Weekly Update

High school sports are about so much more than just winning and losing.  The values and work ethic our student athletes learn is a key component to their educational experience here at Whitman-Hanson.  This was on full display on Saturday when the wrestling team hosted their annual Panther Invitational.  The students, parents and coaches worked tirelessly to put on a terrific tournament.  They put in long hours and really once again exceeded expectations.  A special thanks to head coach Gary Rabinovitz who provides remarkable leadership for the entire program.

On the mat, the Panthers have a young team but there were several strong performances.  Whitman-Hanson finished in 11th place with 55 points.  Top finishers for WH included Damari Goldsmith- Greene 3rd at 138 pounds.  Steve Brooks 4th at 152 pounds, Christian Schneider 6th at 195 and Freshman Rocco Ruffini 6th at 220 pounds.  Up next for the Panthers is league foe Hingham in Hingham on Wednesday January 9th.

The girls swim team, WHAM, took their first loss of the season this week with Hanover recording a 94-88 win.  The boys also lost 87-85. Sabrina O’Connor had another stunning performance in diving. Madison Navicky had a personal best time in the 200 Free with a 2:13:12. Niki Kamperides also had a personal best time in 100 Back with 1:22:16. Abigail Bonney and Lillian Graham put on a great performance in the 200 yard relay.  Mariella Crowley did awesome in the 400 yard relay. 

The girls basketball team is on quite a run with a series of thrilling wins. The team came back a 15 point deficit in the 3rd quarter to take down undefeated Hoosac Valley 51-46 in OT in the opening round of the Hoosac Valley Christmas Tournament.  Sr Kathryn Dunn (15 points, 8 rebounds) nailed a 3 to force OT. Jr Liv Martin (15 points) hit 4 3’s in 4th and OT. Jr Brittany Gacicia chipped in with 9 pts and 10 rebounds and Reese Codero hit 2 clutch 3’s in 4th qtr and OT. The Panthers went on to win the tournament championship defeating Greenfield HS 42-38 in the championship game. Kathryn Dunn sparked the offense with 18 points and took home tournament MVP honors. Brittany Gacicia (all-tournament team) finished with 10 points and Sr Megan Henaghan scored 8.   The lady Panthers returned from the break with another nail biter beating Duxbury, 44-42.  Anna O’Neill (8 points) was the difference off the bench nailing a go-ahead 3 pointer with a minute to go. Jr Brittany Gacicia posted a double double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Sr Kathryn Dunn added 10. Jr Hannah Damon quarterbacked the offense a ton of hustle plays and composure down the stretch.  Whitman-Hanson is now 5-2 overall and 2-2 in the Patriot League.  They return to play Tuesday at home against Pembroke.

The boys basketball team had a successful trip to Florida winning 2 of 3 in the Haines City Tournament.  In particular the “gas team” stepped up for WH playing tenacious defense.  Liam Keane, Cole Lewis, Tajh Hunter, Ryan Bosse and Joey Depina were the difference the second round win.  The team returned to league play Friday night and Junior Ben Rice scored 24 points while sophomore Cole Levangie added 14 to lead Whitman Hanson (6-2,3-1) over Duxbury, 63-55. Junior Stevie Kelly chipped in with 13 for the Panthers.

The boys hockey team won the Cashman tournament over Christmas break.  In the title game, freshman John Ward scored the game winner to the lift the Panthers to a 3-2 win over Southeastern.  Chris Stoddard and Owen Manning also scored while Bobby Siders had 25 saves in net.  The Panthers went on to beat Cohasset on January 2^nd, 6-3.  John Ward had 2 goals, while Kevin Willis, Chris Stoddard, Ed Scriven and Adam Solari all added one.  The team suffered a 5-2 setback last night at Quincy to fall to 4-4-1 on the season.  Adam Solari and Calvin Cooper both scored for the Whitman Hanson.

The girls hockey team is showing improvement every day.  They had a great game against Pembroke Saturday but lost, 5-3.  Alyssa Murphy netted the hat trick. 

The Whitman-Hanson Girls Track team (0-3) lost its meet with Pembroke Friday night at the Reggie Lewis Track & Athletic Center 55-41.  Senior Captain Ally Bartlett won the 55H (9.64) and took second place in both the Long Jump (14' 11.5") and the Shot Put (23' 7") for the Panthers.  Other winners were Sophomores Anna Sullivan in the Mile (5:58) and Isabelle Amado in the 1000 (3:14) and Junior Tori Carleton in the 2 Mile (13:40.)

The Whitman-Hanson boys Track team (2-1) beat Pembroke, 51-48 Friday night at the Reggie Lewis Track & Athletic Center.The 4x200 team of Sean Kukauskas, Billy Martell, Nic Fernandes and Pat Bui clinched the meet for the Panthers!

Other winners for WH Brandon Hager in the mile, Billy Martell shot put, Kyle O’Brien 600, Theo Kamperides 2 mile, Sean Kukauskas and Jake Caterer tied for first in the high jump.

The WHAM Gymnastics Team had a great meet against Plymouth finishing with a score with Plymouth recording the win, 124.45-114. Sarah Bombardier tying for first on vault and finished with an all around of 30.1. The girls will be facing Plymouth at their home gym, Tumble time, in Pocasset on Tuesday. 7:00pm warm-up 8:00 meet.