With an overall record of 5-10, the Hanover High volleyball team has to win all five of its remaining games in order to qualify for tournament play. But whether the season ends with senior night Oct. 28 or continues, the young team with just two seniors and three sophomores has shown grit, determination and a lot of improvement along the way.

Led by senior captains Meaghan Raab, and Haley McCusker, and junior Captain Taylor Scott, the team has had some great games against tough competition.  They won a set in a challenging 3-1 loss against  a strong Quincy High School team, which not every team can do. They pushed the match against Silver Lake to 5 sets, making their opponents sweat before losing 3-2, and they played well in Monday’s 3-0 loss to Pembroke.

One of the team’s biggest celebrations this season came Sept. 12, when Coach Dave Jakub had a great victory. He reached 200 wins in his volleyball coaching career with a 3-1 win over Norwell.

“We all knew we had a very good chance of winning the game and that it would be Jake’s 200th so we were all really excited,” recalled junior Captain Taylor Scott. Hanover had lost to Middleboro three days before, but hopes were high and the girls were ready. Sure enough, their hard work and motivation paid off.

In celebration of Coach Jakub’s milestone, the volleyball team presented a large celebratory banner and a big cake. Scott recalls how her coach was clearly touched by the moment, despite his humble insistence that 209 wins were more important than 200, as 209 would bring his players to tournament.

A longtime physical education teacher, Coach Jakub began coaching volleyball at Hanover High School in 1999. His devotion to the game is legendary; those who know him will say that any free time he has, he spends watching, reading or thinking about volleyball.

The team will face Plymouth South on October 19 and will surely pose some fierce competition. A win would keep their postseason hopes alive.

October is here, and with that comes postseason baseball; the best time of the year for a baseball enthusiast. On Tuesday, the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Baltimore Orioles on a walk-off home run by Edwin Encarnacion. On Wednesday, the San Francisco Giants overcame the New York Mets in what was an absolute pitchers’ duel between two of the best in the game, Noah Syndergaard and Madison Bumgarner. Bumgarner got the best of that matchup, throwing a complete game shutout, while the Mets closer gave up a three-run homerun in a tied game.

Now there are eight. The ALDS is here and while it should be entertaining, I don’t think that the Red Sox-Indians series will be the one to watch. The Indians have lost two of their top starters in the past month, and the Red Sox have too much talent. The only worry that I have with the Red Sox is the performance of their bullpen and their third baseman (whoever it may be). The Indians have many more flaws than the Red Sox. For these reasons, I believe the Red Sox will win the series in four games.

Now for the other ALDS series, the Texas Rangers versus the Toronto Blue Jays. These are two teams who can flat-out crush the ball, and this should be a great series to watch. I am giving the Blue Jays the slight edge, winning in five games. This is because they have a rotation that has performed well above expectations this year, and a decent bullpen; whereas the Rangers’ pitching staff has not performed nearly as well this year. The Rangers have a good top of their rotation, but their third and fourth starters are not going to be enough to help them win a playoff series. Not to mention, they have had one of the worst bullpens in the league this year, which is an absolutely vital part to a postseason run.

Over to the NLDS, the Chicago Cubs take on the Giants. The Cubs come into the playoffs with the best record in the MLB this year at 103-58. The Giants started off extremely well this year, having the best record in the MLB at the All-Star break, but have since gone 30-42. This should be concerning, and it is, but the talent that the Giants possess is undeniable. In my opinion, they have the best starting rotation in the league, headlined by Bumgarner, a Cy Young candidate. The Cubs on the other hand, have what is most likely the best roster in the league, and they are built for October. Their strong lineup is paired with an even stronger rotation, which is capped off by a solid bullpen, with elite closer Aroldis Chapman closing the door. This series looks as if it should be an amazing one, with the Giants postseason experience and the Cubs talent. Still, I predict the Cubs will prevail in five games.

In the other NLDS series, the Los Angeles Dodgers take on the Washington Nationals. This series looks to be very evenly matched, and I believe it will come down to the fifth game. The Dodgers have a solid lineup, but they struggle greatly against lefties. Their pitching staff is solid, but besides Clayton Kershaw, nothing to write home about. The Nationals, on the other hand, will be without one of their best pitchers, Stephen Strasburg, and their starting catcher, Wilson Ramos. Headlining the Nationals staff is Max Scherzer, but after that, it drops off greatly. I think this one will result in the Dodgers winning the series in five games.

On to the ALCS, which I predict will be the Red Sox versus the Blue Jays. This divisional matchup should be close throughout, with the potential to have some high-scoring games. This series will hinge on the Red Sox pitching staff. If they perform to their potential, they will win. Anyone who has seen this Red Sox team play this year knows that this is anything but a given. On the other hand, the Blue Jays pitching staff will need to continue outperforming themselves if they wish to hang on in this series. It is known what each team can bring to the table at the plate, but the pitching is where the questions exist. I think that a combination of talent and experience will allow the Red Sox to win this series in seven games, but it should be a great one to watch.

