Winter sports previews: Manchester West
Though many of the athletics programs at Manchester West High School are now combined with other Queen City schools, there are still plenty of student athletes taking aim at personal improvement and eam success this winter.
MANCHESTER, NH – Though many of the athletics programs at Manchester West High School are now combined with other Queen City schools, there are still plenty of student athletes taking aim at personal improvement and eam success this winter. Here’s a glance at some of the Blue Knights teams this season:
Girls ice hockey (co-op with Manchester Central & Manchester Memorial)
Head coach:
– Cassidy Lavigne
Last season:
– 5-13 (narrowly missed playoffs)
Top returning athletes:
– Rosie Tague-Bleau (Captain)
– Grace Manning (Captain)
– Elizabeth Kelley (Captain)
“The three of them will be key players this season. Rosie has taken a new position over as center. Grace and Elizabeth are strong on the back of the ice on defense. Sophomore Taylor Morin has been growing tremendously for our offensive game. Rylee Page is coming back this year and helping us out on offense as well.” – Lavigne
Promising newcomers:
“All of our new players have never played hockey before but they are improving every day and already have been playing in games. Our brand new freshmen goalie has been blowing us away each practice and improving her game.” – Lavigne
Biggest challenge:
“Our biggest challenge this season is playing with newer players that have never skated before. Our program is known to take anyone who wants to play ice hockey for the first time. We want to give an opportunity to athletes who want to try something new. I am excited for this challenge and can’t wait to see the growth of our newcomers.” – Lavigne
Expectations:
“My one expectation for this season is to make sure our girls are learning and having a good time on the ice, as well as improve every practice and game. For most of them, to come out and learn the game of hockey for the first time can be challenging. Myself and my assistant coach want to help girls in Manchester learn the game we love.” – Lavigne
Early-season schedule:
– Dec. 14: 8-1 loss at St. Thomas/Winnacunnet/Dover
– Dec. 16: 10-0 loss at Lebanon-Stevens-Kearsarge
– Dec. 18: 7 p.m., away at Bedford
– Jan. 4: 6:20 p.m., home vs. Bishop Brady/Trinity/Bow
– Jan. 8: 6:10 p.m., home vs. Kingswood/Prospect Mountain
Boys ice hockey (co-op with Manchester Central & Manchester Memorial)
Head coach:
– Jeremy Baker (3rd season)
Last season:
– 9-9
Top returning athletes:
– Frank Tessier (Forward)
– Johnny Nassoura (Forward)
– Ryan Marden (Forward)
– Andrue McLaughling (Forward)
– Jake Lessard (Forward, assistant captain)
– Tyler Lessard (Defense, captain)
– Max Valcanas (Defense)
– Connor Cunningham (Defense)
– Caden Hines (Goalie)
– Cam Roberge (Goalie)
Expectations:
“I’m looking to try to stay .500. We have some good young forwards that are sophomores and our captain is a junior. Looking forward to getting us in a playoff spot and see what we can do!!” – Baker
Early-season schedule:
– Dec. 18: 6:10 p.m., home vs. Keene
– Dec. 23: 1 p.m., away at Bishop Guertin
– Jan. 4: 4:10 p.m., home vs. Bedford
– Jan. 8, 4 p.m., home vs. Exeter
Girls basketball (co-op with Manchester Central)
Head coach:
– Michael Wenners (33rd season at Central, last 22 as varsity girls head coach)
Last season:
– 4-14 (didn’t make playoffs)
Top returners:
– Tianna Mann
– Chloe Murphy
– Leyla Mohamed
– Adrianna Perron
– Marley Oates
Potential challenges:
“This is the second year of the Central-West co-op. Last year, it was approved less than two weeks before the start of the season, and it was a very rushed marriage between the two programs. The start of this year has been much smoother. The returning kids from both schools are aware of the expectations and have been great with the younger players, and there are a lot of younger players.” – Wenners
Expectations:
“Our goal is to get better everyday. Everyone has been working real hard for the first two weeks and we are seeing individual and team improvement already. However, the real test will be the dog days of the season in January and February when the newness of the season has worn off. Then, the teams who embrace the grind will start to pull away from the pack. If we are still getting better every day during those times we may be competing to sneak into the playoffs and surprise a team or two.” – Wenners
Early-season schedule:
– Dec. 13: 45-18 loss to Portsmouth
– Dec. 16: 42-35 win at Trinity
– Dec. 19: 6:30, home vs. Windham
– Jan. 3: 7:30 p.m., away at Concord Christian
– Jan. 7: 6:30 p.m., home vs. Winnacunnet
Swimming
Head coach:
– Steve VanDerBeken
Key returnering athletes:
– Hayden McNamara (Senior, captain)
Early-season schedule:
Manchester’s city high schools, including West had their second meet at Goffstown’s Allard Center on Tuesday, Dec. 17 against Goffstown, Bow, Merrimack and Bishop Brady.
Their next meet is Monday, Jan. 13 at the Allard Center against Bedford and Nashua South.
Note: All West head coaches have been contacted for this preview. The teams of those who responded are featured here.
