NEWTOWN — Newtown senior Jackie Matthews had one job to do in her team’s game against rival Pomperaug on Tuesday night. And she did it to virtual perfection.

Matthews stuck to standout Maggie Lee like glue for most of the 32 minutes of action, allowing no field goals to punctuate a defensive effort by the Nighthawks, who sank several free throws late to hold off Pomperaug 37-30 in a matchup between perennial playoff teams.

Matthews had just two points at the other end of the floor, but her impact was substantial in Newtown (8-1) grinding out another win to stay undefeated against in-state opponents this season.

“Her mantra forever is that she’ll just defend whoever,” said Nighthawks coach Jeremy O’Connell. “It doesn’t matter if it’s a post, if it’s a point guard. It doesn’t matter if it’s the All-State-caliber shooting guard that Maggie is, she relishes that role and just loves it.”

Pomperaug (6-3) pulled to within 32-30 on a 3-pointer from Alex Rafferty with less than two minutes left, but a key layup from Cyleigh Wilson pushed Newtown’s lead to four points. The Nighthawks missed a pair of one-and-one opportunities but a turnover and a missed 3 cemented the win for the hosts.

The Panthers had a substantial edge in rebounds but couldn’t get enough shots to fall. Both teams went more than 6 minutes without a made field goal at different points in the contest. The Nighthawks led by nine points early in the fourth quarter before a 7-0 run by Pomperaug ended with Rafferty’s triple.

“Our defensive effort and our rebounding effort was great,” Pomperaug coach Joe Fortier said. “We talked about coming in here with that intensity because (Newtown) plays physical, they play quick. I think we did to a T; we matched their intensity. We just needed a couple of stretches for the ball to fall in.”

BATTLE TESTED

Both sides are in the middle of the most difficult part of their schedules after challenging out-of-conference slates. Newtown will host Bethel on Friday and visit ND-Fairfield the following Friday while Pomperaug has the Lancers on Friday.

“We had some good wins last year but nothing really close,” O’Connell said. “Down the stretch in close games it hurt us at the end of the year because we didn’t have too many close ones throughout. This has been great to have these earlier in the season against great opponents.”

QUOTABLE

“We didn’t go into the season and say we’re going to struggle because we graduated six (seniors),” Fortier said of his team’s 6-3 start against a difficult schedule. “We’re still learning; this was the first close game they played at the varsity level. This team is ready for the challenge.”

rlacey@bcnnew.com, twitter.com/ryanlacey11

NEWTOWN 37, POMPERAUG 30

POMPERAUG (6-3): Marina Lambiase 0 0-1 0 Alex Rafferty 1 0-0 3 Jada Stietzel 3 0-0 6 Molly Flanagan 1 8-8 10 Maggie Lee 0 1-4 1 Maddie Villa 3 2-2 10. Totals: 8 11-15 30.

NEWTOWN (8-1): Amy Sapenter 4 0-0 9 Emma Magazu 0 1-2 1 Cyleigh Wilson 2 2-3 6 Carlie Smith 4 1-2 10 Juliette Cryder 0 2-2 2 Jackie Matthews 1 0-0 2 Nicki DaPra 3 0-0 7 Shea Murphy 0 0-1 0. Totals: 14 6-10 37.

POMPERAUG 8 6 9 7 — 30

NEWTOWN 7 14 9 7 — 37

3-pointers: P—Rafferty, Villa 2; N—Sapenter, Smith, DaPra.

BOYS BASKETBALL

Martin Antoine and Alfonso Smith each scored 25 points for the Ansonia boys basketball team, which defeated Seymour 79-46 Tuesday night in a Naugatuck Valley League home win.

Sheldon Schuler added 17 points and 12 rebounds wehile Smith also had five steals and five assists for the Chargers (5-2). Dion Perkins and had 18 and 16 points, respectively, for the Wildcats (1-6).

Ansonia 79, Seymour 46

Seymour (1-5-0)

Max Gayle 7 0 2-2 16, Dion Perkins 7 0 4-7 19, DJ Miller 2 1 0-2 5, Daniel Manente 1 0 0-0 2, Markel McKnight 0 0 0-2 0, Dhruv Kapadia 1 0 1-2 3

Ansonia (4-1-0)

Martin Antoine 11 2 0-0 25, Glenn Hines 4 0 1-3 9, Alfonso Smith 11 3 0-0 25, Seth Roselle 2 2 0-0 6, Sheldon Schuler 8 0 1-1 17, Devonte Weaver 5 0 1-2 11, John Nimons 1 0 0-0 2

Platt Tech 62, Whitney Tech 34

Platt Tech (1-3-0)

Isaac DaGraca 6 0 2-6 14, Kamien Murphy 1 1 0-0 11, Josue Aponte 3 0 2-4 6, Tyler Dowdy 9 1 3-3 24, Tyler Bernard 1 0 1-2 3, DCartagena 0 1 3-5 3

Whitney Tech (0-4-0)

James Troutman 0 3 0-0 9, Tremaine Jarvis 1 0 0-0 2, Doug Wandlaw 0 0 0-0 3, Tyson Vann 1 0 1-4 3, Na shawn brown 0 1 0-0 3, Justin Brady 0 0 1-6 1, keon Silva 0 0 1-2 1, Isaiah colon 0 4 0-2 12

Hamden Hall 87, King 60

Jackson Benigni knocked down seven 3-pointers en route to a game-high 30 points for Hamden Hall in a Fairchester League home win.

Tre Breland and Christian Adams added 15 points apiece for the Hornets.

Plsatt Tech 62, Whitney Tech 34: Tyler Dowdy led all scorers with 24 points for Platt Tech in a Connecticut Technical Conference win at Hamden. Isaiah Colon led Whitney Tech with 12 points.

Hamden Hall (4-1-0)

Tim Dawson 1 0 1-1 3, Christian Adams 6 0 3-5 15, Jackson Benigni 11 7 1-3 30, Jahki Pettway 1 1 0-0 3, Byron Breland 6 0 3-5 15, Chris Cahill 4 3 1-2 12, Tony Zhou 3 0 0-0 6

King

Canevari 10 7 2-3 29, Garavel 0 0 1-4 1, Noujaim 1 0 0-0 2, Lewis 4 0 4-6 12, Cooke 2 1 0-0 5, Porter 0 0 1-3 1, McMarrow 2 0 0-0 4

Hillhouse 55, Foran 41

Foran (2-5-0)

Michael Simonelli 1 2 2-6 10, Ethan McVay 0 1 0-0 3, John Shannon 3 3 0-0 15, Jason Giamba 2 0 0-0 4, Tyler Griffin 2 0 4-4 8

Hillhouse (5-2-0)

Aiden Rountree 3 0 1-1 7, Cincere Lash 4 1 1-2 12, Jacari Douglas 2 0 1-1 5, Evan Alexander-Scott 2 0 0-0 4, Turcone Kelley 3 0 0-0 6, Janden Satchell 4 0 0-0 8, K. Francis 0 1 0-0 3, Kinard Fuller 1 0 0-0 2

Career Magnet 52, Fairfield College Preparatory School 51

Fairfield College Preparatory School (1-3-0)

Adam Stone 5 0 1-2 11, Mason Reale 2 1 5-5 8, Finn Duran 2 1 1-2 8, Nick Rothe 0 2 0-0 6, Aidan Harding 2 0 1-2 5, Max Manjos 2 1 2-2 9, Jake McCarthy 0 0 2-2 2, Max McGuillicuddy 0 0 0-2 0

Career Magnet (1-4-0)

Jordan Williams 5 0 3-4 13, Jalen Jones 4 0 1-1 9, Saveeon Avery 3 0 6-6 12, Tim Fields 0 0 0-0 0, Marion Lloyd 3 0 0-1 6, Damon Williams 0 0 0-0 0, Tyron Joyner 0 1 0-0 3, Zayhem Bradwell 2 1 0-0 7

West Haven 47, Xavier 42

Xavier (3-3-0)

Marcus Williams 3 0 0-0 6, KJ Grisham 2 2 0-0 10, Nick DeBrizzi 0 0 2-4 2, Stephen Kohs 1 0 0-0 2, Andrew Brown 3 0 3-6 9, Aidan Kaufman 2 3 0-0 13, Malcolm Wilson-Toliver 0 0 0-2 0

West Haven (4-2-0)

Jordan Berrios 1 0 2-2 4, Muffee Cooper 5 1 1-1 14, Quannel Straughter 1 0 1-4 3, Shea Sheffield 0 4 0-0 12, Tyrese Hargrove 2 1 1-1 8, Malcolm Duuncanson 2 0 0-0 4, terrell mozzell 1 0 0-0 2

St. Joseph 56, Fairfield Warde 52

St. Joseph (5-1-0)

Brendan Kade 3 0 0-1 6, Dan Tobin 4 1 1-2 12, Glenn Manigault 0 1 0-0 3, Jason James 0 1 0-0 3, Paul Fabbri 1 2 3-5 11, Stephen Paolini 10 0 1-4 21

Fairfield Warde (0-1-0)

Christian Homa 0 1 0-0 3, Jeff Seganos 1 2 0-0 8, Matt Becker 0 1 4-10 7, Brendan McMahon 3 3 0-1 15, Matt Houghton 1 3 1-2 12, Eli Feay 1 1 1-2 6, Jack McKenna 0 0 1-2 1

Capital Prep 60, Amistad 54

Capital Prep (1-1-0)

J Taylor 5 0 6-9 16, T Robinson 6 2 0-0 18, K Anderson 4 0 5-7 13, S Barlow 3 0 3-4 9, J Gordon 1 0 0-0 2, J Simmons 1 0 0-0 2, M Taylor 1 0 0-0 2

Amistad (3-3-0)

Eli Blackwell 2 0 3-7 7, Jaden Ratliff 2 0 0-0 4, Arthur Brown 2 0 0-0 4, Aumarion Bordeaux 2 0 0-0 4, Justin White 2 0 0-0 4, Isaiah Joyner 8 0 2-3 18, Cyprien Joseph 5 1 0-0 13.

Crosby 86, Holy Cross 70

Led by 47 points (!!!) from @KerwinPrince1, the @CrosbyBulldogs get the big 86-70 victory over Holy Cross! #nvl #ctbb pic.twitter.com/bbbRzkTB9X

— CT Sports Now (@CT_Sports_Now) January 9, 2019

East Catholic 65, East Hartford 54

What a heavyweight matchup out of the @CCC_conference that sees @EastCatholicHS emerge with a 65-54 victory over East Hartford! @EastCatholicAD #ctbb pic.twitter.com/6GloC5oE2e

— CT Sports Now (@CT_Sports_Now) January 9, 2019

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Ansonia 56, Seymour 51

JoJo Sanchez scored a game-high 25 points, including seven three-pointers, to lead Ansonia in a 56-51 win over Seymour in a NVL girls basketball game Tuesday evening.

Liz Wilson added 14 points for the Chargers, who improved to 6-3, while Kiley Drezek scored 14 points in the loss for the Wildcats (6-3).

ANSONIA15 14 19 8 — 56
SEYMOUR8 5 14 24 — 51

ANSONIA (56)

Liz Wilson 3 8 14, Larissa Rodriguez 3 0 8, Jojo Sanchez 2 1 5, Jayda Sanchez 8 2 25, Lilly Romanowski 1 0 2, Arianna Blackwell 0 0 0, Hailey Bellido 0 2 2. Totals: 17 13 56.

SEYMOUR (51)

Kolby Sirowich 3 1 9, Alyssa Johnson 2 1 7, Megan Condo 1 1 3, Sydnie Drezek 3 0 7, Morgan Teodosio 1 2 4, Caty Ragaini 1 2 4, Jacey Cosciello 1 1 3, Arlinda Peraj 0 0 0, Kiley Drezek 4 2 14. Totals: 16 10 51.

3-POINTERS: S— Kolby Sirowich 2, Alyssa Johnson 2, S Drezek 1, Kiley Drezek 4, A.— Larissa Rodriguez 2, Jojo Sanchez 7. Records: A 6-3; S 6-3.

Amistad 58, Old Saybrook 50

JoJo Sanchez had career high 25 points, along with six assists, for Ansonia in an NVL win at Seymour..

Liz Wilson added 14 points and 10 rebounds for Ansonia (6-3). Kiley Drezek scored 14 points to lead the Wildcats (6-3).

OLD SAYBROOK   15 12 14 9 — 50
AMISTAD    13 16 17 12 — 58

OLD SAYBROOK (50)

Mandy Beck 7 6-11 22, Taylor Cote 1 0-2 2, Wendy Bowden 1 2-4 4, Priscilla Gumkowski 6 2-9 15, Jenna Tully 2 0-0 4, Abby Bergeron 1 0-0 3. Totals 20 12-30 50.

