BREAKING: Holy Family’s quest for an undefeated season came to a shocking halt as they fell 63-51 to defending league champions Horizon on January 20, 2026. The Tigers, boasting an impressive record of 11-0, struggled against a formidable opponent in Thornton, Colorado.
In a high-stakes matchup, Holy Family coach Pete Villecco lamented, “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 ends their perfect season but also complicates their chances for the league title.
With the defeat, Holy Family now trails both Horizon (11-3, 5-0) and Frederick (10-4, 5-0) in the standings. The Tigers must regroup quickly as they prepare to host the Golden Eagles this Friday, facing an urgent need for a victory to stay competitive for the league championship.
Senior point guard Matthew Evans, who led the Tigers with 12 points, expressed disappointment over the team’s defensive struggles. “If we did that a little better today, we would’ve won,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of rebounding and defense.
Horizon’s standout junior, Noah Sokolowski, dominated the court with an astonishing 20 points and a career-high 30 rebounds. His performance was pivotal, drawing numerous fouls and contributing to the Hawks’ success at the free-throw line, where they shot 25 attempts, converting 8.
Villecco noted, “We had a hard time keeping them off the glass. We knew that would be a challenge.” The Tigers struggled not just with rebounds but also with fouls, which significantly impacted the game’s flow and their defensive strategy.
This match followed an exhilarating victory for Holy Family just days prior, where they secured a 71-65 win over 5A No. 7 Silver Creek. Now, as they face another crucial game against the Golden Eagles, the pressure is on to reclaim their standing in the league.
As the season progresses, the stakes continue to rise. Fans and players alike are eager to see if the Tigers can bounce back from this setback and maintain their aspirations for the championship. Follow the action as Holy Family looks to regain momentum this Friday against Frederick.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story and the latest in high school basketball!
