Weekly Athletic Update, 12/12/16
If this weekend’s performance is an indicator of things to come, it may be time to re-write the record books on the Girls Varsity Basketball ledger. Sophomore center Aliyah Boston (Blackburn Tournament MVP) poured in 39 points including her team’s final 9 in leading the Hilltoppers to a nifty come-from-behind 67-64 win over the Tilton School in Sunday’s Thomas Blackburn Tournament finals. It was the second consecutive year that Worcester Academy has defeated Tilton in the championship game. On the heels of a semi-final 30-point, 25-rebound effort Aliyah rallied the hometown team from a 5-point deficit with 1:40 to play to capture the title. Freshman point guard Livi Correia and senior forward Maddie Murphy were selected to the All-Tournament team. In a Wednesday road win at the St. George’s School, Maddie Murphy scored a career-high 26 points in a 69-43 win.
- A year ago it was the depth and experience of a veteran WA squad that prevailed over a young, talented Proctor team in the finals of the Blackburn Tournament. This year the tables were turned as Proctor’s talented senior group held off a gritty, determined effort by the home team, eking out a 79-73 win in Sunday’s final. WA placed three players in double digits including All Tournament selections, Mitch Doherty (21,), and Selwyn Harris (16) (sophomore guard Paul Durkee registered 14 points) but succumbed to a late 8-0 Proctor run down the stretch. Earlier in the week freshman Selwyn Harris poured in 23 points, senior co-captain Charlie Clay and sophomore forward Mitch Doherty pitched in with 18 points apiece as the Hilltoppers surprised Tilton in a wild shootout, 102-98.
- Varsity 2 Basketball hit the road for two games to start the season winning at both the MacDuffie School (68-34) and at Providence Country Day School (50-31). To date a “developing” offense has been buoyed by a stifling defense with senior Matt Adiletta leading the charge on both ends of the floor. The team will open the home portion of their schedule on Wednesday (3:00 pm) as they host the Hyde School here on Rowe Court.
- Staying on the basketball track, the freshman team rode the hot hand of Asa Floyd (30 points) and Tom Flaherty (15 points) as they raced past the Bancroft School in a Saturday morning contest.
- Both JV basketball teams ran into a buzz saw as the girls fell at the St. George’s School and the boys at home to Roxbury Latin School. Both teams are off now until after the break.
- Boys Ice Hockey went 1-2 on the week, easing past Kingswood-Oxford School on Wednesday in Newington , CT before dropping back-to-back weekend contests at Pomfret (5-2) and the Hill School (7-3). Stanstead School will provide the opposition for the team in the opening game of the Barber Tournament at the St. Mark’s School on Friday. Game time is 7:00 pm on Friday, 12/16.
- Girls Hockey beat the Southfield School 4-0 as Emma Crocker scored two goals and senior goalie Julia Pelletier registered her 21st career shutout (24 saves). On Friday the team travelled to Thayer Academy and dropped their 1st contest of the young season, 6-3. Next up for the squad is a return to the Cushing Holiday Tournament where they will square up with the host school at 2:30 pm on Thursday afternoon.
- Swim team opened their season with a split on Saturday as the girls emerged victorious (53-41) over the St. George’s School while the boys team dropped a 58-34 decision. Seniors Eunice Yang (100 free style and 100 breaststroke) and Maya Yoshikawa (50 free style and breaststroke) captured multiple events as did freshman Elianna Rodriquez in the 200 individual medley and the 110 butterfly. Kevin Arpin ’18 shined on the boys’ side capturing both the 100 and the 200 freestyle events.
- With the smallest squad in recent memory our varsity wrestling team will be hard pressed to secure team wins (weight classes not filled are forfeited in matches), however, that has not deterred the team from their preparation or their individual accomplishments to date. First-year coaches Scott Parker and Brendan O’Connell have a solid corps of dedicated wrestlers who will earn their share of victories as the season unfolds.
Athletic Tip of the Week
Positive recognition is a great form of reinforcement. As a coach or an athlete, always look for opportunities to recognize the good things – big and small – that contribute to the culture of your team.
Co-Athletes of the Week
Aliyah Boston ’19 - Girls Varsity Basketball
Earned MVP honors in Blackburn Tournament
Mitch Doherty ’19 - Boys Varsity Basketball
Earned All-Tournament in Blackburn Tournament
