Through the midway point of the season, Old Rochester Regional/Fairhaven hockey was out and down on its luck with a 2-7-1 record. After losing several important parts from the 2017-2018 group and ushering a new coach, Chuck Jancaterino, and a new coaching style with it, it made sense the program would experience an adjustment period.
“We lost a couple games there and we talked to the kids and said, ‘I’m not coming here and yelling at you guys. You’re down 3-0 and there wasn’t anybody that quit on this team,’” Jancaterino said, alluding to ORR/Fairhaven’s 3-1 January 16 loss to Apponequet/Bishop Connolly/Old Colony. “‘Everybody played until the end. The only way you can get back into this thing is to keep doing what you’re doing. Just come out, compete, work hard in practice and stay with it. Don’t get frustrated: don’t get down: don’t start thinking we’re never going to win a game.’”
What wasn’t expected was the 5-0-2 run the Bulldogs went on in response. The stretch concluded with a 3-0 loss to Plymouth South on Saturday, but it still gave the Bulldogs a chance to qualify for postseason play with a win and a tie in their last two games of the season.
“They’ve persevered,” Jancaterino said. “They’re mentally tough, yeah. They’re committed to the program no matter what. They want to compete. When the going gets tough and you all stay together and you keep working hard, keep going at it, that’s how you get out of slumps and going out of the right direction.
“You got to give credit to the seniors,” Jancaterino said. “They held it together. It just turned around. You get a win and it just keeps building.”
The two seniors leading the charge have been forward Sam Austinand defenseman Owen Powers. Austin leads the team with 12 goals and 21 points, while Powers had 10 assists to his name along with his nine goals (19 points). Junior Robert Ramseyand sophomore Ben Austin, Sam’s younger brother, have both pitched in 18 points apiece.
But the rock for ORR/Fairhaven has been goalie Jacob Demoranville. Over 500 shots have come the junior’s way this year and he’s still maintained a 2.29 goals-against average and 93 save percentage.
Following Tuesday’s matchup against Plymouth North, the Bulldogs take on Plymouth South again, this time in Plymouth, on Wednesday at 5:30 pm.
Old Rochester Regional boys swimming took home the Division 2 State Title in an event, with Jacob Cuocotaking first in the 100 butterfly, a 50.96-second effort. Colin Kulakwas the Bulldogs’ other top finisher, placing 10thin the 50 freestyle (23.18 seconds).
ORR’sMegan Nolancontinues to dominate in goal for BMW/ORR girls hockey. The junior has saved 454 of the 476 shots that have come her way this season (.954 save percentage) and only averages 1.34 goals against.
Old Colony
After making a last-minute push, Old Colony came up just shy of qualifying for the postseason, finishing with a 9-11 record. The Cougars entered their final six games of the season with a 4-10 record, needing to win six in a row. They won four before their first loss, but still managed to close out with a win, knocking off South Shore 39-26. The Cougars graduate Lauren Patenaude, Hannah L’Heureux, and Lauren McGowan.
Old Colony boys basketball was unable to capture the Mayflower Small Vocational championship, falling short against South Shore, 61-52. Both Jake Jasonand Zach Soucyscored 18 points each in the loss, with Tony Wrightpitching in 10. The Cougars (17-3) await State Vocational Tournament seeding prior to Division 4 State Tournament play.
Tabor Academy
Tabor Academy girls hockey came up just shy in the Independent Schools League regular season title, with the Noble and Greenough winning 4-3. Cindy Giandomenicogot the scoring started for the Seawolves to make it 1-1. Abby Newhooklater scored with Tabor down 3-1. Annie Berrybrought it to within one goal for the Seawolves, but Tabor (18-1-3) would come up just short.
High School Sports Update
By Nick Friar