WH Athletics

Its been a great start to the new school year in Panther Athletics.  The student have really shown great school spirit packing the stands with outstanding enthusiasm and sportsmanship.  We have been very proud of our students by the way in which they show support for our teams while still respecting our guests.

A big thank you goes out to Theresa Scott and Dan Moriarty, our student council advisors for putting together a great dance as the culmination to homecoming weekend.  The rain did postpone the annual parade of champions but that didn’t damper the fan’s enthusiasm as the student section was still packed with the red, black and white.  The parade of champions will take place at halftime of our first post season football game.  One highlight of homecoming mother nature could not steal from us was the visit from the 50^th reunion class who we honored before the game for their undefeated football season.  Whitman-Hanson legend Dennis O’Brien was a member of that class and we observed a moment of silence in his memory.  More than 15 members of the class were on hand to help us celebrate the night.  The class then celebrated their reunion yesterday.  It was truly special to see these Panthers come back to WH and share such wonderful memories with our fans, coaches and students.

Here is the latest from WH Athletics

1)    The football  team is off to a great 3 and 1 (1 and 1 in the Patriot League) start under the leadership of sophomore quarterback Ethan Phelps.  Ethan had big shoes to fill coming into the season as he was replacing Turbo Smith who had one of the most prolific careers in Whitman-Hanson history.  But Ethan hasn’t missed a step and in fact plays a very similar game to Turbo with an impressive attack on the ground and through the air.  In Friday night’s homecoming game, Phelps rushed for 161 yard with 3 touchdowns.  He also passed for another TD connecting with Ryan Kennedy on a 28 yard play.  Another sophomore, Brendan Frawley is also enjoying a great start to his varsity career.  He ran for 113 yards on 14 carries with 2 touchdowns Friday night.  The defense has been sensational led by captains Anilton Corriea, Bobby McCormack and Bobby Caliri.  Dylan Leighton, Marquis Williams and Riley Holland have also been early season standouts.  The team will play at Plymouth North Friday night at 7pm.

2)    The golf team was hit hard by graduation but that hasn’t stopped the Panthers from emerging as the surprise team of the fall jumping out to a 7 and 4 record.  Senior captains John Murphy and Luke Tamulevich had led the way with many impressive scores.  Owen Manning, Matt Josselyn, Ryan Mastropietro, JP Drier, Matt Stanish and Anthony Palmacci have all been a big part of this success.

3)    The  girls soccer team is still undefeated after beating Scituate on homecoming day, 3-1.   The Panthers pressured Scituate right from the opening whistle only to find numerous early chances turned aside. Whitman Hanson finally got on the scoreboard when Lauren Bonavita took a nice feed turned and fired it past the Scituate keeper. Scituate quickly answered on a free kick and both teams headed to halftime 1-1. The second half saw both teams battle until Eve Montgomery took a Taylor Kofton pass and volleyed it past the Scituate keeper. Lauren Bonavita beat a Scituate defender getting her second of the game and accounting for the final 3-1. Katie Korzec, Elana Wood, Sammi Smith Carly Alexopoulos and Erin Wood all had strong performances for the Panthers. Skylar Kuzmich made 6 saves in the Panther net.  The girls travel to Marshfield tomorrow for a non league contest.

4)    The boys soccer team is working hard through a rebuilding season.  The team has played excellent defense this season led by senior captain Conor Keane in net but the Panthers lack  the offensive fire power. Despite the lack of scoring,  the team has shown signs of improvement.  In recent games, sophomore Nolan Clack and freshman Jason Brodeur scored their first career goals.

5)    The boys cross country team is one of the top squads in the Patriot League jumping out to a 3 and 1 start while the girls are training some younger runners and have struggled in the win/loss column standing at 0-4.  In the boys recent win over Plymouth North, SR Captain Bryce Pulkinen (2nd overall; 17:33), JR Andrew Newman (3rd, 17:35), SR Captain Lukas Moscoso (5th, 17:56) and JR Captain Jack Ryan (6th) 18:04) all did well for the Panthers.  In that same meet, Junior captain Nicole Norve ran a  time of 22:21.  Senior captain Olivia Morse is showing great leadership and is having a solid season as well.

6)    The volleyball team got off to a slow start this season but went on a recent 3 game winning streak. The Panthers sit at 4 and 6 and are still in striking distance of the state tournament.  In their 3 to 1 win over Plymouth South this week, senior captain Jordyn Keith had an amazing 30 aces. Sophie O’Brien was solid as well with 15 kills and 11 blocks.  Halle Julian added 9 kills and 8 blocks.  The girls travel to Bridgewater/Raynham tomorrow.

7)    Our field hockey team earned a 1-1 time with Ursiline Academy earlier this fall for their first point in more than 30 years as Mikayla White scored a goal for the Panthers.  The team is vastly improved in just their second year of varsity competition after a long hiatus.  Ashley Memmolo, Jess Gaudreau and Colleen Hughes had their first career goals in recent games.  The girls play host to Middleboro tomorrow.

8)    Our cheerleaders have been hard at work.  They will be hosting the Patriot League championships on 11/6 at 3pm.