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Season Preview: Leadership is the key to momentum for boys’ hockey

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The senior captains. / Photo by: Sue Moss

Rob Peters enters his first year behind the bench of the boys’ hockey team.

Following its best season in at least 15 years, the momentum is strong for the Whitman-Hanson Regional High boys’ hockey team. 

Now it’s first-year head coach Rob Peters’ job to keep it going. 

“Really good group of guys, good leadership by our seniors, everything has been good so far,” said Peters, who takes over for Chris Googins, after he stepped down to spend time with his family.

W-H was hit hard by graduation, losing Patriot League All-Stars Adam Solari (23 goals, 11 assists last season) and Chris Stoddard (nine goals, 28 assists last season). But the cupboard isn’t completely bare, as they do return sophomore standout Matt Solari (18 goals and 14 assists last season). Junior John Ward and freshman Luke Tropiano will join him on the first line. 

“We lost a lot of points up front,” Peters explained. “But Matt has gotten even bigger, stronger, he’s gonna be a great power forward for us. That top line is really jelling right now really well. I think they’re gonna be a really tough line to play against. They’re tough. They work hard.”

Peters said the first line and defense will power his club. Senior captains Jack Allen and Kevin Willis are back on the blue line, while fellow senior captain Bobby Siders, a league all-star last season, returns for his third year in net. 

“We’re gonna rely a lot on our backend,” Peters said. “Those guys have really stepped up nicely.” 

Junior goaltender Erik Dean and senior defenseman Josh Pike are also key returnees on the backend. Additionally, W-H had 11 freshmen try out for the team. 

“I’m just really excited where this club is right now,” Peters said. “They’re all jelling, coming together and they’re just a really good group of guys and I love coming to the rink every day.”

Season Preview: Girls’ basketball shooting for league title

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Senior captain Reese Codero, a returning Patriot League All-Star, goes in for a layup during a scrimmage vs Pembroke. / Photo by: Sue Moss

The girls’ hoop team is shooting to win the program’s first league title since 2010.

The Whitman-Hanson Regional High girls’ basketball team’s mission is clear.

“The priority is to win the league title in the regular season and then the first ever Patriot Cup — be able to compete for that as well,” said second-year head coach Mike Costa. 

And they know what it’s going to take to accomplish that goal.

“We have to win some games against some of the tougher teams in the league,” Costa said. “Last year, we let two slip away against Plymouth North, we were able to steal one against Hingham, but we just have to compete and win those games against the upper-echelon teams.”

Last year, the Panthers posted a 9-5 mark in Patriot League play, and finished the season with a 15-7 record, highlighted by the program’s first tournament win in eight years.

“I hope the success we had last year kind of gives them the confidence knowing they can compete with anyone they step on the floor with,” Costa said. “We had a pretty young group last year, so hopefully they can build off that and just walk with that swagger we want them to — knowing they can play with anybody.”

W-H returns plenty of talent from last winter’s squad, headlined by senior captains Reese Codero and Rylie Harlow, as well as junior Abby Martin.

A Patriot League All-Star last season as the Panthers’ starting point guard, Codero averaged 7.1 ppg and dished out a team-high 3.2 apg. Harlow (5.1 ppg last season) and Martin (4.5 ppg last season) also chipped in offensively. 

“Outside of Reese, Rylie and Abby Martin, our other two starting spots are kind of up in the air right now,” Costa said.

The graduations of 2020-21 Patriot League All-Stars Britany Gacicia and Olivia Martin no doubt leave voids in the lineup. Gacicia led the team in points (11.9), rebounds (7.1), steals (2.5) and blocks, while Martin scored 9.5 ppg and knocked down a team-high 40 attempts from beyond the arc. Costa said it will likely take a team effort to make up for their departures.

“I think this is a year for Lauren Dunn to hopefully step up and provide some of her shooting we’re gonna miss with getting rid of Liv,” Costa said. “Anna Stone was kind of under the radar last year, but she’s worked her butt off and I think she could provide some toughness and rebounding that we lose with Brittany.”

