Weekly Update

Before I start with my weekly update, I just want to encourage everyone to follow us on twitter at whathletics.  Now, I know not everyone has joined twitter nation, but did you know you don’t have to join us to follow everything that is happening at Whitman-Hanson? 

If you text the words, follow whathletics, to 40404, you will get a text message every time we tweet something.  This is particularly helpful if it is a rainy or snowy day and you are wondering if a game is cancelled.  We always tweet that information the moment we get the word.  Once you send the initial text, you can turn the notifications on or off simply by texting the word on or off to that same 40404 number. 

Of course, we love it when more people actually follow us, so consider joining twitter and following us at whathletics.  Let’s not forget our blog too.  The web address for that is www.whathletics.blogspot.com .  In the next week, you will be able to access the same blog by simply going to the website, www.whathletics.com .  The blog has all kinds of great material including a link to all of the outstanding pictures Sue Moss takes at our events. 

If you were frustrated with the photobucket site we were using, you were in good company.  We just changed to a new host and the feedback has been very positive.  Check it out today.

Now to the update -

1)      The girls basketball  team continues to improve with every game.  They pulled off a huge win Friday night over Quincy, 41-36.  Defense is the name of the game for the girls and when they want to get after it, they are as good as one at that end of the floor.  Erin Clifford led the way with 13 points and 8 rebounds.  The girls need just 3 wins in their last 8 games to make the state tournament.  They play host to Silver Lake Friday night in their annual fundraiser game for breast cancer awareness.  If you haven’t checked out a girls basketball game yet this year,  this is the one you want to see.

2)      The boys basketball team clinched  their playoff spot before anyone else in the state by winning two more games this week.  They beat Bridgewater-Raynham and Seekonk on the road before dropping a 1 point decision at Quincy.  The boys are 12-2 on the season and 6-1 in the league which is good for a 1-game lead for first place.

3)      The boys hockey team also responded in a big way this week, beating Quincy on the road, 4-2.  Jake Bowen and Chris Boussy both scored a pair of goals to help the Panthers improve to 6-4-3.  The Panthers are on pace to make the tournament for the first time in 5 years.

4)      The girls hockey team is also on pace to make the tournament this winter.  The girls shocked undefeated Falmouth on the road on Saturday by skating to a 2-2 tie.  The girls continue to be one of the most improved teams in the state.

5)      The wrestling team has battled through all kinds of adversity this winter with injuries and illness, but I guess it helps when the head coach is doctor.  Coach Dr. Broderick has led his team to an undefeated league record with just one meet left to play.  The team rallied to beat Quincy on Senior night this past Wednesday.  Seniors Nate Baker, Greg McGrath and Mark Rogers all had pins.  The wrestling team travels to Hingham Wednesday night to decide the league title.

6)      Our girls swimming team, WHAM (Whitman-Hanson and Middleboro), recorded a double win on Thursday in tri meet with Dighton-Rehoboth and Randolph.  Abby Bailey won the 200 yard freestyle, Sam Vigneaux took the 50 yard freestyle, Alyssa Lusardi won the 100 yard butterfly and Erin Long captured the 100 yard backstroke.  The partnership with Middleboro high school has really gone well in our first season offering swimming.

7)      In girls track, Rachael Baker ran the fastest mile in school history indoor or out, her time of 5:09 was good enough for third place at the MSTCA Elite meet.  Abby Baker 1000 and Gianna Cacciatore 2 mile finished 7th in their events, Sam Richner made 5' in the high jump.

8)      In boys track, freshman Nick Haley was our only competitor at the MSTCA invitational but he turned heads with a lightening time of 36.9 seconds in the 300 meter.

9)      The cheerleading team has shown great support at the boys basketball games this winter, but their real work has been behind the scenes where they practice daily in preparation for their upcoming league championships.  Whitman-Hanson will host the event on Sunday February 10^th at noon.

10)  All spring sports candidates should signup at the blog if they have not already done so.