This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
12/27/2020 11:00 PMThere were several positive outcomes for Westbrook sports in 2020. The Westbrook boys’ basketball team saw marked improvement during the winter, while Lauren Horne wrapped up a stellar career as goalkeeper for the Knights’ field hockey squad in the fall. Let’s look back at some of the highlights from the year.
Winter
The Westbrook boys’ basketball team posted an 8-15 overall record on the season, while qualifying for the Shoreline Conference Tournament and the Division V State Tournament. Westbrook took losses in the first round of both brackets, but earning two postseason berths was an accomplishment for a squad with only one senior on the roster.
Junior captain small forward Jack Naccarato earned All-Shoreline Conference First Team honors for the Knights. Westbrook finished another season with Head Coach Jeff Beeman.
The Westbrook girls’ basketball squad welcomed new Head Coach Frank Lyon, who helped lead a young team to a record of 7-16 and a victory in states.
Westbrook made appearances in the Shoreline Conference Tournament and Class S State Tournament. The Knights defeated Wolcott Tech 55-37 in the first round of states to move into the second round, where they lost to Thomaston.
The Knights’ senior captains were Callie Newberg and Lexi Koplas. Two sophomores who stood out as Westbrook’s main scoring threats were Sadie Susi and Jamie Sacco.
The Westbrook girls’ indoor track team saw several athletes compete at the Shoreline Conference Championship. Elizabeth Gallagher finished in third place in the 300 and took fourth place in the 55-meter dash for Westbrook. Brooke Neri finished seventh in the 1,000-meter run.
The Westbrook boys’ indoor track team was represented by its 4x400 relay at the Shoreline Conference Championship. The Knights’ team of Cole Strzelecki, Hever Gomez, Logan Dazey, and Michael Valiante came in seventh place at the meet.
Fall
Following a prolonged preseason of conditioning for Westbrook athletes, Knights’ sports went forward at the beginning of October. Teams were scheduled to play about half of typical season’s slate and, while no state tournaments would be held, all teams would have an opportunity to participate in conference tournaments.
Unfortunately for Westbrook’s student-athletes, all fall sports were canceled just before the beginning of the postseason due to an uptick in positive COVID-19 tests at Westbrook High School, resulting in school closures. The Knights’ boys’ soccer, girls’ soccer, and field hockey squads were unable to play the final week of their regular seasons and could not participate in their respective Shoreline Conference tournaments.
The Westbrook field hockey team finished the year with a record of 2-3-3. The Knights’ seven seniors led the team through the challenges of the 2020 season. Senior captain goalie Lauren Horne was the team’s main captain, while each of the other seniors served as game captains at different points throughout the season.
Horne earned All-Shoreline Conference First Team and All-State Second Team honors for Westbrook. Senior back Bailey Roberts garnered All-Shoreline Conference First Team recognition, and fellow senior back Cierra Brundage earned All-Shoreline Second Team honors, as did senior midfielder Karen Sicha.
Westbrook’s other seniors included Marguerite Bartlett, Megan Greaves, and Brooke Neri. Sophomore Delaney Belcourt earned All-Shoreline Honorable Mention for the Knights.
The Westbrook boys’ soccer team finished with a record of 1-7 in Derek Hanssen’s first year as head coach.
As a team, the Knights earned the Shoreline Conference Sportsmanship Award for their classy demeanor on the field. Seniors Noslin Antunez and Zachary Zanzalari received All-Shoreline Conference Second Team honors. Zanzalari and goalkeeper Tyler Hoadley were the team’s senior captains.
The Westbrook girls’ soccer squad went 0-7 during the fall season. With no seniors on the team, juniors Gianni Salisbury, Nicole Valiante, and Alexandra Zanzalari led the Knights on the field this fall.