GDRHS WINTER Pre-season Preview

WINTER TRACK AND FIELD

Coaches: Angus MacDonald and Colleen Naboicheck

Record: Inaugural season

Captains

Girls: Annie Gold, Briana Bozkurt, Sammie Ferraro, Emily McAuliffe

Boys: Evan Lexo, Lucas Acaba, Nate Danti, John Thorburn

Promising Athletes

Girls: Emily Willson, Emily McAuliffe, Sammie Ferraro, Meagan Odell

Annie Gold, Briana Bozkurt, Brianna Considine

Boys: Evan Lexo, Lucas Acaba, John Thorburn, Nate Dante, Tom Alden

Promising Newcomers

Girls: Olivia Dunsmoor, Lexi Ferraro, Aleigha Hilberg, Nicki Little

Boys: Jordan Dorff, Pat O'Malley, Tristan Naboicheck, Riley Patten

Outlook: Evan Lexo and Jordan Dorff have excellent potential. Emily Willson is a talented runner.

Annie Gold, Emily McAuliffe, Briana Bozkurt, Brianna Considine, Sammie Ferraro, and Olivia Dunsmoor are very capable runners.

"Coach MacDonald and I are so excited to have a varsity indoor track team," enthused Colleen Naboicheck. "The kids are motivated."

GDRHS' first meet is at Fitchburg HS, Dec.13 at 9 a.m.

BOYS BASKETBALL

Coach: Greg Gillette (2 year).

Record last year: 8-12

Captains: Ronnie Peck, Corey Romich

Key Losses through graduation: Bobby Flanagan, Scott Csaplar, Eric Parsons, Matt Werner

Starters: Shooting guard-Tyler LeClerc (10), skilled player with a good shooting touch. Point - Corey Romich (11), consummate player, excellent team defender and pure shooter. Forward - Gavin Keough (10), versatile, talented scorer with solid basketball I.Q. Forward - Drew Moore (12) athletic, quick, outstanding defender. Center - Ronnie Peck (12), leader, tough, intelligent, intense rebounder.

Off the bench: Logan Higgins (10) will play point/shooting guard; quick, scrappy. Dan Howes (11), tough, physical, can finish, forward/center. Ethan Cook (10), good scorer, smart player, off-guard/small forward. Parker Blodgett (12) good size, athletic, good rebounder, forward/center. Joe Orlando (12), great attitude, competitive, can score, off -guard, small forward. Brandan Medeiros (11) confident player, tough, gritty, can score. Jacob Barnes (11) forward, intense, constantly hustles; never stops working.

Concerns: Tough schedule, starting with Shepherd Hill, Algonquin, Tyngsborough, Littleton and Fitchburg. A talented but young team.

Strengths: Chemistry, leadership, overall team speed, good scorers.

Goals: Play intense, solid, smart basketball. Compete for league title; qualify for the Clark Tournament.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Coach: Mark Hennelly (13th Year)  

Record last year: 8-12

Captains: Seniors Lindsay Werner and Melyssa Langell

Key Losses through graduation: Celina Antonellis, Kim Contonio

Starters: Lindsay Werner, point guard- exceptional ball handler, can create offense, gifted competitive athlete . Melyssa Langell, guard/forward-solid, excellent shooter, very competitive, talented  player. Hanna Van Pelt (10), forward/center-can score inside/outside, strong, physical rebounder, three point range. Kara Jussaume (11), guard, small/forward, excellent ball handler and defender. Jenna Plausse (11), Guard/forward, impressive pre-season, tenacious, three-point shot, rebounder, versatile.

Off the bench: Ariana Lacombe (12) forward - physical, athletic, strong rebounder. Nicole Georges (12) guard- game has improved, always 100% effort, aggressive, scrappy player. Alex Pray (12), forward-athletic, determined, aggressive  rebounder. Niki Eggiman (10)  guard - tireless worker, effort, game changer, can shoot the three, excellent defender. Val Lutkevitch (11) forward - a smart, talented skilled, solid team player. Nicole Moody (11) guard - athletic, excellent defender. Brielle LeClerc (10) guard - runs the floor well, good defender, all positives, very pleasant surprise. Abby Hoey (9) forward - good height, rebounder, nice inside game, very coachable. Jordan Wynn (9) guard /forward - high basketball I.Q., quick learner, understands the game, rebounder, excellent defender.

Strengths: Deep, talented team. Unselfish group, nice mix of young and veteran players, lots of positives.

Concerns: Starting season with some injuries; schedule, Quabbin/Nashoba in particular.

Outlook: "The effort is there," said coach Mark Hennelly. "If we can stay healthy, we will be a team to be reckoned with. We have the talent to compete for the league championship. Why not us?"