A bittersweet victory: Gardner celebrates the seniors of its girls and boys hoops program

GARDNER -- Flowers, kisses, and hugs mixed with feelings of gratitude and the quick passage of time swirled inside LaChance Gymnasium last Monday night.

Gardner High senior student-athletes on the boys and girls basketball teams, along with their parents, relatives and friends enjoyed a special ceremony, each honored and recognized at center court.

“Every year we try to make it special for the seniors,” said Gardner boys head coach Pete Gamache Jr., who has five seniors on his roster: captain Cookie Leger, Chris Woods, Dhruv Patel, Cameron Dodge and Andrew Lucier.

Patel, who is ranked number-one academically in the senior class, said, “It’s kind of a bittersweet, the last regular-season game at home,” he said. “When we were younger, we would be at this game, watching the seniors being honored. Now we’re here ourselves.”

Arriving early for her son, Chris Woods’ final home game was Melissa Corey, holding a colorful poster etched with his jersey number 12 along with action photos.

“Chris is my all-star in every way. I got lucky,” said Corey, who was accompanied by her parents, Wayne and Debra Corey, her older son, Owen, and her good friend and neighbor Valarie [cq] Richard.

Chris Woods got lucky too. His single mother has raised him by herself for the past 14 years, often working three jobs including overnight shifts and weekend hours.

“I’ve never had a single problem with Chris,” she said. “Teachers and coaches have always commented about how good a kid he his. They’ve told me he’s just the best, a true leader. From the time he was a little boy he’s always loved sports from biddy ball to baseball, football, flag football, everything. He’s made us all so proud, and I’ve tried to never miss one of his games.”

After presenting his mother with flowers and a kiss during the ceremony, Woods, who plans on studying to be an electrician after high school, said, “My mom is a strong woman. I think I’ve made her proud. At least I hope I did. I am glad I’ve gone down the right path though because of her.”

Gamache praised all his seniors, noting the contributions and enthusiasm of Patel, Dodge and Lucier, all on the varsity team for the first year, helping the team forge a winning, playoff bound record.

About captain Leger, Gamache said, “Cookie has been part of our program since middle school and he’s been so steady for us, averaging about 28 minutes a game with a 10-point scoring average. He just has this natural athleticism which has really helped us.”

Gamache added about Woods, “Chris has made a big impact on the varsity, as a very good shooter, averaging 9 points a game. Plus, he’s a great kid, always working to get better.”

Standing with his three seniors after their game, Gardner girls coach Francis Phillips praised Zahara Vanderpuye, Haleigh Arsenault and Lydia Dupre, who scored 10 combined points. “It’s always important to have good seniors on a team and these girls have brought energy and good attitudes every day,” Phillips said. “The other girls on the team really look up to them.”

“Just a great night, our last game here,” said Dupre who started, swished a free throw early in the game and received loud cheers from her teammates. “I love the tradition of giving out flowers.”

Also honored at the game on Monday night was the senior member of the Wildcats’ cheering team, Annika Rodriquenz, with her parents, Lisa and Shawn.

Smiles abounded as the Gardner seniors, along with their parents, holding bouquets of flowers and strings of balloons, exited LaChance Gym, and it wasn’t just because both Gardner teams were victorious over Murdock, the Wildcat girls improving to 15-2, the boys to 11-6.

The players from the Class of 2024 left hoping for another home game in the postseason if the tournament seedings fell their way.

But even if that doesn’t happen, as they move on in life, fond memories will endure-- of their resiliency during the tough times during freshman year dealing with disruptions because of COVID, of the many joyous wins during successive winter seasons, of the hard work, laughter, and fun of practicing and playing with good friends, of the special, unforgettable and simply good parts about being a teenager.

This article originally appeared on Gardner News: Gardner hoops win last home games, honor contributions of seniors