Super Bowl week arrived with a perfect backdrop for Holliston basketball heroics. The 4th Grade Boys (Red Claws) delivered the most dramatic weekend in youth basketball history—two overtime games in 48 hours, both decided in the final seconds. Saturday’s 30-29 win over Milton featured Jake Fioravanti’s gutsy return from injury to score the overtime winner, while Sunday’s 30-29 victory over Dedham saw David DellaRocca float home a game-winner with four seconds left. Harrison Cirillo dominated the weekend with a monster 23-rebound performance as the 6th Grade Boys (Red) crushed Waltham 52-18. The 6th Grade Boys (Black) celebrated their first win of the season behind Henry Cuneen’s 15 rebounds, and Coach McDonough’s 7th Grade Boys stayed undefeated at 8-0 with Ryan Baker drilling five first-half threes. Career firsts dotted the weekend as Amal Hadad, Molly Nechev, and Riley Marien all scored their first MetroWest points. Coach King’s 6th Grade Girls battled valiantly against Stoughton but came up short in a physical affair, losing Lennon King to a hand injury in the 4th quarter. Multiple heartbreaking one-point losses, two overtime classics, one 23-rebound game, and several career milestones—with the Patriots heading to the Super Bowl, it was the perfect week to showcase Holliston’s never-quit spirit.
BOYS:
4th Grade Boys (Red)
Coach: Javier
This week the snow missed Holliston, but the 4th Grade Boys (Red) ran into a Needham team that slowly piled up turnovers and fastbreaks on the way to a 40-19 loss at home here at RAMS.
The energy was good at the start of the game as the home team played unselfish basketball, passing the ball and rebounding well as a team. Elliot Duemig, Harrison Howden and Coulton Mayo all had first half steals giving the ball back to the Holliston offense. Xander Gratton (3 reb) came back after missing the last game and was consistently setting screens to help his teammates get open. On the rebounding side, Caleb Javier led the team with a season-high 12 rebounds while Cristian Robinson (5 reb) and Matthew McCarthy(6 reb) also grabbed important boards. The shots were just not falling for the 4th Grade Boys (Red) and combined with some turnovers on errant passes and lost dribbles, Needham kept extending their lead every quarter. In the 4th quarter, Holliston raised their defense and held Needham to 6 points in the quarter. Calder Guellnitz led the 2nd half defense with 3 steals and seemed to be involved in every loose ball for the home team. The team will look to have more scoring success on Sunday, February 8 at RAMS against Belmont (Maroon) at 8:00AM. A Holliston win combined with a Patriots win would make that a Super Sunday!
Next game: Sunday at home vs. Belmont, 8:00AM.
4th Grade Boys (White)
Coach: Higgens
Saturday 1/31 vs. Milton:
In a game that felt more like a Hollywood script than a mid-winter matchup, the Holliston Red Claws showed that grit and heart are the ultimate equalizers. Facing a taller Milton squad, Coach Higgens’ team battled through adversity in another instant classic. Finn Malvey sparked Holliston early, scoring all six of his points in a tightly contested first half, while Cole Cirillo set the tone defensively with steal after steal. Jack Higgens was the ultimate glue guy, hustling for loose balls and making winning plays on both ends. Thanks to the team’s effort, the game was deadlocked 16–16 at halftime.
The third quarter tested the Red Claws’ resolve as Milton began to pull ahead. Jackson Ferkler stepped up with a clutch baseline jumper to keep Holliston within reach, and after Jake Fioravanti went down with what appeared to be a game-ending hip injury, the team rallied together. Inspired by Jake’s toughness, Peter Antony delivered a key bucket late in the quarter to keep the deficit manageable, sending Holliston into the fourth trailing 25–20. Coach Higgens’ message was simple: defense — and the boys delivered. Simon Kennedy broke through with a huge basket to give Holliston a brief lead, before Milton answered with a late three-pointer. With under a minute left, Finn calmly ran the offense and found David DellaRocca, who knocked down a long jumper to tie the game at 28–28, sending the Red Claws to overtime for the second straight game.