Costa said W-H will lean on its defense and shot-making this season.

“We feel like if we can hold teams to 40, we should be able to score more than 40 points a game,” he said. “And hopefully we can score the ball a little more. I feel like shooting is going to be a strength of ours.”

The Panthers have already had their first three games postponed due to COVID-19 precautions, and Costa said it’s important to just roll with the punches.

“There’s just so much unknown this season, we’re literally just playing one game as its own thing,” he said. “If something changes where we miss a game, it sucks, but we gotta refocus and onto the next one. That has to be our mentality as we move through this thing.”

W-H is now scheduled to open its season Wednesday, Jan. 20 at home against Silver Lake at 5:15 p.m.

“Even though the game might look a little bit different and the season might look a little bit different, the goal is still the same,” Costa said. “We’re still trying to compete for a league championship and prepare our seniors, Reese and Rylie, for college next year. We’re trying to get the most out of them and squeeze the sponge for them and at the same time continuing to build toward a league title. 

“The league is wide open. But nothing is going to be given to us, everything is earned and we’re just going to take it one game at a time.”

Season Preview: For girls’ puck, confidence is key

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Senior captain Emily McDonald, of Whitman, skates in the Panthers’ season opener against Quincy/North Quincy. / Photo by: Sue Moss

The girls’ hockey team is hoping to keep the momentum going from last season.

For the Whitman-Hanson/Silver Lake girls’ high school hockey team, it all starts with confidence — just look at last season.

After opening the year 0-4, WSHL won 11 of its last 16 games to earn its first tournament berth in three years. Head coach Kevin Marani hopes that success carries into this season.

“It’s just hard work and believing in yourself,” said Marani, who enters his sixth year on the co-op’s bench. “They just needed to believe they could win and it’s contagious. They truly believe they’re a good team.”

The Panthers return two-thirds of their top line in senior captain Emily McDonald (Whitman) and sophomore Shea Kelleher (Kingston). 

McDonald, who enters her second year as captain, potted nine goals last season. 

“She is just a great kid to coach, great leader and has great talent,” Marani said of McDonald. “Her leadership and what she brings to the defensive side of the ice, as well as her offensive skill — she is one of our best players. If I had 15 of her, we’d be state champs, for sure.”

Kelleher found the back of the net 13 times and dished out 14 assists in her freshman campaign.

“Shea Kelleher is probably our best all-around player,” Marani said. “She is just good at everything. She is great offensively, she is fast, she has great hands and she has a really good shot.”

Alyssa Murphy also has a really good shot — one the Panthers wish they still had following her graduation. Murphy scored a team-high 31 goals last season.

“I’ve pretty much challenged every girl, if every girl can get three more goals we can at least make up for what we lost from Murph,” Marani said. 

Junior Lily Ulvila (Kingston) will replace Murphy on the top line. 

As for the other end of the ice, senior captain Caleigh Tompkins (Kingston), sophomore Kira Peterson (Kingston) and seniors Neve Corkery (Kingston) and Molly Duff (Kingston) are all back in the fold. Marani said he believes incoming freshmen Jocelyn Moore (Kingston) and Caitlin Dilley (Kingston) can play regularly, as well. 

“We have six really good defensemen,”Marani said. “I expect really big things from her and our defense.”

Marani also expects really big things from senior Kat Gilbert (Halifax), who is back for her third season in net. 

“She’s put in the work,” Marani said. “She is totally focused and when she’s totally focused, she’s one of the better goalies in the league.”

WHSL is scheduled to be back in action Wednesday, Jan. 20 at 7 p.m. against East Bridgewater at Rockland Ice Rink.

“I just want to see their confidence, they’re good,” Marani said. “I just believe that if they believe and they have the same focus as they did at the end of last year we’re gonna be fine and we’ll win our fair share of games and we’ll be a tough out come Patriot League playoffs. All the hard work they put in will come to fruition right now.”

