As the ice hockey and swim teams at both schools are all off to good starts, the remainder of the winter sports teams at WW-P are preparing for the opening weekend that begins Friday, December 17.
This season featured an early crosstown rivalry match, as the South boys’ and girls’ swim teams defeated North on December 9. The ice hockey teams are each off to good starts — both undefeated — as North is 4-0-1, and South is 3-0-1.
While we previewed the ice hockey, swim, and South girls’ basketball seasons in the December 3 edition, here is a look at the upcoming seasons for the rest of the teams:
Boys’ Basketball
North. The Knights are returning four of their five top scorers and hope to continue the improvement they began last year, when they went 9-16.
Senior forward Ethan Harel was among the leading scorers in the CVC last season before injury caused him to miss the team’s final 10 games. Along with Harel, the team also returns sophomore guard Mike Klotz, who hit 23 3-pointers last season. Junior guard Chris Banks, sophomore forward Darrien Banks, and senior center Brandon Johnson, sophomore forward Chris Okorodudu, junior center Paul Silva, and senior center Will Whipple, are also looking to make a big impact for North this season.
South. While the Pirates are returning only two seniors, forward Erick Bierck and guard Jake Donohue, they have depth in talent among the younger players.
The team will consist mostly of juniors: Ryan Dontas, guard, Isaiah Edmonds, forward, Chris Evans, guard, Troy Fernandez, guard, Maurquees Grant, guard, Sagar Patel, forward, and Ryan Witter, forward. But the team will also see contributions from guard Zavon Johnson, Brian Mathews, forward, and Bryan Rivers, guard — all sophomores. The team hopes to build on its 10-13 record from last year.
Girls’ Basketball
North. The Knights had a good 16-11 showing last season and hope to extend their record this year behind sophomore guard Jacqui Klotz, who returns after averaging 16.1 points in her freshman year and making All-CVC second team.
Despite losing key contributors in Lexie Forsell, Denise Pyfrom, Jackie Silva, and Kathryn Davis to graduation, North will also return juniors Kerry McNelly, Marilyn Allen, Alyssa Avino, and Brianna King.
The team will welcome talented newcomers seniors Isha Agrawal, Kristin Isnardi; sophomores Vanessa Tatulli and Kayla Foster, and Marybeth Carson; and freshmen Sarah McNelly and Lauren Schwartzman.
Wrestling
North Coming off a dismal 0-17 season last year, the North wrestling team returns some key talented players. Returning are seniors Kevin Mansfield (135 pounds), James Mulhall (145), and Matt Persico (160), as well as juniors Chris Bryde (112), Sean Tsaur (130), and Chris Bracone (152).
The team has a slate of newcomers, as well. Juniors Will Rothschild (145 pounds) and Logan Ohlson (171) as well as sophomores Louis Garcia (160) and Omar Abdelhady (215) will join the Knights this year. Also new to the team are freshmen Joe Bryde (103), Hasnain Shaikh (140), Elija Anseaume (119), and Christian Diaz (103).
“While we will have success on an individual basis, we will be hard pressed tow in meets because of forfeits,” said Coach Bill Mealy, who is entering his 11th season as head coach.
South. The Pirates made great strides toward improvement last season, finishing with a record of 5-10, and they are looking to continue the progress this year. This year’s lineup features seniors Mike DeJesus (112 pounds), Kory Beach (125), Brian Ogelsby (125), Christian Balevsky (152), Victor Tang (160), Austin Scharfstein (189), Liam Kiernan (215), and Billy Baugher (215).
Rounding out the roster are juniors Tom Loury (145), Ryan Steiner (1710, and Phil Kellam (215); sophomores Etai Yonah (103), Jack Gliem (110), Ryan Moshman (110), and Bryan Kim (125); and freshman Noah Kreutter (125).
Fencing
At North, the Knights will return Robert Goldhirsch for the foil squad. Last year, Goldhirsch, a senior, finished 25-3 in dual meets, placed fourth in the district, and finished 11th at the state individuals. At state squads, he had 12 victories.
South also returns a key fencer — senior Steven Yang — who will lead the Pirates’ sabre squad. Last year, he ranked 15th among juniors in the nation and tied for third at a North American Cup B event last month. He finished third in the state tournament last year.
For the girls, South will return senior Sharon Gao, who was ranked 19th among juniors last season, to their foil squad.