Overtime was a defensive battle, with Chase Heighington making smart decisions, securing loose balls, and keeping possession in pressure moments. Then came the moment no one will forget — Jake Fioravanti returned from the bench, fighting through injury to re-enter the game. With both teams struggling to score, Jake delivered the lone basket of overtime, sealing a thrilling 30–29 Red Claws victory. While Jake provided the unforgettable finish, this win was built on the intangibles and teamwork of the entire roster — a true testament to Holliston’s aggressive, never-quit style. They didn’t just win a game; they won a battle of wills.
Sunday 2/1 vs. Dedham:
If Saturday’s overtime win felt like a Hollywood script, Sunday’s matchup with Dedham was a masterclass in composure. For the second time in 24 hours, the Holliston Red Claws found themselves in a heart-pounding nailbiter that came down to the final seconds. The score didn’t fully capture the effort, as the team’s “great team atmosphere” was anchored by the selfless play of Jack Higgens and Chase Heighington, whose relentless defense, hustle, and ball protection helped Holliston withstand Dedham’s physical play. Peter Antony anchored the interior defense, while Jackson Ferkler and Jake Fioravanti, returning after Saturday’s dramatic injury, provided crucial energy and depth.
After a scoreless first quarter, Finn Malvey jump-started the offense in the second, getting Holliston on the board and igniting the team. Cole Cirillo made his physical presence felt, battling inside and scoring three of his seven points from the free-throw line. Thanks to their efforts, Holliston stayed within striking distance, heading into halftime trailing just 10–7. The third quarter remained a defensive battle, with the Red Claws still locked in and down 16–13 entering the final frame.
With the game tied at 21 and overtime looming once again, David DellaRocca delivered the moment of the weekend. Surrounded by Dedham jerseys, David gathered a loose ball in the paint and floated the game-winner off the backboard with just four seconds left, finishing with a game-high 13 points, including eight in the fourth quarter. Coach Higgens’ squad showed poise throughout, committing only seven team fouls and using timeouts effectively in crunch time. With two wins decided by a combined three points, the Red Claws proved they thrive when the lights are brightest — a weekend this team will never forget.
Next game: Sunday at home vs. Westwood
5th Grade Boys (Black)
Coach: Doss
Holliston Tests Undefeated Hopkinton in Hard-Fought Matchup
Holliston’s 5th Grade Boys (Black) (3–2) traveled to Hopkinton Middle School to take on undefeated Hopkinton (6–0) in a matchup that delivered playoff-level intensity from the opening tip.
The teams were tied after the first quarter, with Holliston matching Hopkinton’s pace and physicality early. Hopkinton gained a small edge in the second quarter, but Holliston answered right back, winning the third quarter and cutting into the deficit. Down by six heading into the fourth, Holliston stayed composed and made it a competitive game until the final buzzer.
One of the biggest positives was Holliston’s discipline. The team did an excellent job limiting fouls, keeping Hopkinton off the free-throw line, and no players fouled out—all while still coming up with timely steals and blocks on defense.
Robert earned Player of the Week honors after an outstanding week of practice, bringing consistent effort, hustle, and a positive attitude as one of the team’s most improved players. He capped off that momentum by scoring his first points of the season, calmly stepping to the free-throw line in a late-game, high-pressure moment and knocking it down.
There were strong contributions across the roster. Aiden came up with a big block, Alex controlled the glass with solid boxing out, Declan did a great job drawing shooting fouls, and Tommy attacked aggressively on offense. Holliston also rolled out new offensive sets and inbound plays, which showed immediate success and kept the undefeated hosts on their heels.
Despite the result, this was a confidence-building performance and a clear sign that Holliston can compete with anyone in the league.
Next game: Sunday at home vs. Seekonk
5th Grade Boys (White)
Coach: Peterson
The 5th Grade Boys (White) Panthers battled hard in a tightly contested home matchup against Foxboro on January 31, coming up just short in a 26–25 heartbreaker. The game was decided in the final minute, as Foxboro connected on the go-ahead basket to edge out the Panthers by a single point.
