WH Athletics Update

Before we get to this week’s athletic update, we are happy to pass along some good news.  For the first time in at least 8 years, Whitman-Hanson has been recognized by the MIAA with inclusion on the Sportsmanship honor roll.  This distinction is reserved for schools that go the entire year without a single player in any sport at any level being disqualified from a game.  The last four years we missed this honor by a single incident each year.  We continue to be very proud of not just our student athletes but our Superfans who come out in big numbers and show great enthusiasm without ever embarrassing our school or  teams with improper behavior.  Special thanks go out to the entire Superfan club, particularly Olivia Sheehan and Tajh Hunter for leading the way.  This past Friday they came up with a Hawaiian theme for the football game and that was a lot of fun.  Make sure you follow us on Twitter @whathletics so you know the theme each week.

Now to this week in WH Athletics

1)      The football team improved to 2-0 with a dramatic, 9-6 win over visiting New Bedford High School.  Senior Jake O’Brien drilled a 34 year field goal as time expired to snap a 6-6 tie and give the Panthers the win. (check out the exciting final seconds here - https://twitter.com/WHathletics/status/1040799673064275968 ).  Senior captain Mike Connors carried the ball 13 times for 58 yards including a 1 yard touchdown run.  Junior John Zeidan threw for 115 yard while senior Billy Martell ran for 62 yards.  Whitman-Hanson turned in another impressive defensive effort led by Ryan Tongone, Quinn Sweeney, Nate Beath and Connors.  The Panthers travel to Hingham Friday night to open Patriot League play in a battle between two of the top teams in the Keenan Division.

2)      The field hockey team also remains unbeaten on the season as they ran their record to 2-0-2 on Thursday under the lights defeating Silver Lake, 2-1.  Victoria Ryan and Lauren Clark accounted for the two WH goals.  Captain Olivia Sheehan led another fantastic defensive effort in support of goalie Maddie Savicke.  The Panthers, who beat Silver Lake for the first time in school history, are off to their best start ever.  The team travels to Hingham on Monday.

3)      The girls soccer team has also dominated in the early going this season posting a 3-0 record.  The highlight of the week was a 4-0 road win at Pembroke on Friday.  Whitman Hanson opened the scoring with a well-placed penalty shot by Boston College bound Sammi Smith and Samantha Perkins made it 2-0 with a phenomenal free kick that found the upper corner. The Panthers made it 3-0 when Olivia Borgen took a Kelsee Wozniak pass and found the upper corner of the net. Nora Manning finished the scoring after taking a cross from Anika Floeck and finding the back of the net. Samantha Smith, Courtney Woodward, Olivia Johnson and Erin Wood all had strong games in front of keeper Skylar Kuzmich(5 saves).  The girls are off until Tuesday when they hit the road to play Duxbury at 6pm.

4)      The golf team made a quartet of Panthers teams going unbeaten by beating Duxbury, 238-245 on Thursday.  The Panthers, who improved to 3-0, were led by senior captain Owen Manning, who continues to play at a high and consistent level, with his 2 over par 36 performance. Junior Matt Korzec also contributed to the big win with a 3 over par day. Senior Pat Dever shot a 6 over and Junior Ian Brown turned in a 7 over par card.  Whitman-Hanson will host Hanover on Tuesday.

5)      The boys and girls cross country teams continue to work hard and improve each day.  The number of students participating continues to grow as well.  It is still NOT too late to join.  Come see me if you would like to join.  The teams traveled to Apponequet Regional High School for the Big Wave Invitational on Saturday and had many strong performances. 

In the Freshman/Sophomore Girls 2.5 mile race Sarah Boulger (19:04) and Anna Flynn (19:17) were the top two finishers for the Panthers.

The Boys Freshman/Sophomore team was led by Freshmen Theo Kamperides (3rd, 13:54), Liam Cafferty (22nd, 15:16) and Matt Butler (23rd, 15:18) to a 5th place team finish.

Maeve McDonough (13th, 17:32) and Tori Boss (14th, 17:39) helped the Junior/Senior Girls squad to a 4th place finish.

And in the Boys Junior/Senior 2.5 mile race Brandon Hager (25th, 14:46) and Nick Hanley (26th, 14:50) were the top two finishers for the 6th place team.

