Week 6 was all about moments—the kind that get talked about at the next practice, the next game, and probably the next decade of family dinners. David DellaRocca of the 4th Grade Boys (Red Claws) went down with a knee injury, disappeared to the bench, then pulled a “Willis Reed” with four minutes left in a tied game, returning to score and force overtime against Southborough in an instant classic that ended 32-31 on a last-second free throw. Not to be outdone in the clutch department, Max Burian of the 5th Grade Boys (Red) stepped to the line in a silent gym with the game tied and calmly sank the free throw that sealed a 29-28 rock fight, while teammate Jameson Drake made the hustle play of the year diving full-length for a loose ball. First wins finally landed for Coach Peterson’s 5th Grade Boys (White), who showed poise in a 27-20 road victory, and Coach Marien’s 4th Grade Girls (White), who got a milestone moment when Ava Snyder scored the first points of her MetroWest career and Laiana Girgis converted an old-fashioned three-point play that brought the Adams crowd to its feet. Coach King’s 6th Grade Girls survived a scrappy Waltham team 28-25, with Lennon King burying a buzzer-beating three to end the third quarter—clutch runs in the family, apparently. The 8th Grade Girls (Red) rolled 45-22 behind Jackie Schiavoni’s 12 rebounds, and Coach McDonough’s 7th Grade Boys stayed perfect at 6-0 even with Milton’s forfeit. Nine wins, two overtime thrillers, and enough late-game heroics to fill a highlight reel.
BOYS:
4th Grade Boys (Red)
Coach: Javier
It was a very tough day at the office for the 4th Grade Boys (Red) as they lost at home to the 1st place Natick (Blue) 4th Grade boys by a score of 37-12. This was a day were it was tough for the home team to even get off good shots, let alone make them. Declan Brannigan led the team with 4 points and Ronan Brannigan, Elliot Duemig, Cristian Robinson and Caleb Javier each scored 2 points. A familiar pattern emerged, as Holliston started off with a high level of defensive energy in the 1st quarter while the offense struggled. Natick was able to grab important rebounds and loose balls that helped them open up a 13 point lead going into the 2nd half. While that was frustrating and discouraging, the 4th Grade boys (Red) continued to fight through every possession. The home team remained aggressive and had a season high 10 steals. Another positive from the game was that 9 out of the 10 Holliston players had at least 1 rebound led by Harrison Howden with 5 boards. Particular credit goes to Elliot Duemig for outhustling bigger players for loose balls and Calder Guellnitz for showing impressive strength in taking away rebounds from Natick players. The team will hit the road on Sunday, January 25th at 3:00pm to compete against the Northboro (Red) 4th Grade boys.
Next game: Sunday at home vs. Brookline
4th Grade Boys (White)
Coach: Lohan
The Holliston 4th grade boys basketball team dropped a tough road game to Wellesley on Sunday, falling 45–24. Despite the final score, Holliston showed strong effort and teamwork throughout the contest. Josh Lewandi led the Panthers with 14 points, consistently attacking the basket and setting up his teammates with smart passes. Liam Schwartz and Declan Lohan each added eight points while playing tough defense and setting solid picks on offense. Liam Ng battled inside and pulled down a key rebound, while Ben Nauss contributed with a couple of crisp passes that created scoring chances.