Holliston turned in a gritty defensive effort, particularly in the second half, where they held Foxboro to just 10 points and kept constant pressure on the ball.
Leo Patka had an outstanding performance, scoring a career-high 6 points and making his presence felt on both ends of the floor. JT Barry once again led all scorers for Holliston with 11 points, to go along with 4 rebounds. Charlie Ogoreuc added 6 points and 5 boards of his own, while Youssef Lahiani chipped in 2 points in addition to his 5 rebounds.
On the boards, Oskar Peterson was a force, pulling down 9 rebounds and helping the Panthers compete physically inside. Henry Paine, David Girgis, and Finn Rogers all contributed strong defensive play, making key stops and hustle plays that kept Holliston within striking distance until the final buzzer.
Despite the narrow loss, the Panthers showed significant growth and determination against a tough Foxboro squad. Holliston will look to carry that momentum forward when they return to action on February 8 with a road game in Millis.
Next game: Sunday vs. Millis (away)
5th Grade Boys (Red)
Coach: Flannery
The Holliston 5th Grade Boys (Red) lost a heartbreaking road game this past Sunday to a relentless Watertown group. Final score 30-28. Holliston could not nail down one last defensive stop, nor come up with a bucket to tie the game despite several chances in the final seconds. Despite the disappointment, the boys played hard the entire game and never gave up. They turned a 15-10 deficit at halftime into a 6 point lead in the second half through hard work and increased defensive energy. Max Burian led the team with 10 points and Keegan Flannery narrowly missed a double-double finishing with 8 points and 10 rebounds. Jameson Drake was a monster on the boards as well, finishing with 9 rebounds and 1 steal. Cam Chiantera stepped up and knocked down two timely 4th quarter shots when the team needed them the most. Cam finished with 4 points & 2 rebounds. Jayce Sweet and Reid Polack both had highlight reel buckets to finished with 2 points each. Defensive wiz Max Page once again led the team with 2 steals and Cole Butler Reichheld logged valuable minutes setting screens and playing scrappy defense. The squad sits on a 4-3 record as they enter Super Bowl Sunday. Next up is a mid-day tilt with Medford at Adams.
Next game: Sunday at home vs. Medford
6th Grade Boys (White)
Coach: Lyskowski
Coach Lyskowski’s squad felt the effects of two weeks without basketball in this one, losing to Dover-Sherborn 34-13 at home.
Guard Sam Wagner led the Panthers with his strongest effort of the season, creating opportunities, fouling out multiple DS defenders, diving for loose balls, and scoring a season-high 10 points. Big men Sham Kollu and Cooper Garren grabbed several rebounds against a tough DS team. Guards Jesiah Varghese (9 rebounds) and Jake Looney (3 steals) led the defense, holding DS scoreless in the final frame.
The Panthers look to build on that effort this Sunday against Milford.
Next game: Sunday vs. Milford (away) 1PM.
6th Grade Boys (Black)
Coach: Donohue
Holliston 6th grade boys (Black) “Hornets” went back on the road after 4 home games to face neighboring Millis. Determined to rack up their first win of the season, the boys came out strong dominating the first quarter 10-0. The boys never let their foot off the gas and powered to their first, well-earned victory 34-15 with an all-around impressive team effort showcasing their “motion” and “flair” offensive plays. Henry Cuneen had a powerful performance, dominating in the paint pulling down an outstanding 15 rebounds alongside 1 steal helping to earn him his season high of 8 points for the game. Emerson Vail showed off his offensive prowess with some powerful drives earning him 10 points combined with 3 rebounds for the game. Ronan Ojha hustled hard on both ends, converting 2 of his 4 steals to layup points on the other end as well as one of his 2 “and ones” to end the game with 7 points and 10 rebounds. Jack Donahue continued his dominance on the boards with 10 rebounds and added 4 points and 1 steal. Samayan Alladi converted one of his free throws alongside 5 boards and 1 steal while Neel Lele capped off the scoring with some impressive shooting to add 4 points. Cade Burke and the Duffy brothers played tough defense all game to keep Millis at bay and helped earn Holliston their much deserved first win of the season. The Holliston boys stay on the road this week, travelling to Dover Sherborn High School hoping to keep their winning momentum going into the last 3 games of the regular season.
