School News

VARSITY HOCKEY

Friday, February 22, Fenn School 4, Dexter Southfield School 1

Undefeated. After a high-flying season, Fenn coach Jeff LaPlante and his varsity hockey team could take a minute this week to let that word sink in. Undefeated at 13-0-1. With a victory at Dexter Southfield School in the season finale on Friday, February 22, Fenn accomplished something done only twice before in 24 years on Monument Street.

LaPlante, in his first year as the head coach, reached back in time to reflect on the last time Fenn posted an undefeated season.

“Boonie (Derek Boonisar) and I went undefeated with our 2008 team, as well,” said LaPlante, who was an assistant to Boonisar for eleven years. “He was a great role model for me.”

LaPlante took over the helm this season from Boonisar, who relinquished his duties to become Fenn’s headmaster. 

In the first period at Dexter, Fenn gave up the first goal of the game on a 2-on-none breakaway. Things seemed to continue to unravel as Fenn lost top scorer Conor MacLean when he was called for a major penalty and a misconduct, setting up a four-minute man advantage for Dexter and an additional eight minutes without MacLean on the ice. The Fenn penalty kill went to work and held off Dexter to send Fenn to the locker room down 1-0.

In the second period, with MacLean back on the ice at the eight-minute mark, the sharp shooter went to work with a shot on goal that was blocked by the Dexter goalie. Yet the rebound popped loose, and Andy Barton was there to pounce on it to knot the game at 1-1.

Less than a minute later, Ben Cook grabbed an errant Dexter breakout pass and quickly hit Luke Swaim with a tape-to-tape pass. Swaim zipped down the left side in the Dexter zone and found the far side of the net with a quick snapshot. The goal pushed Fenn out in front, 2-1, and forced Dexter to call a timeout in order to regroup.

The timeout seemed to help Fenn more than Dexter. Once play resumed, Kevin Bertocci, Liam Teto and Andrew Pesce played with intense pressure in the Dexter zone. Bertocci forced a turnover, stealing the puck from the Dexter defenseman and feeding Liam Teto in front. Teto lifted the puck over the Dexter goalie's glove hand for a 3-1 Fenn lead.

In the third period, Andrew Heinze continued his standout season between the pipes. Heinze put on a clinic against Dexter's onslaught, leaving Fenn's offense free to fly.

Conor MacLean hit Liam Teto with a pass, and the two players took off on a 2-on-1. As Teto carried the puck into the Dexter zone and attempted a cross ice pass to MacLean, the puck deflected off a Dexter defenseman's skate and into the Dexter net, sealing the 4-1 victory.

“The players deserve all the credit,” said LaPlante, who was assisted behind the bench by Ryan Miklusak. “The guys overcame some adversity, and the coaching staff is very proud of them.”

Heinze finished with 35 saves as Fenn wrapped up the 13-0-1 season. Captain Conor MacLean was Fenn’s leading scorer this season with 26 goals and 11 assists. Co-captain Andrew Pesce had nine goals with seven assists, while Luke Swaim also recorded nine goals with five assists.

JUNIOR VARSITY HOCKEY

Thursday, February 21 (season finale), Rectory School 1, Fenn School 9

The Fenn JV hockey team laced up for the season finale on Thursday, February 21 versus Rectory School. Coming off of a loss at Pike School the day before, Fenn was determined to end the season with a victory in front of the home crowd.

Playing some of its best hockey of the season, Fenn scored five goals in the first period against Rectory. The visitors responded with a goal of their own in the second period, but Fenn came back with four unanswered goals in the final two periods to seal a 9-1 victory.

Justin Graf, Chris Mariani, and Jack Pesce each scored a pair of goals for Fenn. Sam Kahn, Luke Rainis, and Ethan Rich each scored once.

The JV hockey team finished the 2019 season with a record of 2-3-1.

“The coaches (Kate Wade, Olivia Boger, Paul Heinze) are very proud of the progress that the team made over the course of the year,” said head coach Jason Rude. “We are confident that several players from this year’s squad will go on to contribute at the varsity level next year!”

VARSITY BASKETBALL

Friday, February 22 (season finale), Fenn School defeated Lawrence Academy

Fenn’s varsity basketball team defeated Lawrence Academy on Friday, February 22 for its third straight win. The boys in blue-and-gold took a commanding lead at halftime and did not look back in this complete team effort. Every player contributed on the scoresheet for Fenn, with AliJah Clark nabbing a game high 13 points, Fru Nkimbeng registering 12, and Rain Yang contributing ten. 

Coach Peter Bradley’s team earned a 10-6 record this season.

JUNIOR VARSITY BASKETBALL

Thursday, February 21, Fenn School 35, Lexington Christian Academy 31

Fenn’s JV basketball team claimed its second straight victory when it slipped by Lexington Christian Academy on Thursday, February 21. This one was a defensive struggle that ended in a 35-31 Fenn win. Evan Lazendorf collected seven points and Ben Lisa had six. Both Lazendorf and Lisa dominated with their defense and rebounding.

Friday, February 22 (season finale), Fessenden School 54, Fenn School 36

In the season finale, Fenn’s JV team hosted Fessenden School on Friday, February 22, seeking revenge for a loss to Fessy just two weeks earlier. Despite a good effort, Fenn fell to Fessenden again, this time by a 54-36 score. Rylan Chandler hit two three-pointers and finished with six points for the blue-and-gold.

Fenn’s JV team, coached by Chris Ryan, finished the season with a 6-7 record.

THIRDS GOLD

Thursday, February 21 (season finale), Thirds Classic

The Fenn Thirds teams wrapped up their seasons last week, each team registering a win in their season finale. The teams played an intramural Thirds Classic on Thursday, February 21 for end-of-the-year bragging rights. Point differentials decided the winner, so the White team won with 35 points, Gold took second place with 24, and Blue finished in third with 18. Rob Wasielewski coached the victorious White team, while the Gold was guided by Megan Macomber and the Blue team had Jimmy Manyuru at the helm.