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Boys Varsity Basketball Winter Wrap (20-3 overall; 12-0 HVAL)

Two-Time Champions Once Again!

What a truly marvelous winter season Harvey’s boys varsity basketball team gave us this year! The Cavaliers repeated what they had done in the 2022-2023 season in capturing both the HVAL and NEPSAC championship trophies and doing so riding a 15-game winning streak from mid-season to the glorious end of their winter campaign.

When the Cavs concluded their 2023-24 season on a sour note as the runner-up in each of the two championship rounds, head coach Denis Arnautovic and assistant Connor Welles ’10 vowed to do everything they could to help the team reclaim their two crowns.  

“We used last year’s close losses in the HVAL and NEPSAC tournaments as motivation for this season to work even harder and put ourselves in a position to get another shot at both titles,” Coach Arnautovic said. The players embraced the challenge and responded in a big way by first going undefeated against HVAL opponents, 10-0 in the regular season and 2-0 in the playoffs. Against their HVAL rivals, the Cavs racked up at least 80 points in seven of the 12 league games and averaged 71 points per game while giving up an average of only 42. Then, in the NEPSAC tournament, Harvey swept the three games they needed to capture the NEPSAC Class C Large Schools championship.

Coach Arnautovic offered his top three highlights as returning to the NEPSAC tourney for the third year in a row, clinching the No. 1 seed in the NEPSAC championship tournament, and seeing senior captain Jonah Kass score his 1,000^th career point.

For Kass, he capped off his Harvey career by having a tremendous season, averaging a team-leading 16 points per game. In addition to reaching his history-making career milestone to become only the fifth member of the school’s varsity boys program to score 1,000 points, the team’s leading scorer and point guard was selected as the NEPSAC tournament final’s MVP for the second time in his illustrious Harvey basketball career. Coach Arnautovic believes Kass will be long remembered as one of the best clutch performers in the team’s history. “Jonah had his biggest games when it mattered the most, and his hustle and endless motor helped us overcome some tough moments in some very important games along the way this season,” the coach said. Kass, who led the team with 26 points in the NEPSAC title game, earned an HVAL All-League selection and will more than likely also be named All-NEPSAC when league officials announce the winners April 2.

Also putting an exclamation point on his last year was senior guard and co-captain Daniel Bussey who was selected HVAL All-League, All-NEPSAC, and the NEPSAC Class C Large Schools Player of the Year. He led the team in assists, rebounds, steals, and blocks and was second in scoring behind Kass. Coach Arnautovic said, “Daniel made his presence felt in every aspect of the game.” The coach explained, “On defense he would shut players down, block shots, grab rebounds, and initiate transition, and on offense he’d drive the ball with force, score from the perimeter, and so many times ignite the crowds with his dunks.” In the NEPSAC championship game he wowed the crowd with several leaping slam dunks. He finished with 19 points and was the runner-up MVP.  

The team’s third captain and third leading scorer was junior guard Cameron Powell-Spruils who had a terrific season and displayed tremendous improvement from last year. “Cam played a lot more physical this year,” Coach Arnautovic said, adding, “He shot the ball well from deep and used his physicality to create opportunities close to the basket.” The coach also saw Powell-Spruils take a big step in his rebounding. Powell-Spruils earned HVALL All-League Honorable Mention.

Senior forward Jackson Saccomanno, who also earned HVAL All-League Honorable Mention recognition, really upped his game this season. Coach Arnautovic was impressed with his performance all season long. “At forward, Jackson kept post players in check by being physical and often disrupting the opponent’s offensive flow,” Coach Arnautovic said. He added, “His great timing allowed him to out rebound taller opponents taller, and on offense Jackson often scored in the post and at times stretched the defense with perimeter shooting.” 

Another player whose game was markedly improved was junior guard Piotr Pawel Pajewski. Coach Arnautovic praised Pajewski for the effort he put into his goal of becoming a better player. “This was Piotr’s best year by far,” Coach Arnautovic said. “All the work he put in the offseason paid off as he played with a lot of poise on offense,” Coach Arnautovic said, adding, “He was shooting and connecting from deep with confidence, forcing the defense to leave wide gaps for his teammates to drive through.” The coach also saw Pajewski become more physical on defense, making him a force to be reckoned with on both sides of the ball. Pajewski was recognized by the league with an HVAL All-League Honorable Mention.