AMISTAD (58)

Christine Ferguson 8 2-8 18, Khadilja Dabre-Thomas 2 3-8 7, Mahogany Brown 0 0-2 0, Trinity Moody 8 6-8 23, Alijyah Mitchell 2 1-2 6, Zaneiyah Lewis 1 0-0 2, Chyna Watts 1 0-0 2. Totals 24 10-26 58.

3-POINTERS: OS— Beck 2, Bumkowski, Bergeron; A— Moody, Mitchell.

Coginchaug 63, Haddam-Killingworth 32

Jessica King and Kerry Turecek both scored 16 points for Coginchaug (7-3) in a Shoreline Conference victory at Durham. Anna Biondi and Bella Carini both scored eight points for the Cougars (1-8).

HADDAM-KILLINGWORTH  5 8 9 10 — 32
COGINCHAUG          12 19 20 12 — 63

HADDAM-KILLINGWORTH (32)

Anna Biondi 3 1-3 8, Bella Carini 3 2-2 8, Sophie Grumala 1 0-2 2, Ella McGlynn 0 1-2 1, Carly Rettberg 2 2-4 6, Leah Sosnowski 1 0-0 2, Jess Timothy 1 0-0 2, Tessa Wills 1 1-2 3. Totals 12 7-15 32

COGINCHAUG (63)

Maura Zettergren 2 1-0 4, Jessica Berens 2 4-5 8, Amalia DeMartino 3 3-4 9, Taylor McDermott 0 2-4 2, Jessica King 7 1-3 16, Kerry Turecek 8 0-0 16, Molly Shields 3 2-4 8. Totals 25 12-21 63

3-POINTERS: HK— Biondi; C— King. Records: HK 1-8; C 7-3.

Cromwell 52, Valley Regional 31

CROMWELL    11 18 12 11 — 52
VALLEY REGIONAL   6 8 5 12 — 31

CROMWELL (52)

Sadie Budzik 2 2-2 7, Erica Dewey 0 0-0 0, Gina Sousa 1 0-0 2, Milai Lauray 0 0-0 0, Jessica DellaRatta 3 3-5 9, Monica Dewey 1 0-0 2, Vanessa Stolstajner 8 6-6 23, Eliza Weston 1 0-0 2, Najla Cecunjanin 2 0-2 5, Taylor Yankowski 0 0-0 0, Likita Chanda 1 0-0 2. Totals 19 11-25 52.

VALLEY REGIONAL (31)

Ava Cunningham 0 0-0 0, Addison Marchese 3 3-4 9, Alena Crosby 4 2-3 10, Hannah Jenkins 0 0-0 0, Salmi Miller 0 0-0 0, Elizabeth Klomp 0 0-0 0, Heather Jones 0 0-0 0, Reagan Brenneman 4 0-0 8, Libby Cap 2 0-0 4. Totals: 13 5-7 31.

Records: C 7-2; VR 3-6.

ST. LUKE’S 65, GREENS FARMS ACADEMY 53

GREENS FARMS ACADEMY (7-3)

Georgia Grabowski 8 3-8 22 Elyse Kimball 0 0-0 0 Katherine Marcus 2 6-8 10 Caroline McCall 0 0-0 0 Lilah McCormick 0 0-0 0 Kristiana Modzelewski 6 0-2 14 Sarah Peltier 0 2-2 2 Kelly Van Hoesen 2 1-3 5. Totals: 18 12-23 53.

ST. LUKE’S (8-1)

Boggs 0 0-0 0 Cummings 1 2-4 4 Page 2 0-0 4 Johnson 6 0-0 15 Klein 2 0-0 4 Kritcher 2 2-2 7 Watson 0 0-0 0 Lau 8 2-2 25 Williams 2 0-0 6. Totals: 24 6-10 65.

GREENS FARMS ACADEMY29 24—53
ST. LUKE’S38 27—65

3-pointers: GFA—Grabowski 3, Modzelewski 2; SL—Lau 7, Johnson 3, Kriftcher.

Highlights: GFA—Marcus had nine rebounds, seven assists and two steals. Modzelewski had six rebounds and two steals. Van Hoesen had nine rebounds and two steals.

Hand 61, Cheshire 52

CHESHIRE    9 13 11 19 — 52
HAND             9 17 24 11 — 61

CHESHIRE (52)

Kaylee Clark 1 0-2 2, Mia Juodaitis 12 4-5 31, Emma Watkinson 2 0-1 5, Ariana Perlini 4 1-2 10, Sophia Vagts 1 0-0 2, Toni Wetmore 1 0-0 2, Tess Givens 0 0-1 0. Totals 21 5-11 52.

HAND (61)

Sara Wohlgemuth 4 8-16 16, Julia Kuhn 2 2-2 6, Taya Akers 2 0-0 4, Hadley Houghton 3 0-0 6, Brooke Salutari 4 2-2 13, Sophia Coppola 1 0-0 2, Summer Adams 5 3-4 14. Totals 21 15-24 61.

3-POINTERS: C— Juodaitis 3, Watkinson, Perlini; H— Salutari 3, Adams.

Guilford 40, Shelton 37

SHELTON     5 10 13 9 — 37
GUILFORD   6 9 13 12 — 40

SHELTON (37)

Kiera O’Conner 3 0-0 6, Clarissa Pierre 6 1-2 13, Leya Vohra 1 3-3 5, Mackenzie Joyce 0 2-2 2, Maggie Howard 3 2-5 8, Alex Capalbo 1 1-2 3.

GUILFORD (40)

Janie Danaher 1 4-6 6, Elle Petra 8 1-2 17, Sam Leiby 2 1-2 5, Moira Kellaher 1 2-3 4, Miz Diaz 0 3-5 3, Faith O’Donnell 1 2-2 5.

Hamden Hall 65, King 45

HAMDEN HALL   32 33 – 65
KING     24 21 – 45

HAMDEN HALL (65)

K Hill 2 2-2 07, S Rhone 4 0-2 09, J Johnson 10 1-1 21, J Berens 4 3-4 11, E Moffat 1 0-002, M D”Errico 1 1-2 03, K Thomas 4 0-0 08, A. Blaise 1 0-0 02, D Gabriel 01 0-2 02, Totals: 28 07-13 65

KING (45)

M McOster 03 0-0 08, Z Timesz 2 0-0 04, O Boeckman 1 -12 03 A. Christy 8 12-14 30, D Degnan 0 0-0 0, K Lockyer 0 0-0 0, Totals: 14 13-16 45

3-point goals: V (K. Hill – 1, S Rhone – 1) H (M McOster -2. A Christy -2). Records: Hamden Hall 6-5; King School – 1-7

Morgan 53, Hale-Ray 12

HALE RAY    0 4 4 4 – 12
MORGAN   17 14 12 10 – 53

HALE-RAY (12)

Trinity Gierz 1 0-0 2, Sarah Haentjens 3 4-4 10, Emily Cappatella 0 0-0 0, Abby Smith 0 0-0 0, Brianna Ibbotson 0 0-0 0. Totals: 4 4-4 12

MORGAN (53)

Catie Donadio 4 2-2 11, Kylee Clifton 3 0-1 6, Leah McComiskey 4 2-2 10, Becca Shamp 2 2-2 6, Joelle Vuilleumier 1 0-0 2, Alyse Olcott 1 0-0 2, Rachel Lehn 2 1-1 6, Alex Duval 2 1-1 5, Maddie Tuccitto 2 0-0 5, Alex Kelly 0 0-0 0, Maddey Dunham 0 0-0 0. Totals: 21 8-9 53

3-point goals: Morgan: (Lehn) 1 (Donadio) 1 (Tuccitto) 1. Notes: Donadio had 5 steals and 5 assists. McComiskey had 9 rebounds. Records: Morgan: 6-3; Hale-Ray 1-9.

Sheehan 52, Career 49

CAREER       18 15 6 10- 49
SHEEHAN   14 10 16 12- 52

CAREER (49)

Carmen Rosemond 3 2-2 8, Kayla Emery 2 1-2 5, Arkaysee Booker 4 1-2 12, Nicole Washington 3 0-0 8, Jaylin Council 2 0-0 6. Totals 17 7-12 49.

SHEEHAN (52)

Hayleigh Lagase 2 4-4 9. Caitlyn Hunt 3 2-3 8, Liv Robles 5 1-2 12, Mackenzie Hemstock 1 1-2 3, Maddie Larkin 3 3-6 9, Caitlyn Velez 3 1-2 8, Sydney Rosacci 1 0-0 3. Totals 18 12-19 52.

3 Point Goals: Career Booker 3, Washington 2, Council 2; Sheehan: Lagasse, Robles, Velez, Rossacci.

Watertown 54, Derby 31

DERBY     7 11 6 7- 31
WATERTOWN    8 15 16 15- 54

DERBY (31)

cristina carloni 2-1-1-5, Madison koval 3-1-5-7, Kiara swilling 1-0-6-2, devina lopez 2-1-2-5, isabelle chevarella 1-0-0-3, lucy lane 1-0-0-2,, Emily Borowski 2-0-0-4,, Precious Perez 0-0-2-0, Taylor Seno 1-1-2-3

WATERTOWN (52)

Jordyn forte 10-4-11-25,, Nicole defeo 1-5-7-7, alyssa Santangelo 1-0-0-2, Emily deptula 6-2-4-14, chloe defeo 1-0-2-2, Cayla delia 0-0-0-0, krista kyle 0-0-0-0, marissa forino 1-1-2-3, allie mazzerella 0-1-2-1

3 Point Goals: Derby-Chevarella (1), Watertown-Forte (1), Fouled out-Santangelo (Watertown)

ND-FAIRFIELD 66, STRATFORD 30

ND-FAIRFIELD

Yamani McCullough 7 2-4 20 Aichanique Mayo 3 0-0 7 Erin Harris 2 2-2 7 Taylor Gibbs 2 0-0 4 Mac Stone-Fulmer 0 0-0 0 Corinn Oulette 2 0-0 4 Kristalee Fernandez 2 0-0 5 Ciara Brown 6 1-1 15 Vanessa Joseph 1 0-2 2 Larissa Guimaraes 0 1-2 1. Totals: 25 6-11 66.

STRATFORD

Keryna Upchurch 1 0-1 2 Julia Torreso 3 3-6 9 Abby Anka 5 2-2 12 Sydney Ritchie 1 0-0 2 Serena Mbachiantim 1 0-0 2 Amanda Ogrodowicz 0 0-0 0 Julia Carbone 0 0-0 0 Juliette Macisco 0 0-0 0 Lyna Upchurch 1 1-4 3. Totals: 12 6-16 30.

ND-FAIRFIELD15 18 10 13—66
STRATFORD10 4 7 9—30

3-pointers: NDF—McCullough 4, Brown 2, Mayo, Harris, Fernandez.

BULLARD-HAVENS 60, WOLCOTT TECH 32

WOLCOTT TECH6 12 8 6—32
BULLARD-HAVENS12 19 16 13—54

WOLCOTT TECH (4-3, 2-2 CTC)

Teja Peterson 3 0-2 6 Yennifer Sarmiento 3 0-1 6 Katie Benedict 1 0-0 2 Victoria Smith-Silvia 1 0-0 2 Katiusca Delacruz 1 3-6 5 Abigail Williams 5 1-3 11. Totals: 14 4-12 32.

BULLARD-HAVENS (6-1, 3-0)

Tiajah Coles 2 0-0 4 Kristin Edwards 1 2-2 4 Shania Davitt 0 0-0 0 Aaliyah Gilliam 2 0-0 4 Ariana Garcia 6 1-3 13 Annabella Simon 1 0-0 2 Arianny Santana 4 4-10 12 Lydia Masala 6 1-2 13 Janaisha Lee 3 2-2 8 Ashley Gonzalez 0 0-0 0 Angie Colon 0 0-0 0 Ta’Naja Bostic 0 0-0 0 Alysha Rodriguez 0 0-0 0 Tiaujah Norfleet 0 0-0 0 Shayna Teele 0 0-0 0. Totals: 25 10-19 60.

INDOOR TRACK

SCC Girls Developmental Meet No. 2

(at Floyd Little Athletic Center, New Haven, – Tuesday)

55 Meter Dash: 1. Nelson, Ayesha, Hillhouse, 7.30; 300: 1. Boyd, Jada, Hillhouse, 42.45.; 600: 1, Melton, Love’, Hamden, 1:43.29.; 1600: 1, Potter, Julia, Amity, 5:32.52.; 55 Meter Hurdles: 1, Nelson, Ayesha, Hillhouse, 8.68.; 4×400: 
1, Hillhouse ‘A’ (Boyd, Jada 12, Ambrose, Nyimah 12, Nelson, Ayesha 12, Davis, De’ Janay 12), 4:14.86; 1600: Sprint Medley: 1. Wilbur Cross ‘A’ (Lowndes, Jahlyn, Jackson, Yaleija, Conaway, Nyla, Adolphe, Grace), 4:20.62.; High Jump: 
1, Migani, Sofia, Guilford, 5-01; Pole Vault: 1, Connolly, Kyra, Sheehan, 9-0; Long Jump: 1, Francois, Kisha, East Haven, 16-05.50; Shot Put: 1. Moore, Leah, Hillhouse, 38-04.50.

