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Algonquin boys hockey defeats Westborough
By Caroline Gordon Reporter WESTBOROUGH - The Algonquin Regional High School (ARHS) boys varsity hockey game versus Westborough kept fans on the edge of their seats Jan. 4.
ARHS defeated Westborough 1-0 with just five minutes left in regulation play.
“I feel great about the win. The win was it,” ARHS Head Coach Gregory Cappello said. “It was a really tight game all the way and hard fought against a really strong opponent.”
Because the Rangers and Titans are rivals, Cappello said playing Westborough is “always a challenge.”
“We have a lot of respect for how they go about it. They play rough. They play physical and that challenges our guys to raise the level of our game
PHOTOS/CAROLINE GORDON Left: Goalie Jack Stiles defends Algonquin’s goal during the Titans’ game against Westborough. Above: Algonquin and Westborough players battle for the puck.
and to hold up to the physical play and push through it,” Cappello said.
Junior Jack Gulachenski scored the game’s lone goal, which Cappello attributed to his patience and ability to be poised under pressure.
He said the other players who helped lead the Titans to victory include Jack Stiles, Jack Doolan, Owen Cacciatore and Andrew Hodge.
Though the team lost, Westborough Head Coach Chet Hallice said he was proud of his players.
“I believe in these kids,” he said.
Algonquin looks ahead to season
According to Cappello, the Titans’ goal for the season was
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to form their identity after they lost 10 seniors.
“We want to be a close-knit team and continue to win and improve week by week,” he said.
Their season record is 6-2 so far.
“We are on a good path for doing that [reaching their goal]. And everything else falls into place if we form our identity as a close-knit team who plays together, is tough defensively and can generate offense,” Cappello said.
He described the camaraderie of the team this season as “fantastic” despite having a small group of senior players.
“They [the seniors] have led the way from the start. Getting guys on board, bringing along new guys and really making sure that everyone has an equal place and an equal voice in the locker room,” he said.
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COMMUNITY SPORTS Hudson Hawks inspire a new generation of basketball players
By Laura Hayes Managing Editor HUDSON - Behind the bench of the Hudson High School varsity girls basketball game was a row of fifth grade girls.
The fifth-graders were members of the Hudson Travel Basketball team, watching and cheering on the Hawks as they beat Clinton.
“What we’re trying to do is just really stay as close as we can to [Hudson Coach Marty Murphy] and to the girls program as well as the boys program,” said Vice President of Girls Travel Basketball David Bruce.
One way of doing that was by having the travel team play a game during the half time of the Hudson and Clinton game.
“Try to have them look up — which they do — to these senior girls, see the successes that they have, see the teamwork and love of the game that they have, and try to instill that passion for them,” Bruce said.
Five of the seniors on the team — Katie O’Malley, Kaitlyn Puim, Madison Kiley, Gracie Giorgio and Taylor Bruce — have played together since they were on the fifth grade travel team.
The seniors said playing on the travel team was fun and helped them learn the basics of basketball.
That first year, there were approximately 10 players on the team, including the five that are still playing for the high school.
“It’s just a special group of girls,” said Bruce, who was cocoach of the team with Mark Kiley.
The travel team teaches the fundamentals of basketball, teamwork and the philosophy that play time is earned, not granted, Bruce said.
The team practiced at least twice a week and played games every Sunday across Central Massachusetts. According to Bruce, when they had the opportunity, the team traveled to Foxborough for tournaments.
At the same time, the girls
Above: Madison Kiley and Morgan McLeod high-five their teammates. Right: Brooklyn Bruce dribbles the ball as she is guarded by Nicole Percival.
PHOTOS/LAURA HAYES took advantage of other opportunities to play the game that they loved, including through a town recreation program.
“Obviously our chemistry has stayed because now, so long after we’re still playing together,” said Madison Kiley.
Over the years that the seniors played together on the travel team, Bruce said he and Kiley saw them mature as teammates.
From a skill perspective, Kiley’s daughter — Madison — was heavily relied upon for her skills, Bruce said. He said they tried to take the burden off Madison’s shoulders.
“That’s what I saw from day one toward the end — and you’ll see it tonight at the game — each of these girls can contribute and will contribute to the game on their own,” Bruce said.
Their advice for the current team?
“Bond with your teammates because they could be your teammates all throughout high school, and that’s important,” said O’Malley.
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