Next game: Sunday vs. Dover/Sherborn (away)
6th Grade Boys (Red)
Coach: Gum
A very shorthanded Holliston 6GB (red) team took to the court of the Robert Adams Jungle for a rare Saturday evening game versus visiting Waltham, who had one loss coming into the game. With only 6 players dressed for the game, the boys were fired up for the challenge. Harrison Cirillo once again stepped into the circle for the jump and once again won with a beautiful tip to Grady Gum which led to two quick points. Press defense led to a quick turnover leading to a wide open 3 drilled by George Taylor. From here the boys were off. Holliston’s stifling defense led to multiple first half turnovers and forced multiple bad shots by Waltham. Offensively Holliston’s passing and superior ball handling led to an insurmountable 23-point lead going into halftime up 31-8. In the second half Holliston pulled back to a half-court defense but continued their domination outscoring the visitors 21 – 10. The second half was led by Grady Gum who scored 4 of his 6 points in the second half and added 6 rebounds. In the end the boys dominated again to take home a 52-18 W to improve to 6-2 on the season. The win also saw many Holliston players hit season highs. George Taylor, who led the offense in the first quarter, ended up with a season high in points (9) and rebounds (10). Darian Harris, who led all scorers with 13 points, also added 3 blocks which were both season highs. Andrew Levasseur also had a season high with 6 points. Harrison Cirillo continued his dominance on the glass pulling down a whopping 23 rebounds! Finally, the coaching staff wants to call out Dylan Maillet, who played a great game bringing the ball up, but mostly for his superior sportsmanship. In the fourth quarter, there was a struggling opposing player, and Dylan made sure to explain a rule to the player and showed what youth sports should be all about. The boys look to continue their winning streak right here at the Robert Adams Jungle on Sunday, February 8, 2026, versus Natick at 10:50am. See you there!
Next game: Sunday at home vs. Natick, 10:50AM.
7th Grade Boys (Red)
Coach: McDonough
Coach McDonough’s squad found their shooting touch against Blackstone-Millville this past Sunday to stay unbeaten on the season, stretching their record to 8-0.
Guard Ryan Baker set the tone for the Panthers, sinking an incredible 5 three-pointers in the first half and accounting for 21 points, leading Holliston to a 37-13 halftime advantage.
Swarming defense and solid rebounding limited Blackstone’s offensive opportunities. Center George Floeckher played a strong game, scoring 6 in the final quarter and totaling a season-high 11 rebounds. Ty “Tarantula” Looney added 6 points, 8 rebounds and 3 steals, swingmen Anderson Langlois and Donovan Vail tallied 5 rebounds apiece, and all 9 players scored enroute to a convincing 56-22 win. “Not much to say here, guys,” Coach McDonough told the boys post-game. “That was awesome.”
The Panthers will face their toughest test of their season this Saturday against a 6-2 Millis team.
Next game: Saturday at home vs. Millis, 4:15PM.
7th Grade Boys (White)
Coach: Sgarano
The Holliston 7th Grade Boys Team (White) won an exciting game against Medway, 27-20, on Sunday afternoon at Medway Middle School. Holliston came out aggressive offensively and defensively, playing a tough 2-3 zone. Holliston took a 12-11 lead into halftime, thanks to a buzzer beater by William Finneran. After a back and forth 3rd quarter, the game was tied at 16 to start the 4th. Medway got an early basket to take a 2 point lead, but David Blackerby tied the game a minute later. Joe Sgarano then caught fire, hitting a 3 pointer and 2 jumpers to give Holliston the lead for good. Arnav Pavuluri hit a shot at the buzzer to seal the victory.
