'Rising Stars' Get Up Close Look at Varsity Hoops Team

The eighth grade girls' basketball team practiced with the varsity high school team last week and then got to see the team defeat Amesbury.

A new program called "Rising Stars" has united the eight grade girls basketball team with the varsity team at Hamilton-Wenham Regional High School, in an effort to build excitement about the program. Jon DeMarco, the girls' basketball coach at the Regional, said the program is designed to provide role models to the middle school team and show them what's ahead. "They got to see what the high school practices are like," he said. They attended practice a week ago and then attended the Generals' game versus Amesbury on Friday where the team went to 4-1 on the season with a 54-24 win. Both teams took a picture together and the eighth graders got a "Super Fan" T-shirt. DeMarco said there are 11 freshmen involved in the program right now, but …

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Meet Your Neighbor

Meet the Newest General Who Took a Rival to the Super Bowl

Get to know Jon DeMarco, the new head coach of the Hamilton-Wenham Regional High School Generals girls' basketball team.

Name: Jon DeMarco Family: Wife, Amy; Mother, Nancy; Father, Anthony; Brothers, Anthony and Rich and Sisters, Nancy and Leann Occupation: Hamilton-Wenham Regional High School girls basketball coach and high school history teacher at Revere High School. Tell us a little about this year's team: We have a great group of girls that have worked extremely hard the first two weeks of practice. We are looking forward to the season, but understand nothing is going to come easy. What hopes do you have for them? I hope that every player makes the most of their high school basketball experience. Being part of a high school team is a special opportunity that should not be taken for granted. Hobbies/interests: I enjoy anything to do with sports or …

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