WATERTOWN – The winter sports season is underway at Watertown High School, highlighted by a season-opening win for girls basketball, strong early results for wrestling, competitive tests for boys basketball and hockey, and a college signing ceremony for three senior athletes.

The girls basketball team opened the 2025–26 season Friday night with a 63–54 victory over rival Belmont at the Watertown Middle School gym. Despite graduating four senior starters, the Raiders showed early composure under third-year head coach Mike Tempesta. Freshman Natalie Haley led the way with 24 points, while Natalia Keuchkarian added 19 as Watertown held off Belmont late at the free-throw line.

Watertown wrestling also delivered a strong early performance at the Wakefield Lisitano Tournament on Dec. 13, placing five wrestlers in the top five. Jimmy Shrestha and Hagop Shabazyan each finished second, Fahad Khan and Billy Werra placed third, and freshman Ruben Kostanyan earned fifth.

Boys basketball returned home Tuesday night but fell to Woburn, 57–46. The Raiders trailed by 16 at halftime and struggled offensively through three quarters, but mounted a late surge, outscoring the Tanners 19–8 in the fourth. Michael Nshanian scored 18 points, Michael Caterino added 17, and senior Ben Teixeira finished with 11. Watertown returns to action Friday night against Wilmington.

On the ice, Watertown/Wayland boys hockey opened the season with two losses. Earlier in the week, the team fell at Belmont at the newly opened Belmont Ice Arena, then dropped a 4–0 decision to Woburn on Wednesday at John A. Ryan Arena.

Off the field, three Watertown seniors marked a major milestone Wednesday by signing letters of intent to play college athletics. Field hockey standouts Ava Lamacchia and Sophia Setouhi committed to Bentley University and UMass Lowell, respectively, while boys soccer captain Gavin Foley signed to play at Brandeis University.

Watertown teams continue league play this week as the winter season ramps up.

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