Two freshmen enjoyed breakout seasons on varsity. Derek Lugo, the first one off the bench, the so-called “sixth man,” showed he is a natural born scorer, finishing his first varsity season as the fourth highest in total points. “Derek showed up big in many games for us this season, a highlight being when he scored the game-winning 3-pointer in a regular season game against a tough Masters (NY) team,” Coach Arnautovic said, adding, “Derek’s season-high 23 point in the HVAL finals is proof that he’s a special talent.” He earned Harvey’s fourth HVAL All-League Honorable Mention selection.

Ninth grader Gavin Botoff provided a spark when he came off the bench as a sub, and his coach recognized his ability to make things happen. “Gavin took advantage of every opportunity he got this season,” Coach Arnautovic said. “From his first game it was obvious what kind of talent Gavin is, not only confident to score but he also plays with his head and finds his teammates in scoring opportunities,” the coach said. One of the big moments this season came in the NEPSAC final when Hampton Hall and Harvey were tied at 67-67 at the 2:00 mark. Called upon to come off the bench unexpectedly to go to the foul line as a substitute shooter for Bussey, Botoff calmly sank both his free throws to give the Cavs a lead they would not relinquish. Coach Arnautovic was impressed with the freshman’s approach and follow-through. He said, “Gavin’s mental strength came to shine when he came off the bench cold and knocked down those two foul shots in the NEPSAC final.”

Coach Arnautovic also acknowledged seniors Will Bland, Brandon Levine, and Rohan Singh and sophomores Carter Burroughs and Zach Roberts "for their contributions to the success of the team and their dedication to the varsity program."

Taking a step back to reflect on the season as a whole, Coach Arnautovic said, “It was a tremendous pleasure to coach this group of kids. The word of the season was “Together.” And together they played. This team was resilient and always believed that they could beat any opponent. Even when things didn't go well, we found ways to win. It was a season that will be remembered as one of the best in Harvey’s basketball history.”

Coach Arnautovic, who was selected by his coaching peers as the NEPSBBA "Co-Coach of the Year," voiced his appreciation of the efforts of his assistant and the school’s athletic director. He said, “I would like to thank my assistant coach Connor Welles and athletic director Ray Lacen for all they do to make us a better team.” 

At the end-of-season dinner, the two coaches announced the names of the players who earned special team awards:

MVP: Daniel Bussey

MIP: Cameron Powell-Spruils

MIP: Derek Lugo

MIP: Piotr Pawel Pajewski

Cavalier Spirit: Jackson Saccomanno

HVAL All-League: Daniel Bussey, Jonah Kass

HVAL Honorable Mention: Piotr Pawel Pajewski, Cameron Powell-Spruils, Jackson Saccomanno

All-NEPSAC: Daniel Bussey, Jonah Kass, Piotr Pawel Pajewski  

All-NEPSAC Honorable Mention: Cameron Powell-Spruils, Jackson Saccomanno

NEPSAC Class C Large Schools Tournament Championship MVP Player of the Game: Jonah Kass

NEPSAC Class C Large Schools Player of the Year: Daniel Bussey

 

Girls Varsity Basketball Winter Wrap (9-10 overall; 8-6 HVAL)

The Cavs Gave Us Much to Cheer About

Harvey’s girls varsity basketball team had a terrific winter season, finishing with the winning record in the HVAL and advancing to the league semifinal with a roster that had only two players from last year’s league championship team. Credit goes to head coach Mike Duignan and assistant Hannah Paul who guided a team of mostly fresh faces to the No.3 seeding in the HVAL playoffs.

It was quite a season for the team’s junior team captain Peyton Forde who became only the third girl to reach the 1,000 career point milestone. A varsity regular since her Harvey debut as a ninth grader, the team’s point guard and top scorer earned her third straight HVAL All-League selection, was chosen as a New England Prep Schools Girls Basketball Association All-Star, and earn ed All-NEPSAC recognition. Forde averaged 27 points and five assists per game and averaged seven steals and six rebounds per game. “Peyton had an outstanding season,” said Coach Duignan, “Not only scoring, but in her all-around performance whether it was rebounding, passing, and leadership.”

