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Housatonic Valley Regional High School’s girls and boys basketball teams are ready for another season on the court in their colorful kicks. Above, from left, Autumn McKone, Olivia Simonds, Keely Malone, Selena Black, Hayden Bachman, Olivia Brooks, Maddie Johnson, Victoria Brooks, Carmela Egan, Aubrey Funk, Grace Graney and Noell Laurry. (Not pictured: Mya Weed)
Riley Klein
Girls
Senior captain Olivia Brooks, a 5-foot 1-inch point guard, will be playing this season in a pair of Nike LeBron 20s. She said she was drawn to the “violet frost” colorway and the double swoosh.
Her sister and fellow captain Victoria Brooks, 4-11 guard, was also wearing a pair of LeBron 20s that “didn’t fit my twin sister’s feet.”
Senior captain Maddie Johnson, 5-7 center, laced up her Nike LeBron NXXT Genisus shoes. She chose them for both fashion and function: they’re lightweight and she liked the white and Aegean storm colorway.
Hayden Bachman, junior 5-3 guard, was wearing Nike Sabrina 3s, the official shoe of Sabrina Ionescu, in the summit white, iron grey and photon dust colorway.
Carmela Egan, junior 5-7 forward/center, wore blue Puma x LaMelo Ball basketball shoes.
Grace Graney, junior 5-5 guard/forward, was in a pair of purple Steph Currys by Under Armor.
Selena Black, junior 4-11 guard, wore high top CL Bangs in a purple and white style.
Lily Gold, sophomore 5-3 guard, had white Under Armor shoes on.
Noell Laurry, freshman 5-7 center, wore Giannis Immortality 4s in the wolf grey, luminous green and metallic silver colorway.
Aubrey Funk, freshman 5-2 point guard, was wearing pink custom Nike KDs.
Mya Weed, 5-5 freshman guard, also wore Nike KDs, the official shoe of Kevin Durant.
Keely Malone, freshman 5-3 guard/forward, had Nike Sabrina 3s in the summit white, iron grey and photon dust colorway.
Autumn McKone, freshman 5-4 guard/forward, was wearing Nike Luka Doncic 4s in flash crimson and sunset pulse.
Olivia Simonds, freshman 5-4 guard/forward, had white and pure platinum Nike A’Ones. She liked the A’ja Wilson shoes for their clean look, plus “they’re comfy and bouncy.”
From left, Rhys Culbreth, Anthony Labbadia, Owen Riemer, Timothy Coon, Henry Berry, Wyatt Bayer, Anthony Foley, Wes Allyn, Simon Markow, Nick Crodelle, Tyler Roberts, Peyton Bushnell, Jaxon Visockis, Bryce Salmon and Jasper Oyanadel. (Not pictured: Ryan Segalla)Riley Klein
Boys
Simon Markow, senior 6-2 forward, chose his SpongeBob-esque Way of Wade Shadow 6 V2 “Road to Finals” sneakers because they match the Mountaineer yellow and “Dwyane Wade was a big dunker, and that’s what I plan to be doing this season.”
Anthony Foley, senior 6-3 forward, had Nike Sabrina 3s in the “Radiant” colorway, which is described as a mix of grape, magic ember and bright peach. He liked the flashy colors and said they are “rated one of the best grip shoes.”
Owen Riemer, senior 6-2 shooting guard, wore teal Nike G.T. Cuts. He said the shoes have VKTRY insoles and are “really light with a lot of spring.”
Nick Crodelle, senior 6-0 point guard, was in black and white Curry 11s that he described as durable and comfortable. While he chose them for function, he noted, “They look good though.”
Tyler Roberts, senior 5-8 guard, also had on Ja 3s. His pair was black and blue in the “Scratch 3.0” colorway. He noted they have good cushion and traction.
Anthony Labbadia, senior 6-1 guard, wore Nike Ja 3s. In the “Hustle & Flow” style, each shoe is unique: one yellow and one purple. “They looked really light and Ja [Morant] loves to dunk.”
Henry Berry, senior 5-10 guard, wore ANTA KAIs, Kyrie Irving’s official shoe, in a blue and red design. The shoes, he said, have great cushion and help him move easily.
Wyatt Bayer, junior 5-11 guard, had Curry 12s in the “fire and ice” style. One shoe was blue Atlantis color, the other dark orange. He liked the the look and support of the dual colored shoes.
