Category Archives: Sports

Dear Basketball

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Charlie Marcotte’27

I have been new to many things this year. Firstly, I was a new student to Hebron Academy, and I was new to playing basketball. Although the 2025-2026 basketball season may not go down as Hebron’s best season, I believe it was a successful one. The JV team managed to rack up three wins on their way to their JV championship appearance, in which they played a strong game and only lost to Hyde by a few points. As for varsity, the team may have not seen the same success as the JV team had, but they saw success in a different way. Even with the changing roster, Varsity was able to make steady progress. Varsity’s improvement was obvious as each game they seemed to play better even against incredibly tough opponents including a six foot nine giant from Kents Hill.

Just as the teams improved, the players did as well. Everyone left the season a much better player than they started, learning the much needed skills to become a better basketball player. Improvement wasn’t only seen in their skills on the court, it was seen in our character, as players began to emerge as leaders. While our captains obviously showed great leadership other unlikely leaders emerged from the group showing the immense personal growth that everyone had over the course of the season. As we grew ourselves we simultaneously grew as a team. From the first practice to the final practice, strong bonds were created among teammates. Relationships that started off simply as basketball teammates led to friendships outside of basketball. Relationships that were created in the locker rooms or on the bus rides continue to manage to survive once the season met its end. While this season may have consisted of many ups and downs, it was a great season. From the disappointment caused by losing to the pure joy of the JV locker rooms before games, we did it as a team; no one was left out. I will never forget eating a whole big bag of Hint of Lime tortilla chips before one of our home games or our JV locker room nonsense. The 2025-2026 basketball season showed growth both on the court and off the court, and I am excited to see what next season holds.     

Girls Varsity Basketball Season Recap 2025-2026

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Rita Franco ’28

Stepping on the wood, jumping to the hoop, and tying the colorful shoes, the season might be over, but the memories and experiences will never be forgotten… This year, the girls varsity basketball team has started strong with its first win in seven years. The energy on the court was powerful, and the cheers for the teammates were deafening.

This was the first year trying this amazing sport for many people, but thanks to the veterans’ help and our coach, Chris Moylan, every person has left the court with a different experience and more love for the ball than they could have ever imagined. The first game of the season was devastating; however, that loss only brought laughs and more enthusiasm. From fighting for the wins in the following games, to Addy’s goldfish talks, Nasiba’s and Yarie’s cheers from the bench, the teammates’ celebration after every single basket or even pass, Jenny’s energy to learn, Charley’s blocks, Alice’s participation even when almost nobody was in practice, Zarmina’s fights for the ball, Makayla’s strength, Natalie’s leadership, Eila’s encouraging comments, Julia’s support from the injured side, Laurali’s effort to get better, Ellen’s threes, or Nai’s giggles and sweetness, our team is the best one in the league. Maybe not in point statistics, but I can assure everyone that the Hebron Academy girls basketball team would break any stats with laughs and companionship.

Hebron Academy has made real hoopers.

Alpine Skiing Recap 25-26

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Elizabeth Stokes’27

The 2026 Hebron Alpine season exceeded all our expectations. Every race saw each skier pushing their limits, utilizing every run—whether training or not—to improve, resulting in moments of joy that left them smiling from ear to ear. The final race of the year was the NEPSAC Championship, the biggest race of the year. Eight members of the team left Hebron the day before to compete in the championship in New Hampshire. The race started with a few mishaps, such as getting the trailer stuck in a snowbank to begin the morning, but later being saved by Mr. Mulley. Once the team arrived at the lodge and finished getting ready, we hopped on the chairlift for Giant Slalom inspection, and before we knew it was time to race. One by one, the Hebron Alpine team descended down the course, every turn fueled by grit and passion. Eventually, the Giant Slalom race ended, and three team members stood in the top twenty in their own fields. Jack Bartash ‘28 walked away with an impressive tenth-place finish in boys, earning him an All-NEPSAC title, hot on Jack’s trail was Cael Mulley ‘27 with an eleventh-place finish to be awarded with All-NEPSAC Honorable Mention. Both boys battled hard in a field of over sixty. For girls, I stood nineteenth out of seventy-one other girls, earning my own All-NEPSAC Honorable Mention. 