Next game: Sunday at home vs. Dighton-Rehoboth
4th Grade Boys (Black)
Coach: Higgens
The stands at RAMS gymnasium were packed, and the energy was electric for the first game of the day. The Holliston Red Claws hosted Southborough in a matchup that will be talked about for a long time—an absolute instant classic! The Red Claws jumped out to their best first half of the season, showcasing incredible teamwork. Cole Cirillo led the charge, dropping 6 of his 8 points early on, while Jack Higgens lit up the box score with 3 big first-half points. On the other end, Finn Malvey and Charlie Bronner made Southborough work for every inch, applying massive defensive pressure. In the 3rd quarter, the intensity skyrocketed. Simon Kennedy ran the floor like a Tasmanian Devil, scoring to help maintain the lead. David DellaRocca added a bucket of his own before a knee injury forced him to the sidelines. Southborough fought back with tough defense to tie the game in the 4th quarter, but the Red Claws didn’t flinch. Jake Fioravanti stepped up with a clutch shot to keep pace, and Jackson Ferkler kept his eyes on the prize, recovering a loose ball to regain a precious possession. Then drama ensued. With 4 minutes left, the crowd watched as David DellaRocca pulled a “Willis Reed,” shaking off his injury to return to the court! David contributed on defense, and scored with less than a minute left, lifting Holliston to 27 points. But was it enough? It sure was! Regulation ended in a deadlock: 27-27. OT!!! In overtime, the boys dug deep. Chase Heighington answered the call with a massive OT basket, helping to keep the game within reach. With just 2.9 seconds left, tied at 31-31, the game came down to free throws. Southborough managed to sink one, ending the game in a heartbreaker, 32-31. It was a true test of grit and fortitude. Despite the outcome, the Red Claws walked away with their heads held high after their best team effort of the year.
Next game: Sunday vs. Milton (away)
5th Grade Boys (White)
Coach: Peterson
SOUTHBORO- The Holliston Panthers earned their first win of the season with a hard-fought 27–20 victory over Southboro in a daytime road matchup. The Panthers controlled the tempo from the opening tip and led throughout the contest, showing poise and determination away from home.
Holliston held a slim one-point advantage after the first quarter and extended the lead to five by halftime. The Panthers continued to execute on both ends of the floor and opened up their largest lead of the game in the fourth quarter, building an 11-point cushion before Southboro made a late push. Despite a few final buckets by the home team, Holliston stayed composed down the stretch to secure the seven-point win.
Finn Rogers led the way with a confident and determined performance, scoring 8 points and coming up with 4 steals. It was a true team effort on the glass, as six of the eight Panthers recorded five or more rebounds. JT Barry had a strong all-around game with 9 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 steals, while Oskar Peterson added 6 points and 5 rebounds. Charlie Ogoreuc also turned in a notable performance with 4 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals.
Rounding out the rebounding were Youssef Lahini and Henry Paine with 6 rebounds apiece, and Leo Patka with 5. Also, David Girgis, battled inside for a couple of tough rebounds, added 2 steals, and made several all-out effort plays. Although Benjamin Leach was unable to attend the game, his consistent focus and strong practice habits throughout the season were part of the foundation that helped the Panthers close out their first victory.
The squad has a bye this weekend and will look to build upon their victory when they play Foxboro at home on Jan. 31.
Next game: Saturday (1/31) at home vs. Foxboro
5th Grade Boys (Red)
Coach: Flannery
The name of the game this past Saturday for the 5th Grade Boys Red Squad was DRAMA … with a capital D! That’s appropriate because DEFENSE is what ultimately earned the boys their 4th win of the season, a thrilling 29-28 victory over a tough Northboro crew.
The setting…tie game…less than a minute on the clock…Holliston’s Max Burian at the line for the second of two free throws. After three balanced quarters of play, the 4th quarter had devolved into an absolute rock fight with both teams refusing to give an inch …this was a quarter of hard fouls, little scoring and plenty of floor burns …the type of quarter that would have ancient Green Teamers, like this reporter, recall memories of Dave Cowens and Larry Legend sliding across the parquet risking life and limb for a loose ball. Max stepped to the line, calmly dribbled and took a deep inhale…the once frantic gym collectively held its breath and silence broke out…a shot…a swish…an explosion from the Holliston side…a narrow 1-point lead and almost a minute left to defend! Max had come through and now it was up to the entire Holliston team to play defense.
