Saints’ Jeannette Perretti (33) hoists a shot with a defender shadowing the play during a 2011-12 regular season game. (File photo by Chris Putz)
HIGH SCHOOL LOOKAHEAD
WESTFIELD – While some high school teams have tipped off their basketball seasons – the Gateway boys have already played three games – others are still trudging through the cumbersome preseason.
At Westfeld Voc-Tech, the Tigers’ girls’ hoops team is still running through drills, sprints, and learning the “X’s” and “O’s” of head coach Matt Seklecki’s chalk talk.
“We’re young, very young,” said Seklecki. “I have no idea what to expect this year.”
One thing for certain, Voc-Tech will return three starters – senior point guard Brandi VanGelder, senior shooting guard Nadine Tran, and junior forward/center Shannon Michael – to form what Seklecki has dubbed the Tigers’ “Big Three.”
“Every school, every team goes through the same things we do,” Seklecki explained. “Every year, the girls talk about how we’re going to survive because of so and so graduated. Every school has its ups and downs. Those are just the ebbs and flows of (high school) basketball. I told our girls it’s an opportunity for them to show what they can do. …We’ll be competitive.”
“Our first few games, we might be wobbly,” he added. “But wait until halfway through the year before you judge us. I see a lot of potential.”
Fans will get their first opportunity to see the Tigers on Tues., Dec. 18 at Southwick-Tolland Regional High School. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.
NOTES: There will be no junior varsity team at Westfield Voc-Tech this season, due to administrative moves at the school. …The varsity squad will consist of 14 players, including one freshman.
St. Mary’s Lindsay Hunter (5) leads the team down the court against PVCS during the 2011-12 season. (File photo by Chris Putz)
SAINTS SEEK REDEMPTION: The Saint Mary High School girls’ basketball team will look to bounce back from a tough loss against Sci-Tech on Wednesday evening.
“It was a good measuring tool,” Saints’ coach Dave Breglio said of the Cybercats’ victory. “We have to find our own.”
Senior co-captains Jeannette Peretti, Hannah Sullivan, and Lindsay Hunter, and returning junior Abbie Rix will look to overcome their next obstacle – the Southwick Rams.
St. Mary’s travels to Southwick-Tolland Regional Friday for a 6 p.m. tilt.
BOMBERS WRESTLE WITH EARLY SUCCESS: The Westfield High School wrestling team followed up a fifth-place tournament finish last weekend with a 48-30 win over Chicopee late Wednesday. The Bombers won nine of 14 matches against the Pacers.
“It was impressive,” Westfield coach Bob Coe said. “We’ve got holes to fill and we’re trying to make up for points (of graduated seniors). …But guys are stepping in and doing a great job.”
Coe rattled off several names who looked impressive in the season-opening tourney, including Westfield 182-pounder Domenic Liquori (who pinned his entire way to a title), Kyle Nutting (who lost to the third-ranked wrestler in a tight match), Chris Galvin (3rd place finish), Sean Donofrio, New York transfer Nick Snow, and Austin Shrewsburg, among others.
Next up for Westfield: the Albany Academy Duals. The Bombers will wrestle two matches Friday night, and all day Saturday.
“There is a lot of wrestling that’s going to happen this weekend,” Coe said. “Our guys are going to get a lot of experience.”
Also on the horizon, a key matchup at Putnam next Wed., Dec. 19, at 7 p.m.
