Winter Sports Teams Ready To Compete
Joe Taft, Veritas Sports Editor
Rockland Hig School’s winter athletic success rolls on. Four teams are looking at competing in the tournament, after three of those teams were crowned league champions.
Coming off a win against Dorchester, the boys’ basketball team is looking to make waves in tournament play. They were crowned South Shore League Champs earlier in the year, and now are the number-one seed in Division 3 South.
“It’s huge,” junior guard Jake Crawford said after finding out they would have a bye in the first round. “We have a good chance of winning our side of the bracket. We’re ready to go.”
Crawford was named a South Shore League All-Star this season, along with junior captain Jakigh Marcelin and senior captain (and leading scorer) Stephen Norris. Norris also took home SSL Player of the Year honors. Coach Fred Damon led the boys to where they are now, and he took home Coach of the Year honors in doing so.
Not having to play in the first round means the boys are automatically in the quarter-finals. They will face the winner of the Mashpee (9) and Burke (8) game on March 5th at the Dog-Pound. Check John Glennon’s Twitter page throughout next week to see what theme the student-section will be partaking in.
The boys aren’t the only basketball team making noise this winter in Rockland.
The girls’ team won the SSL as well, and are the number two seed heading into tourney play. They will face Dedham (15) on March 2nd at home. Again, check in next week for a theme.
The Lady Dogs were undefeated in league play this season, and 17-3 overall. They were led by senior captain and 1,000 point scorer Kyra Rose. Rose took home another SSL All-Star award, and won Player Of The Year. Other SSL All Stars from the team included Erika Ochenduszko, junior Maddie Olsen, and sophomore Danielle O’Brien. Coach Diana Mitchell won Coach of the Year.
The hockey team is the number nine seed in their tournament. They will go up against South Eastern on March 3rd at 8:15 in Bourne.
Hockey All-Stars include junior captain Matt Dunn, sophomore Michael Flaherty, senior captain AJ Clark and junior Chris McHugh. The hockey team also won the SSL Sportsmanship Award.
The Rockland/Abington wrestling squad won the South Shore League, and will be sending wrestlers to the state tournament this year. Coach Tim Brown won coach of the year.
Even though a joint-squad between two longtime rivals seems crazy, the boys were able to succeed all season long. All Stars include Jim Fitzgerald, Adam Russo, Jon Goode, Brad Gasdia, Cameron Smith, and Alex Freeman.
The swim team found success this season as well. Sarah Margolis, Ryan Sugrue, Mike Rocha, and Sabrina Sprague were SSL All Stars. The team worked very hard and competed throughout the winter.
The Bulldogs are ready to compete in the tournament this winter, as all the playoff-teams will be playing for state-titles and rings. Make sure you come out and support the Dogs.
THE VERITAS 