As the fall sports season is coming to a close, it’s time to take a look at the teams we will be watching in the winter and what we should be expecting from each squad.

Ice Hockey

Even though they are considered a club, the hockey team is one of the best and most exciting teams we have at the school. Coming off of a loss in the Maryland state final last season, the Patriots have high expectations to not only get to the state final for a second consecutive season, but this time finish on top. The Patriots lost four seniors who played a pivotal role in last season’s success, but are returning six seniors and seven juniors. Senior wing Scotty Collinson is confident in his team’s capabilities for this season. “If we play the way we want to play as a team, we should have a great chance at making it back to finals and finishing what we started,” Collinson said. The team won their first game of the season on Oct. 25 against the Whitman Vikings 6-2.

Boys’ Basketball

While last year the Patriots finished with a 10-12 record, the squad is anticipating a better season due to three students who transferred from private schools. Juniors Will Margaritas and Normand Bayigamba along with senior Hubert Bayigamba will add size, shooting and ball handling that will benefit the Patriots throughout the season and hopefully lead them to a deep playoff run.

The Patriots have the luxury of bringing back 12 upperclassmen, five seniors and seven juniors, including senior guards Jack Moskowitz and Jack Lvovsky. “I’m excited for my first year on the team here. I know a bunch of the team from playing with them in middle school, but high school should be more competitive, which makes it better,” Margaritas said. The Patriots take on Springbrook in their first regular season game on Dec. 6. at Springbrook.

Girls’ Basketball

After a heinous 1-20 record in the 2018-2019 season and an early exit in the first round of the playoffs, the Patriots look to bounce back in this upcoming season with a young roster that is made up of only four upperclassmen. Although it’s not ideal to have a team primarily made up of freshman and sophomores, there is hope for this season due to the group of underclassmen led by freshman guard Kaitlyn Mariani. Another major piece of this team will be senior forward Anna Baldwin, who is optimistic about this year. “I have high hopes for this season because we have good underclassmen coming in,” Baldwin said. The Patriots look to start the season off on the right foot against Springbrook on Dec. 5 at home.