This year’s Winchester Thurston Bears boys’ basketball team is gearing up for an exciting season, with high hopes of clinching a coveted section title, and making a playoff run. With a talented roster and dedicated team captains, the Bears are set to leave their mark on the court this year.
Guiding the Bears with passion and leadership are their four team captains: senior center Henry McComb, junior guard Matt Southers, senior guard Jaromit Lozano, and sophomore forward Anthony Pipkin. These players bring both experience and skill that is essential for a team with such high aspirations.
To begin their season, the Bears took on a tournament at St. Joseph Academy. In a great game, they overcame the Saint Joseph Spartans, with junior Matt Southers putting up 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 13 steals. Sophomore guard Michael Hammerling also made his Bears debut, finishing with an impressive 16 points, a pair of steals, and an assist. The final score was 69-36. Other notable players include senior starting center Henry McComb (12 points), and sophomore team captain and starting forward Anthony Pipkin (9 points), who also balled out with several assists, rebounds, and steals.
Although the Bears fell short of a championship title at the tournament after a loss to Avonworth High School, they still have high hopes for the regular season. Not only do the Bears have a formidable starting five, but there’s a surplus of young talent and depth on the roster as well. The young junior varsity team has plenty of serviceable varsity players, and they are shaping up to match up well with local competing JV teams.
With a mix of experienced players and emerging talent, the team has their sights set on upcoming games versus the likes of Hillel Academy, Apollo-Ridge High School, and Cornell High School. These matchups will be crucial in shaping their season, and achieving their goal of a section title and a postseason berth. With help and leadership from the qualified coaching staff and team captains, the boys will give it their all in an attempt at a victorious beginning to the season.
The Bears, with their thirst for victory and wide array of talent, are in position to make a strong push for a section title and a memorable playoff run in the 2023-24 season. The journey is just beginning, and we’re all excited to see how the season proceeds in the coming months. Go Bears!
