Hawks return veteran group

Photo by Mike Wertman – Holley Coach Matt Hennard meets here with several of the Hawks veteran players. From left are Josh Porter, Ian Penders, Andy Spychalski and Joey DeFelice.

A year ago Holley opened the boys varsity basketball season with only one senior, Corey Winter, in an otherwise underclassmen dominated lineup which endured a 3-16 learning campaign. Now, the Hawks are prepping for the upcoming season with a much more veteran laden line despite a couple of off season injuries.

The senior quartet of Josh Porter, Ian Penders, Andy Spychalski and Joey DeFelice anchors the Hawks lineup which also looks to include juniors Nick Passarell and Zach Vaccarelli and sophomore Chris Balys. Penders is sidelined due to an injury until early December while senior point guard Jon Bower is also out with an injury.

“Getting healthy and playing as a team are the keys for us,” said Coach Matt Hennard. “The big thing is to work hard early, get stronger and stay competitive until we get our players back. We do have a lot more experience than when we started last season and we’ve got good numbers participating at the JV level so its exciting to be in that position.”

Holley is slated to open the season at Northstar on December 2 and then begin Genesee Region League competition at home on December 5 against Byron-Bergen.

The season will also be highlighted by the Hawks hosting a Holiday Tournament on January 2 and 3.

Holley’s Schedule

Dec. 2 – at Northstar, 7 p.m.
Dec. 5 – Byron-Bergen, 7 p.m.
Dec. 17 – Alexander, 7 p.m.
Dec.19 – Kendall, 7 p.m.
Dec. 30 – at Lyndonville, 6:30 p.m.
Jan. 2 and 3 – Holley Tournament
Jan. 7 – Lyndonville, 7 p.m.
Jan. 13 – at Wheatland-Chili, 7 p.m.
Jan. 15 – at Elba, 7 p.m.
Jan. 21 – Attica, 7 p.m.
Jan. 23 – at Oakfield-Alabama, 7 p.m.
Jan. 30 – Notre Dame, 7 p.m.
Feb. 2 – at Pembroke, 7 p.m.
Feb. 4 – at Byron-Bergen, 7 p.m.
Feb. 6 – Pembroke ,7 p.m.
Feb. 10 – at Alexander, 7 p.m.
Feb. 12 – at Kendall, 7 p.m.
Feb. 18 – at Lyndonville, 7 p.m.