Webutuck hosts HVRHS for basketball scrimmage

Webutuck’s Junior Varsity squad lost the scrimmage overall despite success at the rim.
Photo by Nathan Miller

Webutuck’s Junior Varsity squad lost the scrimmage overall despite success at the rim.
AMENIA, N.Y. — The boys of Housatonic Valley Regional High School’s basketball teams visited Webutuck High School in Amenia, New York, Tuesday, Dec. 10, for a pre-season practice scrimmage.
The scrimmage was a typical series of 10 minute face-offs alternating between varsity and junior varsity squads.
Housy was the more successful squad in the scrimmage, but Webutuck didn’t make the wins easy for the visiting team. Housy’s boys won all but one of the scrimmages, but none with a difference of more than five points.
In the third scrimmage of the night — the second varsity matchup — Webutuck and Housy matched each other point for point. For most of the scrimmage Housy was up by a basket or two, but at the five minute mark Webutuck turned the game around on a fast break to close Housy’s lead.
For the next two or three minutes, Housy tried to rebuild their lead only to be matched by Webutuck. The scrimmage came down to an 11-11 tie in the final thirty seconds. Then, with a rebound and another fast break, Webutuck scored the winning basket with just fifteen seconds on the clock, not enough time for Housy to rebut.
That scrimmage was Webutuck’s only win of the night, but the team demonstrated perseverance throughout.
The HVRHS boys rejoice around Jackson McAvoy after he scored the game-winning goal against Shepaug with just two minutes left to play.
WASHINGTON — Housatonic Valley Regional High School’s boys varsity soccer team advanced to the Berkshire League tournament final after a 1-0 win over Shepaug Valley High School in the semifinal game on Friday, Oct. 24.
Jackson McAvoy scored the game-winning goal with just two minutes remaining.
The victory marked HVRHS boys soccer’s first victory over Shepaug since 2020.
“Finally,” said HVRHS Coach Adolfo Portillo after the game.
HVRHS will play top-ranked Nonnewaug High School in the BL final. Nonnewaug advanced to the title game by beating Northwestern Regional High School in penalty kicks (4-3) after a 2-2 draw in regulation time.
The championship game will be played at Nonnewaug beginning at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28.

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Students dressed in neon lined the soccer field for senior night under the lights on Thursday, Oct. 16. The game against Lakeview was the last in a series of competitions Thursday night in celebration of Homecoming 2025.
As homecoming week reaches its end and fall sports finish out the season, an air of school spirit and student participation seems to be on the rise across Housatonic Valley Regional High School.
But what can be attributed to this sudden peak of student interest? That’s largely due to SGA. Also known as the Student Government Association, SGA has dedicated itself to creating events to bring the entire student body together. This year, they decided to change some traditions.
Spirit week from Oct. 14-17 was unlike those of the previous years. From wearing Housatonic merch to Boomer vs Baby day, this year’s spirit week held a little friendly competition to see which grade could participate the most.
“I think that students are bored of the same old activities and events, so it’s good to switch things up even slightly to incentivize interest within students,” said SGA president and senior Mollie Ford. “Plus the point system is super beneficial because it gives students a reason to participate.”
The school spirit sentiment can be seen outside of just the school. Senior Simon Markow is known for his photography throughout the community, and has dedicated time to help Housy sports teams’ social media posts.
“Since I’ve started photography, I think school attendance [at sports games] has gone up,” Markow said. “I feel this year, students will be more aware of games and are more likely to be at the games.”
Whether it’s a pink-out volleyball game or an under the lights soccer match, it’s likely you’ll see some familiar faces.
Social media has played a large role in this over the years. Almost every student organization at Housatonic has an Instagram account, and it’s helped reach students more efficiently than a poster or email would.
“The increase of social media use, with the help from me but as well as the teams themselves has definitely increased student interest,” Markow said. “With Housy teams posting more about their upcoming games, and my help showing the cool goals, spikes, or touchdowns, it’s enlightened students to watch the games themselves.”
In a small school, promoting pride has proven to be a challenge. But this year’s senior class has made some adjustments in the hopes to change that.
“The SGA community has spent the last few years really focusing on student participation, because we think it’s the students who contribute to a better climate,” Ford said. While Housatonic’s student body may be small in size, it seems they certainly aren’t small in spirit.