The Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School boys and girls hockey teams will hit the ice Thursday to start their playoff runs and boys basketball is awaiting their postseason tipoff time.
The three teams had a strong regular season and hope to carry that momentum into the playoffs, said Mark McCarthy, the regional high school athletic director.
“We’ve had packed rinks and packed gyms,” he said. “[Spectators] are excited and we want to give them something to cheer about.”
All eyes are on the boys basketball team which wrapped up their season with a 17-3 record and a Cape and Islands League title. The regular season ended Friday with the Vineyard coming out on top in a nail-biting last two minutes against Falmouth.
“They’re anticipating a deep run into the playoffs,” Mr. McCarthy said.
The boys basketball team will face the winner of the Pembroke versus Gardner game, which is scheduled for Tuesday but might be delayed due to the blizzard, Mr. McCarthy said.
Girls hockey kicks-off the playoff season against Dedham High School at the Bajko Rink in Hyde Park Thursday at 3:00 p.m. They finished their season 9-10-1.
Boys hockey starts their postseason at home against Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday. They’re fresh off a 12-8-0 season.
“Getting home games is always a goal of the teams,” Mr. McCarthy said. “They love to play at home in front of the fans.”
Though a blizzard Monday has caused road blockages and power outages across Massachusetts, Mr. McCarthy said he’s confident both hockey games will take place Thursday.
He encouraged the community to come out and support the Vineyard teams.
“The kids just love having their full stands to play in front of,” Mr. McCarthy said.
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