Once the giant slalom was over, it was time for the slalom race. Slalom had two courses set, one on the right for girls, one on the left for boys, and we would switch after our first run. The girls’ first run went smoothly, but once the boys started to run the course, an issue emerged. The boys’ course was taking lives; boy after boy would ski out or not finish the course. I was standing at the top of the course, fraternizing with my other teammates and coaches about how bad the course is and it hit me. I have to ski this course next, and I will become just another one of its victims. As time ticked down towards my run, I kept watching the boys ski out, but making sure to cheer for my teammates as they descended the hardcore course. Eventually, the girls started running the course again, and it was the same story; none of the girls were finishing the course either. At last, the final girl descended down the course, which capped off the Nepsac championship race. Although the race may have had some lows, the highs outweigh these lows. Some highs are the high placings in Giant Slalom, Casidhe Madsen ‘26 racing just a week after injuring her shoulder, first-year racer Paula Menning ‘28 landing herself in an impressive thirty-fourth for giant slalom, Beccy Wollenweber ‘27 lending her slalom skis to another racer in need, or the team spirit shown while we screamed and cheered for our teammates. Nepsac’s turned out to be a resounding success and a great way to close out the 2026 season.

Girls Hockey Recap 25-26

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Sage Joyce ’27

As we reflect on the past season, the Hebron Girls’ hockey team is proud to see what we’ve accomplished in the transient winter season. Between 36 practices, 25 games, 11 wins, 13 losses, and 4 overtimes, we have laughed together, cried together, but most of all, grown together. Every single practice, everybody comes into the locker room with the willingness to get better. From the moment we step on the ice, we are pushing each other to the limits we know eachother have. The culture on and off the ice is something that this team has adapted to with no problem; a positive culture has been created by the most outstanding coaches, Courtney and Karen. They have taught us what it’s like to be a Hebron Hockey player and represent the school in every room we step into. The big “Hebron hockey” standing out on our sweat suits everywhere we go reminds us to be a good role model off the ice, while the front of the jersey reminds us who we are representing on the ice. 

After COVID hit, the girls’ hockey team was no longer because of the lack of girls to support the program. In the fall of 2023, there started to be some change. Science teacher and Boys Varsity B coach, Jake Cockrell, helped create this change. Jake started to recruit hockey players like me, looking to go to the next level and play prep hockey, but what we both didn’t know was what was in store for us that upcoming season. After not having enough recruits, we had to work with what we had, and it was very little. The season was very rough for the players, and at the time, I did not see anything changing in the future, so I transferred. I transferred due to one reason: hockey. I felt that the Hebron hockey would not meet my standards in the rest of my 3 years of high school, and I couldn’t have been more wrong. After a lot of reflection and deciding what was best for my future, I chose to go back to Hebron. The hockey program was growing, and seemed more promising than before. This was the best decision I could have made at the time. 

It was now my third year at Hebron, and the hockey team was looking very promising for the 2025-2026 season. After we gained two new coaches and a renovated locker room, everyone was ready to hit the ice as soon as November came around. Even though we had a lot of new girls who joined the team, the locker room atmosphere was amazing from day one. From dancing before 6 am practices to “wake us up”, to playing “Love”, by Kiesha Cole, right before a game to get us fired up and ready to go, the locker room has always felt like home. Being in a space with the same people every day might seem like it would get boring, but nothing was ever boring with our group of girls. This team has been so special to play with throughout the past 4 months, and I’m very excited to see what the future holds for the Hebron Girls Hockey program. Lastly, I would like to thank our coaches, Courtney Carnes and Karen MacDonald, for teaching us the ways of how to be a team player and what we need to know to grow and develop as players. We owe everything to you guys. 

