The playoff picture for the Huskies is starting to look bleak as the team loss at Pilgrim, 75-41, on Friday night. The team dropped their Division II record to 3-4 and now are in a three way tie for ninth place. The good news is that some of the teams ahead of them in the standings will have to make up multiple games, possibly due to having to quarantine at some point during the season. Mt. Hope has two tough, away games left, at Middletown on Wednesday and at Rogers on Friday. The Huskies had a close call with having to quarantine themselves when a Chariho player tested positive the day after their game last Wednesday night. The player did not travel with the team to Bristol according to Coach Grifka, still, he felt like the team has had some luck this season.

“We’ve been fortunate,” coach Grifka said during a phone interview last Thursday morning. “A lot of teams have had to quarantine. We had a few players with the sniffles, but that has been it.”

Mt. Hope vs Pilgrim game stats

Parker Camelo led the team in the loss to Pilgrim, scoring 13 points, Bruce McGuire scored 12, Shaun Vento scored 10, Gavin Winn added 5, and Faceson Hicks scored 1.

Mt. Hope beats Chariho, 57-44

On Wednesday, the Huskies beat Chariho, 57- 44, at during a division home game. Mason Almeida scored 16 points against Chariho and Bruce McGuire added 13. The win was Mt. Hope’s third in a row as they evened their record at 3-3.

“It’s been exiting,” said head coach Jeff Grifka of the streak. “The team is really gelling right now and starting to play together.”

The team held its annual senior night and had a few fans spread out in the bleachers on Wednesday.

“It was also good to have fans,” coach Grifka said. “It was exciting to have a little bit of normalcy.

The Huskies season didn’t start off so well as they dropped three in a row to Barrington, East Greenwich and Portsmouth. The team also had lost two key players to injury. Senior forward Brady Thibaudeau blew out his knee against Barrington and junior Josh DeWolf was injured as well, but the Huskies have found a new groove as of late.

“I’ve been funneling guys in, but The last few games I have found five starters and the team is starting to gel,” said head coach Jeff Grifka.

Sophomores Gavin Winn, and Parker Camelo have fit in nicely with seniors Shaun Vento, Almeida and McGuire, a junior.

The Huskies have beaten Coventry, Tiverton and now Chariho in their three game winning streak.

“Bruce McGuire and Mason Almeida have been our leaders,” coach Grifka said. “Bruce has really stepped up on offense. He has scored 55 points during the winning streak. He is very athletic and can drive the lane, work it from underneath and shoot the jumper.”

Ameida has also stepped up on offense, scoring 42 points during the three game span.

“Mason is terrific at transitioning the ball, driving the lane and getting to the line,” coach Grifka said. “He’s been with me for three years now and has come along way with his game. Mason can get to the basket and shoots and passes well.”

Winn and Camelo, the two sophomores pressed into action, have also impressed coach Grifka.

Winn has been a monster in the defensive zone.

“Gavin is a strong rebounder,” said coach Grifka. “He’s good at pressing and stealing and finding the ball. He has an innate ability to see the ball coming off the rim and snatch it.”

“Parker has been playing point guard. He’s been impressive,” said coach Grifka. “He distributes the ball well and is good at driving the lane when needed.”

Coach Grifka also credits the senior captains for helping out in practice and being vocal leaders during games.

“We are starting to see what we work on in practice transition into the games. It feels good,” said coach Grifka. “To see the team work hard and excel. It’s awesome.”