By: Scott McAdams – Replacing the G.O.A.T – Derek Cordon

Welcome to our third year of weekly recaps in the Holliston Reporter.  This year the Holliston Youth Basketball Association has 19 teams representing the town in the Metrowest Basketball league – an increase of 2 teams over last year and 6 over the prior.  We presently have 203 players participating in our travel programs ranging from 4^th to 8^th grade.  We couldn’t be prouder of the efforts of the coaches, players and volunteers who have helped to get this year underway.  Now…..Let’s Go Panthers!

4th Grade Girls (Red)

The 4th grade girls basketball team has already made some great improvements from their opening tap-off tournament in Hopkinton to their first home game this past weekend against King Philip.  While Holliston fell to a talented KP team with a 25-16 result, the girls had outstanding play from Winnie McHugh (6 points, 5 rebounds), Lennon King (6 points, 3 assists), Izzy Bartels (4 points including 2 for 2 from the free throw line) and Millie Guellnitz (5 rebounds).  The hustle and intensity is picking up with each game and the girls are working hard at practice each week to improve.  Most importantly, all players have been excellent teammates to one another, celebrating everyone’s successes and feeling proud of their hard work.  Back at it next weekend against a very talented group–the other fourth grade girls team here in town!

4^th Grade Girls (White)

Holliston’s 4th grade girls took Hopkinton by storm as they walked away with a very exciting win.  Olive Bennett led the team with 12 points and Richa Yedugani did an amazing job driving to the hoop and often using her crossover dribble to get around defenders. Olivia Wing and Willa Drummey both played hard and demonstrated fierce defense throughout the game.  Katelyn Klein had some amazing jump shots that really got the crowd going and Vera Finn stood tall under the hoop, creating towering defense for those trying to shoot. Nora Corcoran and Amelia Parker helped the team repeatedly recover the ball with their commitment to crashing the boards and grabbing the ball to allow for our team to maintain possession.  The entire team did great, and fun was had by all!

5^th Grade Girls (Red)

If you were looking for action today in Holliston, then the second half of this game was your calling card. The team with three rookies to add to the six veterans from last season, provided smart new moves and powerful forwards. The first half, rebounding was led by team rookie Becca Lindros and veterans Aarya Sharma and Sam Baweja, Dover-Sherborn was leading Holliston by 15 points. The tides were soon to change going into the second half, Holliston came out like gangbusters putting up 16 points. A quick assist by Ruby Smith to Gwen Rosen provided Holliston with much needed energy, quickly followed with 4 more points by Ellie Brown and a quick steal by Charley Marchard for another two on the scoreboard. Gwen Rosen added a total of 8 points in the last two quarters with Becca Lindros adding 2. Rookie Lauran de Valaan played hard using her quick reflexes and keen knowledge of player location. This will be the team to watch going into the second week of the season. Dover-Sherborn 28, Holliston 19. 

5th Grade Girls (White)

The 5^th Grade Girls Holliston White Team traveled to Dover-Sherborn High School for an opening day match-up with the Raiders.  Holliston lost the game 30-6, but there were many bright spots for the Panthers to build on.  Molly Star did not miss a beat while playing her Marcus Smart style defense and leading the game with 6 steals.  Brianna Cooper added 4 points while Emma Whitehead notched her first career basket on a dazzling full court layup.  Whitehead’s emergence will be a big factor this season at the point guard position.  The team opens the home portion of the schedule on Sunday with a showdown with Winchester.   

6^th Grade Girls (Red)

The Holliston 6^th grade girls (Red) travelled to Ashland to take on the Clockers.  Holliston started slowly in the 1^st game of the season falling behind 6-4 after the 1^st quarter.  The girls turned on the tenacity in the 2^nd quarter, tallying 18 points in only 8 minutes.  The entire teams defensive press stifled the taller opponents helping lead the team to a 36-18 victory.  Danika Do Rosario dazzled the crowd with 18 points adding in 5 rebounds as well.  Ella Bennett played amazingly in the point guard role with 6 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals and an assist.  Avery Palma had another strong all-around game with 4 points, 5 rebounds and 2 steals.  Addy McAdams led the team with 6 rebounds to go along with 2 steals in an excellent defensive effort.  The team will be home this weekend, taking on Milton.