In the NLCS, the Dodgers will be taking on the Cubs. It is clear that the Cubs are the more talented team in this series, and all signs will be pointing to them winning the series. The Dodgers will need to rely on Kershaw to take over and win two games this series, but doing that against an explosive Cubs lineup, coupled with the fact that he has been notoriously poor in the postseason, seems like a long shot. I believe the Cubs will take this one in five games, and will see the Red Sox in the World Series.

In the World Series, the Red Sox take on the Cubs. Two high-powered offenses clash, and whoever is able to pitch well will prevail. As I have said earlier, the Red Sox have an inconsistent pitching staff, which will either win them or lose them this series. The Cubs, on the other hand, have three starting pitchers in the conversation for the NL Cy Young, and two position players in the running for the NL MVP. The amount of talent on this team is unbelievable, and I think the Cubs, for the first time in 108 years, will win the World Series in six games.

This year, we have watched the final season of the historic career of the greatest Red Sox player ever, David Ortiz. Yes, Ortiz is the greatest of all time and, to be honest, it’s not even close. Names like Ted Williams, Carl Yastrzemski and Jim Rice are all worthy of the discussion, but Ortiz is the clear winner. You can find unbelievable statistics for all of these players, but Ortiz can match them and then bring so much more. Over his career, he has belted 503 homers and 584 doubles for a .547 slugging percentage.  He is the most clutch hitter in baseball history. There’s no debate that in the big stage Ortiz always pulls through and there’s no one who’s been more dominant at the DH position. Factor in what he’s meant to the city of Boston, and it’s undeniable: Ortiz has been incredible. Despite all of this, many people wonder if Big Papi will be inducted to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. I wonder why it’s even a debate.

My problem with baseball is how Hall of Fame voters and and big-time baseball writers place so much value on irrelevant stats. To be in the Hall of Fame, you do need the career statistics to back it up. But what can be degraded or ignored is the value you provide to a franchise. Ortiz changed the game in that every time he comes to bat the entire defense shifts to the right side of the field. Yes, the shift was going on before Ortiz’s career but not to the magnitude in which it is now. It’s a common occurrence that teams shift their defense for players. His dominant play and legacy in the game should outweigh any holes in his statistical résumé.

The biggest issue that could hurt Ortiz’s chances of winning election to the Hall of Fame on the first ballot would be his link to steroids. The New York Times reported that Ortiz tested positive in 2003 for performance-enhancing drugs and his long-time trainer, Angel Presinal, is banned for working with any MLB franchise for dealing steroids. I think it’s fair to say he took steroids at some point, but I think it was a time and era that consisted of a lot of illegal drug use in baseball. Ortiz was accused on multiple occasions, but never found guilty. Most fans have moved on . . . and rightfully so. But Hall of Fame voters don’t treat players linked to steroids very well. Jason Giambi, Barry Bonds, Manny Ramirez and Gary Sheffield are just a small sample of players who are eligible for the Hall of Fame but have not gotten in because of drug use. The difference between these players and Ortiz is that Ortiz was never found guilty. There were accusations but no hard proof.

It will be very interesting to see how the voters look at Ortiz when he becomes eligible for election five years from now. How will his legacy hold up? Personally I believe Ortiz absolutely deserves to be in Cooperstown. I wonder if the Hall of Fame voters will agree with me.

The Girls soccer team is about halfway through its season and, despite a tough start, shows signs of picking up momentum. With three freshmen starters and only four seniors, the young team has learned to work together to get the job done.  Although their 3-5-3 record may not reflect the effort and teamwork the girls have put in, they always try to start positive.

One tough loss came to Notre Dame Academy, 7-3. NDA scored first early in the game, but Hanover’s senior captain Erin Petrocelli evened it up late in the first half. Any confidence the team had going into the second half was quickly deflated when NDA scored three goals in the first 10 minutes. Hanover continued to battle but NDA scored 3 more times, leaving the score 7-1 with 15 minutes left to play.  It was tough to look at that scoreboard, but Coach Mike Fraser talked with some key players, and juniors Alyssa Frates and Marissa Shoulla fired back to end the game at 7-3. 

“I think the NDA game was a serious wakeup call for the team,” said captain Kate Joy. “But we have some winnable games coming up so I look forward to working hard and seeing how things turn out.”