This was a total team win for Holliston. Joe Sgarano led the way with 13 points, 2 assists and 2 steals. Arnav Pavuluri had 6 points, 5 steals, and 4 rebounds. Cooper Lisi, David Blackerby, and Max Metivier combined for 26 rebounds. David Blackerby, Owen Callahan, Ryllan Kelley, and William Finneran each had a basket. Jacob Snow had 5 steals. Oliver Bennett and Tommy Ogoreuc were active in the zone, playing tough defense.
Holliston’s next game is on Saturday afternoon against Canton at Dana Barros. They also play Sunday afternoon in Raynham.
Next games:
Saturday (2/7) vs. Canton (Dana Barros)
Sunday (2/8) vs. Raynham (away)
8th Grade Boys (Black)
Coach: Keller
Holliston traveled to Northboro to take on the first place team in the division, knowing this would be a tough game. Northboro jumped out to an 8-0 lead, but Holliston kept its composure clawing its way back through gritty defense and teamwork, pulling to within 4 at halftime and 2 in the 3rd quarter. On this day, however, too many of Holliston’s passes were intercepted by Northboro’s game long full court press. Jackson Gannaway led all scorers with 10 points, followed by Nick Gorham’s 8, and Noah Keller and Stone Secaur’s 4. Nolan Burke, Nick Cardosa and Dylan Dimmick each added 3, 2, and 2 respectively. Holliston will stay on the road, visiting Dedham on Sunday.
Next game: Sunday vs. Dedham (away)
8th Grade Boys (White)
Coach: Kanavich
The 8th grade boys (White) team trailed undefeated Medford 4-8 after the first quarter to rally to a 39-35 win Sunday night at home. Leading the team in scoring was Brody Stanley who netted 16 points, followed by Patrick Coletti (7), Logan Kanavich (5), Leo DeFazio (4), Daniel Levens (4), and Sam Ginnings (3). Most importantly the Panthers dominated the boards out rebounding Medford. Leading in rebounding was Daniel Levens with 12, followed by Patrick Coletti (8), Sam Ginnings (7), Brody Stanley (3), Kirill Stotski (1), Leo DeFazio (1), Lincoln Daniels (1), and Logan Kanavich (1). The Panthers improved to 4-10 on the season and return to competition in two weeks.
Next game: BYE
GIRLS:
4th Grade Girls (White)
Coach: Marien
The Holliston 4th grade girls (White) made it two in a row on Sunday, grinding out a 15–9 win over North Quincy behind stifling defense, sharp passing, and a fast-breaking attack. Holliston held North Quincy under double digits and posted a season-high five assists in a performance that reflected steady progress across the roster.
Defense set the tone. Holliston crowded passing lanes, pressured the ball, and limited second-chance opportunities. Laiana Girgis (8 points, 3 rebounds, 6 steals) led the way, repeatedly turning deflections into transition opportunities. Lyla Wisner (2 points, 5 rebounds, 5 steals, 1 block) added her usual impact on both ends, while Liliana Brown (3 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 steals, 1 block) anchored the defense and helped ignite Holliston’s fast break throughout the game.
The afternoon also featured three milestone scoring moments. Amal Hadad (2 points, 2 rebounds) knocked down her first MetroWest basket. Shortly after, Molly Nechev (1 point, 2 rebounds) calmly hit a free throw for her first MetroWest point. In the second half, Riley Marien (2 points, 3 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block) added her own first career field goal, turning in an all-around game.
Ball movement was a clear strength. Iris Smith (2 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 1 block) and Ava Snyder (3 rebounds, 2 assists) each handed out 2 assists, while Brown added another dime as Holliston consistently looked ahead in transition. Kailey Esposito (3 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block), Cassidy Cicciarella (4 rebounds, 2 steals), and the rest of the backcourt rotation chipped in with key rebounds, steals, and solid positional defense to close out the win.
With a second straight victory and continued growth week over week, Holliston now turns its attention to a back-to-back road set, traveling to Brookline on Sunday and Franklin on Monday.