SCC Boys Developmental Meet

(at Floyd Little Athletic Center, New Haven – Monday)

55 Meter Dash: Pigatt, Christopher, Hamden, 6.55; 300: Toppin, Michael, Lyman Hall, 36.14; 600: Martin, Travis, Wilbur Cross, 1:25.87; 1600: Mastroianni, Marzio, Branford, 4:28.13; 55 Meter Hurdles: Papa, Richard, Amity, 7.91; 4×400 Meter Relay: Branford ‘A’ (Kropiwnicki, Aidan 12, Alexander, Matthew 12, Scott, Nolan 12, Mastroianni, Marzio 12), 3:35.20; 1600 Sprint Medley: Hand ‘A’ (Parks, Ameen 11, Kosiewicz, Braeden 10, Hines, Carson 10, Parthasarthy, Connor 10), 3:45.86; High Jump: Graham, Shaun, Amity, 6-02; Pole Vault: Costantini, Nicholas, Foran, 13-06; Long Jump: Toppin, Michael, Lyman Hall, 20-03; Shot Put: Colon, Davon, Xavier (Ct), 47-04.75.

WRESTLING

East Haven 52, Northwestern 28

(at East Haven): 113 Victor Garcia East Haven, CT (East Haven) F Graham Sullivan New Hartford, CT (Northwestern HS), 1:00; 126 Angelo Folino New Hartford, CT (Northwestern HS) F Frank Papa East Haven, CT (East Haven); 132 Alec Divito East Haven, CT (East Haven) MD Aiden Bannerman New Hartford, CT (Northwestern HS), 14-3; 138 Marco Folino New Hartford, CT (Northwestern HS) MD Hugo Ortiz East Haven, CT (East Haven), 17-8; 152 Fabricio Bugatti East Haven, CT (East Haven) F Patrick Dudzic New Hartford, CT (Northwestern HS), 1:12; 160 Joshua Schwartz New Hartford, CT (Northwestern HS) F Nick Harrold East Haven, CT (East Haven), 2:59; 170 Danny Jarrin East Haven, CT (East Haven) F Bailey Sarasin New Hartford, CT (Northwestern HS); 182 Vincenzo Bunce East Haven, CT (East Haven) F Alberto Cantalini New Hartford, CT (Northwestern HS), 1:38; 195 Jamikael Lytle New Hartford, CT (Northwestern HS) M FOR Tyler Kruse East Haven, CT (East Haven); 220 Gunner Horton East Haven, CT (East Haven) F Giovanni Martinez New Hartford, CT (Northwestern HS), 2:26; 285 Nole Snieckus New Hartford, CT (Northwestern HS) F Armando Castaneda East Haven, CT (East Haven), 5:15

Guilford 69, Fairfield Prep 10

(at Fairfield): Anthony Bomgardner (Guilford) F Henry Bosken (Fairfield Prep), 3:39; Brent Strand (Guilford) MD Sean Zentner (Fairfield Prep), 12-1; Michael Salib (Guilford) F Jack Rogan (Fairfield Prep), 00:49; Hugh Connell (Fairfield Prep) F Henry Russell (Guilford), 4:44; Dean Tsiranides (Fairfield Prep) MD Aiden Ghiroli (Guilford), 9-0; Vincent Masotti (Guilford) F Antonio Baranello (Fairfield Prep), 3:06; Drew Koval (Guilford) F Ian Connelly (Fairfield Prep), 00:40; Ian Rose (Guilford) F Henry Tiernan (Fairfield Prep), 1:03; Vincent Mascola (Guilford) TF Patrick Tiernan (Fairfield Prep), 16-1; George Sanderlin (Guilford) F John Murphy (Fairfield Prep), 1:05; Kyle Putnam (Guilford) F Pj Rogers (Fairfield Prep), 00:51

BOYS SWIMMING

Amity 93, North Haven 73

(at North Haven): 200 yard Medley Relay: A- 1:49.67 Tyler Roy, Connor Hallstrom, Kevin Sweeney, Jared Sullivan, 200 yard Freestyle: A- 1:53.49 Shiva Gowda, 200 yard IM: A- 2:13.61 Kevin Sweeney, 50 yard Freestyle: NH- 22.91 J.P. Stoeffler, Diving: NH- Joe Connor, 100 yard Butterfly: A- 59.50 Jared Sullivan, 100 Freestyle: A- 50.96 Tyler Roy, 500 yard Freestyle: NH- 5:15.40 Will McCleery, 200 yard Freestyle Relay: A- 1:36.32 Shiva Gowda, John Alvarado, Ray Lu, Tyler Roy, 100 yard Backstroke: NH- 1:06.15 J.P. Stoeffler, 100 yard Breaststroke: NH- 1:21.43 Cameron Cargan, 400 yard Freestyle Relay: NH- 3:43.53 J.P. Stoeffler, Will McCleery, Stephen Borrelli, Cameron Cargan. Records: A 4-0.

GIRLS HOCKEY

WEST HAVEN/SACRED HEART ACADEMY 4, ND-FAIRFIELD/LAW/FORAN/WESTON/POMPERAUG 1

ND-FAIRFIELD/LAW/FORAN/WESTON/POMPERAUG0 1 0—1
WEST HAVEN/SACRED HEART ACADEMY2 2 0—4

Goals: N—Justina Holland; W—Megan Froehlich, Taylor Nowak, Brooke McNabola, Jenna Hunt. Assists: N—Anne Scovill, Leigha Howland; W—Nowak 2, Veronica Lynn 2, Jenna Cohrs, Froehlich. Shots: N—30; W—27.

GYMNASTICS

STONINGTON 133.05, DANIEL HAND 126.7, GUILFORD 55.95, BRANFORD 30.7

(At Madison): Vault: 1. Desiree Zaharie (S) 8.65, 2. Grace Rogers (DH) 8.55, 3. Lila Rich (S) 8.4; Bars: 1. Rogers (DH) 8.85, 2. Hanna Laskey (S) 8.8, 3. Paige Dean (DH) 8.45; Beam: 1. Laskey (S) 8.75, 2. Rogers (DH) & Katya Torrvella (S) 8.35, 3. Rich (S) 8.3; Floor: 1. Laskey (S) 8.8, 2. Dean (DH) 8.55, 3. Rogers (DH) 8.5; All Around: 1. Laskey (S) 34.55, 2. Rogers (DH) 34.25, 3. Dean (DH) 33.4. Records: Hand 0-2.

Newtown 130.45 , New Milford 125.05, Oxford 118.65

(at New Milford) Vault: 1. Nicole Bobbie (O) 8.65; 2. Tie: Hannah Jojo (N) and Jillian Melendez (NM) 8.6; 3. Tie: Allyson Kenny (N), Anna Gramlich (O) and Brynn Reilly (N) 8.4; Bars: 1. Kenny (N) 8.55; 2. Tie: Jojo (N) and Thea Spinner (NM) 8.5; 3. Reilly (N) 7.75; Beam: 1. Taren Diaz (O) 8.75; 2. Kenny (N) 8.65; 3. Tie: Gramlich (O) and Anna Santarelli (NM) 8.45; Floor: 1. Kenny (N) 8.6; 2. Gramlich (O) 8.55; 3. Bobbie (O) 8.5; All Around: 1. Allyson Kenny (N) 34.2; 2. Hannah Jojo (N) 33.6; 3. Anna Gramlich (O) 32.95

The Spartans’ Colin Boufford tries to turn the Gaels’ Graham Ziperstein. — David G. Whitham photos

The reason why wrestling is a team sport, despite the fact up to 14 weight classes are decided by two individuals came into play when Shelton High played host to Amity High in an SCC match on Tuesday night.

Five Amity wrestlers won unopposed, and two Shelton grapplers were awarded forfeits, as the Spartans went home with a 45-35 decision.

“We did okay,” Shelton coach Bill Maloney said. “We wrestled well in most matches and with the forfeits, things pretty much went as expected.”

Of the seven matches, six were one-sided.

That is where Wrestling Course 101 is taught.

There is no such thing as a timeout once you take the mat. If you are down on the scoreboard, you battle back. If the match is getting away, you do your best to save team points.

Six points for a pin…don’t let the officials’ hand hit the mat.

Down by a lot….fight to keep it a five-point technical fall. Save a team point.

Six minutes of effort is always required.

Shelton’s Garrett Ziperstein looks for any way possible to turn Amity’s Paul Canalori.

Case in point came in the 120-pound bout between Shelton junior Garrett Ziperstein and Amity freshman Paul Canalori. Ziperstein who won a 17-1 decision, left the mat frustrated. Canalori was greeted by coach Todd Patterson with a pat on the back.

“We are a really young team,” Patterson said. “We’re looking to build a solid foundation so that when these wrestlers are juniors and seniors they will be prepared. Yes, wins and loses count. But how you win or lose is important.”

Ziperstein took the Spartan to his back three times for an 10-1 lead. After Ziperstein reversed early in the second, Canalori kept a shoulder raised for 38 seconds before giving up a pair of back points. Ziperstein led 14-1 with a two-minute period left. Canalori rolled through one pin attempt, and was hit for a stalling point with 50 seconds remaining. Ziperstein was looking for a fall. He garnered two back points right before the buzzer, and had to settle for a 17-1 win by technical fall.

“That’s what good wrestling is all about,” Maloney said. “You work hard from the top or bottom for six minutes.”

Shelton freshman Graham Ziperstein met Amity sophomore Colin Boufford at 116 pounds.

Shelton’s Colin Mengold works on a fall versus Amity’s A.J. Pocwierz.

Boufford showed that experience gained with a third-period win by fall. He caught Ziperstein looking to sit out and escape and earned three buzzer-beating back points for a 5-0 lead after one. Boufford turned his rival twice, but couldn’t get the pin, and took an 11-0 advantage into the third. He scored a reversal and notched the pin at the 4:28 mark.

At 126 pounds, Shelton’s second-year wrestler Aayan Mumtaz took on Amity freshman Kyle Ciola. The Gaels’ senior scored a takedown, was penalized a point for an illegal hold, then kept a leg in to deny Ciola a reversal as the horn sounded. Mumtaz took his time to run a half and earn a pin at the 2:35 mark.

Two talented seniors took the mat at 132 pounds, with Shelton’s Sean Rago taking on Amity’s Cole Johnson. The Spartan looked to get underneath for a single-leg takedown. Rago sprawled out and used head control to negate the move. One minute into the first, Johnson got a takedown, but Rago escaped 30 seconds later. In the second, Johnson hit his switch for a 4-1 lead. From the mat, Rago used a lift and dump with 36 seconds on the clock to cut the deficit to 4-3. Rago reversed positions midway through the third period. Johnson escaped to tie things at 5-all with 36 seconds left in regulation. Returning to the first period tactic of shoot and sprawl, this time Johnson spun behind to get the takedown at the 11 second mark for a 7-5 win.

Amity 138-pound senior Mike Widell traded two-point takedowns for one-point escapes to take a lead of 6-2 over Shelton junior Chris Cavagnulo before winning by fall in 1:48.

Shelton senior Colin Mengold took Amity junior A.J. Pocwierz to his back twice in the first period on their match at 145 pounds, only to be denied a pin. He upped his advantage from 7-0 after one to 11-0 after two periods, then pinned in 5:36.

At 160 pounds, Shelton sophomore Mike Monaco pinned freshman Harry Wyndorf in 2:58. It was on the fourth turn to back that Monaco triumphed.

WINSTED — Defense and speed carried Housatonic’s girls basketball team to a 49-38 win at Gilbert on a cold-shooting night for the Yellowjackets in a top-of-the league showdown in the Berkshire League Tuesday.

“We kind of live and die by the three and they weren’t there tonight,” Gilbert coach Gerry Hicks said.

“Our game plan coming in was, if they don’t shoot their threes, we could get them inside,” Housatonic coach Steve Dodge said.

Gilbert’s Angie Delacruz (team-high 10 points) got the Yellowjackets (7-2; 5-2 BL) out on top with a baseline bucket, followed by a three off the backboard by Marci Moreira, but that bit of magic disappeared in a cloud of shooting frustration.

Despite a marked first-half rebounding edge, the basket turned into a moving target for the Yellowjackets while the Mountaineers (8-0; 7-0 BL) turned their athleticism and speed into a 10-8 lead, highlighted by a steal and two fast breaks in the second quarter.

“We’re not very deep, but we’re conditioned and we’re going to fast break,” Dodge said.