Senior center Maria Marcos Muñoz had a remarkable season, especially considering she was playing in her first year of organized high school basketball. The international student from Spain earned HVAL All-League honors and All-NEPSAC honorable mention for her outstanding team-leading rebounding and shot-blocking. She averaged nine rebounds and three blocks per game.

Madison Boothe enjoyed a breakout season in her first year on varsity. The sophomore forward provided excellent defense and was solid under the boards, averaging seven rebounds per game.

Along the way to their semifinal appearance in the playoffs, several regular season moments served as season highlights. One was a 28-point victory over league rival Forman, notable because the Cavs had lost to the Lions by seven points in the two team’s early season match-up. The victory came as part of a four-game winning streak against league opponents. Another season highlight came in the team’s final regular season game when Peyton Forde scored her 1,000^th career point. It was a memorable game not only for Forde’s feat, but also for the fact that it occurred on Senior Day when the team was honoring Marcos Muñoz and Sarah Wolf. A post-season highlight came in the semifinal game on the road against Watkinson. The Rams, who would finish as the HVAL runner-up, had dominated Harvey in their two regular season matchups, but a late-game rally in the playoff semifinal brought the Cavs close to ousting Watkinson from the championship tournament before Harvey fell 37-35 to the Rams.

Coach Duignan takes great satisfaction in how much better the team fared as the season progressed. He said, “The theme of the season and the team was to continue to work hard and improve. The girls played extremely hard during games and in practice all season. We made mistakes, as most players were developing their skills and basketball knowledge, but we learned and improved. We rarely let mistakes or good plays affect the next play. We were always looking ahead and learning from the game, the quarter, the half, or the play before. We always gave great effort and second effort. As a coach I was always proud of our toughness coupled with enthusiasm.” 

At the team dinner, Coaches Duignan and Paul announced the names of the following players who received special team awards:

MVP: Peyton Forde

Most Improved: Madison Boothe

Sportsmanship: Sydney Boothe

Cavalier Spirit:  Sarah Wolf

All-NEPSAC Honorable Mention: Peyton Forde, Maria Marcos Muñoz 

 

Indoor Track & Field Winter Wrap

A Record-Making Season                                                                                        

Harvey’s winter track and field team enjoyed a very busy and prosperous season filled with many outstanding performances. Under the guidance and tutelage of head coach Christian Coscio, along with his assistant Shannon Horan, Harvey athletes set 20 new school records.

Coach Coscio said a lot of the credit for the team’s success should be shared by team captains, Sophia Beldotti, Mollie Weisberger, Ladidi Abdul-Wahab, Benji Cutler, and Spencer Hanson and to Adalay Shalov, the team manager.

Several athletes stood out among the rest. Senior Shae Falconer made huge leaps this season in the shot put, improving her personal best by over 4 feet, breaking the school record a couple of times in the process. She finished third at the New York State Association of Independent School (NYSAIS) Championship Meet, earning a bronze medal. Coach Coscio said the highlight of the year for the team’s shot putter occurred when she set the current record at 31ft 9in.

Junior Mollie Weisberger had a phenomenal season in both the high jump and 55m dash.  She reset the school records in both events. For the high jump, the new record is 4ft 11in and for the 55m it is 8.04 seconds. A personal highlight for Weisberger was placing No.2 at the NYSAIS Championships in the high jump.,

Eighth grader Ally Zimmerman followed up her amazing cross country season last fall with a record-breaking indoor track season. This year, Zimmerman set seven school records in the 400, 600, 800, 1000, 1500, 4x400m relay, and 4x800m relay. She broke the 400, 800, and 1000 records multiple times, while in the other events, she only competed in once this season, or else she may have broken those records again, too. The highlight of the season for Ally was qualifying for nationals in the 800m where she’ll have another chance to better her school record.

Sophomore Aidan Garcia had a slow start to the season but still began well. His February, however, was outstanding, as he smashed the school records in 600m and 800m. “Aidan’s training paid off well and he succeeded in achieving his goals.” Coach Coscio said. Garcia’s personal highlight was running 1:29.72 in the 600m, scoring at the NYSAIS Championship meet, and bettering the 600m record by four seconds.

