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Codero commits to Roger Williams for basketball

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Reese Codero dribbles. / Photo by: Sue Moss

Reese Codero will play basketball at Roger Williams next season.

A three-sport varsity contributor at Whitman-Hanson Regional High, rising senior Reese Codero is taking her talents to the next level.

Codero has committed to play basketball at Roger Williams University, a Division III school in Bristol, Rhode Island, that competes in the Commonwealth Coast Conference.

“I felt it was a good fit for me because I think I will be able to be successful academically but also challenged at the same time,” said Codero, who is planning to study criminal justice. “I have seen the team play a couple of times [and] I really admire their style. They are a type of team who plays together and not every girl for herself. They compete at a high level and I want to be a part of that.”

This past winter, Codero emerged as the Panthers’ starting point guard helping guide the program to its best regular-season record (14-6) since 2009-10 and first playoff win in eight years. She scored 7.1 ppg and dished out 3.2 apg en route to earning Patriot League All-Star status. And she is fully expecting to elevate her game as she writes the final chapter of her W-H basketball career.

“Before I get to Roger Williams, I am looking to grow not only as a player but as a person as well,” said Codero, who also plays soccer and softball. “I want to work on my game and have my weaknesses become strengths. I plan to keep improving everyday physically and mentally. During the upcoming high school season, I want to help my team compete for a league championship and to get better as a team.”

But before basketball, she’ll take aim at another league title in the fall in net for the girls’ soccer team.

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. 

A new bench boss: Rob Peters takes charge of boys’ hockey

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Rob Peters is the new boys’ hockey coach and he’s no stranger to the Patriot League.

Rob Peters knows firsthand what the Whitman-Hanson Regional High boys’ hockey team is capable of after serving as an assistant coach for Scituate the last two seasons. 

Not only did the Panthers go 2-0 against the Sailors last year during league play, but they also ended their season in the Division 2 South quarterfinals. 

“They’re (Whitman-Hanson) well respected, very difficult,” Peters said. “It’s always a dog fight to play Whitman-Hanson.”

Fortunately for Peters, he doesn’t have to worry about playing the Panthers anymore, after they hired him as their next head coach last month. 

“It’s definitely exciting being back behind the bench head coaching and kind of build off of a great, respected program,” Peters said. “I’m definitely excited to be a part of that.”

Peters succeeds Chris Googins, who stepped down to spend more time with his family, and Peters knows he has some big shoes to fill. Googins took the program from a one-win season in 2015 (his first season back in his second stint behind the Panthers bench) to its best campaign in at least 15 years this past winter, going 17-6-1 and earning a trip to the South semifinals. Peters said his philosophy mirrors the program’s current style quite well. 

“I like to coach a very disciplined, defensive-minded-first team, so I like having kids with good characters,” Peters said. “That’s what I saw as an outsider and then when I started to go through the interview process and learn more about Whitman-Hanson and who they are as a school and a community, there’s a lot of similarities with how I live my everyday life. As I went through the interview process, it reassured me that it was going to be a good fit.”

Peters’ duties at Scituate included running the power play, coaching the forwards and leading film sessions. Additionally, he owns and operates his own hockey skill development company. He also worked in community development and branding for the New Jersey Devils organization. 

“I think I’ll be able to add a little more versatility and a little more skill development [to W-H],” Peters said. 

A question for any new W-H boys’ hockey coach should be: How do you keep the program relevant?

“I want to try and have a little more input with their youth program,” Peters said. “I want to really get them excited to play for Whitman-Hanson hockey — kind of build from the bottom up.”

“Year after year, players change but the systems, the character, and everything that comes with the game mentally stays. If we create a family atmosphere, I think we can overcome anything.”

And the Panthers’ are going to have to overcome the graduation of a few key forwards in Patriot League All-Stars Adam Solari (23 goals, 11 assists) and Chris Stoddard (nine goals, 28 assists). However, they will return a league all-star in net, Bobby Siders, and freshman forward standout Matt Solari (18 goals, 14 assists). 

“I want to make the playoffs — that’s a big goal,” Peters said. “They had a really big year last year. We lost some key forwards but I think we are still going to have a great roster and character. I’m excited to see what these guys got. I want to get back in the playoffs — where they were last year.”

