WHS Boys Hockey Opens With Thrilling Win
Junior Phil Boncore scored his second goal of the game with just under three minutes left to play to break a 1-1 deadlock and give the Winthrop High boys hockey team a thrilling 2-1 victory over non-league rival Shawsheen Tech in the 2024 season-opener before a boisterous and delighted crowd in a playoff-type atmosphere at Larsen Rink Saturday afternoon.
After a scoreless first period in which both teams had plenty of chances, Boncore earned the honor of lighting the lamp for the first Viking goal of the season in the middle stanza, assisted by senior captains Petey Silverman and Billy Hayes.
However, the visiting Rams refused to quit and deadlocked matters with a goal late in the period. The contest at that point appeared headed for overtime, but Boncore, assisted by Silverman, reached the back of the Shawsheen net in the final minutes.
Viking junior goalie Mike Donahue faced 28 shots and made some key saves throughout the game and came up especially in the decisive third period.
Coach Dale Dunbar and his crew were scheduled to play non-league foe Triton last night (Wednesday) and will host Danvers, a perennial Northeastern Conference archrival, this Saturday at Larsen at 3:00.
WHS Girls Hockey Posts 6–0 Victory in Season-Opener
The Winthrop High girls hockey team opened its 2024 season in impressive fashion with a 6-0 victory over Northeast Hockey League (NHL) foe Shawsheen Tech Saturday afternoon at Larsen Rink.
“It was a great opening game for us,” said WHS head coach Anthony “Butch” Martucci.
Senior captain Sami DiMento led the way with two goals and an assist. Sami played on the first line with fellow senior captain Hannah Parker, who finished with two assists, and Izzy Cash, who also earned two assists.
The Lady Vikings’ second line also played well, with Talia Martucci potting a goal and an assist and linemates Reese Ferrara and Gabby Buonapane both grabbing an assist.
“Our third line also was great in this one, giving us buildable shift after buildable shift,” said Martucci. “Chloe Couture, Angela Coscia, Amelia Serino, and Tori Bates all chipped in on what we like to call our ‘grind line.’
“What was huge for us was our defense,” Martucci continued. “We are lucky enough to have seven players back from last year on the back end. We will rely on them heavily this season, led by senior captain Adrianna Rizzotto, who had a goal.
“Our defense also features Amelia Spencer, who had a goal, Tegan Periera, who had a goal, Avalina Coffey, Izi Hain, Francesca Indrisano, and Mia Currier who is out with an injury,” Martucci added.
“The position that we are very excited about is in goal, as Riley Towse returns after a stellar rookie campaign,” said Martucci. “Her shutout now gives her six for her career and this win is her 22nd as only a sophomore. ‘Sway’ gives us a chance to win every game. She makes great stops when we need them. She faced 18 shots and stopped them all. You can’t ask for more than that.
“This team brings a lot of different things to the table,” Martucci said. “They have speed, grit, power, and work ethic. In everything that they do, they bring a blue-collar mentality. That starts at the top with the three senior captains who are our heart-and-soul leaders. This was their last/first game, and we wanted to win this game for them.”
Martucci and his crew will be back on the ice this Saturday for a 1:00 face-off when they host NHL rival Newburyport. They will trek to Salem State College next Wednesday evening to take on NHL archrival Marblehead at 6:00.
WHS Girls Basketball Opens With 52–42 Win
The Winthrop High girls basketball team opened its season with an impressive 52-42 victory at non-league opponent Cambridge Rindge and Latin last Friday.
“We were able to win a tight battle against a good Cambridge team,” said WHS head coach Anthony Hatzisavas. “It was an awesome first test.”
The contest was a back-and-forth battle all the way. Winthrop led 12-11 after one period and moved out to a 27-19 advantage at the half. However, the Lady Vikings never were able to pull away, as every time Winthrop got its lead to eight, the plucky Lady Falcons made little runs time and time again to cut the margin back to four or five points.
“At the end of the day, basketball is a game of runs and I thought we did a great job stopping their run before it got too long,” said Hatzisavas. “That was something we talked about that we needed to work on from last season.”
Reese Brodin stepped up in the decisive fourth period, scoring seven of her 13 points in the final eight-minutes. Reese turned in a solid all-around performance, pulling down seven rebounds, making two steals, and accounting for 10 deflections. Teammate Kaylee Farrel also had a superb all-around effort, reaching a double-double with 10 points and 11 boards, while also dishing out three assists and making three steals.
“Grace Fleuriel and Angela Tshowa did a great job protecting the paint,” said Hatzisavas. “Bailey Ferguson and Zoey Bogusz also did a great job controlling the game at the guard positions. This was Bailey’s first start and as a sophomore, I thought she did a tremendous job.
“Sophia Lindindger came off the bench and really sparked us in the first half,” added the coach. “Sophia had eight points, including two big three-pointers to extend our lead a little bit.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better first test and I love how we responded through the game,” Hatzisavas concluded.
The Lady Vikings engaged in another non-league test this past Tuesday at Hamilton-Wenham. They will travel to Northeastern Conference rival Saugus next Monday and will trek to non-league opponent Fontbonne Academy next Tuesday.
WHS Boys Basketball Tops Ipswich, 55–51
The Winthrop High boys basketball team gift-wrapped an early Christmas present for their new head coach, Quinton Dale II, with a 55-51 victory Monday evening at Ipswich, marking the first triumph of the former WHS star’s head-coaching career.
Over the weekend, the Vikings played in the Zack Markowitz Memorial Tournament at Salem Academy Charter School and came up short in both contests, falling to Bishop Fenwick, 72-52, in the tourney opener and to Danvers, 62-39, in the consolation game.
“Turnovers and missed layups killed us in both games,” noted Dale. Viking Andrew Faretra was named to the tournament all-star team.
The Vikings were scheduled to play at Arlington Catholic yesterday (Wednesday) and will entertain Fenway High School next Thursday (December 21) at 7:00.