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04/06/2022 12:00 AMPlaying with a group of hard-working athletes on the Hand boys’ basketball team is just part of the enjoyment for Hudson Geremia. Hudson recently completed his junior season competing alongside his younger brother Chase, and the chemistry between the two siblings played a major role in an exhilarating playoff run that culminated with the Tigers’ first state title.
Hudson averaged 13 points and 8 rebounds per game on his way to earning All-SCC Second Team honors for Hand boys’ hoops this winter. Hudson helped the Tigers finish their season with an overall record of 23-4 after posting a 56-39 victory over Kolbe Cathedral in the championship game of the Division III State Tournament.
Hudson began his sporting career by learning how to play baseball and basketball in elementary school. Once he realized that he had a solid skillset in each sport, Hudson decided to stick with both of them and worked hard to get better every day. Pitching in baseball and shooting a basketball require different types of abilities, and Hudson put in the work to make sure that he had them down by the time he reached high school.
“My dad told me I had to prove myself and make a name for myself,” says Hudson. “I knew I didn’t put in all of this work just for it to go to waste.”
Hudson didn’t let his talents go to waste when he set foot on the basketball court at Hand. Hudson started his high school career on the Tigers’ JV team as a freshman, collecting a handful of minutes with the varsity squad. However, in his sophomore and junior seasons, Hudson had become a force on the varsity court.
Hudson elevated his game throughout the offseason, spending many hours a week working out with personal trainers and his brother. Hudson continued to progress despite the challenges that he faced during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I was working on my shot and my whole game just to have a good junior season,” Hudson says. “Just because I know junior year is when you start getting recruited.”
Hudson’s improvements led to an excellent junior campaign with the Tigers this year. Head Coach Jimmy Economopolous praised Hudson for his dedication to making Hand’s starting lineup.
Hudson’s versatility as both a guard and a forward, in addition to his chemistry with his teammates, gave Economopolous an opportunity to watch the junior grow even more than he was anticipating.
“For me, as his coach, the best part was seeing Hudson’s development as the year went on,” says Economopolous. “He bought in and became one of our unselfish players.”
Hudson missed some time early in the season after spraining his right ankle—an injury that has reoccurred multiple times throughout his high school career. Hudson actually lost his spot in the starting lineup and had to earn it upon returning. Four games after he came back, Hudson was back in the starting five just in time for the SCCs and states.
Hand defeated Sheehan and Amity in the first two rounds of SCC Tournament before losing to Fairfield Prep in the semifinals. The Tigers went on to notch victories over East Lyme, New London, and St. Bernard in the state bracket to set up a date with Kolbe Cathedral in the title bout. Hudson scored 15 points to go with 10 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 blocks in a historic 56-39 win that solidified the title for the Tigers.
“I knew we could win a state championship,” Hudson says. “It was really hard for us to lose at the end of the season. We all wanted it so bad, and there was no way we were losing that game.”
Hudson loved helping Hand claim its first state crown while playing alongside a great group of teammates. Hudson enjoyed every minute of sharing the court with his players like his brother Chase, a freshman; and senior captain Tyler Favre, who joined Hudson as an All-Conference honoree by making the All-SCC First Team this season.
Hudson also appreciates the devoted leadership of Hand’s coaches, along with the overall cohesiveness in the Tigers’ lineup.
“We all have confidence when we have each other’s backs,” says Hudson. “The best part about it is our team chemistry. I love everything about it.”
Along with their accomplishments on the court, Hudson also likes spending time with his teammates off the court, particularly having dinner after practices. Those moments helped Hudson and his teammates grow closer during the 2022 season, and that sense of togetherness paved the way to their state championship.
“Nobody’s playing selfish, and we always make the extra pass,” Hudson says. “We’re all doing our role, and we’re all doing our jobs.”
Hudson wants to play basketball beyond his time with the Tigers and is looking for an opportunity to compete at the collegiate level. However, Hudson still has one year left with the Hand boys’ basketball team and, even though the Tigers are graduating five seniors, he’s excited about the opportunity to defend a state title in his senior season. Hudson is looking forward to leading Hand as a senior, while playing one more season with his brother in 2023.
“I knew that with me and him, that we could do some damage,” says Hudson. “I’m really excited to have another year with my brother. I’m excited to see what happens.”