STAMFORD/WESTHILL WINTER SPORTS PREVIEWS
GIRLS HOCKEY (STAMFORD, WESTHILL, STAPLES CO-OP)
Coaches: John Fay and Steve Falcone Co-Coaches
Key returnees: Meadow Gilchrist (Sr. Forward), Alyssa Gioia (Sr. Forward), Piper Fine (Sr. Defense), Sydney Butler (Sr. Goaltender), Paige Tuccinardi (Jr. Forward) Chloe Hackett (Jr. Forward) Kim Boyd (Jr. Defense)
Key losses:
Outlook: “The team has a strong core of upperclass leadership as well as talented group of freshman and sophomores who should make significant contributions,” coach Steve Falcone said. “Expectations are high with goals of earning a spot in the FCIAC and State playoffs.”
Coach: Rick Lewis
Key returnees: Hudson Jang (Free and Back), Jaden Jang (IM and Breast), and Nicholas Kopczewski (Free and Back), and John Frankowski (Back, IM, Free)
Key losses: Cole Williams (Hamilton), Bram Johnston (Notre Dame), Sammy Lai (Notre Dame), Panos Ketonis (Notre Dame)
Outlook: Along with the returnees, the team has a bunch of newcomers in Aryan Hassija (Breast and Fly), Peter Mottolese (IM, Fly, Free), Peter Christian (Free and Breast). Others that may contribute include Sawyer Price, Georgiy Zemlevskiy, Michael Frankowksi and Zach Goldberg.
Coach: Daniel Lauture
Key returnees: Davion Pinn (Jr, F/C); Christopher Portuondo (Jr, G/F); Joeseph Salvatore (So., G); Chris Nanna (Jr. F/C); Lukas Sotell (Sr.)
Key Losses: Isiah Jackson SG (Senior Captain last year)
Outlook: “We have a Young team with experience and enthusiasm,” coach Daniel Lature said. “Not into making predictions but I want our team to play hard and execute in every practice and game.” Freshman Ejai Presley is expected to make an impact as is a transfer in junior guard Brian Rose, who played at Archbishop Stepinac.
Coach:
None
SWIMMING (STAMFORD/WESTHILL CO-OP) STAMFORD BOYS BASKETBALL WESTHILL BOYS BASKETBALL Howard White
Key returnees: 6-3 G/F Sr. Aidan Lamothe 11.5 ppg, 12 rebound per game; 1st ALL FCIAC Sr. G, 5-7 Jeyson Slade 12ppg, 5 rebound, 5 assist per game; Sr. G 5’9 Anderson Graham 8 ppg and 7 assist.
Key Losses: Ben Pennella, Gregson Miller, Ryder Kautz (Transfer to Prep School), Jack McHale (Transfer to Fairfield Prep)
Outlook: The Vikings will also be starting seniors Chris Gattuso at shooting guard and 6-foot-5 Christopher Rene at center. Coming off the bench are Sr. Sergio Lemus, Sr. Keith Sapp, Sr. Luke Cannon, So. Jeremiah Winchester, Jr. Aren Lamothe, Sr. Nisir Thornton and Sr. Marvens Blanc Jr. “The key to this season is our basketball team speed and are team defense,” coach Howard White said. “The biggest thing is our team bench that can go 10 or more players deep that step and play a key role to this year team.”
STAMFORD GIRLS BASKETBALL
Coach: Diane Burns
Key returnees: Madison Lockery (5’10”, guard, 8ppg, 5 rebounds, All FCIAC 2nd team); Charlie Karukas (5’6” guard, 6ppg 5 rebounds 3 assists, All FCIAC Honorable Mention as a freshman and sophomore); Samantha Albert (5’11” junior forward, 10.4ppg, 7 rebounds, All FCIAC Honorable Mention); Carly Diamond (Sr. Captain); Chloe Sotell (sophomore, point guard, 5’10”, 8.6ppg, 6.7assists, 3.3 steals, All FCIAC Honorable mention); Breanna Jacobs (5’9” senior guard), Isabella Edwards (6’1” senior guard)
Key losses: None
Outlook: With all the starters and a few bench players back from last season, the Stamford girls should compete for both the FCIAC and CIAC Class LL Championships.
WESTHIL GIRLS BASKETBALL
Coach: Mike Smeriglio
Key returnees: Audra Hansen Sr. captain C; Olivia Conte Sr. captain F; Jane Bautista Jr. G; Cayla Meek So. G; Briana Cepeda So. G/F; Kate Telesca Jr. G/F
Key Losses: Maddie Bautista, Peyton Hackett
Outlook: “We hope to round out the line up with younger players who have been impressive at practice,” coach Mike Smerglio said. “We are hoping for improvement and a state tournament bid.”
STAMFORD INDOOR TRACK
Coaches: Boys: Joe Cozza (Head), Al Forsyth (Assistant). Girls: Adam Scianna (Head), Donnovan Prawl (Assistant)
Key returnees: Alana Goldhaber Sr, Darline Felurimond Sr, Elly Fox So, Casey Ciocci Sr, Gener Morales Sr, Matthew Torres Jr
Key losses:
Outlook: “Due to Covid, our athletes did not get the chance to compete last indoor season so this will be the first ‘real’ indoor season for our seniors since they were sophomores,” girls track coach Adam Scianna said. “We are excited to welcome back Coach Al Forsyth how has many decades of track experience across a number of school districts and was previously a head boys coach at Stamford. This will be the first time he is joining our indoor track program.”
Coach:
Key returnees: Sr. Co-Captain Maxwell Beldotti (145), Sr. Co-Captain Justin Leung (113), Jr. Co-Captain: Samantha Yapp (returning Girls CT State Champ at 106) first female co-captain at SHS and FCIAC, Jr. Damian Puebla (195), Malik Francois (heavyweight)
Key losses:
None
STAMFORD WRESTLING
Jaime Camacho
None
Outlook: “Last year’s senior class lost the opportunity to finish their wrestling career,” coach Jaime Camacho said. “This year we have a very young team with many freshman and sophomores. Three of them, Frank Bear, Jaden Hollingsworth and Luis Velez have come through the Stamford Junior wrestling program with some middle school wrestling experience and the rest of the squad are brand new to wrestling. This year we have we have six girls registered for the team after only having only one or two in the history of Stamford wrestling. These girls get to train with each other and the boys but their primary motivation is the girl’s only State Championship Tournament held at the end of the season.”