Weekly Athletic Update, 01/09/2018
Winter break is a welcome respite for many but the timing and duration of it can be a challenge for many of our winter teams and programs. Unlike institutional members of the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association who continue play during the holiday period our teams and coaches – for the most part – have a clean break from training and competition. Essentially, after this two week sojourn it is back to square one as coaches and athletes try to regain their form, conditioning, and competitive spirit.
Our Boys Ice Hockey team veered away from this model during the break as they travelled to Princeton, New Jersey just prior to the New Year to participate in the Princeton Day School HRM Holiday Tournament. In the opening round game, the Hilltoppers forced the action, settled for a 3-3 regulation tie, but eventually fell in overtime to the host PCD squad. Undeterred, the Hilltoppers bounced back to grab the consolation game of the 2-day event, easing past Albany Academy by a 6-3 count. Extra ice time proved beneficial to the Hilltoppers as they returned from break with an early contest at the WIC against local rival St. Mark’s. After spotting the visitors a 2-goal lead, WA rebounded with three straight goals and eventually emerged with a well-earned 4-4 draw. Senior Chris DelMastro had a huge short-handed goal to spark the Hilltoppers en route to a nice 2-goal effort! A late week 8-3 loss to a strong NMH team will have the team’s attention as they gear up for another tough challenge on Wednesday when they host Williston-Northampton School at 4:00 pm.
Meg Miranda pitched a shutout (20 saves) as the Girls Ice Hockey team (7-2) raced past the Middlesex School. Five different Hilltoppers scored in the win.
Boys Basketball split two games during the week and remained .500 on the year. Junior forward Mitch Doherty registered a double-double (20 points, 10 rebounds) and sophomore point guard Quest Harris flirted with a triple-double (11 points, 11 rebounds, 8 assists) as the home Hilltoppers dominated Wilbraham & Monson Academy on Saturday afternoon. Less than 24 hours later a talented MacDuffie team turned the tables on the visiting Hilltoppers (76-69) despite a 24-point effort from Quest Harris.
The beat goes on for Aliyah Boston and the Girls Varsity basketball team as they overpowered Deerfield Academy on Saturday afternoon here on Rowe Court.
On the sub-varsity side, all three programs – without the benefit of any practice time due to the snow storm – competed hard but came up on the short end of their contests.
With the routine of classes and regular training sessions restored the weeks ahead should be an exciting time.
Co-Athletes of the Week
Meagan Miranda ’19 – GV Ice Hockey
Quest Harris ‘20 – BV Basketball
