Holliston Youth Basketball Recaps

2/15 & 2/16 games

GIRLS:

4^th Grade Girls – Coach: Cooper

Holliston 4^th Grade girls were paid a visit from the top ranked team in the division, Wayland, who used an aggressive defense to beat the Panthers 30-4.   Despite the score, the team worked hard on both ends of the court to produce multiple opportunities, but the shots simply did not fall for the Panthers on this snowy afternoon.   Reagan Taylor and Catherine Levasseur each recorded a basket while Lilah Rowe had 5 steals.  February vacation will provide a nice opportunity for the players to get healthy and return to the court this weekend for a showdown with Belmont.  After the game, the team participated in a team bonding get together which produced a Tiktok video already receiving 6 Millions views. 

5^th Grade Girls (Black)  -Coach: Wing

The Holliston 5^th grade girls (black) versed Brookline at home and added yet another win to their record, making them 8 and 1. The girls played solid, aggressive defense and moved the ball around well on offense, which allowed them to score the most points they have scored all season.

A big thank you to Lennon King and Josie Browser from the other 5^th grade girls team (team King) who helped us out as we were down several players. Lennon King played great defense (also made a nice, little jump shot) while Josie did well driving to the hoop, putting up 9 points.

Julia O’Shaughnessy and Olivia Wing both played strong defense. Julia had some awesome steal attempts and Olivia made key passes throughout the game. Neither was able to get any baskets in the game, but helped the team by playing hard and aggressive defense and offense.

Katelyn Klein and Amelia Parker put a combined total of 18 points on the board. Katelyn scoring 10 and Amelia 8! Katelyn had multiple drives to the hoop which resulted in successful layups and Amelia landed several jump shots. Both girls also made great passes which resulted in their teammates being able to score.

Willa Drummey had another great game of awesome defense and made two shots. Winnie McHugh also played strong defense and put two points on the board. 

Everyone worked together, utilizing one another to move the ball around on offense. The girls also made the necessary corrections throughout the game on defense to help challenge and prevent Brookline from scoring. The Panthers played a great game of basketball and we look forward to our next game verse Wellesley (now postponed until March 3^rd).

6^th Grade Girls (White) – Coach: Smith

*** The recap below is for the game played on February 8^th ***

The game of the week was held Saturday night with Holliston hosting Arlington at Adams Gym; a fair match-up resulting in the three best quarters Holliston has played all year. The game started with Ruby Smith getting a seven- foot shot within 30 seconds of tip-off, giving Holliston the edge. On the return Becca “the Rebounder” Lindros began her rebounding tear, providing over 10 rebounds during the game. Lindros and Elisa Ferguson set up numerous picks for both Emma Whitehead and Charley Marcuard, both point guards embraced the new plays the team has been working on which proved fruitful for scoring off Arlington’s man-to-man defense. Aarya Sharma, who was out last week working on her scouting mission, answered the call and gave the team much needed steals and blocks – owning inside paint. Sam Baweja and Lauren de Vlaam both had key turnovers which gave Holliston the edge going into the fourth quarter, Arlington stepped up their game considerably during the whole fourth quarter scoring over half their points of the game. Smith totaled 4 points, with Sharma, Whitehead, and Marcuard each with 2 points. Holliston is off until Sunday February 23^rd when the team travels to Somerville.

7^th Grade Girls (White) – Coach: McAdams 

The Holliston 7^th grade girls (red) team braved the elements this past Sunday morning to take on the Canton Bulldogs in Stoughton.  Despite being down to 5 healthy players Holliston didn’t bat an eye.  The girls came in ready to roll jumping out to a 9-0 lead.  The Panthers held Canton to 0 points until 3 minutes left in the 2^nd quarter.  There was chatter in the crowd of a potential donut for their opponents, however, the mix of Canton hitting some 3 pointers and Holliston running out of gas brought the game within two points at halftime.  With 4 minutes to rest on the bench at half the team came out on fire to pull ahead by 8 at the end of the 3^rd quarter.  Holliston pulled away with a 29-21 win over the previously 7-2 Bulldogs. Holliston was led by Mia Malvey’s sharp shooting including a deep contested 3 pointer.  Mia finished the game with a season high 10 points and also added 3 assists. Audrey Mancuso was a rebounding machine. Audrey took over the inside despite being shorter than the Canton front line and finished with a team season high of 15 rebounds. Jackie Schiavoni was also cleaning the glass all morning. Jackie contributed to the win with 9 rebounds and 3 hard fought points.  Ella Bennet added a long range 3 pointer in the 2^nd quarter to finish with 8 points and 3 steals.  Addy McAdams got her mid range game going with 6 points to help seal the victory. Holliston will be taking on 1^st place North Quincy at RAMS this coming Sunday.

BOYS:

4^th Grade Boys (White) – Coach: Peterson 

This past Saturday, Holliston’s 4^th grade boys (white) were defeated by Medfield at Adams Gymnasium, falling by a score of 49-10. The scoring for the evening was truly balanced, with Aiden Doss, Oskar Peterson, Max Burian, Jayce Sweet, and Charlie Ogoreuc each contributing a basket. However, the outcome of the game became secondary as one of the Medfield players fell, severely injuring his arm. The Panther’s handled the circumstances with good sportsmanship and class, and Coach Peterson is proud of the way they comported themselves. 

This past week’s effort award goes to two players, Oskar Peterson and Aiden Doss, who both worked hard to play defense, rebound the basketball, and hustle up-and-down the court in the transition game. 

This coming weekend’s home game against Westwood has been delayed, and the boys will now travel to take on the Wolverines at 8:00pm on Friday, 2/28. Any ticket-holders for the original game should contact league offices to get them properly adjusted 🙂.  

