In a highly anticipated matchup on January 20, 2026, the Holy Family boys basketball team suffered its first defeat of the season, losing 63-51 to the defending league champions, Horizon. This loss ended Holy Family’s undefeated record, dropping them to 11-1 overall and 3-1 in the Granite Peaks League.
Challenges Against Horizon
Holy Family coach Pete Villecco recognized the challenges his team faced against Horizon’s skilled lineup, particularly the 6-foot-9 star, Noah Sokolowski. “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,” Villecco noted post-game. “And we just weren’t as sharp as we’ve been.”
The Tigers are now a game behind both Horizon and Frederick, who are both at the top of the standings with records of 11-3 and 10-4, respectively. The loss complicates Holy Family’s pursuit of the league championship, as they prepare to host the Golden Eagles this Friday.
Key Players and Game Statistics
Despite the defeat, senior point guard Matthew Evans led Holy Family with 12 points and felt the team’s performance on defense made the difference. “I feel like we were really efficient on the offensive end, but it comes down to defense and boxing out,” he stated. “If we did that a little better today, we would’ve won.”
Sokolowski was a dominant force for Horizon, finishing with an impressive 20 points and a career-high 30 rebounds. His performance was pivotal, as he drew numerous fouls, resulting in 14 of Horizon’s 25 free-throw attempts, of which he converted eight. In contrast, Holy Family attempted only seven free throws, making five.
Villecco reflected on the rebounding struggles, saying, “We had a hard time keeping them off the glass. We knew that would be a challenge.” The disparity in free throws and rebounds highlighted the difficulties Holy Family faced throughout the game.
Coming off a significant victory against 5A No. 7 Silver Creek just days earlier, the Tigers were poised for another strong performance. The upcoming game against Frederick will be critical for their league standing, especially after last season’s defensive battle, where Holy Family emerged victorious with a score of 56-43.
As the league race intensifies, Holy Family will need to regroup quickly to remain competitive in the Granite Peaks League. The upcoming match against the Golden Eagles will be a key opportunity to regain momentum and keep their championship hopes alive.