Only two teams competed this week as state tournament play began and the track team took a rare break from competition. The boys’ hockey team was unfortunately knocked off in the first round of the state playoffs, but that shouldn’t detract from their fantastic season and positive outlook for the future. Boys’ basketball won their opening-round playoff game against Carver, but was toppled by Apponequet in the second round, thus ending their season. However, it was a very successful campaign for ORR, who looks to be back next year in the hunt for another State Championship trophy to go along with their 2015 title. Next week, the boys’ and girls’ shuttle hurdles relay teams will be at the New Balance Nationals indoor track meet in New York City.
Boys’ Basketball: On Thursday, the Bulldogs opened up their state tournament run against Carver at home. The boys were able to easily defeat the Crusaders 82-60, leading by as much as 30 at one point. They set the tone by outscoring Carver 25-11 in the first quarter. Junior center Matt Valles had a big game, scoring 17 and pulling down nine rebounds, as well as five assists. Senior guard Evan Santos also scored 17, while senior Jared Nye was the third-leading scorer, with a season-high 8 points. Eleven different players scored as the bench got a chance to play some extensive minutes in the fourth. ORR stayed at home on Saturday to take on rival Apponequet, one of the few teams who had been able to defeat them this year. The game was close throughout, and despite being down 17-11 after the first eight minutes, the ‘Dogs closed to 42-41 with eight minutes left to play. Apponequet, however, prevented the Bulldogs from getting anything major going on offensively in the fourth and held on to win, 68-63. It was a disappointing end to what was another great season from the Bulldogs. Senior Will Santos ended his last season by scoring 13 points, which led the team. Junior big man Grant Reuter scored a season-high 12, while Will’s brother, Evan, added 11 and Valles scored 9. Despite losing the Santos brothers, the Bulldogs figure to ride Valles, Reuter, sophomore Jason Gamache, and juniors Russell Noonan, Jacob Cafarella, and Patrick Cummings to victory next season, as they look to re-establish themselves as the premier D-3 team in the State. Three other seniors played their last game on Saturday: Nye, Bryant Salkind, and Jon O’Connor.
Boys’ Ice Hockey: The Fairhaven/ORR squad started off tournament play at home (The Travis Roy Rink at Tabor Academy) on Tuesday against Dover-Sherborn. A back-and-forth battle ensued as the Bulldogs/Blue Devils looked to advance to the second round of the state tournament, something they have not been able to do in recent years. The team received a goal from ORR freshman Chase Lapworth early on, and the game was tied 1-1 at the end of the first. ORR junior Sam Henrie erupted for a huge game, scoring a pair of goals in the second and another in the third. Dover-Sherborn hung tough, responding to all his goals, and tying the game at 4 with one minute left in regulation. In OT, they scored to end the Bulldog/Blue Devils’ season, with the final score coming in at 5-4. ORR junior Landon Gougen had three assists, and ORR senior captain Kam Silvia added two. Three seniors – Silvia, ORR’s Harry Terpeny, and Fairhaven’s Ben Pinard – are graduating, but the team still boasts a terrific young nucleus that should make them competitive in the SCC for years to come, and they should make more noise in the state tournament in future seasons. Among the stars returning next season are Henrie, Lapworth, junior goalie Chase Cunningham (ORR), junior Connor Kelly (ORR) and Fairhaven sophomores Ryan LaBonte and Ryan Raphael. Congratulations to the guys on a spectacular season.
Below are the overall winter team records, followed by the conference records in wins, losses, and ties as of March 6.
Boys’ Basketball: (17-5-0)(15-2-0); Girls’ Basketball: (8-12-0)(6-9-0); 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: (14-5-4)(9-0-1); Girls’ Ice Hockey: (3-16-0)(3-14-0).
By Patrick Briand