Coach Coscio said the entire squad deserves recognition. “As always, I am impressed with the dedication of this team,” Coach Coscio said. “We practice outside consistently in the winter months, but it did not deter our athletes from working hard to achieve their goals,” he said.

This year, the team will have the most seniors graduating of any previous year. Coach Coscio said their leadership is evident throughout the program. “Athletes like Sophia Beldotti, Felipe Torres, and Adalay Shalov have been with this team as long as it has existed,” Coach Coscio said, adding, “While we're sad to lose our current seniors, we can rest easy knowing that they helped to set a standard that the next generation of Harvey track and field athletes will continue to uphold.” 

The team gathered for the last time at the end-of-season awards dinner at which time Coach Coscio and Coach Horan announced the names of the athletes who earned special team awards:

Girls

MVP Throwing: Shae-Anne Falconer

MVP Jumping:  Mollie Weisberger

MVP Running:   Ally Zimmerman

Cavalier Spirit:   Adalay Shalov

Boys

MVP: Aidan Garcia

Cavalier Spirit: Ben Lawrence-Comerford

 

Ski Team Winter Wrap

Harvey Racers Making Clear Strides

The Harvey ski team returned to previous heights this winter, scoring more points than they had tallied in several seasons as the Cavaliers competed in four meets against racers from the five other squads in the Berkshire Hudson Ski League (BHSL).

Head coach Simon Leibovic who was assisted by Lily Ryan, is more than satisfied with the team’s overall performance. “I saw improvement from all our racers this year, from our best skiers to those who raced for the first time this year,” Coach Leibovic said, adding, “While there were a few disqualifications this year because of missed race gates, none of our skiers fell on any of their runs, and everyone made it through the season healthy.”

Sophomore Graham Casey’s performance was a highlight of the season. Casey had one top 10 finish, as well as an 11^th place finish, just missing a second top 10 placement by only one second of race time.

With Casey expected to return, Coach Leibovic likes the prospects of a successful season next winter. He said, “I have no doubt he will be faster next year, and this gives me hope and excitement for the future of the program.”

Coach Leibovic said three girls on the team, Whitney Brooks, Zoey Berman, and Vivienne Stoller, also give him reason to smile about the team’s prospects for next year. He was impressed with what he saw in the development of the sophomores Brooks and Berman, and Stoller, a ninth grader. “All three improved over the course of the season, and I am happy to see them succeed as they provide a nice balance of energy to the team,” Coach Leibovic said.

The coach said he feels strongly that “all the skiers can build on their experience racing this year and come back next year with a more aggressive approach to racing with their bolstered confidence.” He is hopeful the Harvey team can improve upon their fifth place finish this year in the BHSL.

At season’s end, the coaches presented the following skiers with special team awards:

Most Improved: Sam Bibawy

Cavalier Award: Vivienne Stoller

 

Varsity Hockey 2025 Winter Wrap (2-11)

Signs of Good Things to Come

Harvey’s varsity hockey team may have been short on wins this winter season but they came up big on showing grit and in displaying pride in performance. Head coach Colton Orr and assistant Cian Keohane ’18 saw a fair share of good things on the ice from the young Cavs. While they wish the players could have been rewarded with more victories for the amount of effort they put into their participation, the coaches were more than satisfied with how the Cavs met their primary goals. 

“This season was about building chemistry and growth,” Coach Orr said. “The players came together, supporting each other both on and off the ice and forming a strong bond that will carry into future seasons,” he said. “We focused on building a strong foundation this year, and I believe we accomplished that,” he added.

An early season highlight came when sophomore forward Dylan Cuddy scored the first Harvey goal of the season. “It was good to be back playing and to get that first goal of the season was a memorable moment that set the tone for our team’s energy and excitement,” Coach Orr said.

Another highlight was Harvey’s defeat of Rye Country Day. Coach Orr said, “It was a significant win that demonstrated our progress and ability to compete against strong opponents.”

The overall performances of several players stood out. Dylan Cuddy led the team in goals and scoring. He had eight goals and six assists for a team-leading 14 points. “Dylan had an impressive ability to create plays from nothing,” Coach Orr said, adding, “He had a natural sense for the puck, often intercepting passes and forcing turnovers.” Coach Orr also singled out Cuddy for doing a fine job as a team leader. “As a captain, Dylan set the standard for effort and leadership,” the coach said.

