Bulldog News

Hillside celebrates undefeated season

Wednesday, March 03, 2010

Hillside School has announced that its Varsity Basketball team has finished the season with a perfect 18 and 0 record. The team’s remarkable accomplishment is a rare feat in Hillside’s 109-year history.

Hillside Varsity Basketball team proved dominant throughout the entire 2009-2010 winter season. The team, which consists of eighth and ninth grade students from all over the US and abroad, plays against similar independent school teams; Hillside’s opponents for the 2009-2010 season included many traditional powerhouses such as Fay, Fessenden, Rectory, St. John’s and Belmont Hill schools.

The team compiled some very impressive statistics. Of particular note was the team scoring average of 72.6 points per game. This included two games scoring over 100. However, the team was particularly conscience of its margin of victory.

Head Coach and Athletics Director Mike Foster noted, “I try very hard to manage the players as well as the scoreboard. We teach the boys that winning with respect for your opponent is the key to true success. Stats mean nothing, if they are gained without good sportsmanship.”

The team typically began their games with fast starts and often maintained a high level of energy and play throughout their contests. Consistent and accurate shooting, aggressive defense, and well-timed passing among team members were frequently hallmarks of the Hillside varsity’s style of play.

Foster also attributed many of the team’s victories to the reliable spirit of team play exhibited by all of the players. “There was a strong feeling of camaraderie among them - they all worked very well together from one end of the bench to the other,” he noted.

Johnnie Vassar ’10, starting point guard and leading scorer, made similar observations. In a recent interview, he cited the team’s ability to “play well together” plus team members’ “fast play and everyone doing their job” as keys to basketball squad’s singular achievement.

“This has truly been one for the record books,” noted Hillside School Headmaster David Z. Beecher about the Varsity Basketball team’s efforts. “Members of our community are thrilled with the team’s success and, especially, their milestone finish – this has been a basketball season which will long be cherished by all the Bulldog faithful.”

Johnnie Vassar '10 leaps for the basket during the Hillside Holiday Tournament game versus St. John's of Shrewsbury. Also in action: Rafael Ashworth '10 (left) and Mikol Blake-Green '10 (right).

Connor Legare '10 (left) goes for the shot during the Hillside Holiday Tournament match up against St. John's of Shrewsbury in December.

Jean Toussaint '10 breaks through the defense to score in a January 20 game against St. Mark's School. Also in action: Mikol Blake-Green '10.