The MIAA Finals have been completed and the Springfield Trailblazers want to
acknowledge the accomplishments of the players and alumni who competed this high
school season:
Juan Valentin, Tim Dunn, Guillermo “Petey” Zayas, Nate “Pooh Bunny” Pollard – Holyoke HS
This quartet were the key players on the Trailblazers first teams to travel to AAU Nationals,
having won 1 state AAU title (13u) and playing in 3 straight championship games (12/13u/14u),
and in 4 Division AAU Nationals (12u/13u/14u/15u).
This team also achieved success at the YBOA Nationals, finishing 6th nationally at 15u,
and losing in the national championship game in 16u.
They were all starters on the reigning Division I Western Mass Champions!
Isiah Wallace (a), Quenton McMillian, Nick Holland – SABIS International Charter School
This trio was part of last season’s 17u YBOA National Championship, with Wallace taking
home MVP honors.
McMillian was a starter on last year’s national champions, while Holland was a key role player.
Wallace was also a member on the 15u and 16u YBOA teams and took home all
tournament honors in 16u.
All 3 were starters on the reigning Division III Western Mass champions and state finalists.
Jansy & Jensen Cruz, and Jeff Hamilton – High School of Commerce“Cruz Control” was a
part of all the successful Trailblazer teams since 13u, while all 3 Red Raiders were members
of last year’s national champions. Jansy last year received all-tournament at the YBOA
nationals, while Jensen received the Hustle award and won the “Hot Shot” Contest at the
YBOA Nationals. Jeff Hamilton was a key role player for the Trailblazers national
championship team.
“Cruz Control” was all-scholastic selections last season, while leading the Red Raiders
to back to back Div. I Western Mass Final Fours.
Hamilton was a key reserve for Commerce this season.
Danny Lopes – South Hadley High School
Danny has been part of the Trailblazers for 3 years, and was a key member of last year’s
national championship team. Also a stellar football player, he was a member of South Hadley’s
conference championship football team, which has played in back-to-back Super Bowls.
Lopes was the starting point guard on the reigning Division II Western Mass Champions.
Tyronne Henderson – Mohawk Trail Regional High School
An all-scholastic selection, Tyronne was a starter on last season’s national champions. He led Mohawk to the
Divison II WMass semifinals and eclipsed 1,000 career points.
Nate Hernandez – William Dean Technical High School
Nate was a member of the Trailblazer teams with the Holyoke HS connection, and was a member of the 17u national
champions. Hernandez was also a standout football player for Dean and made all-scholastic.
Hernandez led Dean to the WMass Div. III quarterfinals and scored 1,000 career points.
Billy Cavanaugh (Westfield), Isaac Freeland (Greenfield), Avery Williams (SABIS)
All 3 were members of last season’s national championship team. While Cavanaugh and Freeland were contributors
on their respective basketball teams, Williams was a wrestler for SABIS this past season.
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL MEMBERS AND ALUMNI FOR THEIR SUCCESSFUL HIGH SCHOOL SEASONS!
Welcome