Two players on defense also had solid seasons. Sophomore forward Ryan Cuddy, a second team captain, led the Cavs in assists with seven. “Ryan never hesitated to sacrifice his body for the team,” Coach Orr said. “Ryan made the transition to defense this season and quickly became a reliable presence on the blue line,” Coach Orr said, adding, “His physical style of play made him tough to play against in the defensive zone.”

Junior defenseman Jackson Biel, another team captain, was one of the fastest skaters in the league. He logged heavy minutes on defense and was a two-way threat, contributing offensively while being responsible in his own end. Coach Orr said that as a captain, Biel provided veteran leadership in the locker room.

The job of goaltending was placed in the capable hands of sophomore Patrick Lonergan who faced 35-45 shots per game and consistently gave the team a chance to win. Coach Orr praised Lonergan for “displaying a strong work ethic and for maintaining a great attitude throughout the season.”

Eighth grader Brendan Lonergan showed flashes of elite-level talent at a young age. “Brendan’s skating and vision made him a standout player with a bright future ahead,” Coach Orr said.

The coach also praised the contributions of sophomore captain Jordan Sheppe, senior forward Johnny “Wheels” Marron, senior defenseman Owen Eysymontt, junior defenseman Connor Hardy, and freshman forward Marlin Bieber. The coach said each “played a vital role in the team’s success, bringing energy, grit, and teamwork every game.”

Reflecting on the season as a whole, Coach Orr likes what he saw from the Cavs in his first year as coach. He said, “This team showed incredible heart and character throughout the season. Whether it was blocking shots, battling in the corners, or staying positive in tough games, every player played a role in our growth. Our captains led by example, and the younger players stepped up, showing that the future of Harvey Hockey is bright.”

Coaches Orr and Keohane selected the following players for special team awards:

MVP: Dylan Cuddy

MIP: Patrick Piacente

Cavalier Spirit: Ryan Cuddy

Corsano Cup: Patrick Lonergan

 

JV Boys Maroon Basketball (10-0) 

A Season Filled with Highlights                                                            

The JV boys maroon basketball team enjoyed a season to remember in the winter of 2025, going undefeated from start to finish. It was quite a feat and noteworthy too was the fact that the Maroons beat in-league teams in seven of the 10 wins.

Head coach Peter Everett notes that racking up win after win in an undefeated season does not come easy. “The difficulty in going undefeated is that it is hard to win 100% of the close ones,” Coach Everett said, adding, “We did that because, when it got tight, our players made plays to win games on both ends of the floor." Coach Everett said he is “immensely proud of the grit this team showed in close games.”

Individual performances served to provide many highlights of the season. Wyatt Bland, one of the three team captains, led or tied for the team lead in scoring in six of 10 games, scoring 10+ points in all his games and netting a season-high 23 points vs. Greens Farms. Dom Bonserio, also a team captain, led or tied in scoring in six of 10 games, tallying 10+ points in eight games, and getting a season and team-high 44 points vs. Hopkins. Marc Bueno collected 10+ points in two games, with a season-high 11 vs. Christian Heritage. Brian Goldban scored 10+ points in two games, and recorded a season-high 14 vs. St. Monica’s. One of top game highlights was provided by Darius Brown who kept the undefeated streak alive by hitting a game-winning basket with no time left at Masters School of Dobbs Ferry.

The maroon team had a terrific offense led by Bonserio who garnered the most points for the season, 182 for a ppg of 18.2 and Bland who was second with 172 total points and a 17.2 ppg. The leaders in making 3-point shots were Bonserio with nine, and captain Jordan Collins and Brian Goldban with seven each. Following close behind were Ben Shaw with six, Bland with five, and Bueno and Cam Lederer with four treys each.