After the tough loss to NDA, the girls played Quincy on their home turf. It was a pretty even match but early in the second half Frates got tripped in the box and Petrocelli sored off the penalty kick. Frates later added a goal off a rebound from senior captain Julianna Stacy, and Hanover won 2-1 for their first win. Sophomore Amanda Armstrong had a very strong game at center-mid, winning 50/50 balls and getting the ball up the field. The team added another win that week against North Quincy.

“I love hanging out with them everyday between team dinner, bus rides and practices,” said freshman Dottie Tilden. “I don’t want this season to end.”

This year, things have changed a little for the 18 varsity players.  To make tournament in the past, all the team had to do was beat Middleboro once. Since Middleboro is no longer in the same division, the girls must win nine games or beat Norwell to qualify for tournament. Last year, Norwell’s Varsity team won its division. Coach Fraser keeps the team’s spirits high by telling them to keep their eyes on the prize and if we work together and work hard, it will come.

The girls head into this week with two home games: Monday against Rockland and a Thursday night game against NDA.

Google Photo Album from #HHSTribe

The Hanover boys and girls Cross Country teams have started their fall seasons in full stride. Both teams have worked under the training of Coach Brown and Coach McLean through rain, sun, and ninety-degree weather, but have kept their pace up long enough and fast enough to pose as serious competitors in the Patriot League.

As a captain of the Hanover girls Cross Country team, I can fully attest to the hard work of my teammates. So far, the girls have won two meets out of three, including a victory on their 2.5 mile home course Sept. 20. Hanover beat Plymouth South 26-31 (the lowest score wins in cross country). Their other win, a one-point victory, came against Whitman-Hanson Regional High School. In that 5K meet, senior Niamh Kenney led the way for Hanover with a 22:03 time, and sophomore Alyssa Nee followed close behind with 22:13. Their only loss came in a fierce race against Plymouth North High School on September 7, where they fell short by 12 points.

The boys team has  raced superbly against difficult competition, but is still looking for its first win. At the Whitman-Hanson meet, sophomore Nick Courtney led his team with a time of 18:06 and finished fourth in the race. All of the boys have demonstrated commendable effort and seen incredible results.

Last Saturday, the girls and boys raced 2.5 miles up steep hills and across big green fields at the Big Wave XC Invitational meet held at Apponequet Regional High School. All of the runners did exceptionally well, particularly considering how early it still is in the season.

For any Hanover High School students interested, there is still time to join the Cross Country team. Speed and running backgrounds are completely unnecessary; the goal is progress and joining the fight together as a team. Hanover Cross Country has potential this season for serious victory, and each and every runner on the team is an incredible asset for making that success a reality. I have no doubt that the hard work of Hanover’s Cross Country runners will be evident in all of their accomplishments this season.

The New England Patriots came out in their home opener rolling against the Miami Dolphins. The absence of quarterback Tom Brady seemed to be the least of the Patriots problems as, for the second straight week, the offense operated as a strong unit. Jimmy Garoppolo had played beyond my expectations in Week 1 against the Arizona Cardinals, one of the best defenses in the National Football League. Week 2 against Miami shouldn’t have been any different, since the game was at home and against a lesser opponent. Garoppolo and the Patriots’ offense steamrolled the Dolphins, and the defense was the dominant force it should be all season. Even with a second-half Miami comeback, the Patriots were still able to beat the Dolphins 31-24.     

The win came at a huge expense, though, as Garoppolo was hit in the second quarter and injured on the play. He sustained an AC joint separation in this throwing shoulder and did not return to the game. The timetable for his return is still in question as the extent of the injury still hasn’t been announced. Some reports say Garoppolo could be out four weeks and other reports say he could playing in Week 4 in the final game before Brady returns from suspension. Moral of the story is that this isn’t good for the Patriots. They have it tough enough playing the Houston Texans on a short week Thursday night. Jacoby Brissett will start that game for the Patriots, and for a rookie quarterback who is not ready to play in the NFL at this stage in his career, it’s a tough situation to be thrown into.

Garoppolo has truly impressed me during the small sample of playing we’ve seen from him. He seems to operate well in New England’s offense and consistently made great decisions while having the ball in his hand. I don’t want Garoppolo traded after Brady’s suspension is over unless a bad team wants to make an overwhelming deal. Based on what we’ve seen, Garopollo has the makings of a future starting quarterback, and something very radical would have to be offered in the Patriots’ favor in order for me to accept his trade. 

The pressure for long term falls onto Brady’s shoulders now. I don’t think anyone is here to push Brady out the door, but people now know if he’s not getting the job done, there’s someone already on their team who can. For the short term, pressure falls on Bill Belichick. Can he manage to beat a true up-and-coming team in the Houston Texans with a third-string quarterback? Belichick is known widely as the best coach in the league and Thursday night will be a huge challenge for him and the Patriots.