LOWELL – While the final horn sounded, No. 1 Hoosac Valley coach Jon Frederick raised his hands in the air while his players ran down the sideline to greet their hometown faithful.
The Hurricanes girls basketball had just defeated No. 2 West Boylston, 71-53, in the Division V girls basketball state championship at the Tsongas Center.
The moment was one that Frederick won’t forget.
“Before the start of each season, we ask the girls what their yearly goal is,” Frederick said. “Last year, their goal was to win Western Massachusetts. But this year’s group came in and was determined to win states. That says a lot about them, who have been working six days per week. It’s awesome for them to see what hard work and commitment can do when you put your mind to it.”
Saturday also marked the eighth time in 10 years the Hurricanes had qualified to compete in the championship round. Hoosac Valley won back-to-back titles in 2019 and 2020 (co-champions) but lost its last appearance in 2022 to Hopedale.
With past experience under their belt, the Hurricanes raised their third state crown in program history.
“These kids know how to play and what is expected,” Frederick said. “I couldn’t be prouder of all of them. I’ve been (with) many of these kids since third grade.
“We can’t stress enough about what we do in Adams and Cheshire. We have volunteers who have been around the youth programs for years. We have had people who have been there for five, 10, or even 20 years to spend time with the youth ... we all know the kids, and those coaches know what we’re trying to do up here. Having that continuity and those volunteers makes this program as successful as it is.”
Saturday’s win marked the Hurricanes’ 16th in a row. The program closed out their season with a record of 23-3.
Frederick is thankful that his five seniors in Hanna Shea, Haley McNeice, Ashlyn Lesure, Abby Scialabba, and Taylor Garabedian got to finish their high school careers on top.
“The system has remained the same over the last 15 years,” Frederick said. “Nothing has changed except the coaches and players. Otherwise, the system basically covers third grade up through high school. I’m just helping steer the ship and then putting a little fuel on the fire when needed to make it easy.”
Hoosac Valley players celebrate after defeating West Boylston in the Division V girls basketball state championship on Mar. 16, 2024 in Lowell.Gage Nutter
Garabedian scored a team-high 22 points for Hoosac Valley on Saturday, while Lesure (16) and Scialabba (16) combined for 32 points. McNeice and Shea posted five and four points, respectively.
After the Hurricanes defeated Pioneer Valley to earn their third consecutive regional crown last month, the MIAA awarded them the top seed in the upcoming D-V tournament. Following a first-round bye, Hoosac Valley posted three straight double-digit wins against Norfolk Aggie, Mahar, and Saint John Paul II to reach the state semifinals.
But to compete in its first state championship since 2019, the Hurricanes needed to defeat a familiar face in Renaissance, who entered the contest with an undefeated record of 24-0. As both teams continued to go back and forth, Scialabba hit a late shot to ensure Hoosac Valley ended the Phoenix’s streak and punched the Hurricanes’ ticket back into the finals.
“This win feels great,” Scialabba said on Saturday. “I’ve been playing with this group of seniors since fourth grade, and this was our dream. We’re so happy we were able to do it together. Coach Frederick needed me to drive during the second half because the opposition was double-teaming Taylor. I kept driving to give me more opportunities, and they were going in.
“It feels amazing to win a state championship, and I can’t wait to see it on that banner.”
