The Valley Regional boys’ basketball team is coming off a rough campaign by its lofty standards, but it was a necessary step in helping to get several underclassmen some varsity experience. The Warriors are now ready to take the next step in their journey back to the postseason with what they hope will be a rebound run this year with a younger group, one that’s ahead of schedule in terms of reps on the big stage.

Last winter, the Warriors endured a four-win campaign and missed postseason qualification. Head Coach Kevin Woods detailed that the Warriors are very eager and hungry to secure a return trip to the playoffs after a one-year absence in 2023-2024. Valley knows the expectations and the pedigree of the program, and so the boys want to pen a new chapter in the Warriors’ hallowed history.

“The Warriors are looking to get back into the Shoreline Conference and state tournaments this year after missing out on the playoffs last season,” said Woods. “Valley has a long history of success in both tournaments, and we are determined to get back to their traditional standards of success on the court.”

Noah Dolinsky is back as a junior and the main captain for the Warriors this season. The guard was Valley’s second-leading scorer last campaign by averaging 14 points a contest. The assistant captain is senior and forward Tommy Troy–fresh off an All-Conference and All-State football campaign for the Warriors.

“Noah Dolinsky has a great work ethic off the court, and he puts in countless hours in the gym working on his game and playing AAU ball,” said Woods. “Tommy Troy is a player who brings physicality to the team, while being relentless on the boards, and an excellent passer. He will find a way to average double digits in points with hustle, effort, and inside finishing ability.”

Another standout from the senior class is Rex Grabowski, who will join Troy in the paint at forward. He brings with him a vast array of abilities to find the bucket while ripping down boards off the glass.

“Rex Grabowski is an excellent athlete who can score inside and outside,” said Woods. “He is a huge presence on defense with shot-blocking ability.”

In the backcourt is a sophomore upstart in Tavis Fillachione. He contributes all the ideal talents one would desire in guard play. He can strike from long range or under the rim, while holding a steady handle on the rock.

“Tavis Fillachione brings an excellent skill set,” said Woods. “He can shoot, drive, defend, and rebound. He also brings solid ball-handling to the guard position.”

Woods also added that he anticipates solid contributions this campaign from guards in junior Michael Spencer, senior Cameron Atkinson, junior Logan Prue; plus freshman forward Tanner McIntyre, another freshman in guard Brady Evans, junior guard/forward Cody Saunders, and sophomore guard Derek Beaudoin.

The Warriors will play in the first annual Hawk Holiday Invitational at Vinal Tech. They will take on Westbrook on Thursday, Dec. 26 in the opening round and face either Vinal Tech or Wilcox Tech in the championship round the following day on Friday, Dec. 27.

Other key dates on the Valley calendar will be the program's Spirit Night on Friday, Jan. 17 at home against Portland. Lastly, Senior Night is currently slated for Friday, Feb. 14 against East Windsor, where the Warriors will give their seniors plenty of love and admiration on Valentine’s Day.

Valley kicked off the campaign at home on Dec. 17, when it played host to rival Morgan (after press time). The Warriors dive right into the conference fray by then hosting East Hampton later in the week on Friday, Dec. 20 with a 7 p.m. tip, and then a Monday matinee at North Branford on the road with a 1 p.m. contest.

In addition to the East Windsor matchup, Valley has additional out-of–conference clashes with Canton on the road on Thursday, Jan. 23 with a 6:45 p.m. tip off. They follow that up with a trip to Grasso Tech for a weekend meet up on Saturday, Jan. 25 at high noon. Those tandem of games are part of a five-game road trip for the Warriors. Additionally in that stretch, they travel to Old Lyme on Tuesday, Jan. 21 at 7 p.m. Following Grasso Tech, they travel to Clinton for the return match with Morgan on Tuesday, Jan. 28 at 7 p.m. They wrap up on Friday, Jan. 31 at East Hampton at 7 p.m. before returning home on Tuesday, Feb. 4 against North Branford.

The Shoreline Conference is also a grind with the depth of talent and formidable teams within it. Woods remarked that it should prove to be a positive for the Warriors, as it will accelerate the maturation process with the youthful Warriors growing through the gauntlet.

“The team is young, but there is some great talent that will be on full display this year,” said Woods. “It should be an exciting season, as the young Warriors are sure to grow up quickly.”

Woods is back for his now 16th season as the head coach at Valley. He is assisted by Lou Rolon, in his eighth campaign, and Dennis Rinaldi–back for his second slate.

The 2024-2025 Valley Regional boys’ basketball roster is comprised of seniors in Troy, Grabowski, Atkinson, team manager Nathan Rowland; juniors Dolinsky, Spencer, Saunders, team manager Tesering Samphel, Elias Torres; sophomores Filacchione, Logan Prue, Beaudoin, Kai Carlin, Ethan Dean, Peter Blake; plus freshmen Evans, Jordan Dolinsky, McIntyre, Keegan Colquhoun, Elijah Carter, and Thomas Guillerault.

2024-2025 Valley Regional Boys’ Basketball Regular Season Schedule

Friday, Dec. 20: vs. East Hampton at 7 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 23: at North Branford at 1 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 26-Friday, Dec. 27: at Hawk Holiday Invitational at Vinal Tech

Monday, Dec. 30: at Cromwell at 5 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 3: vs. Haddam-Killingworth at 7 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 7: at Coginchaug at 7 p.m.

Friday. Jan. 10: vs. Hale-Ray at 7 p.m.

Monday, Jan. 13: at Old Saybrook at 7 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 17: vs. Portland at 7 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 21: at Old Lyme at 7 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 23: at Canton at 6:45 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 25: at Grasso Tech at noon

Tuesday, Jan. 28: at Morgan at 7 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 31: at East Hampton at 7 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 4: vs. North Branford at 7 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 7: vs. Cromwell at 7 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 11: at Haddam-Killingworth at 7p.m.

Friday, Feb. 14: vs. East Windsor at 7 p.m.