Boys Varsity Hockey Reflection 25-26

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Alex Vogel ’26

Seniors Ronan Newell, Alex Vogel and Jack Angel

The 2025-2026 boys Varsity Hockey season was a step in the right direction. When everyone came to campus in September, immediately, the guys built chemistry, trust, and memories with each other. As we started hitting the ice we had even more fun together; skating and working out in the mornings before school gave us yet another place to bond. Our first challenge of the year was tryouts. Unexpected cuts and moves were made and it shocked some people. However, as time passed, both teams A and B took the selections in stride and began working towards their seasons. It wasn’t a smooth start for either team, as they both lost their first games. But A ended up winning their very next game against Proctor, and B finished the year with a winning record. Varsity A’s season was filled with lessons and quite a bit of adversity, as we had a severe loss in Cliff Hedges as he got injured in late January and was unable to play the rest of the season. As well as one of our top scorers, in Jeremy Lavoie, had to leave the team in the later half of the season due to family reasons. However it was quite amazing seeing how the team rallied together in the last half of the season despite losing two key players. 

Personally for me, it was tough. I was never captain of any team before and was thrown into the fire a bit. But with the help of many trusted faculty on campus like Mr. Smart, Ms. Stokes, and Mrs. Nadeau, I can happily say that I did everything in my power to be there for my teammates whenever they needed me. This team also finished 2nd in the Holt Conference in the regular season, which goes to show the type of persistence our players had. Despite a loss in the quarterfinals against Portsmouth Abbey, this team has a lot to be proud about. 

With all of the cards that this team was dealt, and watching how everyone faced adversity, I can confidently say that these young men will go on to live meaningful, successful, and rich lives after Hebron. Playing on the ice with this team was awesome, but this year, the true privilege was being able to become close friends with so many great human beings.

Skating Through The Summer

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By: Trinity Nardelli ’28

My favorite activity I did this summer was playing hockey. Hockey in the summer is one of my favorite times to play as well since it’s more about having fun with friends but also it’s the time to get better and develop your play. Over the summer I did a lot of camps and tournaments with the Swanalonians, and my coach, who is super funny and his name is Ray, admitted to me that I was one of his favorite players. Which, I was pretty proud of because his opinion of me is very important. One of the camps I did with the Swans was around three days of working out and skating and then the last day we did a mini tournament in which one of my games led to a shootout which we won so that was a lot of fun. Also, at this camp there were a lot of college coaches that ran the practices from all around the country, there was the D1 Holy Cross coach and a bunch of other college coaches. It was a fun way to get noticed by colleges and see what their coaching styles would be like and what their expectations are. I sadly didn’t win any Swans tournaments this year but I had so much fun at the tournaments and with my teammates and saw a lot of people that I hadn’t seen in months. 

I went to this 5 day sleep away camp called Elite Hockey Camp that is ran at the New Hampton school with no technology. Everyone broke those rules though almost all of us had their phones, including me. But, I went to this camp last summer with my friend Caylee as well and it was so much fun so we went back again. The first two days always go by so slowly and they are the hottest and worst conditioning days, but me and her had so much fun and we bonded with everyone so well. We were all complaining about the conditioning and the hot sun the entire time but it was very worth it. This camp has helped me realize all of the work I really need to put in to keep getting better and the dedication hockey takes. I learned a lot of new conditioning techniques and nutrition ideas that I took home with me and am still following them and it has helped me a lot. How they said it up was that a bunch of girls were grouped onto a team like the Lightning, which I was on, and we would play New York the whole time. We had games every single night and on the last day we would have a “championship” game where all you got was bragging rights. We sadly didn’t win the championship game this year but also most of our team had to leave camp before the game because of the Beantown tournament. I had the two best counselors in my opinion and they were really relaxed and basically let us do whatever we wanted. When I left the camp I missed it for about a week, it was probably the most fun I had all summer.

