Bellingham Sports Spotlight
By Eli Sylvia
BOYS’ BASKETBALL HOPEFUL TO QUALIFY FOR STATE TOURNAMENT
The boys’ Varsity Basketball Team has gotten off to a 2-7 start. The Hawks are currently shooting 30% and averaging 39 points per game. Coach T.J. Chiappone points to inconsistent shooting as the major culprit of the teams’ record.
“Our players are working very hard in practice and showing improvements in several areas, but to impact the final results, we need to shoot better in games.”
The highlight of the season has been the teams’ performance in their annual Barry Hutchinson Memorial Tournament held in honor of former BHS basketball coach Barry Hutchinson. The Hawks defeated Blackstone Valley Prep in Cumberland, RI, in the first round by a score of 70-53. Senior captain Richard Laroche had 25 points, and 15 rebounds, and fellow senior Cameron McDonald contributed 13 points. Bellingham lost in the finals to Wayland in a low scoring defensive battle. The final score was 29-28, with Richard Laroche leading the way again with 11 points.
Coach Chiappone expressed how proud he was of his players and explained that their effort and intensity embodied what the late Coach Hutchinson stood for. Laroche, and Reed Jean-Louis were both named to the tournament all-star team. The team is looking to continue to improve during the second half of the season and remains hopeful on qualifying for the Massachusetts State Tournament. Seniors Patrick Randazzo, Cole Pike, and Sean Edwards will need to be key contributors down the stretch to make the teams’ tournament goal a reality.
HOCKEY TEAM STRUGGLES AMIDST COVID SPIKE
The start of the season has been a bumpy ride for the boys’ hockey team. They had some tough games, and the games that should have been won, were unfortunately lost. To make things worse, the team is currently dealing with several players testing positive for COVID-19. This alone has wreaked havoc on the line up. The teams’ overall record is 1-6-0, and their TVL record is 0-4. Recently appointed head coach Brad Kwatcher conveys his point of view on the season, “Our team has not played to, what I feel, to be their full potential. We have a busy schedule coming up, and I am hoping that, as we start the second half of the season, we will secure some much-needed wins.” The teams’ goal of making the playoffs looks daunting, but they remain hopeful of reaching that goal.