6^th Grade Girls (White)

The Holliston 6^th grade girls (White) team lost to Milton (Black) 9-23. The consistent improvement of Holliston’s play, however, is not reflected in the score. While Holliston had 7 players, Milton had a deep bench. Despite this, Holliston was fast to the ball and had a tremendous passing game, communicated effectively, and centered their efforts on teamwork. Sophya Teixeira, Holliston’s reliable starting point guard, scored the first point of the season. The second half started 1-14, but Holliston’s positive energy and drive fueled their defense, including good positioning from forward Selah Tetrault. Holliston held Milton to 9 points while adding 8 of their own. Chloe Roche scored 2 points while Lindsay Haynes added 6 more. Elle Lessard and Domenica Bellamy supported the team’s offense with controlled dribbling and passing to open lanes, while Kennedy Black, the team’s center, interrupted Milton’s offense with two fast breaks. Holliston looks forward to their next game at home on Sunday against Medway at 2pm.

7^th Grade Girls (Red)

The 7^th grade girls (Red) team took on Hopkinton in their opening game of the season.  Holliston battled hard all game but took a tough first loss of the season, 18-21, against a strong Hopkinton team.  The Holliston offense was running on all cylinders and ultimately lost the game at the free throw line with Hopkinton going 6 for 8.  Kaylin Hayes led the Holliston team with eight points and was absolutely on fire from midrange.  Lucy Downin contributed on both ends of the court playing tough defense while contributing five points on the offensive end as well.  Finally, Lila Cohen facilitated the team’s best offensive effort in quite some time from the point guard position.  

7^th Grade Girls (White)

The seventh-grade girls (Red) team opened the season hosting Milford.  In the opening minutes of the game, Sedona Cicciarella drained a three-point basket in what otherwise became a defensive battle.  The tough zone defenses offered by both teams mandated some outside shooting and neither team hit shots with regularity.  Milford held a 16-12 lead after three quarters.  Riya Yedugani made her defensive presence known down low while Shamili Potturi created havoc at the perimeter.  Nonetheless, Milford generated some offensive momentum early in the fourth quarter to extend the lead, resulting in a 27-16 final.  Next week, team red hosts neighboring Medway in a highly contested matchup.

8^th Grade Girls

The 8th Grade Girls opened their season as the first home game of the season for HYB at RAMS on Saturday afternoon against a very tough team from Hopkinton. Much of the team has been together since fourth grade travel, as well as the clinic years before.  They attended camps together and played summer leagues.   Although the numbers were less than memorable for this particular contest, this team has a history of improving greatly throughout the season. We know there are good things to come. Lucy Mancuso’s tenacity will anchor the defense and gain fast break points, while Mia Faletra will be a team leader from the point guard position. Corinne Bailey shows potential to own the paint at both ends of the court. We expect to see a great season from all the girls in their final year together in HYB. 

4^th Grade Boys (White)

The Holliston 4th grade boys (White) team opened their season at Dover Sherborn.  After getting down 8-0 early, Holliston got it going thanks to great rebounding and led 18-16 at halftime. The second half was a defensive battle as both teams really turned up the defensive intensity.  Dover Sherborn ultimately won the game, 22–21 in a thriller.  Andrew Levasseur rebounded extremely well throughout the game and scored.  Cade Burke and Jack Donahue both scored big baskets after grabbing offensive rebounds.  Jesiah Varghese was the only Holliston player to make a free throw and he also scored a basket.  Ayen Hemaratne was the high scorer with 4 pts.  Overall, eight different players scored for Holliston!  It was a successful first game despite the one-point loss. Next week, Holliston travels to play a very strong Southborough team. 

4^th Grade Boys (Red)

The Holliston 4th grade boys (Red) team kicked off their 2023-2024 campaign against a very tough (and tall) Hopkinton team. The boys came ready to play and kept the score close through the first quarter, however, ultimately fell 48-20 to the very physical Hillers. Scoring was led by Harrison Cirillo (6), Max Cohen (4), and George Taylor (4). The defensive tone for the day was set by Quinn Duffy, who chased ball handlers around the court with a max effort, however, early foul trouble led to him having to sit out a portion of the second half. The play of the game came with just seconds left. Harrison Cirillo subbed in due to an injury with less than a minute to play. He crashed the offensive boards and hit the put back to get the team to 20 points for the game. Fans and players went wild! The enthusiastic Holliston fan section will be out in full force this week as the boys take on Westwood this Sunday, December 10th at 8:40am at the Robert Adams Jungle.

5^th Grade Boys (Red)

The Holliston 5^th grade boys (Red) had a tough opening game against Southboro, falling 52-14.  Despite the score, there were plenty of positives to take away.  After a first quarter that saw Southboro take a 24-2 lead, the Panthers clamped down on D and held the opponent to 10 or fewer points in each quarter thereafter.  Teddy Miller and Declan Aldredge led the scoring for Holliston with 4 points each.  Anderson Langlois, Timmy Klaus, and Paul Antony each added a bucket as well.   The boys continued to fight throughout the game and there were several individuals that stepped up and played some huge defensive minutes including Will Finneran, Jacob Snow, Wyatt Chamberlain, and Tommy Ogoreuc.  A big shout out to Ty Looney, George Floeckher, and Connor Lydon, who battled down low against some very big forward opponents, pulling down rebounds and helping out on countless screens in the paint.  The team looks to build on these positives next week when they travel to face Needham on Sunday.

