Holliston January 2019

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Page 16 Holliston Local Town Pages www.localtownpages.com January 2019 Sports After Tournament Play Last Year, Holliston Hockey Plans Course By Christopher Tremblay, Staff Sports Writer Last winter, for the first time since Dan Geary took over the Holliston hockey program, the Panthers advanced into the Division 3 South Tournament. Unfortunately Holliston, which had earned a number 7 seed with a 12-6-2 regular season record, was sent packing with a 4-2 loss to Dartmouth. Although the Panthers made a rather quick exit from the tournament, they got some well needed experience “We lost 8 seniors from that team, and I knew that we were going to be graduating that experience, so I carried a large team last year,” the Holliston Coach said. “That way, we were getting ready with those unproven players for this season.” Coming into the season, Geary’s biggest goal is progression. He is looking for the team to get better on a daily basis. As a typical coach, Geary is not particularly fond of losing, but if the team gives it everything they have, losing is not as bad. Following progression, Holliston wants to get back into the tournament and perform at a higher level than they did last season. “We have a good nucleus coming back, a lot of team speed with backend balance,” Geary said. “Our goaltending is also top notch and the rest of the league knows that our goalie can steal a game on any given night.” Looking to get the Panthers back into the post-season will be the tri-captains: senior forwards Alex Naya and Logan Brooks, the team’s only seniors, as well as junior Cooper DeCristafaro. Brooks will, unfortunately, not be taking to the ice this season as he tore his ACL during the football season, and his absence will be definitely missed this year. DeCristafaro was a center for the Panthers last winter as the team was loaded with senior defensemen. This year, he will return to his normal position in front of the net. “Coop is a very offensive minded player, and moving Holliston hockey has some work ahead to be successful in league, and, hopefully, tournament play this year. The team lost eight seniors, but its coach has planned ahead. Holliston Hockey captains, Alex Naya, Cooper DeCristaforo, and Logan Brooks him back to defense, we lose his punch (17 points last year),” the coach said. “But there is a benefit of moving him back – he sees the ice well to begin with, so now he’ll see the whole ice and make those offensive plays to get us going.” Last season the Panthers seniors accounted for 67% of the team’s goal scoring, so the underclassmen are going to have to pick up the slack this season if the Panthers are going to be successful. Sam Farrell is the teams returning leading scorer (he accounted for 18 points last year), while Kevin Balewicz had 14 points as a freshman. Junior winger Robby Saponaro will be looked upon to put the puck in the net on a regular basis. In addition to Saponaro, sophomore forward Joe Lombardi has looked good so far and the coach is hoping that he can contribute. Defensively, the Panthers will go with five defenders adjusting as needed. DeCristafaro, junior Jackson Goughan and Tommy Labb will be the top three defenders for the Panthers this season. Goughan has experience as well as being on the ice a significant amount of time while bringing a physical ability and speed to the game. Labb, on the other hand, has ability but no real experience and is chomping at the bit to get onto the ice. The last line of defense will be sophomore goalie Nico Quatromoni. As a freshman keeper last season Quatromoni played in 19 of Holliston’s 21 games posting a .920 save percentage. “Nico will challenge shooters and play the angles,” Geary said. “He brings confidence to the team and allows them to take chances. The confidence he exerts to the rest of the team allows them to create offense.” Playing in the Tri Valley League Holliston always has its work cut out for them as they will battle division 2 and 3 teams in 10 games. If they are to be successful in the league as well as in the tournament, they are going to have to bring their game up a notch. According to Geary, Ashland and Westwood are the cream of the crop and should be the toughest opponents the Panthers will see during the regular season. RonsTire.com Ron Saponaro Run Your Ads & Inserts With Us! Call Lori Koller 635 Waverly Street, Rte 135 Framingham, MA 01702 Tel: 508-872-2266 Fax: 508-872-2011 Email: ronstire@rcn.com Vehicle Lettering • Window Tinting • Banners • Magnetic Signs 83 Nickerson Road, Ashland MA • 508-429-1445 HotplatesSigns.com • hotplates@verizon.net (508) 934-9608
