Blue Devil Athlete Spotlight: Warren Acceus (Boys' Basketball)

Current senior Blue Devil Warren Acceus moved to Leominster from Lynn when he was in the sixth grade.  He was introduced to basketball by his cousins who used to come over to his house and play NBA Live on the Xbox.  From there, Warren was hooked, playing for a variety of teams throughout his childhood including YMCA in elementary school and a variety of AAU teams along the way including his most recent team, the Central Mass. Lions.  

Warren said what he likes most about basketball is coming through in pressure situations.

“What I like most about the sport is late in the game when it is tied up and really competitive and everybody is into the game with something on the line,” Warren said.

Warren also said he has enjoyed his time being a member of the Blue Devil basketball team.

“What I like about being on the team is being surrounded by great players and a good coaching staff,” Warren said.  “What I really like and enjoy most is all the good teams we will be able to go up  against and have a good competitive experience.”

LHS boys’ basketball head coach Kevin Grutchfield said it has been great watching the maturation of Warren. 

“He really took a leap last year and became a defensive force,” Grutchfield said.  “He affects the game with his speed and athletic ability.  He worked hard all summer on his offensive game and he has started out the year as one of our leaders.”

 

“He is a great kid, good student athlete who has worked his way through our program and improved every year,” Grutchfield added.  “He is someone the younger kids in our program can look to as what you can achieve if you work hard enough.”

 

We're hoping to get Warren playing at the next level. He deserves it and will do what it takes to get there.

 

Warren hopes to play basketball in college and is interested in becoming a police officer.

 

“We're hoping to get Warren playing at the next level,” Grutchfield said.  “He deserves it and will do what it takes to get there.”

 

“If not, I would like to play in another competitive league where I can keep having fun,” Warren said.  

 

Warren also said he has learned a lot from coach Grutchfield.

 

“Something I learned from my coach last season in my junior year was to always keep working and keep giving effort regardless of the situation,” Warren said.  I say this because at the beginning of the season I didn't start and barely played even though I thought I should have. I didn't change my attitude or play any differently.  I just kept working harder and by the end of the season I was able to start for the rest of the season to finals. This showed me hard work paid off.”

 

Warren plans on running track in the spring and said his favorite class at LHS is gym.  His favorite teacher has been Mrs. Burns.  

 

“My favorite teacher would be Mrs. Burns because she was really helpful and was caring to make me take a harder class even though I kept asking her to put me in the easier one.”

 

Outside of school Warren’s hobbies consist of working out, hanging out with friends and listening to music. 

 

 

Blue Devil Athlete Spotlight: Juliana Pompei (Girls' Basketball)

Juliana Pompei started playing basketball in the first grade after her parents introduced her to the sport she is now so good at.  Just a sophomore at LHS, Juliana is a dedicated student athlete who works for perfection according to her coach Rusty Frederick.  

“She’s awesome in the classroom and awesome on the basketball court,” Frederick said.  “She is an immense competitor who works extremely hard.”  

Frederick also said Juliana doesn’t let her underclassman status prevent her from being a leader.

“Jules leads by example on and off the court,” Frederick said.  “She will do anything we ask of her as coaches with no hesitation, whatever helps the team.  Juliana will have a very bright future.”

Juliana got a chance to play even more basketball with her Leominster teammates this past spring as they played on an AAU team together in the Central Mass. Lions program.  

Whether it’s with the Lions or at LHS, Juliana said he really loves the sport and her teammates.

“I like working as a team and winning games together,” Juliana said.  “I like the close relationships it builds.”

Juliana hopes to one day play basketball in college and study physical therapy.  

At LHS, Juliana also plays field hockey and lacrosse and she said her favorite class is Mr. Oxford’s English class.  Juliana is also part of the LHS Student Council.

Outside of school, Juliana enjoys shopping, traveling and practicing sports.   

Blue Devil Athlete Spotlight: Patrick LeBlanc (Boys' Ice Hockey)

Patrick LeBlanc started playing hockey when he was just seven years old after his father introduced him to the sport.

“My dad introduced me and always put the Bruins on when I was younger and that made me fall in love with the game,” Patrick explained.

Now in his fourth year of varsity hockey with the Blue Devils, Patrick is an alternate captain for coach Frank Mooney who said Patrick has matured significantly in the past year to earn a leadership title.  

“Patrick leads by example on the ice with his work ethic and scores lots of goals by getting to the difficult areas of the ice that many are not willing to go to,” Mooney said.

Patrick said scoring is fun but he enjoys being a part of the team just as much.  

“I love the scoring aspect of the game but I also love how you can make friendships that will last a lifetime in the game,” Patrick said.  “What I like most is being able to represent the school.”

Patrick also plays club hockey with the Minuteman Flames organization and hopes to continue playing or coaching after his high school days are over. 

Patrick said playing for Mooney has been a great overall experience.

“I’ve learned that my coach is a great person to talk to when looking for help,” Patrick said.  “I really love and appreciate the fact that he listens to our suggestions and helps us make things work for us.”

Patrick also plays varsity golf at LHS and said his favorite class in high school has been Economics with Mr. Robichaud.

“It has been a blast and it’s cool to learn about other countries' economic situations,” Patrick said.