5^th Grade Boys (White)

The Holliston 5th Grade Boys (White) team got their first win of the season on Sunday night on the road against Wayland 23-21. It was a hard-fought game that came down to the wire, but Holliston was able to come away with a win after a strong 3rd quarter and key free throws down the stretch from Cole Dennison. Ryan Baker led the way with 16 points and Logan McDonough pitched in with 5. Holliston will face Milford on Sunday night at Adams Middle School. 

6^th Grade Boys (Red)

Holliston 6th Grade Boys (Red) team started off their season winning against Hopkinton 44-12.  After a close first half, the boys turned up the defensive intensity that fueled a runaway second half.  As a team, the boys forced 29 steals and had 24 rebounds, to go with 5 three-pointers to secure the win.  Joseph Lawendi was the leading scorer with 11 points, followed by Gavin Bausch with 9 points and Nathan Eppinger with 8 points.  Ryan Magoon (7 steals, 4 rebounds, & 3 points), Devon Doray (8 steals & 7 points), Brody Stanley (6 points) and Austin McGuire (5 rebounds), Dylan Dimmick and Dylan Perrett supplied the defensive pressure to open the game up. Next up is Westwood at home on Sunday at 4:40.

6^th Grade Boys (White)

The Holliston 6^th Grade Boys (White) team dropped its opening league game 19-37.  The team was led by Laksh Katri who scored 8 points and collected 4 rebounds, followed by Leo Wagner (4 points & 2 rebounds), Nolan Burke (3 points & 1 rebound), John Gebski (2 points & 4 rebounds), Logan Kanavich (2 points & 2 rebounds).  Receiving the team “Silver Swoosh” award was Micah Baltisoto, whose hustle and diving plays to secure loose balls elevated his teammates efforts.  The team moves to 1-3 on the season and will look to rebound Sunday as they prepare to face Parkway at Roxbury Latin.

7th Grade Boys (Red)

The Holliston 7th Grade Boys (Red) team started the season 3-0 at the Hopkinton Tap Off tournament and kept things going against Blackstone Valley this week with a 58-23 victory. It was a total team effort on both sides of the ball. On the offensive side, the Panthers continued to move the ball effectively and get everyone involved. 11 of the 12 players scored in this game. The scoring was led by Will Hayes (13), Charlie Bowser (9), Ben Furey (6), Andrew Ferguson (6), Quinn McErlean (6).  The Panthers continued their strong defensive and rebounding effort. Holliston out-rebounded Blackstone 48-18. Charlie Bowser (13) and Eli Boggess (8) led the team in rebounds. Next week we’ll host Millis at Adams and hope to continue our hot start.  

7th Grade Boys (White)

In an electrifying season opener, the Holliston Panthers (7th Grade Boys White) triumphed with a decisive 51-30 victory over the Dover-Sherborn Spartans. On enemy turf, the Panthers swiftly grabbed the lead, showcasing their grit and determination against the Spartans’ intense second-half press. The game buzzed with standout performances: Cameron Baker lit up the scoreboard with a stellar 16 points, Vinny Lima energized the court with his relentless hustle, and Colton McGrath, as point guard, dazzled with his skillful assists and precision bounce passes in the paint. The Panthers’ team spirit shone brightly in their collective 33 rebounds and their fiercely tenacious defense. This dynamic start sets a thrilling tone for the Panthers’ season, underlining their robust teamwork and fiery spirit. Next up, the Panthers are gearing up for a weekend showdown – facing Ashland at home on Saturday and then taking the fight to Northboro for a Sunday away game. The excitement continues!

8th Grade Boys (Red)

In a display of skill and teamwork, the Holliston 8th grade boys’ (Red) team emerged victorious over Milford with a commanding 42-29 win. The standout performance was led by forward Nick Flannery, who showcased his scoring with an impressive 17 points. Adding to the offensive onslaught, forward Grayden Vaughn contributed six points, complementing the team’s well-rounded attack. Center Nate Howell played a crucial role in securing the win, anchoring the inside with two pivotal blocks that disrupted Milford’s offense. The collective efforts of the entire team underscored Holliston’s dominance on the court, marking a big win to kick off the season.

8th Grade Boys (White)

8^th Grade Boys (White) were on a bye this week.  The team will be at home this weekend against Somerville in their first contest of the season.