Next games:
Sunday (2/8) vs. Brookline (away)
Monday (2/9) vs. Franklin (away)
4th Grade Girls (Red)
Coach: King
The 4th grade girls basketball team played their best all-around game of the season in a hard-fought 19–17 loss to Norwood. The Panthers showed outstanding team defense, their best passing yet, and a true balanced scoring effort from start to finish. Point guard Natalie Negri led the way with 4 points and did a great job running the offense, while Avery Jacquet added 3 points. Maya Bernstein, Celina Lahaini, Rose Weinburg, Sloane Miller, and Dev King each chipped in a basket, showing great teamwork and confidence. Strong defensive efforts by Adriana Dello-Iacono, Evelyn Dellicker, Kate Robertson, and Hannah Kane helped keep the game close until the final buzzer. With solid contributions from all, this group is bringing their team motto, “laulima”, to life. Laulima is the Hawaiian word for teamwork, translating literally to “many hands” or “many hands working together”. It embodies cooperation, community, and the belief that shared effort makes work lighter and fosters unity, essential for sustaining the community and achieving common goals. If you’re at a 4th grade game and are curious what they’re saying in the huddle, this is it! The 4th grade Panthers head on the road to face Mansfield this Sunday—good luck to all teams and GO PATS!
5th Grade Girls (White)
Coach: Ennis
In a tough, hard-fought game, the Holliston white 5th grade team found themselves trailing 14-6 at halftime. Alaina led with 9 points and 7 rebounds, while Lily contributed 2 points and 6 rebounds. A highlight of the game was Brighton’s impressive play, where she grabbed a rebound, initiated the break, and delivered a perfect pass to Alaina from half court for the team’s only basket in the first quarter. Wellesley’s exceptional on-ball defense disrupted the team’s rhythm, providing a valuable learning experience for the girls. Despite their efforts, the team concluded with a challenging loss to Wellesley, 40-11. The ladies displayed super aggressive defense throughout the game. Looking ahead, their next match is the last home game of the season against Winchester.
Next game: Sunday at home vs. Winchester
5th Grade Girls (Red)
Coach: Cooper
The edge of your seat endings continue for the Holliston 5th Grade Girls Red Team, as the girls took Milton to overtime on the road Sunday afternoon, with Milton pulling ahead in the remaining two minutes of overtime to win 33-29. Madeline Cooper led Holliston with 10 points including a key 4th quarter basket to pull Holliston within 2 points with 1:32 left in the game. Cooper, who recently returned from a broken finger injury, is starting to turn it on for the Panthers. Catherine Levasseur (9 points) and Sadie Adamson (4 points) each also had timely baskets in the 4th, to help send the game to overtime. In the overtime, Holliston’s Reagan Taylor (3 points) had a big rebound and put back, but it was not enough to overcome Milton.
In the most physical game of the year, Holliston was sent to the double bonus in the 3rd and 4th quarters and drained 4 foul shots. The extra foul shots at practice really paid off for this group. Sadie Adamson, always willing to guard the toughest player, came through for the Panthers on many defensive stops. Addie Cicciarella finished the day with 3 points, all coming in the second quarter to help squash a Milton 6-0 run. Mia Fosberg was once again all over the court on the defensive end, leading the game with 5 steals. Jaxy Mix created a magnitude of fast break opportunities for the Panthers, which led to 4 different team baskets.
The game was a complete team effort, and the coaches could not be prouder of this group. Holliston is back on the road again next week looking to rebound from the tough overtime loss.
Next game: Sunday vs. Milton (away)
6th Grade Girls (White)
Coach: Wing
The 6th grade girls (white) travel team played Dedham this weekend in a nail-biter of a game.
The Panthers came out strong and aggressive in the first half of the game. Our girls were up by 2 entering into the second half, but lost momentum and unfortunately allowed Dedham to dominate the third quarter. However, Holliston did not let this tear them down as the Panthers stepped it up and gave it their all in the 4th.