Season Preview: For boys’ soccer team, improving is the goal

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The boys’ soccer team is looking for constant improvement this season.

The goals are pretty simple this fall for the Whitman-Hanson Regional High boys’ soccer team.

“Keeping our health is No. 1,” said fourth-year head coach Dave Leahy. “Then improving and having fun are right behind our health.”

Leahy’s messages have resonated since he’s taken the helm of the Panthers, leading them to the tournament in two of the last three seasons, including last fall. There may not be a state tournament to aim for this season, but the philosophy doesn’t waiver. 

“To keep building the program, we have to look at how hard we worked in the off-season, and I’d say that as a group this W-H team worked very hard in the offseason,” he said. “Now we just put all that hard work into a team effort and keep improving each day together.”

The departure of League All-Stars and two-year captains, Stevie Kelly and Jason Broduer, left immense voids for W-H. Brodeur, who is now at Endicott College, paced the Panthers with 17 goals last season, while Kelly anchored the defense and was named to the EMass all-state team. Fellow captain and netminder Andrew Sullivan also graduated. The trio has passed the torch to now-seniors Peyton Collins, Dalton Desrocher, Brendan Nehiley and junior Sean McAlpine this fall.

“They all bring great leadership intangibles to the team, and each has something different to add to the group,” Leahy said of his captains this season. “This is an extremely hard time to be a captain, [but] they have been outstanding thus far.”

Senior Randy Elfman has replaced Sullivan in goal.

“Using Sully’s example, Randy worked extremely hard since the end of last fall to make himself into the best goalie he could, and he definitely has improved a lot,” Leahy said. “He looks to have a strong senior season.”

W-H will be back on the pitch Tuesday, Oct. 27 at home against Silver Lake at 4 p.m.

“[We] are a unified team that works hard each and every day,” Leahy said. “I’d like to see this continue.”

Season Preview: Potential on the volleyball court

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Junior captain Lily Welch. / Photo by: Sue Moss

The Panthers return many of their key contributors from last season’s tournament team.

For second-year Whitman-Hanson Regional High girls’ volleyball head coach Samantha Richner, there are a bevy of reasons this fall feels different than last.

“I do feel more confident and comfortable with the team,” she said. “To me, we feel like a family. I am very excited for this season and the team we have. I think we have great potential.”

In her first year at the helm last season, Richner guided the Panthers to a 12-9 record and their first tournament appearance since 2016. This season, they return many of their key contributors from that postseason run — headlined by junior captain and middle hitter Lily Welch (89 kills, 57 solo blocks, 13 block assists and five aces last season). 

“Lily is a player that I could talk about all day,” Richner said. “She is so gifted and so determined and so dedicated to the sport and to the team.

“All of our front-row players are powerhouses with amazing ability. We plan to use that to our advantage for hitting as well as blocking.”

Senior setters Sophia Berardinelli (248 assists, 22 aces and 14 kills last season) and Caileen Hurley also captain the club.

“Sophia is an all-around athlete and an all-star player,” Richner said. “We are able to put Sophia anywhere on the court and feel confident in her ability.”

“Caileen is a solid player who we all rely on. She is going to leave a big whole in this program when she graduates.”

Junior middle hitter Abby Martin (94 kills and 40 solo blocks last season) is another returnee for the Panthers.

“I am looking forward to watching Abby continue to grow this season,” Richner said. “As a junior and returning varsity player, she is already assuming the role of a leader. Abby, obviously, shines when she is on the court, so it is exciting to have her for two more seasons.”

As for losses, Maya Faich undoubtedly left the biggest void. The Panthers’ team MVP and lone league all-star  last season, Faich led the club with 244 digs from her post at libero. She didn’t go far though, as she’s assumed the reins of the freshmen team this fall. 

“Taking her spot this year is junior Izzy Baker,” Richner explained. “Izzy is a new addition, but you would never know it. Izzy has been so impressive to us all, and she fits right in.”

W-H will be back on the court Tuesday, Oct. 20 at 5:30 p.m. when it hosts Duxbury.