I can’t forget about the Lumberjills! We didn’t have too many tournaments this summer and I couldn’t play in every single one since I was already committed with the Swans but it was definitely a lot of fun seeing my friends from Hebron during the summer and being able to still bond with them and not lose that connection with my team. It was also a very fun and good way to bring the new girls in and have them see what the team was like and create friendships before they came to Hebron. It was also great being able to meet Coach Carnes. She was a lot of fun during these tournaments and I even earned my new nickname “nugget” from one of our coaches who was a former NHL goalie. So now everyone calls me nugget which is fine with me it makes it a little more fun!

Hockey brings a lot of light into my life and this summer I had so much fun playing and seeing all my old friends and meeting new people. I am very grateful for the friendships I have made in hockey especially this summer and hockey means the world to me so I love that I have the privilege to play all year round, even in the summer.

The Unbreakable Spirit of Hebron Girls Basketball

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By: Natalie Lutalo ’26

The 2024-2025 girls basketball season held a unique promise: to breathe new life into Hebron girls basketball. After two challenging years that saw diminishing numbers and a pause on games, the program was eager to reclaim its former glory. This season wasn’t just about basketball; it was about setting the stage for a bright future on the court. With fresh faces and a renewed sense of determination, this season was all about new beginnings. The energy surrounding the team was tangible, as students, teachers, and the community rallied behind us. This team was a symbol of hope and a testament to the enduring spirit of Hebron Athletics. 

We stepped onto the court with a roster that could generously be described as “small”, especially when compared to the seasonal giants we knew we’d be facing. Yet, despite our size disadvantage, our ambitions were anything but small. We were fueled by a shared hope and a fierce, unyielding determination to prove heart and dedication could triumph over anything. Every time we stepped onto the court, we were a team dedicated to leaving it all out there, proving that even a small team can make a monumental impact – something this basketball season taught me firsthand. 

The primary goal wasn’t to chase victories or demand immediate greatness; it was about rebuilding hope and rediscovering the joy of the game. It was about creating a space where laughter echoed through the gym, where every practice was a chance to learn and grow, and where the scoreboard took a backseat to the bonds being forged and the memories being made. In the end, the 2024-2025 Hebron girls basketball season will be remembered not for its record, but for its heart. We may not have achieved instant success, but we accomplished something far more valuable: we reignited a spark, rebuilt a foundation, and reminded everyone that the spirit of the game always endures. And as the final buzzer sounded, one thing was clear: the spirit of Hebron girls basketball was alive and well, ready to soar to new heights in the years to come.

2024-2025 Hebron Boys Varsity Hockey Season Wrap Up

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By: Alex Vogel ’26

The 2024-2025 season for the boys varsity hockey team this winter was disappointing on paper. However, we did have a desire to surprise the New England hockey scene like no other team had. 

Adversity never stopped coming our way, as even before the season started, we had only twenty players and no confirmed coach. Then, we were down to nineteen players and a new coach. Then that coach bailed on us, and we were without a coach once again. But come late October, coach Matthew Lavallee–a former coach at the University of Southern Maine (DIII NCAA)–took the spot of head coach of Hebron’s boys varsity hockey team. With the cementing of our new coach and practices getting started in November, the entire school rallied behind the hockey team for the home opener versus NYA. We won that game 3-2, and a seed of hope was planted for the year as we all went home for Thanksgiving break, eager to start the rest of our season hot. 

But once we came back from Thanksgiving break, we struggled tremendously. The highlight by far, however, was our Brooks-Pingree tournament. 

