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By Michael Flanagan
Hometown Weekly Sports Editor
Despite entering snake-bitten by injuries, Needham High School competed in the United State Squash National Tournament in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from February 2-4.
The Rockets showed a tremendous amount of grit in doing so.
With Evan Massa and Tyler Smith unable to suit up due to flu-like symptoms, the Rockets were forced to forfeit the first leg of their best-of-seven opening-round matchup against Loyola (Maryland).
Despite valiant efforts, the Rockets fell in each of their first three matches to fall behind 3-0. Senior Conor Hynes got Needham on the board by pulling out a grueling five-set victory in his match to cut the deficit to 3-1. Unfortunately for Needham, Loyola responded by winning each of its final two matches despite a valiant comeback attempt by the Rockets, prevailing by a final of 6-1 due to the forfeit, sending Needham onto the consolation bracket.
Needham’s next opponent, Greenwich (CT) jumped out to a 2-0 lead with victories in their first two matches against the Rockets. However, Needham responded through the grit of Hynes, Evan Anderson, Alex Luscher, and Eric Luscher. Hynes made quick work of his opposition for a 3-0 victory. Alex Luscher took home a 3-1 win to tie the match at two before a 3-2 win by Anderson and a dominant 3-0 sweep by Eric Luscher propelled Needham to the 4-3 overall victory.
The next day, the Needham squashers took on St. Joe’s Prep (Philadelphia), and this time, the Rockets were at full health as Tyler Smith felt himself again. Mitchell Hernandez dropped a tough one, 3-0, in Needham’s opening match, but a 3-0 counter-sweep by Anderson knotted the score at one. The victory by Anderson began a dominant 5-0 run by Needham as both Luscher brothers, Hynes, and Smith claimed victories in their matches, and the Rockets went on to win by a 5-2 final.
In the consolation bracket championship game, Needham took three of the first four matches thanks to victories by Hynes, Hernandez, and Anderson. However, the Rockets dropped each of their final four matches to fall 4-3 in heartbreaking fashion. On a brighter note, Hynes finished his storied Needham squash career with five total wins at nationals, more than any other player in NHS history. Four of Hynes’ five wins came in 2018.
For funny and incisive sports analysis, follow Mike Flanagan on his personal Twitter at @fLAno0, or read his blog at www.flannylive.wordpress.com.