The last minute seemed like an eternity. Holliston had to defend multiple inbound opportunities from right under their own basket. Making things more difficult for the visitors was the exit of their top defensive ace Max Page to five fouls (poor coaching). Max was incredibly all game, locking down Northboro’s top scoring threat (who had torched the Holliston squad in a preseason tourney). Max also had his best offensive game of the year, contributing 9 points and 4 rebounds. Jameson Drake (2 points/2 rebounds) also exited due to injury (don’t worry he’s OK) further hampering the Holliston squad. Jameson made the hustle play of the year sprinting half the length of the court diving for a loose ball …think Bird against the Pacers in the ’91 playoffs … it was a tremendous effort. In the waning seconds Keegan Flannery (9 points/3 rebounds) stepped up with a steal to ice the game. All seven players played huge roles during the game. Max Burian finished with 8 points, including Holliston’s only four 4th quarter points. Reid Polack continues his impressive rebounding. He led the team with 5 rebounds. Cole Butler Reichheld (2 rebounds) played key minutes down the stretch, defending and battling with Northboro’s much larger frontline. Jayce Sweet chipped in with 1 point and 2 rebounds and brought a great attitude when things were at their toughest for the Holliston crew.
The team enters the bye week with a 4-2 record, and they eagerly await the return of starting Center Cam Chiantera. Unconfirmed rumors had Cam attending either an Ashram Yoga retreat deep in the woods of Maine … perhaps channeling his inner Bill Walton?? … or skiing with his family. Either way the team will welcome him back with open arms.
Next game: Saturday vs. Watertown (away)
5th Grade Boys (Black)
Coach: Doss
Holliston traveled to Bellingham Middle School and delivered a gritty, high-energy performance, taking a strong Bellingham team to overtime before falling 38–35 in a hard-fought battle.
Holliston held the lead for much of the game, setting the tone early with disciplined defense and smart ball movement. Bellingham steadily worked their way back in the fourth quarter, eventually tying the game at 30–30 and forcing overtime in a gym buzzing with energy.
Aiden Doss earned Player of the Week honors with 8 points, highlighted by two clutch free throws late in the fourth quarter—nothing but net when the pressure was at its highest. Aiden also took on one of Bellingham’s best players and top rebounders, and once he locked in on boxing out, he controlled the matchup and limited second-chance opportunities.
Thomas Baker led all scorers with an impressive 16 points, consistently finding his rhythm and finishing strong in traffic. Declan Langlois, Drew Johnson, Jack Kasper, and Keegan Shaw all added key buckets, while Alex Navarro and Robert Chung contributed with hustle, defense, and timely plays that don’t always show up on the stat sheet. Late-game heroics from Aiden, Declan, and Tommy kept Holliston right in it until the final moments, but overtime ultimately swung Bellingham’s way. Though the result didn’t go their way, Holliston proved they can compete with anyone—an impressive road performance and one they can build on moving forward.
Next game: Sunday vs. North Attleboro (away)
6th Grade Boys (White)
Coach: Lyskowski
After securing their first win last week in Millis, the Panthers returned from their road trip to defeat a tough Westborough squad this past Sunday at Adams, winning 30-24.
After a see-saw battle in the first three quarters, the Panthers unleashed a smothering full-court press to hold Westborough to 3 fourth-quarter points and secure their second straight win. Guards Jesiah Varghese (11 points, 9 rebounds) and Jake Looney (10 points, 3 steals) keyed the offense, highlighted by a long jumper by Varghese followed up by a steal and two free throws from Looney in the to put this one away in the final minute.
The big men made a difference in this one. Power forward Jevriel Perez continued to establish himself on the low block with 4 points and 6 rebounds, and C/PF Trevor Lyskowski added 8 big rebounds and 3 steals.
“I couldn’t be more proud of the boys,” coach Dave “Ladders” Lyskowski said after the game. “Now they understand why we run so much in practice.”
The Panthers take their winning streak back on the road this Sunday against an undefeated Sharon team.
