BREAKING: Holy Family’s undefeated boys basketball season has come to a shocking end after a 63-51 loss to defending league champions Horizon on Tuesday, January 20, 2026. The Tigers, who were riding high with an 11-0 record, faced a fierce challenge from the Hawks and their standout junior, Noah Sokolowski.
Coach Pete Villecco stated, “To go on the road and beat a good team like Horizon, you have to do a lot of little things at a high level. And we just weren’t as sharp as we’ve been.” This loss not only marks the end of an impressive streak but also complicates their pursuit of a league championship.
With the defeat, Holy Family’s record now stands at 11-1 overall, 3-1 in the 6A/5A/4A Granite Peaks League, placing them a game behind both Horizon (11-3, 5-0) and Frederick (10-4, 5-0) in the standings. The upcoming game against the Golden Eagles this Friday is critical; a win is necessary to keep their championship hopes alive.
Senior point guard Matthew Evans, who led the Tigers with 12 points, reflected on the team’s performance: “I feel like we were really efficient on the offensive end, but it comes down to defense and boxing out. If we did that a little better today, we would’ve won.” The Tigers struggled to contain Sokolowski, who dominated the boards with a staggering 30 rebounds and added 20 points to secure the win for Horizon.
The Hawks capitalized on free throws, attempting 25 shots from the stripe and making 8, while Holy Family only had 7 attempts, making 5. Coach Villecco noted, “We had a hard time keeping them off the glass. We knew that would be a challenge.” The Tigers must improve their defensive strategies to reclaim their title as league leaders.
As the action heats up, fans will be watching closely to see if Holy Family can bounce back against Frederick. Last season, the Tigers secured a gritty 56-43 victory in a closely contested match, but this year they will need to elevate their game significantly.
Stay tuned for updates as Holy Family aims to regroup and retake their place at the top of the league standings. The stakes are high, and the pressure is on!