As three after three clanged off the rim for Gilbert, that formula was a charm for Housy. Madelynn Olownia (11 points) and Caroline Hurlburt (game-high 12 points) led the Mountaineer charge as a 21-14 halftime lead grew to 36-24 by the end of three quarters.

“If we can hold them under 30 or 32 points, we’ll be good,” Dodge said before the game. The Mountaineers were on their way to “good” regardless of the limit.

“I thought we settled for threes too much in the first half,” Hicks said. “When we started to attack in the second half, we did better.”

Attacking was better for Gilbert’s offense, but it traded off the positioning that kept Housy’s big girls off the boards in the first half.

Now, evening out the rebounds, 5-foot-11 freshman Sydney Segalla asserted herself with eight of her 10 points for the game and she and Olownia each had a block when the Yellowjackets tried to penetrate.

Leading 44-32 with a minute left to play, Sierra O’Niel (10 points) was Housatonic’s final weapon at the foul line. The senior guard was 4-for-4 when the Yellowjackets stopped the clock with fouls, helping to mute back-to-back threes by Gilbert sophomore Abbey Beecher in the final seconds.

HOUSATONIC 49, GILBERT 38

HOUSATONIC (8-0; 7-0 BL)

Tori Dodge 0-1-1; Caroline Hurlburt 5-2-12; Sierra O’Niel 2-5-10; Sydney Segalla 4-2-10; Ella Segalla 2-0-4; Christina Winburn 0-1-1; Madelynn Olownia 5-0-11; Totals: 18-11-49.

GILBERT (7-2; 5-2 BL)

Jill Wexler 1-2-5; Abbey Beecher 3-0-8; Angie Delacruz 4-2-10; Marci Moreira 2-0-6; Sydney Eisenlohr 1-0-2; Maryellen Marino 0-2-2; Dileysi Sarmiento 1-3-5; Totals: 12-9-38.

HOUSATONIC    10 11 15 13—49
GILBERT      8 6 10 14—38

3-point goals: H—O’Niel; Olownia. G—Wexler; Beecher 2; Moreira 2.

New Canaan’s Anika Curri (5) gets a shot on net during the first period of the Rams’ 7-0 win over Fairfield in a girls ice hockey game on Tuesday, Jan. 8, at the Darien Ice House. — Dave Stewart/Hearst Connecticut Media photo

Rich Bulan’s New Canaan girls ice hockey team has a seemingly endless supply of talented freshmen this season, a fact which has been a boon for the Rams and a bane for their opponents.

Take New Canaan’s latest contest, for instance. Freshmen accounted for four goals and three assists as the Rams handled a solid Fairfield co-op team, 7-0, Tuesday at the Darien Ice House.

Grace Crowell, one of eight ninth-graders in the lineup, scored the first two goals of her career, including the ice-breaker 3:40 after the opening drop.

The influx of young talent has had Bulan smiling for much of the season.

“I couldn’t believe that was (Crowell’s) first goal because she’s been playing so well,” the New Canaan head coach said. “Just watch her play, she skates, she gets assists and she scores. We had eight freshmen in the lineup tonight including the whole first line and the whole third line. Watching Grace play and the tone she and the other freshmen set is pretty cool.”

The win bumped New Canaan’s records up to 7-1 overall and 5-1 in the FCIAC, and they rank second in the state and first in the conference. It was also the Rams’ second straight victory since a 3-2 loss to Greenwich in the Winter Classic on Dec. 29.

“We’re a really close team and we knew in that Greenwich game it wasn’t just one person’s fault, we all came out not ready to play,” senior co-captain Katelyn Sparks said. “We’ve been focused and we’ve never had a negative practice. We’re very close team and we’re always positive.”

Eight players had points for the Rams, with five finding the net. The all-freshman first line accounted for four goals: Crowell scored twice, Angelica Megdanis had a goal and two assists, and Kaleigh Harden had a goal and one assist.

Sophomores Anika Curri (2 goals) and Courtney O’Connell (1 goal) also scored, with senior co-captain Jess Eccleston (2 assists), and junior Sophie Potter and sophomore McKenna Harden (1 assist each) getting points.

Fairfield (3-2-1 overall, 2-2-1 FCIAC), which fell behind 3-0 in the first period and 6-0 after two, was unable to get on track, although it stepped up after a meeting in the locker room following the second frame.

“One thing I did tell them in between the second and third periods was to remember that we’re a family,” Fairfield head coach Michelle Marella said. “We’ve all got to think of being a unit and jelling together, not playing individually, settling down and playing a position. It seems to work with them because the last time I said that, we came out on top and won, and tonight I think we came out better in the third period.”

Sophomore goalie Sidney Falterer was the standout for Fairfield, racking up 37 saves against a relentless New Canaan attack which took 44 shots.

“Sydney Falterer had an excellent game,” Marella said. “She is definitely an All-State player, she’s a sophomore, and she’s shown some growth. She’s one of the more mature girls out on the ice. We can always learn and grow, but she’s definitely always there and ready to play.”

Crowell opened the scoring when she slid a low shot past Falterer after assists from Megdanis and Eccleston.

O’Connell poked in a rebound for the second goal, with McKenna Harden assisting, and Crowell scored again, this time with assists from Kaleigh Harden and Megdanis, to close out the first period.

Megdanis then added an unassisted goal 40 seconds into the second period, and New Canaan was off to the races.

“Once we really got skating, we were great,” Bulan said. “Down deep, we really kept control of the puck. Our puck movement tonight was outstanding and when we get in one of those kinds of modes, it’s tough to defend against us.”

Player of the game

Grace Crowell, New Canaan. Crowell, one of the Rams’ many freshmen, netted the first two goals of her varsity career, and put New Canaan on the scoreboard early in the first period. She also scored the third goal of that opening period, and was part of the Rams’ first line which accounted for four goals and seven points.

Quotable

“It was awesome. We did everything that we know we can do. We have so many scorers on this team, everyone plays together, and that makes this team special.” — New Canaan senior co-captain Katelyn Sparks

NEW CANAAN 7, FAIRFIELD 0

Fairfield        0-0-0 0
New Canaan 3-3-1 7

New Canaan: Angelica Megdanis 1g, 2a; Grace Crowell 2g; Anika Curri 2g; Kaleigh Harden 1g, 1a; Jessica Eccleston 2a; Courtney O’Connell 1g; McKenna Harden 1a; Sophie Potter 1a; Goalies: FF – Sidney Falterer 37 saves; NC – Blythe Novick 5 saves; Shots: FF 5; NC 44

New Canaan (7-1 overall, 5-1 FCIAC); Fairfield (3-2-1, 2-2-1)

Brunswick School students Dana Santry and Tad Carney brought their impressive squash skills overseas last week, where they put on quite a display at the Dunlop Junior British Open.

Recognized as one of the most prestigious events in the world on the junior squash calendar, the competition drew more than 600 players from numerous nations.

Santry, a Brunswick junior, advanced to the quarterfinal-round of the boys’ Under-17 division, while Carney, a freshman at Brunswick, made it to the quarterfinals of the Under-15 flight at the Junior British Open — which was held last week in Birmingham, England.

In the boys 17-under division, which included 128 players that received an invitation to play at the Junior British Open, Santry certainly made his mark.

Representing the U.S., Santry, a Greenwich native, won his first four matches at the Junior British Open. After receiving a first-round bye, Santry beat Jacques Duminey of South Africa, 14-12, 11-7, 11-9 in the second round.

The third round saw Santry edge Ethan Eyles (a Greenwich resident) representing Australia, in a hard-fought match, 11-8, 7-11, 11-5, 8-11, 11-9.

Santry success continued in the Round of 16, where he topped Abedelrahman Dweek of Canada, 5-11, 11-6, 11-7, 11-8. His run ended with a 3-1 loss to Karim Abelalim Elbarbay of Egypt in the quarterfinals (11-7, 12-10, 7-11, 11-8).

Carney also received a first-round bye at the British Open, then was a 3-0 winner against Laszlo Godde of France in the second round (11-7, 12-10, 11-6).

He posted a 3-1 win against Nathan Masset (Belgium) in Round 3 (11-8, 5-11, 11-7, 16-14). In the fourth round, Carney swept England’s Sam Osborne-Wylde (11-6, 11-9, 11-8). Kareem El Torkey of Egypt pulled out a 3-2 win over Carney in the quarterfinal-round of the British Open (6-11, 11-7, 6-11, 11-4, 12-10).

Carney and Santry are each members of the Brunswick team, which is 5-0 to start its season and captured the Division I title at the U.S. High School Squash Team Championships last winter.

Prior to competing at the British Open, the Brunswick duo excelled at the 2018 U.S. Junior Squash Open Championships in Andover, Mass.

Carney captured the boys’ Under-15 championship (128-player field), defeating Mohammad Hanza Khan of Pakastan in the finals, 7-11, 11-8, 11-6, 11-7.

In semifinals action, Carney eliminated Islam Kouritam, 3-1 (8-11, 11-4, 11-4, 11-8) of Cairo. The quarterfinals saw Carney register a 3-2 comeback win against Cairo’s Noor Zaman. After getting a bye in the first round, he swept his next three matches, before competing in the quarterfinals.

Nick Spizzirri, a Brunswick junior, made it to the quarterfinal-round of the 17-under division. He was defeated by Thomas Rosini of the U.S., 3-0.

Spizzirri won his Round of 16 match at the U.S. Junior Open, 3-1, and also notched 3-0 victories in his Round of 32, 64 and 128 matches. Santry, meanwhile, advanced to the Round of 16.

After four years and two state playoff appearances, Sean Mignone has resigned as Bunnell’s head coach, he announced in an email Wednesday, citing family reasons, “nothing more.”

Overall, Mignone leaves with a 33-14 record, including a five-game stint as interim coach in 2014. His two playoff appearances in 2016 and 2018 were Bunnell’s first since winning back-to-back state titles from 2006-07.

A teacher at the school, Mignone was an assistant when he took over on an interim basis in 2014 while then-coach Doug Cotto was suspended and then fired at midseason.

Mignone coached the Bulldogs to 4-1 finish that season and was elevated to head coach in 2015. 

Over the next four years, Mignone quickly brought stability and playoff berths back to Stratford’s North End.

Despite a 4-6 finish in 2015, Bunnell won no less than eight games over the next three seasons under Mignone 

In 2016, Bunnell went 8-2 and reached the Class M quarterfinals, where they lost to Killingly, 27-7, on the road.

The following year, the Bulldogs duplicated that success with another 8-2 season. But having been bumped up to Class L, they were edged out of a playoff spot by 8-2 North Haven and 8-2 New Canaan.

Bulldogs rallied last season, going 9-1 and, this time earning a spot in Class L. But as the No. 8 seed, they lost to eventual champion Hand at the Surf Club.

The nine-win season was Bunnell’s best since a 9-2 mark under Craig Bruno in 2008.

Wilbur Cross’ Anaija Ricks (13) gathers a loose ball during her team’s victory over Hillhouse in New Haven on January 7, 2019. Photo: Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut Media

When Trumbull visited Wilbur Cross last weekend it marked the end to most cross-conference games, though No. 3 Trumbull does host No. 2 Hamden on Jan. 21 and a few other games between conferences are scheduled.

For the most part, the conference vs conference games take place in December and early January.

A glance at the schedule for most Top 10 teams reveals a commitment to scheduling other top teams or taking part in holiday tournaments comprised of four quality teams.

Trumbull coach Steve Tobitsch said there is no better preparation for the state playoffs than tough games early in the year, including traveling to New Haven to face Cross.

“This was a state playoff game atmosphere. Wilbur Cross is a very talented team and I am glad we scheduled this home-and-home with them for this year and next year,” Tobitsch said following his team’s 65-60 victory over the Governors.

The Latest GameTimeCT Top 10 Girls Basketball Poll

“It’s all about challenging yourself in December and January. A lot of the best teams in the state have been out there challenging themselves in non-league games. Then we all go back to conference play before we get another huge test on Martin Luther King Day when we play Hamden.”

Wilbur Cross has not reached the sustained level of success as Trumbull but has been building the program back up and coach Tyrees Thomas knows playing the best only improves his squad.

“We know we can compete, that’s why I scheduled (Trumbull),” Thomas said. “I am happy Trumbull came down to our gym and played us. I want to see where our girls are at. It has been a couple of years building this program. I think having a team like Trumbull, who has been one of the top teams for a few years, come to our gym and to compete against them only helps us because these are the type of teams we are going to see in the state tournament.

New London, Norwalk, Hamden, East Haven, Canton, Notre Dame-Fairfield and Kolbe are among other top teams scheduling the best early in the season.

It will not be a surprise to see some of these teams at Mohegan Sun come March and the early-season tests could be a big reason why.

Milestones

Hamden senior Makela Johnson scored her 1,000th career point in the Dragons 62-29 win over Sacred Heart Academy. Johnson scored 15 points in the game for unbeaten Hamden.

