Holiday Tournament Results
The beginning of winter break at Avon Old Farms is always celebrated by two varsity sports teams heading into holiday tournaments: the Avon-hosted Christmas Hockey Classic, and the Seacoast Classic basketball games hosted this year at St. Sebastian’s School in Needham, Massachusetts.
Christmas Hockey Classic
The hockey team participated in four games over the course of three days. First, on Thursday, Dec. 13, Avon took on Berkshire School and grabbed hold of a 5-0 victory. First, Tabor Heaslip '20 scored off of a pass from forward Tyler Boucher '21. The, JP Turner '21 scored the second goal of the game (second goal of the season), making the score 2-0 Avon Old Farms. Next Stefan Miklakos '19 pulled up from the blue line and scored, followed by PJ Neal bringing the board to 4-0. Last, Turner found the net again finishing the game 5-0.
In Game 8 of the classic Avon took on Tabor Academy. Miklakos '19 scored first with an assist by Heaslip '20, but the scoreboard looked like the teams might go to the half tied 2-2. Then the Winged Beavers scored 3-2 with 21 left before the buzzer. After half-time, the Seawolves tie it up 3-3 with 6:38 to go. The minutes passed slowly with nothing finding the net until Tyler Boucher scored with 1.9 seconds remaining in the game securing Avon's win.
@AOF_Hockey wins on a goal Tyler Boucher with 1.9 seconds remaining in the game versus Tabor. Winner, winner, chicken dinner! @avonoldfarms @AOF_Athletics pic.twitter.com/YW1Jll7Blq
— GKess Films (@GKessFilms) December 14, 2018
Avon won 4-3—an amazing finish as the Winged Beavers improve to 2-0 in the Christmas Classic!
Friday night, however, things didn't go so well for the Winged Beavers in Game 12. St. Paul’s struck first, and nothing else stuck all the way to the half. Number 20 Miklakos '19 tied the game 1-1 with 11:50 left to play, and the buzzer sounded with the game still tied. With nothing happening in overtime, the teams headed to a shootout. The Winged Beavers fell to St. Paul’s, losing 2-1.
On Saturday, Avon took on Kent in the Game 15 battle for third place in the classic. Avon's Miklakos '19 found the net first, followed quickly by another goal from Timur Alishlalov '20 only 20 seconds later. Then #9 Drew Tsakounis '21 scored 3-0 with 10:52 left in the half. Coming back after half-time, Kent tied it up with 13:15 left to play. Kent then scored again, taking the lead with 7:41 left in the game. Avon fought back, with Tyler Boucher '21 tying it up 4-4 with 7:02 left in the game and once more a goal by Miklakos '19 secured the lead with with 5:40 on the clock. Kent pulled their goalie in a last-ditch effort to come back, but Avon's Heaslip '20 scored on the open net with 32 seconds left in the game. The Winged Beavers finished on top 6-4 and secure 3rd place in the Christmas Classic!
St. Paul's took on Gunnery in the Championship Final game, but lost, 2-0 Gunnery. See photos from the entire tournament here, taken by Avon Old Farms Senior Cameron Andrews.
Seacoast Basketball Classic
The Winged Beavers Varsity Basketball team traveled for the first weekend of break to play in the Seacoast Classic at St. Sebastian’s School. In the first game on Friday, the squad matched up against the Mustangs of Milton Academy. Both teams looked to move the ball in transition and challenge ball handlers on defense. In a tight matchup, the Mustangs built up an early lead at half, 23 to 15. Avon’s attack starting finding gaps in early second half and after Guard Kyle Cuffe Jr. converted two free throws the gap was down to just two points. However, a Milton three-pointer and a steal pushed the lead back out for the Mustangs. In the first game of the afternoon, the Winged Beavers fell to the Mustangs 60 to 46.
Sophomore Captain Kyle Cuffe Jr. led the team with 17 points. Junior Graham Walker notched 10 rebounds. Senior Mike Bazzano had a solid game with six points. Limited by foul trouble, Senior Ciaran Sandy came close to a double double with nine points and seven assists.
After tough games the previous day, the Winged Beavers Varsity Basketball team arrived for their third Seacoast Classic game with a short bench. Avon Old Farms would have to draw on deep reserves to match the Big Red from St. Paul’s School. Early in the first half, Avon went to a guard heavy lineup and started to move the ball and find open shooters. Junior Peter Ryan found his range from deep and buried three three-pointers. When Avon’s shooters missed, Junior Graham Walker kept possession alive and converted six-second chance points. With the team making the extra pass, Senior Jarron Suttles led the squad with three of the first half’s nine assists. St. Paul’s kept fighting to stay in the game and at the half the teams were separated by just five points, 35 to 30.
In the second half, shooters from the Big Red pushed Avon’s defensive scheme to the limit. All but one basket for St. Paul’s came from beyond the arc as the Winged Beavers saw their lead erased. Senior Ciaran Sandy scored 11 points for the second half, including six points during the final two minutes. Behind strong rebounding the Winged Beavers were able to get a two-possession lead in the last minute of play. After a final Big Red shot fell short, the Winged Beavers closed out 2018 with a win, 61 to 57. Guard Graham Walker played all 32 minutes of the game and had 14 points, six rebounds, and four assists. Guard Peter Ryan earned a new career high with 17 points and seven rebounds. Senior Ciaran Sandy finished with 13 points.
After the Seacoast Classic, the team earns a well-deserved rest and will be back in action in 2019!