Ryan Segalla, junior 6-2 forward, will be playing in a pair of pink Nike KD 18s.
Rhys Culbreth, junior 6-0 guard, was wearing nightmare red Nike Ja 2s, which he described as “really comfortable” with great traction.
Jasper Oyanadel, junior 6-0 center, wore wolf gray Nike Giannis Immortality 4s. “They’re reliable,” he said. “Won’t tear on the sides, good grip.”
Peyton Bushnell, sophomore 5-10 point guard, was in Nike Sabrina 2s for their functionality. He chose based on ratings for best traction and ankle support.
Jaxon Visockis, freshman 5-2 guard, wore white and turquoise Nike G.T. Cut 3s. He said they are “durable with good grip. I can stop quick and get to where I want to be.”
Timothy Coon, freshman 5-9 guard/forward, wore Nike Giannis 4s in the white and sky-blue style. “They’re the first ones I saw.”
Bryce Salmon, freshman 5-7.5 guard, had gray and light blue Nike G.T. Cuts.
Wes Allyn, senior 6-4.5 center, was rocking a leg brace and a crutch as he recovered from knee surgery due to a football injury. He said he plans to be back on the court in February, at which point he will be wearing Jordan Why Not 0.6s, the Russel Westbrook shoe, in a bright red colorway with green accents. “They’re really roomy for bigger insoles with a larger toe box.”
These Way of Wade Shadow 6 V2 “Road to Finals” sneakers will be worn by Simon Markow, forward, in the coming basketball season.Simon Markow
Karen Lundeen of Salisbury looks over the poinsettias on sale at the Housatonic Valley Regional High School Holiday Store.
Ruth Epstein
The scent is derived from the rows of Christmas trees and the carefully created wreaths that line the yard of Housatonic Valley Regional High School’s agricultural wing. Inside, there is a burst of red where poinsettias fill the greenhouse.
The store has been a longstanding tradition at the school. Residents from around the area come back each year to not only purchase their Christmas staples, but support a very popular program. The store is primarily student-run where the teens learn a variety of skills, said Moran. Among those he ticked off are business management, providing service to the community, learning how to produce a quality product and how to interact with adults.
“Most of all they learn how to use their time wisely,” he said. At that point the internet system went down and credit cards could not be used for a period of time. When student Kevin Eisermann figured out what was wrong, Moran added problem solving to the list.
Eisermann, who, along with his sister Kellie Eisermann transferred to Housatonic from Webutuck Central School in Amenia, New York, said he enjoyed the activity. His father owns a business, so he is used to meeting and talking with people.
Housatonic Valley Regional High School student Chris Crane loads a Christmas tree onto a customer’s car at the school’s Holiday Store.Ruth Epstein
There are three varieties of trees being sold: balsam, fraser and silver firs, explained Moran. “Firs have three qualities: friendly, fragrant and flat-needled.” This year there was an inventory of 784 trees and 650 wreaths, the latter which are created during two nights when the community comes together to help the students produce them. Poinsettias totaled 500.
Funds raised from the project are put toward attendance at conventions and leadership programs for students. A portion also goes to area food pantries.
Students were bustling around on Saturday, helping patrons choose trees, cut them to size, wrap them and hoist them on vehicles. They took turns manning the cash registers. They appeared to have learned their lessons well, eagerly assisting customers with cheerful demeanors.
Many of the buyers said they come to the sale each year. Several had children go through the program and chatted with Moran, who has been at the school for 30 years, about what career paths they’d followed.
Stephanie Plunkett of Sharon, whose son attended the program, said, “I love this sale. And isn’t the smell good?” Rebecca Trahan said she always buys her tree at the store. “I like to support the students.” Bentley Chou of Salisbury was there with her family. She said this was their first time. “We usually cut down our own, but the offerings this year weren’t as good.” Dean Yuliano of Lakeville also had children who went through the program. “We come every year. They always have good trees.”
Alec Linden
Music and merriment filled Salisbury Saturday, Dec. 6 and Sunday, Dec. 7, as the community took part in a weekend of festive activities around town. The Salisbury Stroll down a snowy Main Street, the tree lighting, parade of lights, Holiday Baroque music concert at the Congregational Church and a seasonal market at Noble Horizons spread cheer throughout the town.
Alec Linden