Whitman Area X baseball finds success

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With the high school and American legion baseball season being cancelled there was a potential for no baseball for the local high school players but Area x baseball was formed and started their season on July 6th. Whitman won the opening game of the season that night with a 6-2 win over Rockland. It was a great win and great to see these players who lost their spring and summers seasons out on the field playing again for the first time in a year. Tommy Marshall was the star on the mound coming in with the bases loaded and no outs and getting out of the jam and pitching shut out ball in relief. Offensive stars were Bobby Marshall and Chris Zalewski who each scored two runs and were on base 6 times.

On Monday night Whitman played against Pembroke who was leading the south region In Area x baseball. Whitman fell behind 6-2 but battled back to win the game 9-6. Ty Gordon and Tommy Marshall combined to pitch 4 innings of shut out relief. The offense was led by Cole Levangie who had 3 hits, Tommy Marshall who was on base all 4 times he batted and Chris Kenney who started 2 rallies and scored 2 runs. Jack Allen and Dan Bird also chipped in with 2 hits and ty Gordon came within inches of hitting the seasons first homerun.

Whitman also started a junior team in the Area x league and is off to a great start having only 1 loss. Ryan Mcdonald has picked up 4 wins on the mound. Sean Daggett, Sam and Ben Pace, Connor Sottak and  Matt Phelps have also chipped in with valuable innings pitched. Connor Sottak has been on fire at the plate, crushing the ball time after time. He has had plenty of help with Ryan Carroll, Sean Daggett, Josh Googins, Aidan Blake and Jake Falco putting up some great offensive numbers as well. Jack Carron missed the first couple games of the season but has played flawlessly in the field and at the plate since his return. Other team members who have helped get the new team off to the fast start are Ryan Hawley, Jake McAleer, Jake Googins and Manny Essling.

-head coach Mike Josselyn

Codero, Harlow have success on court

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Reese Codero looks on as Rylie Harlow dribbles the ball. / Courtesy photo

The childhood friends helped lead their program to a 5-5 record in the national tournament.

While some athletes treat the summer as an offseason, Whitman-Hanson Regional High rising senior girls’ basketball captains, Reese Codero and Rylie Harlow, are putting in the work.

The two are teammates on the AAU basketball team MT Elite Ducks Sapphire and lit it up over the weekend in the Nike Tournament of Champions in Indianapolis.

In their opener on Friday, the duo scored nine points apiece as the Ducks routed the Illinois Aristocrats, 65-44.

On Saturday, Codero scored a team-high 14 points and Harlow added 13, leading the Ducks to a 53-47 victory over Kessel Heat (Illinois) in their third game of the tournament.

Codero followed that up on Sunday, pumping in a co-team-high 11 points in a big 57-35 win over Nashville Stars Basketball Club.

The club finished its first tournament of the season with a 5-5 record.

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.”

Season Review: Boys’ hockey team stayed on-message

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The Panthers celebrate a goal against Scituate. / Photo by: Sue Moss

It was a special season on the ice for the boys’ hockey team.

If you can get a team to collectively buy into the same message, usually good things will follow. 

So, to see his Whitman-Hanson Regional High boys’ hockey team go on the program’s longest postseason run in at least 15 years didn’t take head coach Chris Googins by surprise one bit. The Panthers posted a 17-6-1 record and went all the way to the Div. 2 South semifinals, where they fell to eventual co-state champion Canton. 

“They really just stayed true to what their goal was and that was just trying to do their part to make the program better,” said the 10th-year head coach. “They didn’t care who got the points or the glory, they were just more interested in the program moving ahead. It does take a core group of kids to help establish a culture to have some relative success.”

It started with seniors Eddie Collins, Calvin Cooper, John Hagan, Adam Solari, Chris Stoddard, and Reed Watson, all of whom were four-year players who won just one game their freshman year.

“It can’t be mentioned enough of what a great character-driven core of seniors these have been,” Googins said. “None of them have left. They’ve always tried to push each other. I know there’s three kids who have letters on their jerseys, but anyone of them I would be comfortable calling a captain.”

Patriot League All-Stars Adam Solari and Stoddard keyed the offense. Adam Solari led the team with 23 goals to go with 11 assists, while Stoddard had a team-high 28 helpers to complement nine goals.

“They’re two different types of players and I think that’s why they had such a good year together,” Googins said. “Chris is more of a pass-first type of a kid and Adam is a shoot-first type of kid and it’s a great formula. They really did not care who scored, it was always about the end result.”

Freshman Matt Solari was the other piece of the Panthers’ top line and made quite the first impression, finding the back of the net 18 times with 14 assists. 

“He’s very fortunate that he played in three postseason games, three tournament games,” Googins said. “We’ve got other important kids coming back along with Matty who played significant time in the tournament.”

