Tourney Roundup
Early Exit for Three Bellingham High Playoff Teams
By KEN HAMWEY,
Bulletin Sports Writer
Bellingham High’s three playoff teams for the spring included boys’ volleyball, softball and boys’ lacrosse. The volleyball team advanced to the second round before elimination and the boys’ lacrosse and softball squads were ousted in the opening rounds. Following is a roundup of their seasons.
VOLLEYBALL
The Blackhawks opened the tourney by downing Doherty High of Worcester, 3-1, in a match that feature intense play spiced with exciting kills, blocks and assists. The scores were 25-14, 22-25, 25-23, and 25-23.
After Bellingham’s opening-set triumph, Doherty bounced back and beat the Blackhawks, 25-22, sending a message that the Highlanders weren’t going away quietly.
BHS coach Steve Mantegani said after the match that he warned his forces that an all-out effort would be needed to eliminate Doherty.
“They made us work,’’ he emphasized. “We played tough in the last two sets, winning both by 25-23 margins. We were mentally strong, and we played with emotion.’’
BHS, which was seeded at No. 16, got excellent results from setter Aidan Gibbs, middle hitter Hesrick Richards, and outside hitter Wagner Lourenco. Gibbs had 30 assists; Richards had 3 blocks and 9 kills; and Lourenco, who compiled 10 kills, got the big hit that won the final game and ended the match.
Doherty was seeded No. 17 and its first-year coach, Tom O’Neil, lauded the Blackhawks for their victory.
“Both teams were evenly matched,’’ he said. “Bellingham is talented, well-coached and they kept their mistakes to a minimum. Their setter (Gibbs) and their middle blocker (Richards) are terrific competitors.’’
O’Neil also praised his squad, which entered the tourney at 13-3.
“We rely on being gritty, and we compete hard,’’ he emphasized. “We were 4-2 in the Inter-high League, facing Worcester North, Worcester South and Burncoat.
Four of Doherty High’s players were cited by O’Neil for top-notch efforts. They included outside hitter Kevin Bourget (17 kills), setter Ardenio Lezi (27 assists), outside hitter Cam Kelly (9 kills), and Brendan O’Malley (9 Kills).
Facing Agawam, the top seed in Division 2, made the Blackhawks’ second-round encounter a very difficult task. The 80-mile trip took an hour and 40 minutes, delayed because of an accident on the Mass. Pike.
Agawam, located near Springfield, rolled to a 3-0 victory (25-20, 25-13 and 25-14).
“We were sluggish and simply didn’t bring any energy,’’ Mantegani said. “We gave them a battle in the first game, which gave us some hope. But they’re a very strong program and were the better team. If we had the necessary energy to compete with them, I think the last two games could have been closer.’’
Agawam was led by outside hitter Joseph Culhane (11 kills); right-side hitter Dennis Nesen (10 kills); and setter David Dzhenzherukha (28 assists).
“Hesrick had six kills for us,’’ Mantegani noted. “He played a solid match, but we should have got the ball to him more. He’ll be one of the strongest players in the Tri Valley League next year.’’
The Blackhawks lose only three seniors and will have their core group returning. “We were 15-5 before the tourney, and we should be able to have another good regular season next year,’’ Mantegani said.
LACROSSE
The BHS boys’ lacrosse team, which was seeded No. 29 in the Division 4 tourney, faced sixth-seed Oakmont Regional in the opening round, losing 15-8, in a contest that was much closer than the final score.
The loss ended the post-season for Bellingham, which entered the playoffs with a 6-13 record.
Coach Steve Linehan’s Blackhawks fell behind by scores of 5-0 early in the first quarter and 8-3 at the end of the first period. BHS regrouped and cut its deficit to 10-7 at halftime. “We knew what our mistakes were defensively, and we corrected them to make it anyone’s game,’’ Linehan said.
Midway through the third quarter, the Blackhawks nudged closer, making it 10-8. But, with three minutes left in the match, the Blackhawks were down, 12-8. “I wanted to get some seniors in and take some out so they could get the applause they deserved,’’ said Linehan. “Oakmont took advantage of that situation and scored some late goals. Our guys showed resilience, and we’re proud of their efforts.’’
The Blackhawks’ eight goals were scored by four players, each of whom notched two goals. They included senior captains Ryan Austin and Brady Carroll and junior Kyle Connors and sophomore Charlie Baker.
Austin scored 36 goals for the season and finished with 131 for his career, which is No. 1 in the program’s 20-year history. Carroll tallied 33 goals for the season and finished with a career total of 108, third highest for the program.
Oakmont’s Spartans had seven players combine for their 15 goals. “They are talented and well-skilled,’’ Linehan said. “And, their coach, Sean Nally, complimented our players, saying that we were the classiest team they faced all year.‘’
The Tri Valley League coaches awarded the Blackhawks the Sportsmanship Award for the 2025 season, and it marks the third time they captured that honor in the last four years. “That means a lot,’’ said Linehan, who is stepping down as head coach after nine years. “That’s a personal award. It shows that coaches respected our style and discipline.’’
SOFTBALL
The Blackhawks, who finished 8-10 during the regular season, bowed to Clinton, 9-6, in the opening round of the Division 4 tournament, but coach Courtney Parker’s contingent continues to take the necessary steps to get back on track as a force in the Tri Valley League.
The 2025 squad topped last season’s record of 5-15 and has come a long way from 2023 when the varsity program did not field a team.
“We lose only one senior and return the nucleus almost fully intact,’’ Parker said. “We’ll be more experienced, and our goals will be to top .500, remain competitive in the TVL, and go deeper in the playoffs.’’
The BHS offense was sufficient against Clinton, but Parker said after the game that “it’s a combination of our pitching and defense that needs improvement.’’
Clinton pitcher Leo Repole not only hurled a solid game, but she also was dominant at the plate. She led the Gaels, going 3-for-5 with a double and four RBIs. On the mound, she sparkled, striking out 10 and recording the 300th strikeout of her career.
“She played a great game and had tremendous command,’’ Parker said. “She had lots of spin on her pitches, and her riser was very effective. They got timely hits, and we couldn’t put the pieces of the puzzle together, even though we battled hard. We were competitive, but we left eight runners on base.’’
Five Bellingham players contributed on offense —Jacobi Houston (single, 2 RBIs); Ashley Kamin (3-for-4, 2 singles, a double and 2 stolen bases); and Stephanie Painchaud, Lilly Proler, and Cassidy Leger each had a single and an RBI.
Parker is hoping her third varsity year will continue to build on the results of her first two campaigns. BHS has been to the playoffs in both of her two seasons. “Six girls will play club ball during the off-season, and I’ve encouraged the girls to get stronger physically and work on their mechanics and technique during the summer.’’
