Winter Sports: Here’s Who to Watch

Boys JV Basketball

Coach: Mr. Licata

Captains: Pa’Niro Breckenridge, Josh Byrd

This year’s Boys Basketball team is looking good so far this year, with many players working hard and looking to improve. Pa’Niro Breckenridge, a returning sophomore is expected to be a team leader and one of the top guards in the league. The team is very good so far at pressuring their opponents but need to work on playing team oriented basketball. Many players are returning for this season, and all of them are looking to gain high roles on the team. Overall, the team is hoping for big turnouts and big wins over many tough teams.

Boys Varsity Basketball

Coach: Mr. Woods

Captain: Jamel Lucas

Off to a strong start, the Boy’s Varsity Basketball team is looking to use their athleticism to defeat tough opponents during the season. DaeQuan Hill and Captain Jamel Lucas are both players to watch this season, leading the team in points per game during their junior year. DaeQuan is expected to be strong in the middle on both offense and defense while Jamel is expected to dominate the boards. Overall, the team is “looking to get 1% better everyday” and represent Sweet Home in the best way possible.

You can follow the Boys Varsity Basketball team on Twitter: @SweetHomeHoops

Girls JV Basketball

Coach: Mrs. Carlson

Captains: Krissy Baker, Janya Banks, Meadow Fumerelle

So far, this year’s basketball team is having a good season. This season has been different than previous years because skill based, the team has a lot more experience. The team is also very academically driven. Coach Carlson says, “I think there’s a lot more heart and passion for basketball than past years.” The team is willing to work on their mistakes and improve skill wise. Coach says she hopes due to what she sees at practice and by getting to know the team that they will have a better record than past years if the team continues to get better, by adding in new offenses and defenses to mix things up. Overall, the team hopes to get better and grow so they can have a successful season!

Girls Varsity Basketball

Coach: Mr. McNamara

Captains: Zora Flash, Jae’lyn Kelly

This year’s Girls Varsity Basketball team is off to a good start. This year the team has 14 girls. Some positive things about the team this year as Coach McNamara says are, “we are fast, we work hard, and our team has a high Basketball IQ; we’re a very smart team.” On the other side, the team is young and vertically challenged compared to other teams which can be a downfall.  Overall throughout the season, the coach hopes to have a record where at least half of their games are wins. Coach also hopes that the team has a nice run in the playoffs and try to win a few games in a row. The team should have a good season so come and support the girls during basketball games throughout the year!

You can follow the Girls Varsity Basketball team on Instagram: @shgirlsbasketball

Boys Bowling

Coach: Mr. Smith

Captain: Connor Merrifield

This season is expected to be a strong one from the Boys Bowling team. The team is “very good, but very young” with 3 middle school students in the starting lineup. Captain Connor Merrifield, a 6th year Varsity bowler is expected to put up high scoring games, and continue dominating the competition. The team is looking to qualify for sectionals as they are very competitive in their division. Overall the team looks to improve upon last season and make it to sectionals!

Girls Bowling

Coach: Mr. Russo

Captain: Cora Kubiak

The Girls Bowling team is looking to continue their 15 year .500 record streak this season. Big things are expected from many bowlers, including Cassidy Papero, Olivia Kowalik and Alexia Irvine, as the team is looking to improve upon the mental aspect of the game. At the rate the team is going, they should be “very competitive this season” and will easily make it to sectionals. Overall the team is looking for support from their fellow Panthers and are hoping for a great season!

Boys Varsity Hockey

Coach: Mr. Turner

Captains: Blake Russo (C), Eddie Gould (C), Cole Feldmann (A), Eric Abbate (A)

So far this season the Boys Varsity Hockey team seems very determined to make it back to states. The team, lead by captains Blake Russo and Eddie Gould, is strong when it comes to scoring goals and moving the puck with speed. Many other players, such as Cole Feldmann and Eric Abbate, are showing signs of potential and are expected to do big things this season. The team wants the student body to connect with them and is looking for a big turn out for most games & off-ice activities.

You can follow the Boys Varsity Hockey team on Instagram: @sweethomehockey

Girls Varsity Hockey

Coach: Mrs. Adimey

Captains: Lilli Adimey (Amherst), Allison Greene (Clarence)

This year’s CASH Girls Hockey team has no Sweet Home players. The team graduated a lot of seniors last year, and is currently in the rebuilding stage of their season. Majority of the team is young, with over 50% of the team in their freshman or 8th grade year of school. Sweet Home students interested in playing for CASH (Clarence, Amherst, Sweet Home) next year can contact Mrs. Adimey through the Sweet Home Athletics website.

You can follow the Girl’s Hockey team on Twitter: @CASHgirlshockey

Indoor Track

Coach: Mrs. MacPeek

Captains: TBA

The indoor track team has “the potential to dominate the section this season” and with 3 members already qualified for sectionals, it is quite hard to deny. The team roster, currently made of 96 runners, vaulters and throwers, is extremely talented and are ready to set many personal records. Noticeable athletes include Amari and Lanee Hall both strong in the long and triple jump, Eve Giancarlo who is looking to break the school record again, Kelsey Wagner & Darrius Carter who are expected to lead the throwing competition. The team is best described as “one big family” and Mrs. MacPeek grateful for her assistant coaches, Coach Lowe, Coach Gentile, Coach Schiferle and Coach Lock for helping create such a loving, supportive environment for all the athletes.

You can follow the Track team on Instagram: @sweethomesctf

Wrestling

Coach: Mr. Lilly

Captain: Axel Andrews

With such a young team, the wrestling team is looking to improve throughout the season. Returning senior wrestlers Axel Andrews and Sammy Esaleh are expected to be very competitive this season and defend their sectional titles. The team is at a slight disadvantage, as they don’t have any heavyweight class wrestlers, but is expected to make up for it in other classes. Overall, the team is expecting a great season while showing the competition what Sweet Home is all about.

Boys Swimming Coach McCarthy did not return our request for comment.