Sports Roundup: Boys Hoops Clinches State Tournament Berth
David Creed •
This Whaler sports roundup includes an update on the boys basketball team after they clinched a spot in the state tournament and photos from the senior cheerleader's halftime ceremony, the boys hockey team following a road victory, the boys swim team following sectionals, and the girls basketball team.
Lombardi’s 26 Points Lift Whalers Over Bourne, Clinch Tournament Berth
The boys basketball team played far better in the first half of Tuesday evening’s home matchup with the Bourne Canalmen than the second, but they still found a way to earn a 71-61 win that clinched them a spot in the MIAA Division 3 state tournament after the program missed out on the tournament last winter while in Division 4.
“I mean we played really good in the first half. We did everything right, and then in the second half we couldn't do anything right, nor did we try to do anything right," Whaler head coach Willis Ferreira said. "It was me ball, and then we were trying to get the ball in the paint. That guy is a monster in there (Malachi Coelho, who finished with 19 points). I have no idea why we were going in there, but we kept doing it.”
Nantucket could do no wrong in the first half. Their defense was tight, they played well in transition, moved the ball well, and they were making shots. They ended the first half with sophomore Burke Lombardi driving to the hoop and taking much of Bourne’s defensive attention with him, which led to him kicking a pass out to a wide open Vallon Jeanty who did the rest by drilling a three-point buzzer-beater to make it a 47-28 game at half.
But the third quarter was a let down from what the Whalers produced in the first half and helped make a game that was trending towards being out of hand somewhat of a nail biter. Bourne outscored Nantucket 16-8 and the Whalers began to take shots out of desperation that weren’t needed instead of moving the ball around and creating open shots.
"We stopped running our offense," Ferreira said. "I don't know what we were doing. I have no idea. I never saw that before. I don't know what we were doing but hey, we won. It was 10 wins. We're in the tournament. We just have to lock back in.”
Lombardi scored eight points in the fourth quarter to help hold off Bourne, but junior big man Ben Slosek helped with six points in the fourth quarter and 10 points overall. Slosek’s size and rebounding ability is something this Whaler team desperately needed, and he continues to get better and better in his first varsity season as the year progresses.
"He's played well. No question," Ferreira said. "He's been good for us. He battles on the glass. He can catch it; he can score it. He's good on the pick and roll. Ben can be in the half court, and you can get something there.”
The Whalers are now 10-5 and will make the playoffs regardless of how the final five games of their regular season go since they will have a record of .500 or better. They have a very busy week ahead, but four of their five remaining games will be at home - where they are currently an undefeated 7-0. They are right back in action on Wednesday, February 11th at home against Falmouth High School at 5 p.m.
The senior cheerleaders honored during halftime were Sutton LeBrecht, Carley Ray, Keonna Edwards, Gamarley Smith, Katie Klatt, Hildee Medeiros, and Olivia Gillies. Below are some photos from the ceremony. You can also view more photos from the game here.
Boys Hockey Beats Bourne At The Gallo
The boys hockey team earned a 4-3 win over the Bourne Canalmen Monday afternoon at the Gallo Arena as they continue to solidify their spot within the MIAA Division 4 tournament bracket.
Nantucket led 3-1 after one period of play thanks to a goal off the stick of senior assistant captain Canton Jenkinson just 32 seconds into the game with an assist credited to senior captain Jeremy Jenkinson; sophomore winger Justin Torres lighting the lamp with 3:50 to go in the first period off assists from the Jenkinson brothers; and Jeremy Jenkinson scoring with 26 seconds remaining in the first period off an assist from Felix Soares.
Whaler head coach Jack Moran said he felt his team played better today after a disappointing 8-3 loss to Dennis-Yarmouth on the road last Wednesday. He said his team staying out of the penalty box (zero penalties all game) and that was a difference maker in yet another close matchup with the Canalmen.
In the second period, senior defenseman and assistant captain Soren Edwardes scored in his second consecutive game to give Nantucket a 4-1 lead with 2:36 to go in the second period. Edwardes has been an extremely valuable player for the Whalers – playing heavy minutes as Nantucket’s top defenseman and plays in every crucial situation for Nantucket.
Moran said his team got a bit lazy in the third period, and it nearly cost them as Bourne began to capitalize on their opportunities. The Canalmen scored with 10:52 to go in the third to make it 4-2 and then scored with 54 seconds remaining to cut it to a 4-3 game.
Nantucket is now 4-7 this season and they are currently the #27 seed in the Division 4 state tournament bracket. Like the boys basketball team, they will also have a busy stretch over the next 10 days to wrap up their regular season. They will host the Monomoy Sharks, who are currently the #13 seed in the Division 4 bracket, at 5:15 p.m.
Boys Swim Takes On Sectionals
The boys swim team participated in the MIAA sectional meet on Sunday, and a notable drop in their 200-yard medley relay punched them a ticket to the state meet on February 15th (girls will be on February 14th). Both state meets will take place at the MIT Zesiger Center (120 Vassar Street, Cambridge, MA).
Pavlin Aleksiev, Markus Vitanov, Eli MacIver, and Andrick Mooney swam the 200-yard medley relay together after earning a sectional qualifying time of 1:52.99 earlier in the season. They were able to shave three seconds off that time and earn a 1:49.66 according to head coach Dylan Jones, and now qualify to compete at states.
Individually, MacIver placed 10th overall in the 200-yard individual medley and 13th overall in the 100-yard breaststroke.
Girls Basketball Loses To St. John Paul II
The girls basketball team lost to the St. John Paul II Lions 56-34 Monday afternoon on the road. Head coach Angela Paterson said a combination of too many turnovers and not enough shots falling led to their defeat. Senior captain Marin Mooney - who has been sensational all season - led Nantucket with 15 points.
The Whalers are now 7-10 and have two games remaining on their schedule. They will travel to Barnstable to play the Red Hawks on Thursday, February 12th at 3:30 p.m.
Current MIAA Power Ranking Positions (Top 32 make the state tournament + any teams with a record of .500 or better):
Boys basketball is at #27 in the Division 3 bracket and has a 10-5 record.
Boys hockey is at #27 in the Division 4 bracket and has a 4-7 record.
Girls hockey is at #34 in the Division 2 bracket and has an 0-7 record.
Girls basketball is at #45 in the Division 4 bracket and has a 7-10 record.
SCHEDULE AHEAD:
Wednesday, February 11th:
The boys basketball team will be at home playing Falmouth High School at 5 p.m.
The boys hockey team will be at home playing the Monomoy Sharks at 5:15 p.m.
Thursday, February 12th:
The girls basketball team will be on the road playing Barnstable High School at 3:30 p.m.