Congrats To Makaela Johnson on scoring her 1000 point tonight. Hamden leads Sacred Heart 17-0 late in the first. #goDragons #SCC #ctgb pic.twitter.com/uhJEuWta0O

— Hamden Athletics (@AthleticsHamden) January 8, 2019

Bacon Academy senior Kellie Nudd scored her 1,000th point in a 56-55 loss to East Lyme.

Celebrating @s_serbascewicz along with family for her significant milestone #1000 #LHScolonelpride @GoECCAthletics @GameTimeCT #ctgb pic.twitter.com/Yv8cGsfOCA

— Jim Buonocore (@ledyardsports) February 6, 2018

Meanwhile, Rocky Hill’s Nicole Lukens became her school’s all-time leading scorer in a 42-33 loss to New Britain on Tuesday.

She did it

David Castaldo, left and Jonathan Kosak each won their matches for the Trumbull wrestling team Wednesday against Greenwich.

GREENWICH — Amassing pins has been one of Trumbull’s trademarks so far this season and it continued its trend of putting its foes shoulders on the mat Wednesday in Greenwich.

Winnings six matches by pinfall, Trumbull showed why it was ranked fifth in the state’s latest wrestling poll, registering an impressive 44-33 win over host Greenwich in an FCIAC matchup.

Victorious in eight of the 14 matches, the Golden Eagles improved their record to 18-3 in a dual meet involving a pair of tough FCIAC squads.

“So far, we have been doing really well,” Trumbull senior 132-pounder Jonathan Kosak said. “We are 18-3 on the season, with a couple of losses coming against really good teams. For the most part, we have been able to stay off our backs, but we still have to continue to work hard to get bonus points.

The loss was the first of the season for a Greenwich team that won its first five matches of the winter. The Cardinals ended the match with a flurry, winning the final four matchups.

“Trumbull is very good, especially at the light weights,” Greenwich first-year coach Jere Petersen said. “The difference ended up being a couple of pins. If we stayed off our backs and don’t get pinned, we had a chance at winning a couple of the close matches. The heavy weights really came through. All those guys came through with pins, which was very good to see.”

The match began with a 106-pound bout between Trumbull’s Andy Grabinski and Javier Serra. Leading 6-0, Grabinski pinned Serra in 2:48.

Andrew Nanai of Greenwich won his 195-pound match against Trumbull by pinfall on Wednesday.

In a hard-fought 113-pound match, Eagles freshman Michael Longo won by an 11-6 decision against GHS sophomore Carlos DeWinter. Ahead 8-6, Longo increased his lead late in the third period with a three-point near fall.

Greenwich’s first victory of the evening came at 120, where sophomore Will Grimes pinned Aidan Burns in 49 seconds. The visitors proceeded to win the next five matches to seize control.

Junior Jack Ryan (126) of Trumbull won by pinfall against Justin Mejia in 2:24, while Kosak registered a hard-fought 6-2 win against Greenwich senior Mitchell Grimes (132), behind a pair of take downs.

“I was sick the day of FCIACs last year and I really wanted to come back this year against him with a win,” Kosak said.

David Castaldo, a Trumbull senior, pinned GHS senior Emanuel Lai in 4:43 in the 138-pound match.

“We wanted to beat this team and we needed as many points as we could get, so I knew I needed to get a pin,” Castaldo said.

Junior George Bomann (145), senior Matt Ryan (152) and sophomore Jason Mercado (170) each posted pinfall victories for Trumbull. Bomann pinned his foe in four minutes, Ryan won his match in 37 seconds and Mercado posted a pin in 3:27.

In one of the most competitive matches, Cardinals senior Andrew Nanai (195) pinned Joe Palmieri in 2:53. Nanai held a 4-2 advantage behind a pair of take downs before he executed the pin. It was a rematch of last season’s FCIAC final and Class LL final semifinals. Nanai topped Palmieri for the FCIAC title, while Palmieri beat Nanai in the Class LL Championships.

“I beat him twice last year, once in the FCIAC finals, but lost to him in the Class LL semifinals by one point. That built a fire in me and in the offseason I worked on my wrestling and got more muscle on my body,” Nanai said. “I was ready tonight for one of my biggest matches and I knew it was going to be one of my toughest matches. Our team stepped up to make it a pretty close match at the end.”

Jackson Blanchard (220) of Greenwich won by pin in 45 seconds, while teammate Glen Rivas (285) pinned his foes shoulders to the mat in 1:43. Ryan Merida (183) also won by pinfall for GHS in 3:33. Christian Stanback, a senior, edged Wael Pezreh (160), 8-5.

QUOTABLE

“We are a strong ream right now, and hopefully we’ll do better in our upcoming tournaments like FCIACs and LLs,” Castaldo said. “I am looking forward to the LL tournament and what I want most make it to the New England tournament — that is my biggest goal.”

Said Petersen: “We are young at the most light weights, but they will figure it out. You can definitely learn more from a loss.”

TRUMBULL 44, GREENWICH 33

106 — Andy Grabinski (T) pin. Javier Serra 2:48; 113 — Michael Longo (T) dec. Carlos DeWinter 11-6; 120 — William Grimes (G) pin. Aidan Burns :49; 126 — Jack Ryan (T) pin. Justin Mejia 2:24; 132 — Jonathan Kosak (T) dec. Mitchell Grimes 6-2; 138 — David Castaldo (T) pin. Emanuel Lai 4:43; 145 — George Bomann (T) pin. Kacper Grabowski 4:00; 152 — Matt Ryan (T) pin. Delvin Gustamar :37; 160 — Christian Stanback (G) dec. Wael Pezreh 8-5; 170 — Jason Mercado (T) pin. Vincent Ceci 3:27; 182 — Ryan Merida (G) pin. Jackie Smith 3:33; 195 — Andrew Nanai (G) pin Joe Palmieri 2:53; 220 — Jackson Blanchard (G) pin. Oneil Kennedy :45; 285 — Glen Rivas (G) pin. Matthew Ryan 1:43

Victorious in 10 of 12 events, the Greenwich High School boys swimming team remained undefeated, registering a 114-72 win against visiting Norwalk in an FCIAC meet on Wednesday.

In the 200-yard medley Greenwich’s Justin Jacob, Matt Lourenco, James Pascale and Mark Merson touched the wall first in 1:42.23. The 200-yard freestyle saw Nick Todorovic, of Greenwich post a winning time of 1:53.18.

In the 200 individual medley, Nick Malchow of the Cardinals won in 2:08.67. Charlie Clark was the 50 freestyle winner for Greenwich in 22.88 and Norwalk’s Kevin Bradley won the diving competition with 300.70 points. Clark took top honors in the 100-yard butterfly (57.24) and Norwalk/McMahon’s Mateo Roldan was the 100 freestyle winner in 51.40

Nick Todorovic showed his stamina for Greenwich in winning the 500 freestyle and the Cards registered a first-place finish in the 200 freestyle relay (1:33.88).

Jacob touched the wall first in the 100 backstroke (55.58) and

Malchow took first in the 100 breaststroke (1:04.86)

Greenwich also won the 400 freestyle relay in 3:27.94. The Cardinals host New Canaan on Friday at 4:30 p.m.

GREENWICH ACADEMY HOCKEY

The Gators dropped a 2-0 decision to Hotchkiss School in an NEPSAC game held Wednesday at Chelsea Piers Connecticut in Stamford.

With the loss, GA’s record stands at 5-4-1. Jillian Mazzocca gave the Bearcats a 1-0 lead with a goal at the 5:21 mark of the second period. Gianna Bruno assisted on the tally. Mazzocca struck again in the third period, scoring with 4:17 remaining. Bruno also assisted on the goal.

Greenwich Academy coach Erin Brawley credited Bobbi Roca, Hamilton Doster and Grace Schulze for pacing the Gators’ solid play. Schulze created numerous scoring opportunities with the team on a power play.

GA is in action again Friday against Canterbury School at 6 p.m. at Chelsea Piers Connecticut.

BRUNSWICK BASKETBALL

In a game between two FAA rivals, host Rye Country Day School edged Brunswick, 72-66, on Wednesday. Following the FAA loss, the Bruins are 2-8 overall and 1-5 in conference action.

Brunswick jumped out to an early double-digit lead to start the game, but RCDS closed the gap, as the Bruins took a 33-30 lead into halftime.

In the second half, Brunswick’s Kevonne Wilder’s 3-pointer tied the game at 41 with 10:55 remaining. Tristan Joseph scored the next five points for the visitors, as the Bruins built a 45-41 lead with 9:55 left in the game.

With 6:45 to play, the Wildcats made a 3-pointer to take a 49-47 lead, but the Bruins quickly tied the contest at 49-49 on a layup.

The Wildcats started its decisive run following the game-tying bucket 3-pointer.

The Bruins were down by just one possession before another Wildcat 3-pointer at 4:05 gave the hosts a 57-53 lead.

Four Bruins reached double-digits, as Joseph led Brunswick with 16 points. Chisom Okpara netted 15 points, while Khari Wilson had 13 and Mulshine chipped in 10 points.

The Bruins return home with a game against St. Luke’s on Friday, January 11.

STAMFORD — No matter what sport, the Stamford City Championship brings out the best in high school athletes.

For the Westhill High School wrestling program, it’s all building on history.

The Vikings captured their 10th consecutive Stamford City Wrestling Championship Wednesday night by downing intracity rival Stamford High, 40-33, before a spirited crowd at SHS’ Paul Kuczo gym.

“The kids (look) forward to this match and the intracity rivalry each year,” said Westhill’s veteran coach Tom Pereira. “It’s always a good competitive battle.”

One factor that makes it interesting is that many of the wrestlers on each side were teammates in the Stamford Junior Wrestling program before moving up to high school competition.

“There is a bit of irony in this match for me,” said Stamford High’s third-year coach Jaime Camacho. “Many of the kids I coached in Junior Wrestling are winning matches against me tonight.”

There was drama on the scoreboard. After six weight classes, the score was tied 15-15 as Stamford picked up its two forfeit victories of the night.

Then Westhill (4-0 overall) went on a run. Alex Edwards won by major decision at 145 pounds. Kyle Alswanger won by pin at 152. Tom Mazur picked up Westhill’s second forfeit triumph at 160. Armondo Nunez took a 6-4 decision at 170 to give the Vikings a 34-15 edge.

But Stamford responded to the challenge. Ibrahim Hakeem (182) and Jaiden Jones (195) had pins to bring SHS to 34-27.

However, senior Kevon McLean secured the Westhill victory with a pin in 2:49 at 220 pounds.

It’s early in the wrestling season but Westhill is on the right track.

“We still have work to do,” Pereira said. “The goal is for each wrestler to improve every day. We want to keep building momentum into the postseason.”

The Stamford High wrestling program continues to make strides.

“Two matches were the difference tonight. We have a very young team,” Camacho said. “Out of 14 wrestlers we have eight first-year high school wrestling kids. Our numbers are improving. We have to keep raising our level.”

WESTHILL 40, STAMFORD 33

103: Justin Leung (S) won by forfeit; 113: John Leydon (W) dec. Brendan Leung, 5-4; 120: Bryson Thomas (W) pinned Kevin Oliva, 2:45; 126: Will Griffin (S) won by forfeit; 132: Chase Parrott (W) won by forfeit; 138: Ryan Gover (S) dec. Mike Edwards, 9-6; 145: Alex Edwards (W) major dec. Lenny Alcantara, 12-0; 152: Kyle Alswanger (W) pinned Bryce Kijek, 2:57; 160: Thomas Mazur (W) won by forfeit; 170: Armondo Nunez (W) dec. Edgar Molina, 6-4; 182: Ibrahim Hakeem (S) pinned Kobe Givens, 1:46; 195: Jaiden Jones (S) pinned Frank Susana, 1:38; 220: Kevon McLean (W) pinned Axel Aguilar, 2:49; 285: Josue Medina (S) pinned Junsheng Huang, 1:30. Records: Westhill 4-0; Stamford 1-1.

WINSTED – Gilbert beat Nonnewaug 42-27 at The Gilbert School Wednesday night in a much closer match than the final score in a battle between two of the top teams in the Berkshire/Valley (Berkshire League/NVL) informal wrestling league.

“I said all along this was the team to beat,” said Gilbert coach Darek Schibi. “They’re still a little young, but they’re a lot better than they were at the beginning of the year (when Northwestern, another top league team, beat the Chiefs).”

“Gilbert’s the best team,” said Nonnewaug coach Dave Green before the match. “They know what it is to work hard. We want the competition and they’re going to give it to us.”

Sheer numbers can win some dual matches, but only quality wrestlers score in state and league tournaments. Gilbert (15-2) is the defending Berkshire/Valley league champion, finishing second in last year’s Class S tournament. Five of its returning wrestlers placed sixth or better in Class S.

Nonnewaug (4-4) was 11th in Class S and returns three Class S place winners.