Next game: Sunday vs. Sharon (away – tip-off: 12:15 PM)
6th Grade Boys (Red)
Coach: Gum
There must be something in the air at the Robert Adams Jungle before the Holliston 6 th grade
boys (red) team takes the court because there was once again another thrilling finish in the
game before, this time the 6GB (white) team pulled off a dramatic 4 th quarter comeback and pulled out a win. With the team DJ spinning some tunes the boys hit the court for warmups and were ready to go right from the jump against Mansfield. Harrison Cirillo (12 total rebounds for the game) won the opening tip which led to the first points of the game by Andrew Levasseur.
Immediately pressing the boys got their first turnovers of the game which showed George Taylor crashing in from half court on back-to-back inbound plays for the quick turnover. Both turnovers led to quick points and the boys from Holliston were just too much for their opponent as they took a quick 18-2 first quarter lead. The second quarter was more of the same. Grady Gum took over the second quarter scoring 7 points and had two “and one” drives to the basket. Max Cohen ran some great pick and roll with Yamori Richardson which led to 4 of his 8 points. With this tough play Holliston stopped pressing after the first quarter, but their half-court defense was just too much for Mansfield and they took a 35-4 lead into the half. The third quarter was more of the same, this time the boys focused on making additional passes before scoring. Tyler Crean had a big third quarter, scoring 6 of his 10 points in the period. Dylan Maillet and Ayen Hemaratne focused on passing and tough defense all game and Darian Harris was all energy all game once again. The boys played tough to the end and got the W with a final score of 55-11.
The boys hit the road next week with a tough opponent in Southborough on Sunday January 25, 2026, at 10:15AM.
Next game: Sunday vs. Southborough (away)
7th Grade Boys (Red)
Coach: McDonough
Whether it was the 4PM tip-off smack in the middle of the Pats game, the snowy forecast, the hour-long drive or the undefeated Panthers’ fearsome reputation, Milton was unable to field a squad and had to forfeit Sunday’s game, bringing Holliston to 6-0 on the season.
To stay fresh, the boys played in Tuesday night’s varsity halftime scrimmage with a split squad. Big man Cole Dennison led the black team to a hard-fought 8-6 victory over the white team by sinking two long jumpers and pulling down two rebounds, dominating the mini action at a projected 25-point and 13-rebound all-star-level pace. A full-court desperation heave off the fingertips of the white team’s George Floeckher (2 points, steal) fell just shy by about 20 feet as time expired in the 5-minute scrimmage.
Coach McDonough’s Panthers reunite this Sunday to take on a tough Medway team down the road at Medway High.
Next game: Sunday vs. Medway (away – tip-off: 12:15 PM)
7th Grade Boys (White)
Coach: Sgarano
The Holliston 7th Grade Boys Team (White) lost a tough game against Sharon on Saturday night 44-10 at Adams Middle School. Holliston kept the game close in the first quarter, but Sharon hit some big 3 pointers in the second quarter to seal the win.
Joe Sgarano led Holliston with 6 points and 3 steals. David Blackerby had 4 points and 7 rebounds. Oliver Bennett played hard and grabbed a rebound.
Next game: Sunday vs. Canton (at Dana Barros)
8th Grade Boys (Black)
Coach: Keller
The first quarter has been a problem in the first five games of the season but not on this day as Holliston responded to their flat performance the previous week by jumping out to a 10-4 lead in the first and didn’t take their foot off the accelerator until the final buzzer sounded. Jackson Gannaway led all scorers with 16. Nick Cardoso had a breakout performance with 7 including a three-pointer. Stone Secaur dominated underneath with 7 points. Nick Gorham and Dylan Dimmick each added 6 while Evan Utke and Leo Wagner rounded out the scoring with a bucket of their own. Holliston will look for its first win streak of the season on Saturday, January 24 against Parkway.
Next game: Saturday at home vs. Parkway
GIRLS:
4th Grade Girls (White)
Coach: Marien
Back home at Adams, the Holliston 4th grade girls (White) delivered a breakthrough performance, earning their first regular-season win with a 25–15 victory over Watertown. It was a gritty, wire-to-wire effort built on defense, rebounding, and up-tempo offense.