“Our goal is to play hard and have a successful season, all while staying safe,” Richner said.

Season Preview: Field hockey aiming for deep cup run

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The Panthers. / Photo by: Sue Moss

The Panthers are looking to make a deep run in the Patriot Cup tournament.

The Whitman-Hanson Regional High field hockey team has its eyes on the cup. The Patriot Cup, that is. 

With no state tournament, the Patriot League teams will end their seasons squaring against one another for some hardware, as they tackle the new format of 7-on-7 field hockey together. 

“We would like to go far in the Patriot League Cup tournament,” said seventh-year W-H head coach Todd Humphrey. “As a team, we need to learn how to adjust to how each team in the Patriot League plays 7-on-7 field hockey. The season is all about live and learn.”

And while the season may have a different look and feel to it — the Panthers are hoping to carry over their momentum from last fall, in which they went 4-5-4 in their last 13 games after starting out the year 0-5-1. But as always there’s room for improvement, especially in the transition game. 

“The faster we can get the ball up the field and set up our offense as a cohesive unit in the opponent’s end will improve our chances in the Patriot League Cup tournament,” Humphrey said. “We have a good team of very athletic girls. Playing in the Patriot League is tough since every team is excellent.”

Junior midfielder Mary Kate Ryan flourished playing in the Patriot League last season en route to being named the Panthers’ lone league all-star. This fall, she’s their top returnee. 

“She has great hands and is able to find open players,” Humphrey said. “Very defensive-minded and good creating turnovers.” 

Seniors Lauren Clark, Noelle Cornetta and Madi Savicke are W-H’s captains for the shortened season.

Clark, a two-year captain, led the Panthers with 10 points last season, scoring a goal and dishing out nine assists.

“Lauren is a solid two-way player,” Humphrey said. “She does her best to create opportunities.  She is always looking to shoot the ball on net. She does a great job at sparking our offense.”

On the other end of the field, Cornetta is the anchor of W-H’s defense along with classmate Skylar Leonard, both of whom are three-year starters. 

“She has really improved her ability to move the ball up the field, which has been helpful in transitioning to 7-on-7,” Humphrey said of Cornetta. 

“[Skylar is] a solid defender, “ Humphrey said. “She is very reliable [and] is good at dealing with pressure situations caused by opposing forwards.”

Savicke also knows quite a few things about pressure situations, as she settles into her third year in between the pipes. She posted a 2.09 goals against average last autumn.

“Madi is at her best handling pressure in the arc,” Humphrey said. “She is great at directing players to where they need to be on defense. She has a heck of a good kick pass to get the ball to our midfielders.”                                        

Seniors Nicole Clack, Delanie MacDonald, Katie Mulligan and Christina Short, juniors Lauren Dunn, Joli Flamos, Maddie Guidaboni, Rosie MacKinnon, Olivia Phelps and Ashley Sawtelle and freshman Paige Cosgrove should all play significant minutes as well, this season.

W-H will be back in action Friday, Oct. 9 at 3:30 p.m. on the road against Notre Dame Academy (of Hingham). 

“We can run up and down the field in a moment’s notice,” Humphrey said. “I have had to shift lines as if I was an ice hockey coach again to keep up with the intense pace.”

Season Preview: Girls’ indoor track chasing ‘little victories’

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Despite a small team, head coach Steve George is expecting the girls’ indoor track team to be competitive.

Little victories are what the Whitman-Hanson Regional High girls’ indoor track team is striving for this winter.

“I will feel our season will be a success if our small team of 32 girls can win five to seven events each week,” said sixth-year head coach Steve George. “A small team by its nature has difficulty winning meets due to the sports scoring method of five, three and one point for first, second and third places in each event.”

Despite fielding a team of just 32 girls, George’s expectations aren’t any lower. 

“I expect our girls to rise to the occasion,” said George, whose club finished 0-5 last season. “We have a small team, but each of its members are very competitive.”

