The midway point of the high school winter sports season is here, and several Vineyard teams are staking their claim at the top of their divisions.
The boys basketball team defeated Falmouth across the Sound on Tuesday 55-36 for their eighth win of the season. The Clippers came into the game ranked five slots higher than the Vineyarders in the MIAA Division Three power rankings, making MV’s 19-point drubbing all the more of a statement. Jacoby Light was the Vineyard’s high scorer with 20 points.
The win over Falmouth marked their third in the last four games. First was a 61-47 win over New Mission of Hyde Park, where the boys held their opponents to just six fourth-quarter points and ran away with the win. Light shot the lights out with 33 points and five steals to lead MV. Connor Beeson also had a double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds, and Leo Napior and Fletcher Zack were big contributors in the hustle department.
Their second win in this stretch came against Sandwich at home last Friday by a score of 53-45. It was a bounce-back win after taking a loss against Dennis-Yarmouth earlier that week on the Cape. Landon Lepine turned in a solid game on the low post to lead the Vineyarders with 17 points and 14 rebounds. Light was also productive with 16 points and multiple steals, while Tauras Biskis also chipped in nine in the win.
Next, the Vineyarders play four games at home, starting with Monomoy on Friday at 4:30 p.m.
The other Vineyard squad with eight wins so far this season is the boys hockey team. Currently ranked fourth in the Division Four power rankings, MV had a huge 1-0 overtime win over second-ranked Sandwich last Wednesday. Joe Mederios was again the extra-time hero for purple, potting the game-winner, while Russell Coogan held it down in net to earn the shutout. Angus Cummings was acknowledged as the player of the game for his clutch play on defense.
The win over the Blue Knights was a much-needed rebound for the boys after they were shut out in a stunner of a loss to Dennis-Yarmouth and defeated by Falmouth in their previous two contests. However, the Vineyarders didn’t have to wait long to get their revenge against the Dolphins. Demons were exorcised last Saturday as MV demolished D-Y 8-1 at home. Mederios, Donnie Gregory and Ryan Heidt each scored twice while Peter Williamson and Rory Lakis topped off the scoring.
Up next is another chance for purple to prove their mettle. On Wednesday, they travel to Nauset to take on the Warriors, who are ranked first in Division Three. The boys’ next home game will be Saturday against Bourne at 4 p.m.
The girls hockey team recently hosted the Nan Rheault tournament last weekend and skated to the championship round after a 5-2 win over YETI, a co-op team from Rhode Island. In the win in the preliminary round, Elle Mone’s four-goal signature performance was art on ice, and Reese Malowski chipped in another score for good measure.
In the championship, the girls had a chance to avenge an earlier loss to Milton. However, despite the familiarity with their opponent, they came up short and were defeated 4-2.
Despite only having three wins so far this year, the girls are still in the hunt for the playoffs. Currently ranked 16th in Division Two, if they can string together some wins as the calendar flips to February, they should be able to position themselves for a home playoff game come the end of the season. For now, their sights are set on the next game, which will take place at home on Saturday at 2 p.m. against Barnstable.
Back on the basketball court, the girls hoops team got their fourth win of the season last week against Dennis-Yarmouth 50-33 in front of their home crowd. Nala Pitman had a double-double for MV with 11 points and 11 rebounds. She also had three assists and a steal.
Right now, the goal for the girls is to get their record back to .500 for a chance at a play-in game come tournament time. Their next three games will all be on the road, first against Monomoy, then off to Dartmouth to play Bishop Stang, and back out to the east end of the Cape to face Nauset. After all that travel, they’ll be back home on Tuesday, February 3, to play Saint John Paul II at 4:30 p.m.
The wrestling team has participated in three meets since hosting Falmouth earlier this month. In the first event, the highlight of the day was the Vineyarders storming back to win it after being down 36-18 to Greater New Bedford Tech. Isaac Lefebvre started the comeback with a win in the 165-pound division.
“It was huge. Easily our best team win,” said wrestling coach Jerry Kadien.
Then, against Barnstable last Wednesday, MV went 7-1 in their matches with big wins from Simon Arbelaez in the 190-pound division and Xander Laicona in heavyweight.
Wrapping up the wrestling action was the Cape Cod Invitational last Saturday at Sandwich High School. Zeb Athern took second place in the 190-pound division while Tripp Arciaga and Laiacona earned third in the 175-pound and heavyweight divisions, respectively.
Sandwich comes to the Island on Wednesday for the Vineyarders final home match of the season. The competition starts at 4 p.m.
The indoor track team has run two more Cape and Islands League meets in recent weeks. The Vineyard’s medalists included Enzo Reis, with two first-place finishes in the 55-meter hurdles at 8.22 and 8.12. Katelyn Tankersley, first in shot put with a 27-03 toss. Luis Costa, first in the 1000 meter at 2:48.15 and third in the 300 meter at 38.97. Kaniel Morgan, two thirds in shot put with tosses of 37-05.25 and 40-03. Morgan also had a third in the 55-meter at 7.11. And Gabe Slossberg, a third in the high jump with a 5-02 leap.
Vineyard relay teams also had a pair of second-place finishes. The 4×400 team of Slossberg, Reis, Mason Burns and Anthony Da Silva finished in 3:54.05. And the 4×200 team of Da Silva, Morgan, Lucas Martins, and Jamison DeMello finished in 1:40.29.
Up next for indoor track is the MSTCA Coaches’ Invitational at the Reggie Lewis Center in Roxbury on Saturday.
The swim team wrapped up their dual-meet schedule on Saturday with both the Vineyard boys and girls defeating Nauset on the road. For the boys, it was the cap to a perfect record in Cape and Islands League meets this season, and the girls notched their second win to bring their record to .500.
Now, with two weeks to prepare for league championships, the swim team has plenty of time to gear up for the postseason. “What a way to end our dual meet season,” said swimming coach Jen Passafiume. “I am constantly impressed each meet with how everyone on this team has improved this season.”
This year has been another stellar season for Vineyard swimmers. Ronan Mullin has qualified for five events at the South Sectionals and four more at the Division Two State Championship. At both, he’s in for the 200 freestyle, 200 individual medley, 100 butterfly, and the 500 freestyle. At the South Sectionals, he’ll also swim the 50 freestyle.
Grady Stalgren also qualified for the South Sectionals in the 100 butterfly and the 100 backstroke. He is also a member of the Vineyard’s relay teams with Mullin, Claus Smith, Moses Thompson, and Michael Calheta. Together, they qualified for States in the 400 freestyle relay and Sectionals in the 200 medley relay and 200 freestyle relay.
This article appears in January 23, 2026.