4^th Grade Boys (Red) – Coach: Flannery

The Holliston 4^th Grade Boys (red) lost a tough match-up to an excellent Southboro team this past Sunday afternoon at RAMS.  The final score was 44-12.  Despite the scoreboard, Holliston did not give up and had several highlights.  Keagan Shaw played hard all afternoon long and had his best game of the season.  He finished with 4 points and 7 rebounds. Not to be outdone, Cam Chiantera made a great athletic drive to the hoop and finished with an outstanding layup.  Cam finished with 4 points, 1 rebound and  1 steal.  Keegan Flannery finished with 2 points and 5 rebounds working hard  against the bigger opponents.  The team looks to rebound this coming Sunday afternoon at Raynham.

5^th Grade Boys (Black)  -Coach: Gum

The Holliston 5^th grade boys team (black) traveled to the Dena Barros Basketball Club on a snowy Sunday morning to take on a scrappy Easton team.  Easton came out strong and Holliston had a hard time scoring early in the first quarter with multiple good looks from several players just not falling. Grady Gum got hot offensively and scored 8 first quarter points and Jack Donahue chipped in 2 points which allowed Holliston to hold a 10-8 lead at the end of one quarter. 

Holliston kept a small lead the remainder of the game with some really good passing.  Easton hit several outside shots and took advantage of some Holliston turnovers to keep it close.  The last minute of the game was crazy as both teams were pressing and caused multiple turnovers.  Easton had a three-point attempt which would have tied the game, but it just bounced out.  Holliston held on for a thrilling 35–32 win.

Grady Gum finished with 15 points, 5 rebounds, 4 blocked shots, 1 steal, and 1 assist.  Darian Harris had a huge 4^th quarter with 6 of his 8 points and was the scrappiest player on the court pulling down 10 rebounds, 5 steals, and delivered 3 big assists including a no-look pass.  Yamori Richardson had 6 points, 2 rebounds, 1 steal, played great defense, and made some really nice passes throughout the game.  Jack Donahue had his best game of the season pulling down a game high 11 rebounds, 4 points, and made some nice passes.  Ronan Ojha had 2 points, hit the boards hard with 6 rebounds, and passed the ball well throughout the game.  Andrew Levasseur had some good looks just rim out and played really aggressive defense and picked up 2 rebounds, 2 steals, and had 2 big-time assists.  Every player on the team gave great effort in this hard fought win!

Holliston takes its 6-3 record on the road this coming Saturday to play a very tough 8-1 Walpole team. 

5^th Grade Boys (White) – Coach: Lyskowski 

The Holliston 5^th grade boys (white) and Blackstone/Millville both braved the winter weather this past Sunday to face off in Holliston for a tough matchup.  The Holliston team, down on numbers because of vacations, started the game out with 6 players.  After a second quarter injury the boys were forced to finish the game without a bench, and did so with enthusiasm.  Overall, Holliston came out with a strong start scoring 16 points to Blackstone’s 6 points in the first half.  Blackstone came back in the second half strong scoring 24 for a total of 30, but couldn’t overcome the Holliston lead with the final score of 36 Holliston, 30 Blackstone. Tyler Crean showed up ready to play scoring an astounding 18 points with 6 rebounds, supported by Jesiah Varghese, 8 points and 12 rebounds and Trevor Lyskowski, 8 points and 5 rebounds.  The Holliston boys now get a well deserved break and will come back next Sunday to continue their season.  

6^th Grade Boys (White) – Coach: Cordero

This past Saturday, Holliston’s 6^th grade boys (white) had an intense matchup against Wayland (orange) on home turf but unfortunately came up short, losing 4-42. Despite the score line, there were some standout efforts from the Holliston side. Ryllan Kelley led the scoring for Holliston, contributing all 4 points and adding 2 rebounds to his tally. David Blackerby was a force on the boards, pulling down an impressive 7 rebounds. Max Metivier added 3 rebounds, while Owen Callahan, Connor Lyndon, and William Finneran each chipped in with crucial rebounds as well. Holliston will look to regroup and bounce back as they head on the road to face Southboro (white) for their next game. 

6^th Grade Boys (Red)  – Coach: Sgarano

The Holliston 6th Grade Boys Team (red) handed a tough Newton team their first loss of the season this past Saturday afternoon in Holliston, 40-38. Newton got off to a hot start, leading Holliston 14-4 after the first quarter. Holliston buckled down on defense in the second quarter by executing on their press and working hard on the boards. Holliston gave up just 2 points in the second quarter, and took an 18-16 lead into halftime. Though Newton made it close in the fourth quarter, Holliston held on for the exciting win. 

Teamwork continues to be the story for this 6^th grade team. Nine different players scored for Holliston. Teddy Miller led the way with 7 points. George Floeckher had 6 points and 10 rebounds. Cole Dennison and Declan Aldredge each had 6 points. Joe Sgarano had 5 points and Owen Jacquet had 4. Anderson Langlois hit a big second half 3 pointer. 

Holliston will take on Weston at home this coming Sunday afternoon. 

7^th Grade Boys (White)  – Coach: Kanavich

The boys 7^th grade panthers (white), lost to first placed North Quincy 23-38.  Leading the team in scoring was Logan Kanavich (7), followed by Micah Baltisoto (4), Nolan Burke (4), Dylan Perrett (4), Luke Bartels (2), and Patrick Coletti (2).  Leading the team in rebounds was Stone Secaur (8), followed by Patrick Coletti (4), Dylan “Dubbs” Dimmick (3),  Luke Bartels (2), Dylan Perrett (2), Micah Balitsoto (1), and Logan Kanavich (1). The team’s Savage Starter award was given to Stone Secaur for his hustle and defense.  The team drops to 4-6 in the division and 5-10 overall. The boys will look to regroup and bounce back as they host Hopkinton for their next game.