolation game of the Hingham Holiday Hoops Classic.

“I told the girls it’s never a matter about play as hard as we can, you always bring that intensity,” W-H head coach Jenna Olem said. “It’s about playing a little bit smarter, taking care of the ball a little bit better and really just our Achilles’ heel all year has just been being able to put the ball in the basket when it counts.”

The Panthers hung with the Wolverines for a majority of the contest but a tough third quarter proved too much to overcome.

W-H (2-3) found itself in a hole early on as Westwood opened the game on a 7-2 run, sparked by five points from senior captain Haley Connaughton, as the Wolverines knocked down three of their first seven shots from the field.

The Panthers, despite nine turnovers in the quarter, clawed their way back to tie the game at 10-10 at the end of the first quarter.

Westwood (5-1), which connected on four of its first seven field goals to begin the second, started to ramp up the defensive pressure on the Panthers — limiting them to eight points in the quarter — and took a 23-18 advantage into halftime.

The Wolverines opened the third quarter on a 5-0 run to push their lead to double digits at 28-18.

Back-to-back field goals extended the Wolverines, who missed a string of nine consecutive field goals in the quarter, lead even further as they held W-H to four points to extend their lead to 35-22 entering the final frame.

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Senior captain Sarah Saccardo spots up for a potential 3-pointer. / Photo by: Nate Rollins

“Sometimes we’re just beating ourselves in not being able to capitalize on the chances we need to and not go on enough runs,” Olem said. “We’ll get stops, but we won’t get any baskets to counter those stops.”

Back in it

Trailing 43-32 with 2:08 to go, things started to jell for the Panthers offense as they went on an 8-2 run — capped by Erin Leahy’s 3-pointer — to slice the Wolverines lead to 45-40 with nine ticks remaining.

However, Westwood was able to successfully inbound the ball after the make and two makes from the charity stripe squashed the W-H comeback.

“We only scored four points in the third quarter and then I put my defensive lineup in there a little bit and we held them and we scored 18 points in the fourth quarter and definitely gave ourselves a chance to win,” Olem said

McVeigh paced the Panther attack with 11 points as O’Brien chipped in nine.

At the conclusion of the game, McVeigh and O’Brien were named to the All-Tournament Team.

“They’re phenomenal,” Olem said. “I can’t ask for better coached players, better leaders, more experienced good kids. They’ve given me everything they got every time and they’re a great model for the entire program.”

Season resumes

W-H returns to Patriot League action at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 6 at Plymouth North.

“We just got to get back to work,” Olem said. “We’ve been practicing really hard. We have to try to win one game each week to get into the tournament.”