Hoosac Boys Basketball Builds Off Another Successful Season
March 10th, 2024
Hoosac School's AAA basketball team finished the 2023-2024 year with arguably their best season yet.
Many in the world of NEPSAC basketball didn't have high expectations for the Owls' AAA team, but collectively the boys had something else in mind. The season started with a huge win away against the back-to-back National Prep Champions, Putnam Science Academy. Leading the way with a history performance was Alex Pachucki, who knocked down 14 three pointers en route to 48 total points. The highlight of the game came from Leo Ryott, though, who hit a buzzer beater to seal the win.
As the season progressed, the team had some ups and downs as one might expect. While there were some performances they wish they could take back, there were also some that were the definition of Hoosac's culture. The story of the season quickly became defeating #1 ranked teams.
When the game tipped off against St Thomas More, they were ranked #1 in the country. A couple of weeks later, Vermont Academy, also ranked #1 in the country, fell to Hoosac. The owls stayed true to their gameplan and knocked off both powerhouses, shocking NEPSAC.
Other key victories came over Newman Academy, ranked #3, and South Kent. Led by the the captain from Turkey, Kani Topuz, a tough Serbian combo of Relja Vranesevic and Milos Sarenac, relentless rebounding by Efstratios Kalliontzis of Greece, and the already mentioned Pachucki (Canada) and Ryott (Sweden), the boys took down some legendary programs, getting nicknamed "The Giant Slayers".
The help of the faithful Hoosac Ultras, the cheering section in Coach Ryan Court, was definitely huge for all three teams (AAA, AA and A), making Hoosac's gym the loudest in the council. Ultimately, the AAA team'sseason ended in the quarterfinals with a loss to New Hampton School.
Hoosac's AA basketball team finished 6th in the NEPSAC Power 5 AA Conference, just under .500 on the year with a record of 12-16. Key wins came against St. Thomas More (72-61), Redemption Christian Academy (74-63), Winchendon NYC (92-78), Springfield Commonwealth (81-69) and Busche Academy (76-74). They made it to the quarterinals but were eliminated by Our Saviour Lutheran in the Bronx.
Sarp Deha Gokberg led the team in points per game (14.3), rebounds (5.6) and assists (4.4).
Hoosac's A team had a bit of a bumpier season but nonetheless laid the foundation for many of these younger players to eventually move up to the AA team in future years. Some key double digit victories came over New York Military Academy, who they defeated by 19 points, as well as Winchendon, who they beat by 15.