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As the calendar flipped to a new year, nothing changed for the Winchester High boys basketball team (8-0) after winning its first two home games in 2026 over non-league Acton-Boxborough (59-58, Jan. 2) and Wakefield (78-45, Jan. 6).
“We survived the (Acton-Boxborough) game,” said coach John Fleming. “They are a really talented team.
“We started slowly against them, trailing 10-2, before finding our way back a little bit,” added Fleming. “It was a battle that I thought we might be able to close out stronger. It was like the Stoneham game, which came down to one final stop to win it. In this game, we were able to force (Acton-Boxborough) to take an off-balance fadeaway that fell short.”
Senior captain Carson Sarpong was the all-around leader on the court with three steals, one block and 10 rebounds, while Dawson English, who shares the captaincy duties with his classmate, paced the offensive attack with 19 points. Senior guard Harrison Burbine was close behind with 15.
It was a different story against Wakefield, which definitely pleased the veteran Winchester coach.
“I was really happy to see the way we jumped out on Wakefield in the first quarter,” he said. “A few minutes into the game, we subbed in five to continue the pressure defense, and those players really opened things up.”
Fleming singled out Evan Wilson, in particular, who made four of six threes in the first quarter.
“That was great to see,” the coach said. “He is a terrific shooter, and was due for a game like that.”
The Winchester coach added that Wakefield is a tough, scrappy opponent, who fought hard to the end.
All 14 Winchester varsity players played many minutes, proving that their hard work in practice paid off. They all had the stamina to take advantage of their opportunities.
“We moved the ball really well, and made the right decisions to (distribute) that extra pass to get the better shot,” said Fleming, “and Max Phillips and Michael McDonough were responsible for a few of those extra passes.”
Wilson was the top scorer against the Warriors with 18 points. English was credited with 14. Adam Fiorentino chipped in with 12. Phillips and McDonough accounted for three assists apiece. Burbine pulled down nine rebounds, while Sarpong grabbed six boards.
Fleming is naturally quite happy with the fast start to the season.
“We have said it a few times, but we are finding ways to win, which is great,” he said. “If you can win close games in different ways, that is a good sign. We have different players making big plays each night, and they are all capable of stepping up at the right times.”
But Fleming also cautions that the season is far from over. “We have two tough games ahead,” he said.
The first one was at home against Reading (Jan. 9), a team that’s better than its actual record, according to the veteran Winchester coach. Methuen follows the Rockets to town on Sunday morning (Jan. 11) at 11 a.m. The coach says the Rangers are a strong team from the Merrimack Valley Conference, but he loves the fact that both of these contests are being played in the new gym, a place that has quickly developed into a comfort zone for the Red & Black.
The Winchester boys will then hit the road for Watertown (Jan. 13, 7 p.m.) and Belmont (Jan. 16, 5:45 p.m.) to complete the week after the Methuen encounter.
Girls trip up host Wakefield
The Winchester girls defeated host Wakefield on Jan. 6, 57-41 to run their record to 7-2 on the season.
Freshman Carolyn Collins dominated the Warriors with 27 points, seven rebounds and three blocks. Senior Catherine Ryan also turned in a triple threat performance as a shooter, playmaker and rebounder, ending up with 10 points, five rebounds and three assists.
“We moved the ball around very well, and also executed the pick and roll throughout the game, which opened up shots and opportunities for us,” said Coach Sam Mosley.
The coach specifically singled out the team’s great ball movement in this game that resulted in 19 assists, a season high to date.
The Red & Black then hosted Reading on Jan. 8, before going on the road to play non-league Malden Catholic Sunday afternoon (Jan. 11) at 1:30 p.m. They will return home to play host to Watertown on June 13 at 6 p.m., before taking on host Belmont on Jan. 16 in the second game of the boys and girls doubleheader. It’s tentatively scheduled to start at 7:15 p.m., while the aforementioned boys game is slated for 5:45 p.m.
Joe McConnell is a longtime, award-winning sports editor for numerous North Shore publications. He began covering Winchester sports for the News in November 2024.