Nonnewaug has 17 varsity wrestlers, Gilbert, 18 – fewer than either coach would like.

A clash between the two schools’ youth programs (kindergarten through eighth grade), 25 strong for Nonnewaug and 30 for the Gilbert/Northwestern Hurricanes, before the main event, portends many more experienced wrestlers on their way.

But, for the two varsity programs, Wednesday was all about getting ready for states.

“When most of the matches are competitive, you have what you need,” said Green. “To have that opportunity this early in the season is great. It answers the question, ‘How do we improve to the end of the year?’”

After a double forfeit at 106 pounds, Nonnewaug took an early 15-0 lead with a forfeit, a pin by Tom Verdiglione (Class S fifth in 113 as a freshman) and a decision by Colden Williamson.

Then Gilbert – and invaluable experience – took over. Devin Matthews (Class S runner-up at 120) scored a pin at 132; Gilbert senior Nick Barber won a decision.

Nonnewaug senior Ben Niez-Charest interrupted with a surprise pin on last year’s fourth-place 138-pound Zach McLellan but the Yellowjackets pulled even, 21-21, on a pair of forfeits before the premier match of the night.

Gilbert’s Alex Smith and Nonnewaug’s Flori Cenkolli were second and third in Class S 170 last year. Here they were again.

“That’s probably a preview of the state championship match,” said Coach Schibi after Smith crafted a careful 5-4 decision.

“Me and (Cenkolli) have been going at it for a while,” said Smith. “In three matches, there’s never been more than a one-point difference. We’re improving together. I hope we can make an appearance at the State Open and even New England’s together.”

Nonnewaug’s Jack Cronin (Class S third, 160, as a sophomore) carried the Chiefs to one more lead, 27-24, with a pin, but pins by Gilbert’s Kevin Sullivan (Class S sixth, 182) and Bajram Gutic and a Nonnewaug forfeit pulled Gilbert into the final score.

Gilbert 42, Nonnewaug 27

At The Gilbert School

113: Kevin DeCesare (N) by forfeit. 120: Tom Verdiglione (N) pinned Ageel Hadash (G), 1:38. 126: Colden Williamson (N) dec. Neicko Clapper (G), 12-5. 132: Devin Matthews (G) pinned Kelvin Cenkolli (N), 2:36. 138: Nick Barber (G) dec. Justin Noel (N), 15-9. 145: Zach McLellan (G) pinned Ben Niez-Charest, 3:59. 152: Kyle Matthews (G) by forfeit. 160: Evan Jackson (G) by forfeit. 170: Alex Smith (G) dec. Flori Cenkolli (N), 5-4. 182: Jack Cronin (N) pinned Eli Pasternack (G), :55. 195: Kevin Sullivan (G) pinned Chris Velleca (N), 1:58. 220: Barjram Gutic (G) pinned Jordon Carney (N), :59. 285: Dylan Keith (G) by forfeit.

Attached Wrestlers: 113: Kevin Decesare (N) pinned Alexis Zavatkay (Torrington), 3:14. 120: Lane Faison (Shepaug) pinned Ageel Hadash (G), 2:48. 126: Colden Williamson (N) pinned James Covill (T), 2:55. Mark Zavatkay (T) tech. fall Angelo Russo (N), 16-1.

Records: Nonnewaug 4-4; Gilbert 15-2.

Former Daniel Hand girls lacrosse coach Kevin Siedlecki who was named the Southern Connecticut State women’s lacrosse coach on Wednesday (New Haven Register file photo)

Kevin Siedlecki, who has coached the Hand girls lacrosse team since 2009, has been named head coach of the Southern Connecticut State women’s lacrosse team. Siedlecki has also served as an assistant coach for the Owls the past three seasons.

”I really wasn’t thinking about coaching at the college level until this fall when the position opened,” Siedlecki said. “I wouldn’t have left Hand for just any college job. I had been helping out part-time under the previous two head coaches, and really grew to appreciate the Division II model.

”I think Southern does a lot of things right in the athletics department to encourage a balanced student-athlete experience. The opportunity to coach full-time in that environment was something I couldn’t ignore. There are definitely mixed emotions. I will miss the girls at Hand. Part of me feels terrible to leave a place where the community has been incredibly supportive of me and the program for the last 10 years.”

Siedlecki compiled a career record of 157-51 with the Tigers. He was named the CIAC Class M Coach of the Year in 2015 and 2018, the 2015 Southern Connecticut Conference Coach of the Year and New Haven Register All-Area Coach of the Year in 2011.

Siedlecki guided Hand to the last four SCC tournament championships in addition to titles in 2009 and 2010, while also earning SCC regular season titles in 2010, 2011, 2015, 2016 and 2018. Hand also finished as CIAC Class M Runner-ups in 2011, 2015 and 2018. Siedlecki also coached five All-Americans that went on to play collegiately.

According to a prepared statement, Siedlecki will be the fourth head coach in Southern women’s lacrosse history. Kelley Frassinelli coached the program from its inception in 2001 through 2013 before Maureen Spellman guided the program from 2013 through 2017. Betsy Vendel served as the program’s head coach last season before accepting the same position at Central Connecticut State earlier this year.

“The Madison lacrosse community and the Daniel Hand athletics department are very strong,” Siedlecki said. “They will continue to field great lacrosse teams because the parents and schools support their student-athletes in all the right ways. The program at Southern has been moving in the right direction.

“Maureen Spellman and Betsy Vendel did a great job bringing talented lacrosse players to campus over the last few years. We have some pieces that could come together nicely and make us more competitive than we’ve been in the very strong Northeast-10 Conference. My immediate goal is to put those pieces together this season and play some exciting, competitive lacrosse games in an exciting, competitive conference. If we focus on process and work to improve every day, we will win games.”

EAST HAVEN — It wasn’t anything close to a defensive masterpiece on either side, but Guilford just keeps on rolling.

The Indians, winners of five straight and on top of the CIAC Division II standings, continued to play back and forth hockey, scoring a bunch of times, while giving up a bunch of goals in an 8-6 victory over North Branford Wednesday night in a SCC/SWC Division II clash at the DiLungo Rink.

Despite his team’s 7-2 record, Guilford coach Ralph Russo has been concerned with his defense, which has allowed 5.11 goals per game.

“We talk about it every day and have been working on it,” Russo said. “It’s not about the goalie or a defender. It’s about team defense.”

For a good portion of the first period, it looked as if the two teams might score a combined 20 goals. Guilford’s John DeLucia (2 goals and 2 assists) scored just 22 seconds into the game, but Sean McKee evened things up just 50 seconds later with the first of his five goals in the contest.

Guilford, which is averaging 6.78 goals per game, got a pair of goals by Jake Watrous and another by Jack Dacey to take a 4-1 lead before the halfway point of the opening period.

However, McKee stepped up with two goals in the final 6:38 of the period, including one with 1.9 seconds left, to pull the Thunderbirds within 4-3.

“Early on, we were able to get a lot of goals and their defense wasn’t putting a lot of pressure on us,” Russo said. “Then we were turning the puck over too much in our zone, but we settled down and played a more even game.”

And it showed in the second period as the scoring calmed down for both sides. In fact, the only goal of the middle period came when Guilford’s E.J. Vickerman was pulled down from behind on a shorthanded breakaway and the Indians were awarded a penalty shot. Freshman Connor Hagness converted the penalty shot to make it 5-3 going to the final 15 minutes.

Dacey added his second goal of the afternoon just 28 seconds into the third period to give Guilford a three-goal cushion again. DeLucia followed it up with another goal four minutes later to make it 7-3.

“We have a good offense and we’ve been finding ways to battle,” DeLucia said. “We’ve been in a lot of close games that have gone back and forth.”

McKee tried as hard as he could to push North Branford over the top as he scored back-to-back goals again, including his second shorthanded one of the day to close it to 7-5 with 7:31 to play.

“North Branford can jump on a loose puck and turn it into a scoring opportunity very quickly,” Russo said. “We got sloppy and they have a couple scorers that can make you pay for it.”

Guilford’s Steve Tortora and Nick Poulin of North Branford exchanged goals in the final 5:30 to account for the final score.

“It was like a beach ball going back and forth and was one of those games that could have gone either way,” North Branford coach Ralph Shaw said.

North Branford fell to 2-4-1 with the loss. The eight goals were the most that the Thunderbirds have allowed since a season opening win against Westhill-Stamford on Dec. 12. Since then, North Branford had not allowed more than five goals.

“We’ve been in some tight games,” Shaw said. “We need to right the ship a little bit, find the back of the net and get some W’s.”

Guilford outshot North Branford, 38-33. Alex Attruia had 27 saves for the Indians. Tyler DiNapoli started in goal for the Thunderbirds but was pulled in favor of Jake Montanaro in the first period. The two combined for 30 saves.

Guilford 8, North Branford 6

First Period: — John Delucia (from Shea Thibault 0:22; — Sean McKee (from Nick Poulin 1:12; — Jake Watrous (from Steve Tortora 5:03; — Jack Dacey (from John Delucia and Jake Watrous) 5:13; — Jake Watrous (from Jack Dacey and John Delucia) 7:29; — Sean McKee (from Nick Vecchio 8:22; — Sean McKee (from Nick Poulin 14:58; Second Period: — Connor Hagness 2:20; Third Period: — Jack Dacey (from Jake Watrous 0:28; — John Delucia (from Connor Hagness 4:30; — Sean McKee 5:58; — Sean McKee (from Nick Vecchio 7:29; — Steve Tortora (from Shea Thibault 9:30; : — Nick Poulin (from Brendan Stoner 12:47. Saves: — Jake Montanaro 27 on 31 shots, Tyler DiNapoli 3 on 7 shots; — Alex Attruia 27 on 33 shots.

REDDING — He kept getting open, and he kept shooting.

And for a few-minute stretch at least, he didn’t miss.

Barlow senior James Menapace sparked a third-quarter run for his side with five 3-pointers, helping the Falcons pull away from Brookfield 61-40 and sending the Bobcats to their first loss.

Brookfield held a 28-25 lead at the break but the Falcons came out scorching to start the third. Menapace scored all 15 of his points in a very short span as Barlow pulled ahead 44-32 and held a double-digit lead heading into the fourth.

Barlow leads 48-36 in the fourth #ctbb pic.twitter.com/rzmWQxhUtz

— Ryan Lacey (@RyanLacey11) January 10, 2019

“We started to move it around and reverse it on offense,” Menapace said. “I was able to knock them down; when I hit the first two I started getting momentum to keep shooting.”

From there the Bobcats played the possession game, holding the ball for long spells before attacking the basketball. Brookfield’s defense allowed four points during a five-minute stretch in the frame but was unable to hit shots to get close.

“You have to work the clock a little bit but you have to take advantage of a couple of mistakes, otherwise you’re probably looking at a turnover,” said Barlow coach Pat Yerina, whose team is off to a 3-4 start in his first year at the helm. “It’s tough to hold the ball when you’re not used to doing it.”

Walker hits shot in final seconds, Brookfield leads 28-25 at the break #ctbb pic.twitter.com/R2Li7C7UnL

— Ryan Lacey (@RyanLacey11) January 10, 2019

Brookfield entered the matchup at 6-0 but fell partly due to cold shooting during Menapace’s barrage. The Bobcats led 21-13 late in the second quarter but only scored 12 points after halftime.

“We played really hard and played a great first half,” Bobcats coach John Fleming said. “The second half we just couldn’t hit a shot. We had looks; they got hot, we got cold. They’re a good team and they beat us.”

Barlow trailed by 8, rallies to tie 23-23 late second #ctbb pic.twitter.com/TgofR9sGmL

— Ryan Lacey (@RyanLacey11) January 10, 2019

BIG-MAN BATTLE

The two leading scorers for both sides were the tallest hoopsters on the court. Tom Richetelli scored 18 points to lead the Falcons while Joe Brown had 15 for Brookfield.

PLAYER OF THE GAME

Clark Gilmore, Barlow: Scored 10 points and helped run the show at point guard, setting teammates up for open looks.

QUOTABLE

“It’s been great, I love it,” said Yerina of his fresh start with the Falcons after two decades at Bunnell. “These guys have been playing hard. It’s an adjustment with different players and with what we’re running compared to last year. It takes time, hopefully (we’ll) be ready by February.”

“We’re more fast-paced and press the whole game,” Menapace said. “(Last year) was about possessions and this year is more about a fast pace and shooting.”

BARLOW 61, BROOKFIELD 40

BROOKFIELD (6-1): Marcus Dalton 0 0-1 0 Steven Cioffi 1 0-0 3 David Walker 4 0-0 9 Joe Brown 7 1-2 15 Gavin Borges 3 0-0 7 Harry Albanese 0 1-2 1 Zack House 1 0-0 2 Brian Ritter 1 0-0 3. Totals: 17 2-5 40.

