Grafton Globe Newspaper
Winter 2020 Edition
Devin Kelly: Salutatorian
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With just 4 games left in the season, the Grafton boy’s varsity basketball team has completed 15 of their 19 games, and they have been on a roll. They currently stand 2nd in the SWCL A, behind Tantasqua.
The Grafton Indians started off the season strong in December, as they won their first two games by a total of 62 points, including in a 38 point blowout against Quaboag, which has been their greatest margin of victory yet. They continued to dominate, as they closed out the year winning their next 3 games, starting off the season with a perfect 5-0 record. Their offense was running in high gear as they scored at least 62 points in all 5 games, and they were making an average of 6 3-pointers per game. Grafton didn’t open 2020 the way they wanted to, as they lost their next game on the road against Tantasqua. Tantasqua, who are currently standing atop of the SWCL, slowed down the red hot Grafton offense. Grafton only managed to score 26 points, which was a season-low by far. Drew Bergenholtz scored 18 points, but the rest of the team only combined for 8 points. The Indians were able to pick themselves back up as they rebounded against David Prouty, winning by a score of 62-52. They would win their next game in a similar fashion, as they took down Leicester by a score of 62-49. Standing at 7-1, the Indians’ already impressive offense was only going to get better. Their next game would be their hardest test of the season against Bartlett, who just like Grafton, only had one loss on their season. The Indians were down 11 points in the 3rd quarter, but they were able to overcome the deficit led by Amara Ouattara who scored 12 points in the 3rd quarter alone, and 24 overall. They forced the game into overtime but unfortunately weren’t able to capture the victory. Despite the loss, Grafton’s offense was better than ever, as they scored a season-high 82 points. Grafton didn’t let the loss carry over to their next games, as just like after losing to Tantasqua, they rebounded with a comfortable victory against Southbridge. Grafton faced a difficult task in their next game as they faced off against Auburn on the road, and they only held a two-point lead entering the 4th quarter. However, they were able to close out the game with an impressive 4th quarter giving them a 9 point victory. Amara Ouattara led the way with 28 points, which was a season-high for most points scored by a Grafton Indian. Their next 3 games would be against Northbridge, Uxbridge, and then Northbridge again. Grafton would go on to win all 3 of those games by double digits, continuing their dominant run. Grafton currently has a 13-2 record, which is the 2nd best record in the SWCL. Amara Ouattara is their leading scorer as he averages 16.6 PPG, as he leads Grafton’s 2nd highest-scoring offense in the SWCL. This has been one of Grafton’s best seasons in years, and a significant improvement from their previous season. Last year, Grafton won 11 games, while this year, they have been able to win 13 games with 4 games left in the season. With the way Grafton has been performing this season, there’s no doubt that they should be able to continue to dominate throughout the rest of their season. Their next game will be at home against Doherty, who currently stand at 7-5, on February 6th at 6:30 PM. Ricky Duran, one of the most notable alumni to have walked the halls of Grafton High School, has definitely given Grafton something to be proud of. Duran’s name has been prominent in Grafton High School’s updates for the past few months after he successfully passed the blind audition of NBC’s 17th season of “The Voice.” “Passing the audition” is quite an understatement for Duran’s performance. When he first auditioned for “The Voice” on its sixth season, Duran was unable to turn any judges around. However, this did not discourage Duran in pursuing his dreams of being a musician. Instead, Duran came back to “The Voice” stronger and better than ever. He didn’t get just one judge to turn their chair, but all four judges to turn their chairs, and, on top of that, a standing ovation. With all four judges fighting to be his coach, Duran chose Blake Shelton to mentor him throughout the competition because he believed that he would go far under Shelton’s guidance. To show their support, Grafton High held its first ever Turkey Tussle and dedicated the event to Duran. The entire school gathered on its football field to give a special shoutout to Duran in hopes that he would see just how proud and supportive Grafton High is of him after over a decade since his graduation. The support Duran gathered was not unfounded; Duran exhibited intense vocal talent and a natural way with a crowd from the beginning, making him stand out among the other contestants. In fact, Duran made it all the way through to the finals, ending the competition with what the judges described as his “best performance” throughout the show. Duran chose to sing a cover of Tom Petty’s “Running Down A Dream,” which was undoubtedly the right choice as it highlighted his amazing vocal skills and star quality. The final performances of the contestants left the judges with a difficult decision to make, which unfortunately was not in Duran’s favor. Despite not winning the competition, Duran’s journey was still an inspiration to all of his fans. The rising star maintained a positive outlook and continues to amaze fans with his work. Duran’s future looks bright and promising, making him an artist to look out for in the near future. Credit: @ChrisPattersonTG on Twitter
Upon the dawn of winter’s eve
Pow’dry flakes did softly slip Unto the face of Earth receive Peace throughout a frigid trip. If by nightfall glisters so Illuminating bitter gales Rest upon the fallen snow Sighted in few trodden trails And clouds sweet ling’ring low That alas, snowflakes turn sails Of ventured lands be off they go! |
Grafton Globe NewspaperStudent created articles in a student run digital newspaper. CategoriesArchives
February 2020
CategoriesHumans of Grafton High |