In the distance events, it will be sophomore Myah Kamperides and junior Anna Sullivan leading the way for W-H. In the mid-distance events, senior Tori Boss and junior Izzy Amado will each run the 1,000-meter run, 600-meter run and 4×400 relay. In the long sprints, seniors Ryley Hurley and senior captain Courtney Woodward could make an impact in the 300-meter dash and possibly the 600-meter run. Senior captain Samantha Perkins, junior Emma Rogers and sophomore April Keyes are expected to make an impact in the sprinting and hurdling events. 

As for departures, George knows he has his hands full with the graduations of Ally Bartlett and Dorothy DiMascio-Donohue. Bartlett scored nearly 40 percent of W-H’s points last winter, while DiMascio-Donohue competed in the indoor pentathlon. 

“I don’t know that I can replace [them],” George said. “They scored a lot of points for us last year in sprints, hurdles, jumps and relays.”

George said he believes this year’s strength will the 300-meter dash and 600-meter run, while he’d like to improve his team’s relay skills. 

“With a small squad, most of our kids are needed in two individual running events, so it leaves us a little lacking in the relays,” George said. “There is nothing more disappointing than being close in a meet going into the relays and knowing you can’t win those events.”

W-H returns to action Wednesday, Jan. 22 at 3:45 p.m. at the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center against Hingham and Silver Lake. 

“What I’m really hoping for is that we can achieve a lot of little victories, and the success stories on our team result in those kids promoting this great sport and in increased participation in the coming years,” George said. 

Season Preview: High hopes for boys’ indoor track

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Boys’ indoor track is aiming to be competitive in a tough Patriot League.

There are some high hopes for the Whitman-Hanson Regional High boys’ indoor track team this winter. 

“Our primary goal every season is to recruit new athletes, and to provide a rewarding and challenging program that will keep our veterans building on their previous experience,” said first-year boys’ indoor track head coach Stephen Schlicting, who is also the head coach of the boys’ outdoor track team. 

“We hope to be competitive with the top teams in the Patriot League. I believe we have solid captains and veterans.”

Those captains are seniors Patrick Bui, Nick Hanley and Brandon Hager.

“[They’re] experienced leaders who know the are experienced leaders who know the sport and are committed to help this team get better,” Schlicting said. “They bring spirit and performances that will make us a better team. I believe we have a strong returning core of experienced track and field athletes. 

Hager was a league all-star after excelling in the 1-mile run last season for the Panthers, who finished 2-3. He’ll be pushed by reigning Patriot League cross country MVP, junior Theo Kamperides, and juniors Liam Cafferty and Chris MacDonald and Hanley. 

“We have solid depth from our distance group,” Schlicting said.

Bui is expected to score in the 300-meter dash, shot put and relays and will get a push in the 300 and relays by classmate Dyllan Burns. Sophomore Jake Caterer is the Panthers’ fastest 55-meter sprinter and will score in the high jump and long jump, according to Schilicting. Junior Graham Stewart will contribute in the hurdles, jumps and relays. 

Schlicting said he wants to see his club get stronger.

“This means using the fitness room regularly and to be committed to core strength program,” said the coach. “I want the members to work together and push each other to become better athletes and young men.”

The Panthers return to action Wednesday, Jan. 22 at 3:45 p.m. at the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center against Hingham and Silver Lake. 

“I want the new members to get comfortable, learn and communicate,” Schlicting said. “I want us to stay healthy and avoid injury. I want us to figure out what events each is best at and give each member the motivation to excel.”

Season Preview: For wrestling team, ‘Our first goal is to win 8-plus matches.’

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Damari Goldsmith-Greene readies for his opponent as the bench looks on at the mat. / Courtesy photo

The wrestling team has been stuck on seven wins for the past four seasons.

In each of the past four seasons, the Whitman-Hanson Regional High wrestling team has won seven matches. So, it’s pretty obvious what it’s looking to accomplish this winter.

“Our first goal is to win eight-plus matches,” said fourth-year head coach Gary Rabinovitz.