The 2025 JV Maroons were not a one-dimensional squad. In addition to their solid offense and defense, the Cavs’ great success in games came as a result of quality performances under the boards. Bland had 10+ rebounds in four games, with a season-high 16 at Christian Heritage. Bonserio collected 10+ rebounds in three games, recording a season-high 12 vs. Wooster. Bueno had 10+ rebounds in two games, collecting a season-high of 10 twice, once against Greens Farms, and the second versus Christian Heritage. The rebound leaders for the season were Bland with 84, Bonserio with 72, Goldban 44, and Bueno 37.

Assistant coach Rob Griffin was proud to say the Maroons got contributions from everyone this year. “Every player who was available played in every game, so each player gets some satisfaction in helping us win every game," Coach Griffin said.

The two coaches named the following players as winners of the special team awards:

MVP: Dominick Bonserio

Coaches: Wyatt Bland

 

JV Boys Navy Basketball (4-8)

A Team with Grit and Determination                                                             

This winter’s JV boys navy basketball team had their share of adversity, but a true test of character is how you handle it, and the squad pulled together admirably to battle through it.

Head coach Matt Zazzarino and assistant Franklin Mundo did a fine job of guiding the boys through the season, especially during a seven-game losing streak and saw the Cavs come out of it with two gutsy back-to-back-wins to end the season on a high note. “The last two wins of the season were the result of smart, unselfish basketball,” Coach Zazzarino said. “Though we ended the season with a losing record, I’m confident that the team we had become by the end of the season would easily beat the team that arrived on Day One,” added the coach.

It’s not surprising what Coach Zazzarino sees as the top highlight of the season, It came Feb. 18 against the King School, the second-to-last game on the schedule with the Cavs’ losing skid having reached seven. They fought through a tough back-and-forth game and snapped the losing streak with a 65-60, victory with huge scoring nights from Brayden French (17 pts) and Darron Yelling (26 pts). “It would have been easy, and understandable, to approach a game against a tough opponent with pessimism, given the trajectory of the season, but the boys came in determined to win,” Coach Zazzarino said proudly.

The second highlight of the season was what was billed as a "Father vs. Son" match-up against Our Lady of Lourdes of Poughkeepsie. The Harvey coach’s father, Tom Zazzarino, is the coach of the ninth grade team at Lourdes. Their head-to-head match-up was affectionately called the "Zazz Bowl." The Cavaliers gave it their all and managed to keep it a respectable 63-50 loss against a team that plays in a much bigger league with tougher competition. Despite the loss, Coach Zazzarino saw the game as “a great opportunity for the two schools to interact.” He added that he hopes the game with Lourdes will lead to more interaction between the two schools.

The team suffered a major setback early on when Luke Perlyn, a major part of the offense in the first few weeks of the season, broke his foot in a game against Forman. Darron Yelling, who was already the navy squad's top rebounder, stepped up and became the team's leading scorer for the rest of the year. Jonathan Cappucci made solid contributions as a team leader in assists.

 Reflecting on the season as a whole, Coach Zazzarino believes the navy boys grew from the ups and downs of their season. “Our players learned from losses, made adjustments, and never gave up. Each player made great strides at the individual level, but I was proud of how fully they embraced the team ethic. I’m excited to watch these guys succeed in the years ahead.”

Coaches Zazzarino and Mundo selected the following players for special team awards:

Offensive MVP: Darron Yelling

Defensive MVP: Nate Wagner

Cavalier Spirit: Sebastian Swindell

 

Middle School Hockey Wrap (5-0)

Outstanding in Many Ways

What a winter season for the Harvey Middle School hockey team! Guided by head coach Douglas Plaskett and his assistant Kyle Delaney, the young Cavs enjoyed an exciting, undefeated campaign on the ice.

Coach Plaskett identified several highlights from a season that produced plenty. Four games stand out for the coach, two against Rye Country Day School and the two versus Rippowam-Cisqua. “Each game came right down to the end with a victory,” Coach Plaskett said. “These games could have gone either way, but the team refused to lose,” he added.

The team’s success was indeed a full-team effort. Brendan Lonergan, the team’s captain, led the Cavs in scoring with 17 goals for the season. All great hockey teams begin from the goal line out. Hank Gilbert, who recorded a .920 save average, excelled at goalie. “Hank was a star in the net for us all season,” Coach Plaskett said. Will Fottrell played a solid defense all year, helped keep the puck out of the net, and scored important goals, especially the one against GCD that iced the game for Harvey. Jake Schindler aptly filled in to play goalie and defense when the team needed him.