Holliston set the tone early by getting out in transition and sharing the ball. Lyla Wisner once again led the scoring charge with 12 points, attacking the lane, finishing through contact, and knocking down both of her free throws. Laiana Girgis added 7 points, including the play of the day: a strong drive, bucket, and foul for an old-fashioned three-point play that brought the crowd to its feet. The game also featured a milestone moment as Ava Snyder scored the first points of her MetroWest career, finishing with 4 and providing a huge spark. Cassidy Cicciarella chipped in 2 points to round out the scoring.
On the glass, Holliston’s commitment to rebounding showed. Cicciarella pulled down 5 boards, while Liliana Brown set the tone with 7 rebounds, 7 steals, and a block in an outstanding defensive effort. Wisner, Snyder, Girgis, Esposito, Smith, and Marien all contributed on the boards to limit Watertown’s second chances.
Defensively, Brown, Wisner, Cicciarella, Smith, and Girgis combined for a flurry of steals, while Smith added 2 blocks. The Panthers repeatedly turned stops into fast-break opportunities, showcasing their growing comfort in transition.
With their first win in the books and visible improvement week over week, Holliston now heads on the road this Sunday for a tough test against Franklin.
4th Grade Girls (Red)
Coach: King
The 4th grade girls basketball team traveled to Franklin to take on a talented opponent with a clear height advantage, ultimately falling 21-8 to their opponent. The girls came out strong and competed hard early, showing confidence and teamwork against a tough Franklin squad. Avery Jacquet led the scoring with 4 points, Celina Lahaini added 2 points off a beautiful assist from Natalie Negri, and Dev King contributed 2 points. While the team showed promising stretches, the focus moving forward will be on playing with greater consistency and discipline on both on-ball and help defense. Emphasis will continue to be placed on controlling the controllables—effort, defense, rebounding, and attitude. Despite the loss, the girls once again demonstrated excellent teamwork and sportsmanship, laying a strong foundation for continued growth. Up next: Watertown! Good luck to all teams and the PATRIOTS!
Next game: Sunday vs. Watertown (away)
5th Grade Girls (White)
Coach: Ennis
From the opening tip-off, the team set the tone with relentless pressure and cohesive team play. The first quarter saw the girls executing stellar defense, locking down passing lanes, and forcing numerous turnovers that seamlessly transitioned into fast-break opportunities. Their defensive intensity was matched by sharp offensive execution, with quick ball movement leading to easy buckets.
Alaina was a standout force throughout the game, contributing 12 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 steals, demonstrating her prowess on both offense and defense. Charlotte Elwell played a pivotal role in the paint with 6 points and 5 key rebounds, while Brighton’s tenacious defensive hustle generated fast transition opportunities, adding 8 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals to her stat line.
Anna Maria’s defensive efforts were equally impressive, tallying 8 points and 5 steals. Lily dominated the boards with 8 rebounds, complemented by her 4 points and 2 steals, providing crucial second-chance opportunities for the team.
Heading into the fourth quarter, the team’s chemistry was undeniable. Crisp passes, strategic plays, and an unyielding energy kept their opponents on their heels. The final buzzer sounded, marking another victory fueled by teamwork, tenacious defense, and relentless effort. Final score 36-6.
Catch the 5th grade white team in action at home this Sunday morning as they face off against Arlington. Don’t miss what promises to be another thrilling game!
