RHS Winter Preview: Girls hoops reload, indoor track eyes another GBL title run

By Dom Nicastro

After an encouraging offseason, Revere High School’s girls basketball and girls indoor track teams open the 2025–2026 campaign with renewed optimism — and no shortage of young talent.

  Rivera’s Revere returns with youth and positivity

The Revere girls basketball team is still finalizing its varsity roster, but second-year head coach Ariana Rivera already sees early signs of resilience and chemistry.

“We are a young team this year,” Rivera said following a preseason scrimmage with Saugus. “But the seniority that we do have is composed and knows how to organize us on the court.”

One of those senior leaders is captain Shayna Smith, who impressed during the preseason for both her vocal leadership and energy.

“Shayna Smith, a senior captain, has done a great job this preseason keeping the energy up, keeping the girls positive after mistakes, and the drive to keep that ‘next play’ mentality,” Rivera said.

Several underclassmen are expected to make an immediate impact. Freshman Addison Ulwick and sophomore Haley Peralta both figure into the rotation early, while returning varsity players Allyson Ollivierra and Sarah Lechheb bring athleticism and defensive presence.

Rivera’s first Revere team finished 5-15 last season, with a young core that battled through close Greater Boston League contests but struggled to find consistent scoring. This year’s group looks to build on that experience — and find its rhythm behind strong leadership and better depth.

  Track leaders set the tone as Revere defends GBL title

Revere High School girls indoor track enters the season as reigning Greater Boston League champions after a perfect 7-0 run last winter. Head coach Racquel MacDonald-Ciambelli, now in her fifth season at the helm, sees the makings of another special group — even with a smaller roster than last year.

“We have about 15 less girls this year than we did last year. We did graduate about 10 seniors last year so this drop was expected, but we are already seeing some talented newcomers,” she said.

The team will again lean on its deep and experienced captain group — many of whom hold school records across sprint, mid-distance, and hurdle events.

“What they all have in common is a sincere love for this sport and team, as well as excellent leadership skills,” said MacDonald-Ciambelli.

The captains include:

• Gemma Stamatopoulos, a mid-distance standout
• Olivia Rupp, a leader in the longer-distance events
• Rania Hamdani, a sprinter who added cross country and throws to her résumé
• Jaliyah Manigo, relay specialist and sprint leader
• Lesley Mendoza and Jade Dang, 50-meter sprinters and team mentors
• Aidah Louaddi, who’s working to revamp the shotput program
• Basma Sahibi, a top hurdler and versatile field event option
• Danni Hope Randall, a 300m sprinter
• Jaleeyah Figueroa, a utility athlete with range from sprints to throws
• Dayana Ortega, “an exceptionally strong hurdler who will no doubt lead the GBL this season”

Mid-distance and hurdles again project as team strengths, but the team is also hoping for breakthroughs in the throwing events — long a thin area for the Patriots. That could change this year with the addition of new throws coach Soleil Yuong, an RHS alum and Vassar College track standout.

“As always, I expect to see us struggle in the shotput,” MacDonald-Ciambelli said. “This is not due to a lack of development but rather a lack of depth in the event due to years of lacking a throws coach.”

This season’s schedule includes GBL matchups at Reggie Lewis Center, along with top-tier invitational meets like the MSTCA Winter Festival, Boston Holiday Challenge, and Division 2 State Relays.

With a strong culture and a veteran coaching staff that includes assistant Noelle MacDonald and strength coach Maggie Mullins, the Patriots have set their sights on another title push.

“The GBL continues to be a very strong league,” MacDonald-Ciambelli added. “Chelsea and Everett will continue to be strong in the throws, sprints, and jumps, and we expect Somerville and Medford to put up a fight in the distance events based on what we saw in XC.”

Revere opens the season Friday, Dec. 12, against Lynn Classical and Malden at Reggie Lewis Center.