Weekly Athletics Update — February 22, 2023
- Worcester Academy’s Ski team completed a very successful season as both teams registered a top 5 finish in the Giant Slalom event in Wednesday’s Class C New England Championships at Crotched Mountain in New Hampshire. In a quick turnaround, the team was right back at it on Friday afternoon in the final CMSL outing at Mt Wachusett as Kayzie Salmon ’24 and Harry Martel ’25 again were the top finishers respectively for the Hilltoppers. Thanks to our athletes and to our coaches for a great season and optimism is high for next year as many talented underclassmen return to the slopes.
- Senior guard (Duke bound) Oluchi Okananwa continues her scoring spree (37.5 ppg average for the 2-0 week) as the Hilltoppers won their 3rd consecutive game (16-6 overall). On Wednesday, they travelled to RI and got past St. Andrew’s School by a 51-34 count (Oluchi tallied 36) and on Saturday they scored an upset of sorts with a thrilling 83-75 OT win over AA rival, New Hampton Prep. Big shots and big plays were the order of the afternoon as WA received outstanding contributions from all, including Abigail MacDonald who contributed 9 points and played solid defense on the interior for WA. Kailee McDonald, Sage Youngberg, Gianna Nichols and Alexandra Eldredge (St. Francis, NY commit) all made key shots to propel the team to the OT win.
- The 3rds Basketball team ran their record to 12-0 with impressive wins over St. Andrew’s and Portsmouth Abby and will look to close out their season with an unblemished record when they travel to NMH on Wednesday afternoon.
- Boys’ Varsity ran their record to a gaudy 22-3 with three big AA road wins during the week. Todd Brogna ’23 continues his solid play as he tossed in a game high 16-points in Wednesday’s 66-50 win over St. Andrew’s (Brogna also led the way with 20 points in Monday’s victory at the MacDuffie School). On Saturday, both TJ Power (team high 24 points) and Tre Norman registered double-doubles as the Hilltoppers battled back from a 6-point half time deficit to ease past Cheshire by a 83-75 count. The final week of the season will see the Hilltoppers play 4 games in the span of 6 days, including Monday’s President day make up contest at Vermont Academy.
- Boys’ Ice hockey is on an uptick heading into this week’s Holt Conference Tournament. In the final regular season contest they travelled to Hebron (Maine) and came away with a 4-0 shutout win. A mid-week conference win over Pingree (4-3) and a workmanlike 6-2 win over Wilbraham & Monson Academy on Friday should have the team ready to go as they travel to NYA on Wednesday afternoon (likely a 5 pm start) in a Holt Conference Quarter-final match-up with the # 3 seed.
- On the girls’ side, two tough road losses – at Winchendon and Andover – by the slimmest of margins (2-1 at Andover) has the team pointing towards a successful completion of the ’23 season as it hosts the Millbrook School on Friday and the Canterbury School (Senior Day) on Saturday, both contests at the WIC.
- The swim team dropped its final meet of the season at Dana Hall on Wednesday and turn their collective effort towards the next two weeks as they prepare for the New England D II Championships at WPI during the 1st weekend in March.
- JV Girls’ basketball team split two contests during the week, easing past a young Rectory School on Monday before falling to a talented St. Andrew’s squad on Wednesday afternoon. The team concludes their fine season (9-2) with a pair of home games on Wednesday (NMH) and Saturday (Thayer).
Around the Rim:
The Winter Athletic banquet will take place in the Megaron, Tuesday evening, March 7th at 6:30 pm. Athletes and coaches will be recognized for their work and efforts over the Winter season.
Co-Athlete of the Week:
Abigail MacDonald ’23 – Girls’ Basketball
Harry Martel ’25 – Ski Team
