Winter sports season is underway at SHS, and new team captains are stepping up to lead. 

The SHS hockey program is positioned to dominate, and senior captains James Sullivan and Johnny Donahue are “hoping to build great connections with the team and work on their team goal–winning.” This year, the team is hoping to make it as far as TD Garden, like they did in the past season, and win. The captains look forward to pasta parties and bonding with their teammates. They are excited for the younger players to create new chemistry with the grades below. Typically, towns like Marshfield have been their toughest opponent, and teams will be hyped up to compete against them. They advise SHS to “have spirit and be respectful.” The support from the fans is crucial to having a good game and a successful season. The program got an extra boost with new equipment, such as jerseys, pants, and socks for the 2023-2024 season. 

The SHS basketball teams have been hard at work. This year’s boys’ basketball team captains include seniors Ryan Dunn, Michael Porter, and Brian Good. Dunn believes the team will be great this year because “the team has many seniors, so there is a good connection between players.” Dunn hopes to have a successful season and make it far into the tournament. His favorite part of the season is “home games, team dinners, and big crowds at the games,” which SHS fans can make happen! Porter has committed to Ithaca College in Ithaca, New York, to continue his basketball and academic career. He commented, “I can’t wait to keep playing the sport I love and meet new people at a great school.” In the past seasons, Whitman Hanson has been their most difficult opponent, and the team is hoping to crush them this year on February 15th. Dunn says he wants everyone to “come to support the team.” 

The girls’ basketball program has a new head coach, Amy McDonald, and new energy with this year’s captains, seniors Casey McKeever, Isabella Burns, and Louisa Kinsley. McKeever hopes to “establish a good sense of community” within the team and win more games. To prepare for the season, the team participated in early morning practices. With a good number of talented players who have previously played on the varsity team, Burns predicts they will have a “great season,” adding, “We are a scrappy and hardworking team.” In addition, McKeever described her favorite aspects of the season: “Being around everyone, pasta parties, team bonding–it’s more enjoyable to win when you are close.” Traditionally, one of their most formidable opponents is Pembroke, so the team is hoping for extra Sailor support during the January 26th game in Pembroke, scheduled to start at 6:00 PM. McKeever commented that she wants “more fans to show up and show support!”