By Ian Perrotta
Review Staffwriter
Boys’ Soccer
Last Friday the Kosciuszko Middle School soccer team ended their season with a perfect 8-0 record and the distinction of being the champions of the Dearborn League.
This year’s accomplishment of the middle school team bodes well for next year’s high school team. Out of 15 players on the team, only three will return to the Cougars team. All but one of the graduating eighth graders have committed to playing for the Cosmos.
The team dominated the competition throughout the year. Jim Weller, in his second year as Head Coach, attributed the raw talent of players to the success of the season. Like high school coach Dennis Celic, he said his biggest challenge was familiarizing the players with organized play.
“There is a lot of talent in Hamtramck, but most kids have never played anything more than a three-on-three or four-on-four street game,” said Weller.
As for the next year, Weller hopes to match this season’s success. He is currently eyeing prospects in the elementary schools and hopes to recruit some of that talent.
“I’m looking forward to seeing what next year brings,” he says, “and I think there is nothing but good things to come.”
Girls’ Basketball
As if Kosciuszko Middle School didn’t have enough to cheer about, the girls’ basketball team also finished the season at the top of their league. The Cougars finished the season with a 7-1 record as co-champions of the Dearborn League.
This season marked a dramatic turnaround from the previous one. Due to fighting in the stands, last year the season was canceled after only one game. To prevent a similar situation like that from happening, this year Head Coach Melissa Rush took a more active role in controlling the fans, engaging them positively and squelching any problems before they got out of hand.
The result was the greatest season in the history of Koscuzco Middle School girls’ basketball. Never before has the team finished at the top of their league and with such an impressive record. With about half of the players returning next year, Rush sees no reason why the success will not continue.
“I have high expectations and aspirations,” said Rush, “and I hope to repeat the same feat next year.”
Next to play ball is the boys’ basketball team, with their first game on Nov. 24. The highly-touted team is gunning for a championship of their own, so look for coverage of the team in The Review.