Whaler boys build on record setting season
BY STEVE SHEPPARD INDEPENDENT SPORTS EDITOR
      They netted a school-best record 16 games and made it to the quarterfinal round of the state tournament. They also captured their third league title in four years, and the defending Lighthouse Conference champs hope to ride their experience deeper into the postseason this year.
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Best record ever in the books, Lady Whalers look to extend winning ways in new season
BY STEVE SHEPPARD INDEPENDENT SPORTS EDITOR
      Last year at this time, the Lady Whalers were hoping to improve on their 16-6 record, the second best in Nantucket High School history at that time. They improved on it, all right. They leapfrogged past the previous high of 17 wins to finish 20-4 overall and one game shy of playing for the Division 4 state championship.
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TIME OUT
      The Whalers swimming and diving team is poised for another great season. One of the most dedicated swimmers on the boys' team is junior Beau Garufi. A fixture at the pool, he swims year-round and has successfully competed on the state level in breaststroke. With a very solid team surrounding him, Beau is looking forward to the season getting underway.
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THIS WEEK IN SPORTS
      Friday, Dec. 7 NHS boys' basketball at Mashpee, 3 p.m. Boys' JV basketball at Mashpee, 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8 NHS swimming and diving at BCC Relay in Sandwich, noon JV hockey vs. Easthampton, 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9 JV hockey vs. Easthampton, 9 a.m.
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BIRDS OF NANTUCKET
BIG BLACKHEAD?
by Kenneth Turner Blackshaw
      Ihope that's not the skin condition on the person next to you in the elevator. Oooh - break out the Clearasil. But of course this is another bird nickname. Does 'big bluebill' sound better to you - perhaps the state flower of Texas? But no, that would be the 'bluebEll.' Our feathered friend is known by both these names.
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Now is the time for all good Nantucketers to come to the aid of ... Brockton
by Steve Sheppard Independent Sports Editor
      While conducting extensive sports research recently, I happened upon this headline that could have been ripped from any newspaper of today: "Nantucketers Go to Brockton, Get Whipped, but Have a Fine Time.
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MOTHBALL SEASON
      The moral of the following story is that you should never shirk your work-related responsibilities to go out sailing. But before I get ahead of myself, let's go ahead with the story first. You see, I was asked by one Nick Judson if I'd like to participate in Nantucket Community Sailing's Annual Turkey Regatta on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. I said I had to work.
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