BARLOW (3-4): Danny Mangieri 2 0-0 6 Clark Gilmore 2 6-6 10 James Menapace 5 0-0 15 Sebby Hurlbut 1 0-0 3 Carter Janki 1 2-2 4 Austin Deluca 1 3-4 5 Tom Richetelli 8 2-6 18. Totals: 20 13-16 61.

BROOKFIELD   16 12 8 4 — 40
BARLOW    11 14 21 15 — 61

3-pointers: Br—Cioffi, Walker, Borges, Ritter; Ba—Mangieri 2, Menapace 5, Hurlbut.

HAMDEN — Rhode Island’s storied schoolboy hockey program threatened to sweep Hamden right out of its own rink Wednesday night in the second period, holding the Green Dragons to one shot while taking a lead.

The home team settled down, got an early third-period goal from captain A.J. Luedee and another late on a breakaway and beat Mount St. Charles 3-2 at Astorino Arena.

“The second period was really rough,” Luedee said, and only goalie Donald Moorcroft, making 10 of his 25 saves in the period, kept the damage in check.

“We were playing frustrated in the second period. We decided to calm down, regroup and rethink our strategy going to the third period and simply play our game.”

Luedee scored off an offensive-zone faceoff 1:24 into the third to tie it, then scored on a breakaway with 3:34 to go off Michael Gethings’ stretch pass that bounced off a defender.

“We had guys in the right position, which helped,” Hamden coach Todd Hall said.

“You earn your bounces. The way we cleared the puck on that particular breakaway goal to A.J., A.J. holding his position wide, just swept in behind the kid, it bounced over him: We deserved that bounce, and then A.J. made a great move on the breakaway.”

The Mounties came with tons of pressure in the final minute with goalie Ryan Forget pulled for a sixth attacker, but No. 4 Hamden (6-4) held them away from rebounds, cleared the puck when they could and blocked shots. Luedee blocked the last in the closing seconds.

“Positionally (we) were holding their position six-on-five. It was nice to see,” Hall said.

“Of course as a coach you want that type of intensity, that type of focus all game. Hopefully we can take that, bottle it somehow or, at least, most of it, and start like that the next game (Friday at Simsbury). We’ll see.”

GAMETIMECT TOP 10 HOCKEY POLL

Hamden opened the scoring in the first when Bryce Riccitelli put away a rebound after Gethings beat a defender and put a shot off Forget’s right pad.

Alexander Pratt tied it 2:12 into the second period, and Michael Canavan stole the puck to score short-handed with 58.6 seconds left in the second and give Mount St. Charles a 2-1 lead.

“It’s always nice to come down here. We learn from our adventures down here, or when they come up,” said Mount co-coach Dave Belisle, whose team was missing several players to injury or illness.

“The kids that were out there definitely learned something: You can’t play one and three-quarter periods. They got what they deserved, Hamden.”

PLAYER OF THE GAME

Hamden goalie Donald Moorcroft made 25 saves to earn the win.

COUPLE OF CHANGES

Hamden tweaked its lines a bit from recent games, swapping Luedee and Riccitelli. Hall said they’d considered making some changes before beating Greenwich 8-3, but then didn’t want to mess with things after, you know, beating Greenwich 8-3. It made more sense after Saturday’s 6-1 loss to No. 1 Ridgefield.

“What’s good to know is what you had, what you have now, and what you could possibly go back to,” Hall said.

“You know combinations have worked, but if you don’t really change until the end, you don’t know what will work.”

QUOTABLE

“We’ve learned that we can play with anyone in the state. That’s the best team in Rhode Island, a historic team, too. Though we lost to Ridgefield, I feel like we can continue on and move forward with our game.” — Hamden captain A.J. Luedee

HAMDEN 3, MOUNT ST. CHARLES (R.I.) 2

MOUNT ST. CHARLES     0 2 0—2
HAMDEN               1 0 2—3

Records: Mount St. Charles 7-5; Hamden 6-4. Goals: MSC—Alexander Pratt, Michael Canavan; H—A.J. Luedee 2, Bryce Riccitelli. Assists: MSC—Trey Bourque; H—Michael Gethings 2, Tyler Routh. Goalies: MSC—Ryan Forget (15 saves); H—Donald Moorcroft (25). Shots: MSC—27; H—18.

New London’s Joniyah Bland-Fitzpatrick talks to coach Holly Misto at New London on Tuesday, December 18, 2018. (Pete Paguaga, Hearst Connecticut Media)

In spite of a 45-43, out-of-state loss to South Kingston-R.I. last Wednesday — the day of the last top 10 poll — New London remained Connecticut’s No. 1 team in this week’s GameTimeCT Top 10 girls basketball poll. 

The Whalers lost four first-place votes, however, and only held the advantage by 12 points over No. 2 Hamden. The Green Dragons edged No. 3 Trumbull for second place. Both teams have four first-place votes.

Norwalk, which stayed put at No. 4, also earned a first-pace vote.

Elsewhere, Notre Dame-Fairfield stayed at No. 5. Newtown jumped up two spots to No. 6. East Haven dropped to No. 7 and Kolbe Cathedral moved up a spot to No. 9.

Windsor earned a spot in the top 10 this week, debuting at No. 9. East Catholic fell to No. 10 after its loss to Manchester. 

	TEAM (1st place votes)			Rec	PTS	LAST	CLASS
	1. NEW LONDON (10)			7-1	534	1	LL
Last Week: Lost South Kingston RI 45-43, def. East Lyme 59-34 This Week: at Woodstock Academy, Thu. 7; at Stonington, Sat. 7 Bottom Line: Whalers stay atop the poll despite out-of-state loss.
	2. HAMDEN (4)			5-0	522	3	LL
Last Week: Def. Hand 69-50 This Week: at Mercy, Wed. 7; at North Haven, Fri. 7 Bottom Line: Dragons continue to blaze through the competition.
	3. TRUMBULL (4)			8-0	520	2	LL
Last Week: Def. Ridgefield 58-54; Wilbur Cross 65-60 This Week: vs. Staples, Thur. 7 Bottom Line: Eagles qualified for the state tournament with win over Wilbur Cross.
	4. NORWALK (1)			7-0	468	4	LL
Last Week: Def. Warde 60-47 This Week: at Trinity, Thur. 5:30, vs Bassick, Sat. 12:30 Bottom Line: Bears rolling as full FCIAC schedule kicks in.
	5. NOTRE DAME-FAIRFIELD			6-1	380	5	L
Last Week: Def. Bethel 52-27; Canton 52-47 This Week: vs.Pomperaug, Fri. 7 Bottom Line: First of three SWC teams in Top 10.
	6. NEWTOWN			7-1	335	8	LL
Last Week: Def. Bunnell 54-30 This Week: vs. Bethel, Fri 7 Bottom Line: SWC stating its case as top girls hoop conference.
	7. EAST HAVEN			4-2	299	6	L
Last Week: Def. Mercy 54-52 This Week: at Hand, Wed. 7; at Lauralton, Fri. 7 Bottom Line: Unbeaten in SCC games.
	8. KOLBE CATHEDRAL			7-0	280	9	M
Last Week: Def. Weaver 45-42; Masuk 58-36. This Week: vs. Bunnell, Fri. 7. Bottom Line: Kolbe Cathedral is emerging as a favorite in Class M...
	9. WINDSOR			9-1	203	NR	L
Last Week: Def. Bulkely 63-19, ENY 76-26 This Week: at Northwest Catholic, Fri. 5:30 Bottom Line: Well-deserved spot in the top 10 for being current top dog in CCC.
	10. EAST CATHOLIC			6-1	199	7	M
Last Week: Lost Manchester 62-51 This Week: vs. Maloney, Fri. 5:15 Bottom Line: Slip-up does not cost them spot in the top 10.
Dropped out: Coginchaug (10). First-place votes in parentheses and points tabulated on a 30-28-26-24-22-20-18-16-14-12-11-10-9-8-7 basis.
Others receiving votes: Wilbur Cross (5-2) 134; Newington (8-1) 119; Glastonbury (6-1) 114; Trinity (6-1) 109; Eo Smith (6-1) 103; Canton (8-1) 82; Bacon (7-1) 76; Berlin (8-1) 69; Foran (6-0) 46; Mercy (2-4) 36; Hand (4-3) 32; Watertown (7-1) 30; Simsbury (7-2) 30; Coginchaug (6-3) 27; Somers (7-0) 21; Stonington (8-1) 19; Hillhouse (5-1) 18; East Hampton (7-0) 8; Cromwell (6-2) 7; Northwestern (7-1) 7
The following voted: Ryan Lacey, Danbury News-Times; Lori Riley, Hartford Courant; Erik Dobratz, WTNH/Sportzedge.com; Scott Ericson, Stamford Advocate; Noah Finz, Frontier Cable/Vantage Sports Network; Mike Madera, Walter Camp Foundation/New Haven Register; Pete Paguaga, GametimeCT; Dave Phillips, Shoreline Newspapers; Dave Ruden, The Ruden Report; Jimmy Zanor, Norwich Bulletin; Tim Jensen, Patch; Dave Danko, Fairfield Warde, Scotty Nails RCDS; Brian Medeiros, Canton; Rich Zalusky, The Chronicle; Vickie Fulkerson, The New London Day; Fred Williams, Northwestern; Erik Dobratz, WTNH; Rick Wilson, Waterbury Republican; Adam Betz, Journal Inquirer.

Shelton High coach Joe Cavallaro talks things over with team.

SHELTON — Shelton’s girls basketball team found itself in a two-possession game with visiting Sheehan when the Titans’ Liv Robles called for the ball on the block and muscled home a basket to secure a 40-33 victory over the Gaelettes at the Vincent J. Murray Memorial Gym on Tuesday night.

Shelton coach Joe Cavallaro was dead-on with his prediction before the SCC game.

“We’ll work hard,” he said. “But they are very good and beat us the first time we played (56-37). With a thousand-point scorer (Robles), Sheehan is tough to defend.”

Robles scored 20 points, as coach Mike Buscillo’s team improved to 6-1 on the season.

“Disjointed might be the right word,” he said about the contest. “Coach Cavallaro had his kids ready, they played well defensively with their 2-3 and 1-3-1 zone. Robles carried us in scoring.”

A 5-foot-10 senior forward, Robles scored spread out her points. Her most dominant quarter was the second, when Robles scored eight points to help her team to a 23-14 lead at the half. They led 11-4 after one period.

“We were down I think 17-4 (on two Robles’ free throws) and got back in it,” Cavallaro said of his team, now 4-5. “Shooting is a big part of the game and we struggle with that.”

Shelton’s mini-run was started by Maggie Howard’s three-pointer off an assist from Leya Vohra. Clarissa Pierre added three free throws. Howard then found Vohra on a back cut off a Pierre screen for a layup.

Sheehan used quick passes and ball reversal to free Robles for a bucket on a pass from Caroline Dighello. The Titans led, 19-12, with three minutes left in the half. Maddi Larkin’s pass from the foul line found Robles for a three-point play, and she added a free throw before the break.

Shelton won the third quarter, 11-10.

Pierre had six of her 12 points during one stretch, with two buckets coming off rebounds and the other on an assist from Howard.

Howard’s second trey of the night, with Vohra making the pass, cut the deficit to 25-23 midway through the period.

Sheehan scored on its last three possessions, two of the baskets coming after steals by Robles and Caitlyn Velez.

Buscillo subbed Robles in with two seconds left and she scored before the buzzer for a 33-25 lead.

Keira O’Connor assisted on a Mackenzie Joyce basket to open the final quarter.

Devan Wildman scored the next three points for the Titans, the hoop coming off a fine feed from Robles at the top of the key.

Vohra tallied on a runner in traffic at the 4:09 mark to make it 36-30.

Robles answered and Velez’ two freebies negated a pair by Joyce.

“We play hard enough to be competitive,” Cavallaro said. “We lack some things, but effort isn’t one of them. We are shooting under fifty percent from the foul line and that continued (9 of 19) tonight.”

Shelton will host Lyman Hall Friday at 7.

When asked what was next for the Titans, Busillo said, “We’re getting thrown in the deep end of the pool. We have Hillhouse, Newington, Mercy and then Amity. We’re happy to be 6-1, but the kids are smart enough to understand we have work to do.”

SHEEHAN 40, SHELTON 33

SHEEHAN

Hailey Lagasa 3 0-0 6 Liv Robles 8 4-6 20 Mackenzie Homstock 1 0-0 3 Maddie Larkin 2 1-4 5 Caitlyn Velez 1 2-4 4 Alyssa Horobin 1 0-0 2. Totals: 16 7-14 40.

SHELTON

Mackenzie Joyce 1 3-4 5 Maggie Howard 3 0-2 8 Leya Vohra 3 0-4 6 Kiera O’Connor 0 0-2 0 Clarissa Pierre 4 4-7 12. Totals: 11 9-19 33.