January 2019 Holliston Local Town Pages www.localtownpages.com Page 17 Sports Holliston Girls Quintet Eyes another Tourney Appearance By KEN HAMWEY, Staff Sports Writer The girls basketball team at Holliston High will be aiming for its second straight appearance in the playoffs, but coach Kurt Lorenzen and his Panthers know the journey won’t be easy. Lorenzen, who’s familiar with the girls program after coaching the freshman and jayvee teams, took the varsity reins this season. And, although he’s knowledgeable and well-versed coaching the sport, he’s acutely aware of how difficult it is to compete in the Tri Valley League and fully cognizant of what’s needed to be a post-season participant. “Our goals are to improve every day, whether it’s in practice or games, and to qualify for the playoffs,’’ he said. “The tourney goal is realistic, but the TVL is a strong conference from top to bottom. Qualifying will be hard, and we’ll have to be ready every night to battle the likes of Medfield, Hopkinton, Westwood and Ashland.’’ Last year’s contingent, which was coached by Dan Keefe, finished 11-9, then lost in the tourney’s opening round against Hopkinton. Four players on that squad graduated, including Grace Dzindolet, who was a 1,000-point scorer. Other key seniors who graduated are Tess Powers, Kami Kozubal and Abby Rae Wells. “This year’s team is young, and we’ve got a lot of learning to do,’’ said Lorenzen, who was a scholarship player at Eastern Illinois University. “We’ll need to gain experience quickly. Our depth is fine, but our underclassmen have to get minutes and learn on the job.’’ Holliston’s squad, however, does have a plethora of strengths, and Lorenzen likes what he’s sees. “We’ve got size,’’ he said. “We also have a high basketball IQ, along with speed and athleticism. The girls are also coachable and hard-working.’’ Three quality players who’ll be providing strong leadership are senior captains Eliza Altobelli, a 5-10 forward; guard Melanie Colman; and Brooke Geoffroy, a 6-foot forward-center. “Eliza is aggressive, strong on the boards, and she’s runs the court well,’’ Lorenzen said. “She’s a solid defender, and we’ll rely on her for offense. Melanie can play either guard position. A good ball-handler, she’s instinctive, distributes the ball effectively, and she can shoot. Brooke was the leading rebounder last year with about 10 a game. She’s a capable shot-blocker, and we’re hoping she picks up her scoring ability.’’ The squad’s only other senior is Grace Kerr, a wing/forward who promotes team chemistry. “Grace is a great team player who knows her role, works hard and is very coachable,’’ Lorenzen emphasized. The Panthers’ roster has 12 players and only two are juniors. Lorenzen will be counting on both Jacqueline Alibrandi, a twoway guard, and forward Olivia Briggs. “Both played jayvee ball last year,’’ Lorenzen noted. “Jacqueline has a high hoop IQ, she’s a good shooter, handles the ball well and is solid fundamentally. Olivia can rebound and play defense. At 5-10, she’s skilled on offense. We want her to get points in the paint.’’ A trio of sophomores are guards, and they include Marykate Ward, Kelty Kober and Ellie Burke. “They display a lot of talent,’’ Lorenzen said. “They’re very athletic, fast and skilled. They’ll have to learn quickly, and we’re hoping to see them progress and be able to contribute. They’ll all get some playing time.’’ Lorenzen labels the three freshman on the roster as “a promising group.’’ They include guard Caroline Salley, wing Eva Bergloff and wing/forward Summer O’Neill. “Although they need to get varsity experience, they’re athletic, hard-working and skilled,’’ he noted. The Panthers, who opened their season with a loss to Sharon The 2018-19 edition of the Panthers’ girls’ basketball will strive to be an up-tempo offense that runs aggressively, passes effectively and plays pressure defense. and a win over Norton, are competing in the TVL’s Large Division, which includes Medfield, Westwood, Hopkinton, Ashland and Norwood. Lorenzen doesn’t have much of a scouting report on new league member Norwood but he’s quite familiar with the other squads. “They’re all well-coached, and they all have traditionally strong programs,’’ he offered. “We’ll have to be ready every night.’’ Lorenzen will be assisted by Brian Cheever, who also will serve as the program’s juniorvarsity coach. Cheever and Lorenzen have worked together for 15 years. A firm believer in an athletic philosophy that focuses on competing hard and reaching one’s potential, Lorenzen is convinced that winning will be the by-product if a strong work ethic is in the mix. “The attributes I look for in players when compiling a roster are those who promote team chemistry, those who are fundamentally sound and those who are athletic,’’ he said. The 2018-19 edition of the Panthers will strive to be an uptempo offense that runs aggressively, passes effectively and plays pressure defense. The coach is a big believer in unselfish play that emphasizes passing efficiency. If all the above are in the mix, then the girls will find themselves in a comfortable place at the end of the regular season. That would be in the post-season tourney. Everything from Start to Finish Rebuild after; Remodeling; - Fire Damage - Roof and Siding - Smoke Damage - Basements - Storm Damage - Kitchens and Bathrooms - Water Damage - Additions - Mold Damage - Painting and Carpentry When Disaster Strikes Call 844-HMB FAST (462-3278) www.hmbrestoration.com
Page 1 and 2: Holliston PRSRT STD localtownpages
Page 3 and 4: January 2019 Holliston Local Town P
Page 15: January 2019 Holliston Local Town P

Holliston January 2019

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?