Boys' Thirds Basketball Season Recap

By: Ethan He ‘28
For the Westminster Thirds Boys Basketball team, this winter season was defined by effort, growth, and commitment. While the boys faced a tough schedule and battled through some challenging matchups, the Martlets proved the true value of grit and grace. Throughout their 12-game season, they consistently demonstrated incredible resilience and a positive attitude. Every time they stepped onto the court, they fought hard until the final buzzer, embodying the true spirit of Westminster athletics.
The boys opened their season against Eaglebrook. Although the score was tough, the boys had moments where they played well. Ethan He ‘28 opened the game with the three-point shot, and the Marlets led 3-0. Eaglebrook soon scored, and the Marlets did not lead again. Bennett Varao ‘27 had a strong second half and led all Westminster scorers. Westminster had 18 players compete in this game, and everyone did some good things. Lan Dao ‘29, Eli Wilderman ‘29, and Archie Downing ‘29 were excellent in their shifts as point guards. Their future is bright! Colin Curelli ‘29 was able to make some things happen at shooting guard. Eaglebrook alums, Kyle Zhou ‘29, and CJ Berry ‘29, made their presence felt with some great rebounding and a couple of free throws. Even in a loss, the team’s relentless hustle and strong support perfectly showcased the core values of grit, grace, and resilience that will define this group all season long.

On January 28th, Varao ‘27 led the way as the Martlets defeated the Winged Beavers for their first victory of the season. It was a close game, and both teams played very hard. The Martlets led 22–17 at the break. The Beavers took a six-point lead with about five minutes to go in the game, but then He ‘28 and Downing ‘29 hit some big free throws down the stretch to seal the victory for Westminster. Every player contributed to this victory. Jacob Flores ‘29 and CJ Berry ‘29 hit important free throws in the first half to help Westminster build its lead. Eli Wilderman ‘29 drew several fouls and hit a big three-pointer. Westminster led by as much as seven in the first half. Enoch Olaosebikan ‘27 played excellent defense and hit a huge turnaround jumpshot to help Westminster cut into the Beaver lead late in the game. After Varao ‘27 made a jumpshot, He hit two free throws to give the Martlets a 35-34 lead. Downing ‘29 then drew a foul and hit one out of two free throws. With a 36–34 lead, He ‘28 hit one more free-throw to make the final score 37–34. This thrilling, hard-fought comeback was a true testament to the team's collective grit and their ability to stay composed under pressure.
On February 25th, led by Finn Hocking ‘26 and He ‘28, the Martlets never trailed in this game and led by as many as 17 in the second half. Westminster was in control throughout the game and led by as many as 17 in the second half. Hocking ‘26 got the game started with 6 consecutive points, and the Martlets opened with a 9-2 run. Leading by 7 at the break, the second half was closer until He ‘28 took over the game. A conventional three-point play followed by a long three-point shot gave the Martlets a comfortable lead. He ‘28 led the way with 15 points -- his best game of the season. Varao ‘27 was again a force on the boards, and Flores ‘29 hit a big three-point bucket for Westminster. This commanding performance showcased how much the team's chemistry, confidence, and execution grew since the beginning of the winter.