URGENT UPDATE: Holy Family’s undefeated boys’ basketball season has come to a sudden halt after a challenging 63-51 loss against defending league champions Horizon on January 20, 2026. The Tigers, who boasted an impressive 11-0 record, faced a tough battle on the road at Horizon, where they struggled to maintain their momentum.
Head coach Pete Villecco stated, “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 defeat not only ends their perfect season but also complicates their pursuit of the league championship in the Granite Peaks League.
With this loss, Holy Family now finds themselves trailing behind both Horizon (now 11-3, 5-0) and Frederick (10-4, 5-0) in the standings. The Tigers must secure a win against the Golden Eagles this Friday to keep their championship hopes alive.
“I feel like we were really efficient on the offensive end, but it comes down to defense and boxing out,” said senior point guard Matthew Evans, who led his team with 12 points. “If we did that a little better today, we would’ve won.”
Horizon’s standout player, Noah Sokolowski, dominated the game, racking up 20 points and an astounding 30 rebounds, showcasing why he is considered a top prospect. The Tigers struggled to contain him, which ultimately affected their game plan.
Villecco noted, “We had a hard time keeping them off the glass. We knew that would be a challenge.” The Hawks capitalized on this with 25 free-throw attempts, converting 8 of them, while Holy Family managed only 7 attempts as a team.
The Tigers previously celebrated a significant victory against 5A No. 7 Silver Creek just days ago, a thrilling 71-65 win which seemed to set the stage for continued success. However, their performance against Horizon reveals a need for improvement as they head into their next critical matchup.
As Holy Family prepares for their upcoming game against Frederick, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Last season, the Tigers secured a narrow 56-43 victory over the Golden Eagles, but they will need to elevate their game to stay competitive this year.
Fans will be watching closely as Holy Family aims to bounce back and reclaim their position in the league. The urgency is palpable—can the Tigers rally and keep their championship aspirations alive?