The Panthers’ prowess on the mat should help them reach that goal.

“This year’s team strength is its past experience on the mat,” said Rabinovitz, whose club went 7-20 last season. “We may only have one or two first-year wrestlers in the starting lineup.”

Junior captain Damari Goldsmith-Greene (138 pounds) leads the way for the Panthers. One of three Panthers who wrestled in the Division 2 state tournament last winter, Goldsmith-Greene posted a team-high 29 wins and was tabbed a Patriot League All-Star.

“Damari has great deal of natural ability, speed and determination are his keys to success,” Rabinovitz said.

Senior captain Steve Brooks, who was hampered by an injury last season, was a state qualifier at 152 pounds. This season, he bumps up to the 160-pound weight class.

“Steve had a very good junior season and the key to his success is his legs,” Rabinovitz said. “Steve is a very good leg wrestler and can pin just about anyone with his favorite move. Steve worked very hard in the offseason.”

Senior Bethany Ralph also captains W-H and is looking to build off of a second-place finish at 120 pounds in the first-ever girls’ state tournament last season.

“Bethany has worked very hard in the offseason and it will be the key to her quest for a state championship,” Rabinovitz said.

Freshmen Braden Kain (132 pounds) and Maddox Colcough (195 pounds), juniors Myles McInnis (126 pounds) and Aiden O’Brien (132 pounds) and sophomore Pat Collett (152 pounds) will also be key to W-H’s success this season.

W-H will be back on the mat Saturday, Jan. 10 at 10 a.m. when it hosts the Whitman-Hanson Tournament.

“I think we are going to surprise a lot of teams this year and be very competitive all season long,” Rabinovitz said.

Season Preview: Gymnastics trending in the right direction

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The gymnastics team. / Courtesy photo

First-year head coach Alison Vance is looking to grow the gymnastics program.

For the Whitman-Hanson Regional High gymnastics team, there are a few things it wants to accomplish this winter.

“Our goal this season is to continue to grow our program, familiarize ourselves with the complex rules of high school gymnastics and have fun while doing it,” said first-year head coach Alison Vance, who inherits a club that finished 2-13 last season. “If we sprinkle in a few wins here or there, we will be thrilled.”

Vance has already begun chipping away at those goals. After Middleboro decided to split from it co-op with W-H, there was some fear that W-H wouldn’t be able to field a team after boasting just six girls last winter, only four of whom were set to return. However, after a grassroots push on social media and through word of mouth to spread knowledge about the program, 10 girls turned out for the team.

Senior captain Sarah Bombardier keys the Panthers this winter. She led the team with a 31.69 all-around meet average last season.

“We anticipate she will be [our high scorer again],” Vance said. “She is a former competitive gymnast who isn’t afraid to try new skills. She has a lot of natural gymnastics talent. 

Junior Madison Scaccia also captains the team.

“Madison will compete on floor, vault and beam again this year,” Vance said. “She has been working hard to make her routines more competitive.”

Freshman Riley Getchell and junior Savannah Poirier, who captained the cheerleading team
this fall, should also contribute on a nightly basis.

Vance said one of the tweaks she has made this year is rotating the all-around positions, which each team is allowed two at each meet.

“Generally, teams use the same two girls to fill those roles,” Vance said. “However, this year we have four girls that could potentially compete all-around. We are planning to switch it up from time to time to see if that helps improve our scores.”

Vance said regardless of how her team fares, her expectations won’t change.

“I expect the girls to always give 100 percent,” she said. “I expect them to be respectful of myself, their teammates and their competitors. I expect them to be positive and proud of their accomplishments, big or small.”

The Panthers are back in action Tuesday, Jan. 7 at 6:30 p.m. with a meet against Hingham and Marshfield at Massachusetts Gymnastics Center in Pembroke.

“I want to see these girls continue to work hard to upgrade their skills,” Vance said. “I want them to shake off the nerves of their first meet and come back from winter break ready to go.”