Next game: Sunday at home vs. Arlington
6th Grade Girls (Red)
Coach: King
The 6th grade girls battled to a hard-fought 28–25 win over a scrappy and well-coached Waltham team in a game that tested Holliston’s poise and resilience. Waltham challenged the Panthers early with quick cuts and precise passing, forcing Holliston to dig in defensively and respond with effort and toughness. Josie Brower powered the offense in the first half, repeatedly attacking the basket and scoring 9 points. In the second half, Katelyn Klein showcased her athleticism, strong ball-handling, and court vision, contributing 6 points while delivering several outstanding passes. Lennon King did an excellent job running the point, tallying 8 points and multiple strong assists, highlighted by a clutch 3-pointer at the buzzer to end the third quarter. Olive Bennett continued to impress with her anticipation on defense, jumping passing lanes for several steals and attacking the basket aggressively in the fourth quarter to earn trips to the free-throw line. Winnie McHugh and Richa Yedugani each added 2 points, while Millie Guellnitz provided strong on-ball defense throughout the game. While the Panthers earned a well-deserved win, the team knows there is work to be done to tighten their defense and sharpen offensive execution. The 6th grade girls head to Framingham this Sunday for a road matchup—good luck to all teams, and GO PATRIOTS!
Next game: Sunday vs. Framingham (away)
6th Grade Girls (White)
Coach: Wing
The 6th grade girls (white) travel team played Natick on Sunday and unfortunately, walked away with a disappointing loss.
The Panthers started the first half of the game only trailing by a few points, but just could not elevate and deliver in the second half. Shots were not falling for Holliston, but they were for Natick. It became harder and harder for our girls to turn the game around and motivation and focus seemed to dwindle as the game progressed.
Amelia Parker, Signe Strand and Nora Corcoran did put up points for the team, while Liv Wing, Julia O’Shaughnessy, Willa Drummey, Izzy Bartels and Maddie Joe Charette helped with some solid defense and overall hustle throughout the game.
We will be working on how to mentally slow down and regain focus when facing defeat this week in practice to help prepare for our next game vs. Belmont.
Next game: Sunday vs. Belmont (away)
7th Grade Girls (Red)
Coach: Cooper
The Holliston 7th grade girls (Red) fell to Medway on Sunday 40 to 24. The Panthers turned in a terrific second half performance, scoring 18 of their 24 points after halftime. Emma Sochanek led the way with 10 points on 5 for 7 shooting. Sochanek is playing her best basketball as the second half of the season begins, sparking the Panthers all day long.
Ellie Brown added 6 points and assisted on several other baskets. Brown’s court vision has been an important part of the team’s ball distribution this season. Charley Marcaud spearhead a third-quarter comeback, helping to cut a 14-point deficit to 6 points with tenacious defense and heads up passing. Ryckie Reichheld scored twice off offensive rebounds, and Ruby Smith and Kendall Hanlon each added a bucket in the second half. The Panthers look to get back to winning next Sunday at home against visiting Walpole.
Next game: Sunday vs. Walpole
8th Grade Girls (Red)
Coach: McAdams
The Holliston Panthers 8th grade girls (Red) delivered one of their most complete performances of the season on Sunday, rolling past Brookline 45–22 behind a relentless defensive effort and balanced scoring attack.
Ella Bennett set the tone early and never let up, pouring in 19 points to lead all scorers while adding 2 assists and an impressive 5 steals. Her energy on both ends of the floor helped Holliston seize control from the opening tip.
Avery Palma turned in her best game of her young career, finishing with 10 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 steals. Palma’s ability to push the pace and convert in transition gave the Panthers a steady offensive spark.
Holliston’s dominance on the glass proved to be a major difference-maker. Louisa Bigelow hauled in 10 rebounds to go with 2 points, repeatedly limiting Brookline to one shot per possession. Jackie Schiavoni was a force in the paint as well, grabbing a game-high 12 rebounds and adding 4 points while anchoring the Panthers’ defense with physical, disciplined play.
Sofia Seifert had a season high 5 rebounds, helping Holliston maintain control of the boards throughout the afternoon. From the perimeter, Ahana Kulkarni electrified the crowd by knocking down two deep three-pointers, finishing with 6 points and stretching Brookline’s defense at key moments.
With the win, the Panthers showcased the depth, toughness, and teamwork that have defined their season. If Sunday’s performance is any indication, Holliston is hitting its stride at just the right time.
Next game: Sunday vs. Ashland (away)