6)      The boys soccer team had a split decision this week dropping a heartbreaker at home against Pembroke while easily posting a 6-1 win over Rockland.  Early in the week the Panthers beat the Bulldogs, 6-1.  Junior captain Jason Brodeur and senior Nolan Clack each recorded a pair of goals in the win.  Sophomores Brendan Nehiley and Dalton Desrocher accounted for the other two goals.  On Friday it was a tough 2-1 home loss to Pembroke as the Titans scored in the 70^th minute to snap a 1-1 tie.  Desrocher had the lone goal of the game for the Panthers.  Junior Andrew Sullivan continues to play well in net for the Panthers.  The boys return to action at home on Tuesday when they host Duxbury at 6pm.

7)      The volleyball team posted their first win of the season this week with an exciting 5 set win over Silver Lake, 3-2.  Leaders on the court include Senior Outside Hitter Allison Hanlon with 8 kills and Junior Ella Sweeney with 12 kills.  Senior Tri-Captain Libero Nicole Scott took control of the back row and made 15 successful digs. Sophomore Caileen Hurley set four sets of the match with a total of 27 assists. Senior Setter Kylie Gervasio did an impressive job on the fourth set of the match.  The girls will play host to Hanover Monday at 5:15pm.

8)      Our cheerleading team is working hard putting their routine together for the upcoming season.  Meanwhile, they are also doing great work in the community.  On Friday night, the girls hosted 50 youth cheerleaders for a skills clinic and then a varsity game experience.  The future Panthers were teamed up with a high school cheerleader and performed in front of the large football crowd. It is obvious the future of Whitman-Hanson cheerleading continues to be bright.

9)      Finally, we announced this week the hiring of a new boys lacrosse coach.  Here is the press release we issued:

Whitman-Hanson Regional High School is pleased to announce the appointment of Tyler Sabens as its new varsity boys lacrosse coach.  Sabens, who recently joined the district as a guidance counselor at Whitman Middle School, played division 1 college lacrosse at Manhattan College and most recently served as an assistant coach at Falmouth High School.

“We are so excited to bring a coach like Tyler on board our staff here at Whitman-Hanson,” Athletic Director Bob Rodgers said.  “Tyler has an impressive playing background but what impressed me the most about him was his understanding that coaching at its essence is teaching.  I truly believe our players will grow both on and off the field under his leadership.” Sabens played four years at Manhattan and served as its captain his senior year. He was the offensive coordinator and goalie coach at Falmouth High School where he helped guide their team to 3 straight Atlantic Coast League titles (2016, 2017, 2018). The Clippers also advanced to the MIAA Division II South Finals in 2016 and 2018.  In addition to his lacrosse coaching background, Sabens has also coached both high school football and hockey.

 “As a former NCAA Division I athlete, I have a deep appreciation for the value of competitive athletics. My desire to enhance sports’ positive influence on young people has been at the forefront of my life’s mission since the start of my career in education and as a coach,” Sabens said.  “I believe educators and coaches are one in the same, and my philosophy in both roles has been to emphasize the development of athletic skill and proper fundamental technique, while helping student-athletes tackles life’s challenges with a high degree of integrity and commitment. Furthermore, my goal to foster healthy perspectives toward competition, sportsmanship, and self-discipline stems from my emphatic belief that a leader’s essential role is to encourage strong character while reinforcing positive attitudes.”

Sabens will be meeting with the team on Wedneaday.  Whitman-Hanson competes in the Keenan Division of the Patriot League.

One Final Note….

Whitman-Hanson is adding a state of the art scoreboard at Dennis M. O'Brien Field as well as an improved audio experience.  This scoreboard will have a giant LED screen for instant replays, player stats, pictures, school news, advertisements and much more.  No taxpayer money is being used for this project.  Much of the funding is coming from generous donations.  The JJ Frisoli Foundation has made a substantial contribution, while Mutual Bank, Richard Rosen (Rosen Realty and McGuiggans) Don Ford and the entire crew at Ford Insurance of Hanson and Bob Hayes of Auto Towne have all made substantial donations to our project.
We are almost to our goal, but not quite there.  If you would like to join in on this worthwhile venture you can make a donation easily by clicking on this website - https://fs17.formsite.com/WHathletics/form62/index.html .

Unlike many online donation sites, we received 100% of the funds you donate.

Your donation will be recognized at www.whathletics.com as well as on the scoreboard itself during the Thanksgiving Day football game with Abington.  You can make a donation in memory of someone, in recognition of your days at WH, or even anonymously.  No donation is too small.

This scoreboard will help enhance our entire school culture by showcasing all of the amazing things that happen at our school and in our community.  Please help us make it a reality.