By the end of the tournament, we were skating with just nine players. Keep in mind hockey has five players and a goalie out at all times! We had two goalies, just enough players for one full group, then another, but minus one player. Those were awful circumstances, and it was no surprise we lost those games. But I’ve never felt so proud walking off the ice before in my life because not only did I feel like I competed with pride, everyone else laid their hearts on the ice! But then came Christmas break, and we all had some time off from team practices. We all worked hard over break to stay in shape and get ready to grind out the rest of the season. Though coming back and going through a brutal losing streak was not fun…

Personally, I couldn’t stand it. It was one of the worst time periods I’ve had as a hockey player. But hindsight is 20/20, and looking back at that gargantuan losing streak, I can proudly say that I’m glad to have gone through that. We learned a lot about each other, ourselves, and found out how to handle the dumpster fires life throws at us. More importantly, I learned what works and doesn’t work for me, on and off the ice, when it comes to being a leader of a team that meant the world to me and still means the world to me now. And without coach Lavallee working tirelessly to keep us all in good spirits, meanwhile balancing recruitment for next year and working in admissions, Hebron Hockey would not be where it is today. 

The entire team, despite only winning five out of thirty-five games, can all agree that we grew, learned, and found out what means more than a team’s record: our family. At the end of the day, whether you’re a parent, student, player, coach, teacher, trainer, or even just a random spectator of Hebron’s numerous sports programs, you are a part of the Hebron Hockey family. And with all of this said, Hebron’s Hockey family is gearing up for one of the most exciting years in Hebron’s elaborate history, the 2025-2026 winter season.

Hebron Academy Ski Team Wrap 24-45

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By: Casidhe Madsen ’26

The 2024-2025 ski season was an incredible journey for the Hebron Academy Race team from the first runs at our new training space at Pleasant Mountain to the final championship races. All of the racers showed so much dedication, skill, and teamwork. This season was filled with intense competition, personal bests, and moments we will never forget. As we wrap up the season, we celebrate the hard work and achievements of every racer and look forward to getting even better times in the future.

For me, this was my second season on the Hebron Ski Team. We are coached by our very dedicated Ms. Stokes (AKA Swaggie). We spent long nights at Pleasant Mountain getting as much time in the gates as possible. While we would have liked to be in the gates more, things got in the way. From snow days to the whole team being sick, we pushed through. We shared so many laughs on the chairlift, to all the serious moments giving each other advice as we slipped the course. We had seven races, some combined with both Giant Slalom and regular Slalom. We ended our season right where we started it at Pleasant Mountain with our championship race. Jack Baratash ‘28 and Elizbeth Stokes ‘27 placed in the top five, and we had three athletes place in the top ten in NEPSACS overall season. I want to thank all the athletes who spent tiring nights putting all the effort in, and I want to thank our amazing coaches. 

Not Always About the Score

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By: Alex Ogagan ’27

This season probably has to be one of the weirdest seasons I’ve ever had. For starters, we didn’t win a single game, but even though we didn’t win a single game, I’m not angry or sad. I’ve kind of made peace with it. I feel like the reason I’m at peace with not winning any games is that it’s shown me that I just need to work harder, and everything isn’t going to go your way sometimes. During the season, there were many instances where I wanted to quit basketball, but every time I said I would quit, I never did it, and I always kept asking myself, “Why won’t you quit? Why do you constantly keep playing just to lose every time?” Then I figured it out. I couldn’t quit the game because I just loved it too much, and I was never going to stop loving it. Even if I told myself multiple times that I hated the game and I should quit, I would still be on the court because I just love it.

I always reflect on the game we had against Lee Academy because even though we got blown out, I had fun. I finished the game off with 5 points, 3 Rebounds, and 4 assists. Before the game, I was a little nervous because the last two games before that I did terribly, and then I started overthinking and worrying about the wrong things. Zander Daniels came up to me and just told me to relax. He then said, “You have so much game in you; you just gotta be confident and believe in your abilities and stop worrying what others think.” The game eventually started, and I was a little nervous, but I remembered what Zander told me, and from that point on till the end of the game, I was relaxed and I felt good. This was a rough season, but I wouldn’t erase it even if I was given the chance. I learned a lot from it.