No one played more significant time in the tournament than junior goaltender Bobby Siders, who oftentimes stood on his head. A Patriot League All-Star, Siders recorded 26 saves in a 2-0 shutout victory over Scituate in the quarterfinals.

“Bobby is a hockey player,” Googins said. “He knows when we need a whistle and he knows when to deflect a puck in a certain corner. He’s constantly communicating. He really has been the backbone of this team. He’s going to continue and hopefully elevate his game because we are losing some production.”

Junior blueliners Jack Allen and Kevin Willis should once again form a strong nucleus in front of Siders next winter. 

“They know the system, they communicate very well with each other,” Googins said. “Looking for much bigger and better things from all of them.

“The bottom line is the heart, the desire, the work ethic, that’s there. But now there has to be a little more sport-specific training and it comes down to skating. You have to be able to skate at a higher level and make quick decisions. That starts in the weight room and working on legs.

Googins said he believes this season could be a turning point for his program, which had struggled to gain traction in the past. 

“Moving forward, the new normal is to get to this level annually and try to see if you can get some good opportunities and move forward,” Googins said. “We talk a lot about the word complacency and we try not to let it infect our team and I’m hoping getting into the tournament and trying to go deep is kind of the new normal. 

“There’s a lot of good programs at Whitman-Hanson and these kids all see it and want to try to get their program to where they’re contenders every year.”

Whitman-Hanson Express Postseason Accolades: Winter Sports

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Athletes of the Season

Boys’ basketball: Stevie Kelly | Senior – Kelly repeats as the boys’ basketball Athlete of the Season after fueling the Panthers’ run to the Division 2 state title. The Patriot League Keenan Division MVP recorded 14 points, 6.3 assists and 5.1 rebounds per game. He will play Division 2 college basketball next season at Clarion University.

 

 

Girls’ basketball: Brittany Gacicia | Senior – The senior was a constant on both ends of the floor for the Panthers, who finished with their best record since 2009-10 and won their first tournament game in eight years. A back-to-back Patriot League All-Star, Gacicia led the team in points (11.9), rebounds (7.1) and steals (2.5) per game.

 

 

Boys’ hockey: Adam Solari | Senior – The senior assistant captain scored a team-high 23 goals and dished out 11 assists, leading the Panthers to their longest run in at least 15 years, which ended in the Div. 2 South semifinals. The forward was named a Patriot League All-Star.

 

 

Girls’ hockey: Emily McDonald | Junior – Make it two straight winters as the girls’ hockey Athlete of the Season for McDonald. The junior assistant captain and forward notched nine goals and added five assists for WHSL, which made the tournament for the first time in three years.

 

 

Boys’ indoor track: Theo Kamperides | Junior – The junior went undefeated in the 2-mile run during dual-meet competition and set a personal best time of 10:06.26 at the Division 3 state meet. He was named a league all-star for the third consecutive season. 

 

 

Girls’ indoor track: Myah Kamperides | Sophomore – Named a Patriot League All-Star, the sophomore was the league’s top 2-miler with a time of 11:49. Also the Athlete of the Season for girls’ cross country, Kamperides was selected as the team’s MVP.

 

 

Wrestling: Steve Brooks | Senior – The senior captain tied the program’s all-time pins record with 32. A Patriot League All-Star, Brooks finished third at Div. 2 South Sectionals and fifth at Div. 2 States at 160 pounds. He will wrestle at Plymouth State.

 

 

Girls’ swimming/diving: Maddie Navicky | Senior – The senior captain finishes her career as a four-year South Shore League All-Star, two-time team MVP and back-to-back Athlete of the Season in girls’ swimming/diving. She will continue her academic and athletic career at the University of Lynchburg.

 

 

Gymnastics: Sarah Bombardier | Senior – A four-year varsity gymnast and W-H’s lone senior, Bombardier led the way on the vault with an 8.65 average. The captain and team MVP was also the gymnastics Athlete of the Season last winter.

 

 

Coach of the Season

Boys’ basketball: Bob Rodgers – Talent was certainly plentiful, but it takes a coach to put the pieces of the puzzle together and that’s just what Rodgers did in his 20th year at the helm of the Panthers, leading the program on a 23-game winning streak and to its first-ever Div. 2 state title. Rodgers said after the season: “The accomplishments of the team — to end the season with a win at the Boston Garden, there are just so many positives we can take from this season. They were just the greatest kids.”

 

*All photos by Sue Moss