Other players made their mark as well. Matteus Stein scored goals against Rye to propel Harvey to victory. Jackson Bogardus, a workhorse throughout each game, scored an important goal against Ripp to tie the game late in the third period. Marcus Espitia, a new skater who greatly improved throughout the year, always hustled every shift. Emerson Sanchez was a go-to player on the team. “When the game was close, Emerson found himself on the ice,” Coach Plaskett said. Johann Fueting enjoyed a big moment when he  scored the game-winning goal against Ripp. The coach also praised Adam Desrocher for working hard all year to develop his skating, and he singled out Jack Campagna for working hard in practice and for displaying “a team-first attitude throughout the season.”

Reflecting on the season overall, Coach Plaskett voiced his great appreciation of the character and spirit of the team. He said, “We went into the season with only 10 skaters, but the team never quit on themselves, their teammates, or in a game, and that is a great quality.”

Coaches Plaskett and Delaney selected the following players for special team awards:

MVP: Brendan Lonergan

MIP: Jack Campagna

Coaches: Emerson Sanchez

 

Middle School Girls Basketball (1-6)

Clear Signs of Growth                                                     

The Harvey Middle School girls basketball team made some important strides this winter in learning how to play competitively on the court as a unit and in developing their individual skills. Head coach Marcie Hajem and assistant Tessa Knorr were pleased to see the girls under their charge learn and grow.

“During our season we struggled with confidence and basic skills, like boxing out and layups, but slowly and surely the girls started using some of the tips we gave them,” Coach Hajem said. “The best part of the season was the support each player gave to one another,” the coach added.

Needing a point guard, the coaches were happy to see seventh grader Leah Djukic step up and run the offense for most of the season. “It was inspiring to see Leah try something new and take in any feedback we gave her after each game,” said Coach Knorr, who was also pleased with the contributions eighth grader Sam Roberts gave on sparking the offense. “Both Leah and Sam showed great improvement and found some confidence on the court,” Coach Knorr said.

Eighth grader Jadyn Lurie led the team in scoring with 30 points. Sam Roberts was second with 25 while eighth grader Isolda Corena tallied 19 for the season.

Reflecting on the winter campaign, coaches Hajem and Knorr see several positives. Coach Hajem said, “We improved so much, including earning a win, and our stats and points also increased from last year and managed to hit double digits in several of our games.”

The coaches also shared their appreciation of the contributions Aoife Lazzaro, Leah Djukic, and Brydie Groff made on defense. “They were key in helping to slow down many of the point guards from other teams,” Coach Hajem said. 

The coaches also gave a shout-out to Ashley Staudenmaier and Drew Scarfone. “They added some great steals at both ends of the court and helped tremendously in our offense,” Coach Knorr said.

Middle school basketball is all about development, not wins and losses, and Coach Hajem credits the team with maintaining the right approach toward their participation. “The positive attitude and drive of these girls made it fun to coach them,” Coach Hajem said, adding, “They brought joy and the love of the sport to those games and it didn’t even matter if we won or lost, they were working hard to have fun and play the game.”

 

MS Boys Maroon Basketball (3-7)

 

Maroon Team Logs Important Minutes

The Harvey Middle School boys maroon basketball had an up and down season as they honed their skills and gained important on-court experiences. The group, guided by head coach Brendan Byrne, featured a combination of experience and some newcomers to the sport.

Throughout the season the team was anchored by eighth graders Eli Lamberg and Brandon Litofsky. Both players shouldered heavy minutes. Brandon was the team leader in points while Eli was steady defensively and an excellent rebounder.

Sixth graders Logan Brockenbaugh and Jasper Pons-Beltsyk had breakout performances late in the season in a game against the Whitby School, one of the team’s three victories. Other players who made improvements during the season were Matt Leand, Ethan Yelling, and Noah Adams.

In addition to the Whitby victory, the team also defeated Greenwich Catholic and French- American School to finish the season with a 3-7 record.

Coach Byrne selected the following players for the special postseason team awards:

MVP: Brandon Litofsky 

MVP-Defensive: Eli Lamberg

Cavalier Spirit: Logan Brockenbaugh