Losing by 1 point was a definite bummer, but we are proud of the amazing comeback Holliston had in the 4th quarter. A job well done by all of the girls as they really did fight until the end!
Maddie Joe Charette and Signe Strand both had some great rebounds and really fought for the ball. Willa Drummey played superb defense and sunk 2 hoops. Olivia Darling set multiple killer, perfectly timed screens. Nora Corcoran blocked several shots throughout the game. Izzy Bartels and Julia O’Shaughnessy both hustled and worked hard the entire game. Amelia Parker hit an all-time high of 10 points this game and played her heart out. Olivia Wing made a sweet outside jumper and put down 1 of her 2 free throws.
The girls were told to bring it and that they did! Much like the Celtics, our girls need to work on not taking the foot of the pedal in the 3rd quarter, but overall, Sunday’s game was a step in the right direction for the Holliston Panthers. If they can deliver the same intensity they have in the first half of their games into the second half, then these girls will be a force to be reckoned with!
The Panthers will bring the fire to their next away game vs. Hopkinton.
Next game: Sunday vs. Hopkinton (away)
6th Grade Girls (Black)
Coach: King
The 6th grade girls Holliston Panthers battled on the road against a very tough Stoughton team in a matchup of two 5–1 squads who had not shared a common opponent. While the result didn’t go their way, the Panthers walked out of the gym with their heads held high. This was a great basketball game that showcased this group’s toughness, resilience, and never-quit mentality against a bigger, very physical, and talented opponent. The coaches could not be prouder of the effort. With some odds stacked against them, the girls dug in, played their hearts out, and left everything on the floor—lots of positives, plenty to keep working on, and most importantly, a truly fun and competitive experience that will fuel their growth. Katelyn Klein led the way with 8 points, emphatic blocks, and strong all-around play, while Olive Bennett added 7 points, including crucial buckets in crunch time. Millie Guellnitz (2 points), Josie Brower (3 points), and Winnie McHugh (4 points) took on the tall task of defending an almost 6-foot center, while the entire team shared defensive responsibilities against the toughest guard they’ve faced all season. Richa Yedugani (2 points), Brooke McGrath, and Lennon King all turned in solid defensive performances and worked hard to break a relentless press. The disappointment from the loss speaks to how competitive this group is, but these moments—both the highs and the challenges—are exactly what help athletes and teams grow. They have worked hard to live up to their team motto of “ALL IN”. Next up–Medfield! Good luck to all teams and GO PATS!
Next games:
Saturday (2/8) vs. Framingham (away)
Sunday (2/9) vs. Medfield (away)
8th Grade Girls (Red)
Coach: McAdams
Panthers Fall to Rival Ashland, 35–21
The Holliston Panthers 8th grade girls basketball team came up short against long-time rival Ashland, falling 35–21 in a spirited matchup. Despite the loss, the Panthers showcased some late game grit, hustle, and strong defensive moments.
Ella Bennett led the Panthers’ offense with 9 points, attacking the rim with confidence while also grabbing 3 steals to spark transition opportunities. Her energy on both ends helped Holliston stay within striking distance at the end of the first half.
In the paint, Audrey Mancuso delivered a determined performance, contributing 2 points and pulling down 6 rebounds. Her presence on the boards helped limit Ashland’s second-chance opportunities and set the tone for Holliston’s defensive efforts.
Mia Malvey added 4 points while making her mark defensively with 3 steals. Malvey’s relentless on-ball pressure created multiple turnovers and disrupted Ashland’s offensive rhythm. Coaches praised her for her hard-nosed defense and refusal to give up on any play.
At the shooting guard spot, Aahana Kulkarni chipped in 4 points, showing confidence and poise. Her ability to attack the rim gave Holliston valuable spacing and a scoring spark when the Panthers needed it.
The Panthers battled to the final buzzer, demonstrating teamwork, resilience, and continued growth as the season progresses. Holliston looks to bounce back in their next week against Medford.
Next game: Sunday vs. Medford (away)
