In an extremely rare occurrence, Old Rochester Regional Boys’ Basketball lost a game this week, falling 63-60 to a tough Apponequet team. However, the team remains 12-1 and in the driver’s seat for another SCC Championship. Other highlights this week include a Girls’ Swimming win over Pope John Paul aided by a fantastic performance from senior Colleen Beatriz, and a pair of track meets over the weekend that featured standout performances from Bulldog athletes.
Boys’ Basketball: The boys got back into action against the Case Cardinals on the road on Tuesday. It was an easy win for the ‘Dogs, who triumphed 74-54 behind a balanced offensive attack. The win marked their 28th consecutive SCC victory and 19th in a row overall as they improved to 12-0 on the season. They stayed on the road to play Apponequet on Friday. Unfortunately, star center Matt Valles missed the game due to illness. This left the Bulldogs vulnerable in the front court, and they were exposed early on as the Lakers jumped out to a 15-2 lead. The ‘Dogs rebounded well, stayed neck and neck with Apponequet for the entirety of the second half, and even led 32-30 early in the third quarter. However, the Lakers were tough down the stretch and held on for a 63-60 win, handing ORR their first loss since last February. Only five players scored for ORR, a departure from the usually well-spread offense of the team, and a result of the close game. They were led in the points department by senior Evan Santos (19), senior Will Santos (13), and sophomore Jason Gamache (13). This week, the Bulldogs have two home games as they take on GNB Voc-Tech on Tuesday and Wareham High on Friday.
Girls’ Basketball: The Lady Bulldogs took on Case at home on Tuesday, earning a 43-30 victory. On Friday, they remained at home to face the Lady Lakers of Apponequet; however, the offense couldn’t quite come together in a 40-22 loss. The team’s leading scores were juniors Sophie Church (8) and Olivia Labbe (7). This week, they will be on the road for games against GNB Voc-Tech (Tuesday) and Wareham (Friday).
Boys’ Track: Some freshmen and sophomores competed at GNB Voc-Tech in an invitational meet on Saturday. Freshman Adam Sylvia had his debut in the 600m with a time of 1:34.25. Other strong performances came from sophomore Nick Elkalassi in the 55m dash (7:12 in prelims) and sophomore Harry Smith, who won the 55m hurdles with a time of 8.64. The next day, the Bulldogs had athletes at the Reggie Lewis Center in Boston for the ‘Last Chance to Qualify’ meet. Juniors Danny Renwick and Eli Spevack enjoyed big afternoons, as Renwick thrived in the long jump, jumping 19-9, and also ran an 8.7 in the 55m hurdles. Spevack ran an 8.4 in the 55m hurdle prelims, qualifying for the finals where he ran an 8.5. He added a long jump of 18-3.5. Other great performances came in the 55m from sophomore sprinters Elkalassi (6.98) and Smith (7.19). Freshman Will Garcia ran 7.17 in the 55m, and his classmate Sylvia ran a 4:52.3 mile. This week, the much-anticipated SCC Championship will be hosted at GNB Voc-Tech on Saturday morning.
Girls’ Track: Top freshmen and sophomore girls were at GNB Voc-Tech on Saturday to run in an underclassmen-only invitational meet. Some of the highlights of the meet came from sophomore Samantha Ball in the 1000m (3:25.7) and sophomore Madisen Martin in the shot put (31-1.5) and 300m (46.7). Sophomore Rachel Demmer ran a 47.4 in the 300m. Another sophomore, Maggie Adams, had a big day by finishing second in the 55m hurdles and winning the high jump at 4-10. Carly Demanche, also a sophomore, ran a 1:52.3 in the 600m and jumped 4-6. The following day, a variety of Lady Bulldogs ran in the ‘Last Chance to Qualify’ meet at the Reggie Lewis Center. Senior Zoe Smith performed well in the 55m (7.82) and won the 55m hurdles (8.99). She was joined in the hurdle finals by three teammates: seniors Morgan Middleton (9.23) and Elexus Afonso (9.58) and junior Brooke Santos (9.25). Later, Afonso was seventh in the long jump (15-11.5) and Smith was ninth (15-7.25). The girls also received contributions from Demmer (55m, 55m hurdles) and freshman Caroline Walsh (55m, long jump). This week, the SCC championship will occur at GNB Voc-Tech on Saturday morning.
Boys’ Swimming: The boys started off the week with a meet at Apponequet on Tuesday that resulted in a 97-29 loss. The Bulldogs faced a rare non-conference rival, Pope John Paul II, at Sandwich High School on Friday night as they continued to try for their first win. Although the ‘Dogs lost a close meet 56-48, the team received excellent performances from freshman Tyler Kulak, who was a double winner. Kulak came in first in both the 200m IM (2:28.5) and the 100m freestyle (58.5). Junior Adam Perkins and senior Nate Wentworth each won an event, with Perkins winning the 50m freestyle (26.98) and Wentworth taking first in the 500m freestyle (6:50.15). This week, the Bulldogs will be in Seekonk on Thursday to compete in the SCC Championship against Seekonk, Dighton-Rehoboth, and Apponequet.
Girls’ Swimming: The Lady Bulldogs began their week at Apponequet on Tuesday. There, they lost a 119-51 meet. On Friday night, the girls took on non-conference Pope John Paul II at Sandwich High School. The Lady Bulldogs earned a resounding 95-51 victory, led by a huge night from senior Colleen Beatriz. Beatriz won both the 50m freestyle (31.7) and the 100m freestyle (1:10.1), and she also contributed to a winning 200m medley team that included seniors Teagan Walsh and Molly Richards and sophomore Madison Carvalho. Continuing her incredible night, Beatriz swam alongside sophomores Megan Field and Erin Burke, as well as freshman Claire Noble-Shriver, on a winning 400m medley team that swam a time of 4:27.6. In addition, Field won the 200m freestyle, Richards was first in the 500m freestyle, and the Lady Bulldogs received other wins from Noble-Shriver in the 100m IM, sophomore Ellie Wiggin in the 100m breaststroke, and sophomore Ainslee Bangs in the diving competition. On Thursday, the Lady Bulldogs will be at Seekonk to swim in the SCC Championship against Seekonk, D-R, and Apponequet.
Boys’ Ice Hockey: The Bulldogs/Blue Devils were home to begin the week on Wednesday, playing at the Travis Roy Rink at Tabor against Bourne. Buoyed by the return of star junior Sam Henrie, the ORR/Fairhaven contingent rolled to a 3-0 win to clinch the SCC Championship. Junior goalie Chase Cunningham continued his excellent season with the key shutout. The boys will stay at home on Wednesday to take on SCC rival Wareham. After a number of home games, the boys will be on the road at Driscoll Skating Rink in Fall River to play Dighton-Rehoboth on Saturday night.
Girls’ Ice Hockey: The girls’ sole game this week was against Pembroke at their home rink (The John Gallo Ice Arena in Bourne) on Saturday night. Sadly, they were shut out 6-0. The girls have two more home games this week: one against Marshfield High on Wednesday and the other against Sandwich High on Saturday night.
Below are the overall winter team records, followed by the conference records in wins, losses, and ties as of February 1.
Boys’ Basketball: (12-1-0)(12-1-0); Girls’ Basketball: (4-10-0)(4-9-0); Boys’ Track: (8-1-0)(8-1-0); Girls’ Track: (9-0-0)(9-0-0); Boys’ Swimming: (0-8-0)(0-6-0); Girls’ Swimming: (3-5-0)(1-5-0); Boys’ Ice Hockey: (8-3-4)(5-0-1); Girls’ Ice Hockey: (2-9-0)(2-8-0).
By Patrick Briand