SHEEHAN11 12 10 7—40
SHELTON4 10 11 8—33

3-pointers: Shee—Homstock; Shel—Howard 2.

BOYS BASKETBALL

Andrew Brown.

Clutch. @XHSBBALL has taken the lead with barely any time left on the clock. @XHSBBALL 46, @HamdenHoops 44.

We will wait to see how much time is left on the clock. #ctbb pic.twitter.com/kzAEdBKeOf

— Xavier Athletics (@athleticsXHS) January 10, 2019

Andrew Brown scored on a putback with two-tenths of a second remaining to give the Xavier boys basketball team a 46-44 victory over Hamden Wednesday night in Southern Connecticut Conference action at Middletown.

Stephen Kohs led the Falcons (4-4) with 13 points. Fabian Cox had 16 points to lead the Green Dragons (5-3), who were missing both Victor Rosario and Justice Washington for what Hamden coach Jarrad Beck deemed “team issues.” He would not elaborate, but did say both should be back on Friday.

Xavier held Hamden to just two points in the fourth quarter.

ND-WEST HAVEN 65, WILBUR CROSS 47

Jaiden Kimbro led the way with 18 points for Notre Dame-West Haven in an SCC victory at West Haven.

Connor Raines added 14 points and 10 rebounds and Trevon Setzer Smith added seven assists for the Green Knights (8-0). Terrance Edwards led all scorers with 26 points for the Governors (2-3).

WILBUR CROSS

Enasj Jones 5 0-0 10 Kyle Daniels 3 0-0 6 Darius Esdaile 2 0-0 5 Terrance Edwards 11 4-8 26 Tyron Clemons 0 0-1 0 Jayleem Sayles 0 0-0 0. Totals: 21 4-9 47.

ND-WEST HAVEN

Jaiden Kimbro 6 2-4 18 Justin Covington 1 3-5 5 Ben Carroll 3 4-5 10 Zach Laput 2 1-2 5 Connor Raines 3 6-8 14 Trevon Setzer-Smith 1 5-8 7 Bangaly Cherif 1 0-0 2. Totals: 18 23-34 65.

WILBUR CROSS12 6 15 14—47
ND-WEST HAVEN10 14 24 17—65

3-pointers: WC—Esdaile; NDWH—Kimbro 4, Raines 2.

Fouled out: WC—Sayles.

Highlights: NDWH—Raines had 10 rebounds. Setzer-Smith had seven assists.

Branford 42, Foran 40

Kevin Baxter led all scorers with 17 points for Branford, which won its first game of the season, at Milford. Michael Simonelli led the Lions with 14 points.

BRANFORD

Justin Elpi 4 0-1 8 Aiden Jacobson 2 0-0 4 Cameron Holmes 3 3-6 9 Jacobson 1 0-0 3 Kevin Baxter 8 0-1 17 Jack Van Gelder 0 1-2 1. Totals: 18 4-9 42.

FORAN

Michael Simonelli 6 0-0 14 Anthony Davis 2 1-2 6 John Shannon 4 0-0 8 Jason Giamba 6 0-0 12. Totals: 18 1-2 40.

BRANFORD9 10 10 13—42
FORAN9 14 4 13—40

3-pointers: B—Jacobson, Baxter; F—Simonelli 2, Davis.

Lyman Hall 58, East Haven 43

Jack Vegliante led all scorers with 20 points for Lyman Hall (2-5) in a SCC win at East Haven. Alias Ford scored 17 points to lead the Yellowjackets (3-4).

Sheehan 71, Shelton 49

Boys Bball: Cam Afanador with the game-winning bucket with 1.4 secs left! Sheehan 71 Shelton 69 final #ctbb #scc25 #tweetyourbuzzerbeaters @GameTimeCT pic.twitter.com/M1j1WEvH4r

— Sheehan Athletics (@MTSAthletics) January 10, 2019

NEWTOWN 81, POMPERAUG 64

Tucker Garrity scored 22 points and Robert Disibio added 20 points as the Newtown boys basketball team remained undefeated with an 81-64 win over Pomperaug Wednesday evening.

Riley Ward and Todd Petersen added 13 and 10 points, respectively, for the Nighthawks, who improved to 7-0. Dion Zhuta and Michael Stirk scored 15 points apiece in the loss for the Panthers (0-7).

NEWTOWN (7-0)

Riley Ward 5 2-4 13 Tucker Garrity 10 0-0 22 Robert Disibio 6 6-7 20 Todd Petersen 3 4-6 10 Jack Petersen 3 1-2 8 Max Bloomquist 0 0-0 0 Preston Martinez 1 0-0 3 Jack Kuligowski 1 3-4 5. Totals: 30 16-23 81.

POMPERAUG (0-7)

Dion Zhuta 6 1-2 15 Ethan Gomulinski 1 0-0 2 Dean Koulouris 0 0-0 0 Cam Collette 5 0-1 10 Chris Moreira 0 0-1 0 Adam Opalka 1 0-0 2 Andrew Doan 0 0-0 0 Michael Stirk 7 0-0 15 Dan Minchella 2 0-0 4 Jack Messina 2 3-4 8 Chase Breyer 2 0-0 4 James Ortale 1 0-0 2 Spencer Dragone 0 0-0 0 Noah Fradkin 1 0-2 2. Totals: 28 4-10 64.

NEWTOWN20 23 19 19—81
POMPERAUG14 11 21 18—64

3-pointers: N—Garrity 2, Disibio, J. Petersen, Ward, Martinez; P—Zhuta 2, Stirk, Messina.

Highlights: P—Breyer had seven rebounds.

LAW 55, HAND 41

HAND (4-4)

Scott Testori 1 2-4 4 Josh Cabral 1 0-0 2 Pierson Chapman 1 0-0 3 Colin Telford 2 1-2 6 Ethan Haberman 3 2-2 8 Jason Wallack 5 0-1 10 Nick Donofrio 2 0-0 6 Mike Travisano 0 0-0 0 Jeremy Long 1 0-0 2. Totals: 16 5-9 41.

LAW (7-0)

Zane Birks 3 2-2 8 Jimmy Coleman 0 0-0 0 Tyler McKenna-Hansen 2 0-0 4 Garrett Tutlis 1 0-0 2 Diontae Eady 6 8-9 20 Justice Smith 0 0-0 0 Jon Vitale 2 4-4 9 Brian Felag 5 0-1 10 Noah Tutlis 1 0-0 2. Totals: 20 14-16 55.

HAND10 16 14 11—41

LAW16 6 13 22—55

3-pointers: H—Donofrio 2, Chapman, Telford; L—Vitale.

MASUK 69, NEW FAIRFIELD 51

NEW FAIRFIELD

Nate Alviti 0 0-0 0 Wilson Brawley 2 2-6 6 Matt Garbowski 0 3-4 3 Sean Jamison 1 1-2 3 Matt Langdon 0 0-0 0 Jake Smith 9 0-0 24 Jayden Bacca 2 0-0 5 Danny Driscoll 5 0-0 10 Dylan Kelly 0 0-0 0. Totals: 19 6-12 51.

MASUK

Carson Swift 0 0-1 0 Jacob Leisawitz 2 2-4 6 Ryan Winkler 5 7-7 19 Jake Rosati 7 6-14 26 Josh Wittenberger 0 0-1 0 Zach Forte 4 2-2 10 Mateo Esmeraldo 1 6-6 8 Hunter Smith 0 0-0 0. Totals: 19 23-32 69.

3-pointers: NF—Smith 6, Bacca; M—Rosati 6, Winkler 2.

KOLBE CATHEDRAL 51, WESTON 30

WESTON

Goetz 4 1-1 9 Jones 1 0-0 2 Levine 2 0-0 5 Lehrman 0 2-2 2 Slump 2 0-0 6 Aronson 1 0-0 2 Olsen 1 2-2 4. Totals: 11 5-5 30.

KOLBE CATHEDRAL

Jaden Mclellan 3 0-0 9 Evan Coleman 2 2-2 8 Brandon Gadsden 4 0-1 8 Quinton Sneed-Lott 3 1-2 7 Taeshaun Sanchez 2 1-2 5 Eudell Mason 2 1-3 5 Jalen Sullivan 1 2-2 4 Robert Raphael 1 0-0 3 Michel Olvenicia 1 0-0 2. Totals: 19 7-11 51.

WESTON7 10 5 8—30
KOLBE CATHEDRAL13 7 18 13—51

3-pointers: W—Slump 2, Levine; KC—Mclellan 3, Coleman 2, Raphael.

Fouled out: W—Goetz.

Hamden Hall 73, Gunnery 52

Tim Dawson led the way with 14 points for Hamden Hall in a prep school home win.

Gunnery

Coleman 6 1 3-4 18, Coe 10 1 0-0 23, Siyher 3 0 0-1 6, Infante 1 0 0-0 2, Pelamo 0 1 0-0 3

Hamden Hall

Tim Dawson 4 2 0-0 14, Christian Adams 5 0 0-1 10, Jackson Benigni 1 2 0-0 8, Jahki Pettway 0 2 0-0 6, Byron Breland 3 0 4-8 10, Chris Cahill 2 0 3-4 7, Jeff Nugent 2 0 1-2 5, Ethan Doherty 0 2 0-0 6, Ratta 1 0 0-0 2, Jewett 0 1 0-0 3.

HARVEY 70, CHRISTIAN HERITAGE 60

CHRISTIAN HERITAGE (5-2)

Sal DiNardo 4 5-9 13 Bryan Vander Have 4 1-2 11 Nate Brinkman 8 0-0 22 Derrick Coleman 1 0-0 3 Tyrick Cedon 0 0-0 0 Andrew Snyder 3 0-1 7 Ethan Haggerty 1 0-0 2 Oliver Zeng 0 0-0 0 Christian Soto 0 0-0 0 Nate Packevicz 1 0-0 2. Totals: 23 6-12 60.

HARVEY (4-4)

Everyone Brown 10 5-6 29 Lamont Watson 0 0-0 0 Alex Ogg 2 0-0 5 Chris McGrath 5 5-8 18 Christian Perez 0 0-0 0 Tre Felder 4 0-0 8 Tommy Wang 0 0-0 0 Aaron Dupree 0 0-0 0 Jackson Schultz 0 0-0 0 Mason McComb 2 0-0 4 Ryan Horowitz 3 0-0 6. Totals: 26 11-14 70.

CHRISTIAN HERITAGE    34 24—60
HARVEY     37 33—70

3-pointers: CH—Brinkman 6, Vander Have 2, Coleman, Snyder; H—Brown 4, McGrath 2, Ogg.

Fouled out: CH—Brinkman.

Highlights: CH—DiNardo had eight rebounds and four assists. Packevicz had six rebounds. Brinkman and Haggerty each had three steals.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Kameryn King finished with 20 points for Mery (4-4) which handed Hamden its first loss of the season in a SCC win at Middletown.

Asya Brandon led the Green Dragons (6-1) with 15 points.

Mercy 49, Hamden 46

My oh my, @MercyTigers pull off the 49-46 upset over previously unbeaten Hamden! @SCCcommissioner #ctgb pic.twitter.com/iOm7d3qvy2

— CT Sports Now (@CT_Sports_Now) January 10, 2019

HAMDEN8 10 15 13 -46
MERCY12 17 7 13 -49

HAMDEN (46)

Asya Brandon 6 2-2 15, Yariliz Santiago 1 1-1 3, Rebecca Oberman-Levine 2 3-4 7, Taniyah Thompson 5 4-11 14, Makaela Johnson 3 0-0 7 Diamond White 0 0-0 0 Totals 17 10-18 46.

MERCY (49)

Lexi Leon 3 3-3 9, Kameryn King 8 0-4 20, Sophia Finkeldey 1 0-0 2, Nicole Bauman 2 2-6 6, Vienna Knox 0 2-2 2, Rachael Cipolla 3 2-2 8, Lilly Sokolowski 1 0-0 2 Totals 18 9-17 49.

3-POINTERS: Hamden Brandon 1, Johnson 1, Mercy King 4.

Cheshire 57, West Haven 43

Mia Juodiatis led all scorers with 21 points for Cheshire (4-4) in an SCC home win. Natalia Frazer scored 10 points to lead the Westies (1-6).

W. HAVEN8 11 15 9 -43
CHESHIRE12 11 17 17 -57

WEST HAVEN (43)

Natalia Frazer 5 0-2 10, Keegan Riccio 1 0-4 2, Nlaire Serrana 4 1-2 9, Sarah Evangelista 1 0-0 3, Davina Mendez 2 1-3 5, Brianna Sebastion 1 0-0 3, Savannah Grey 1 1-2 3, Jayden Steinman 2 0-0 5, Diamond Dixon 2 0-0 3 Totals 18 3-13 43

CHESHIRE (57)

Sophia Vagts 0 0-2 0, Kaylee Clark 1 0-0 2, 5 1-1 11, Tess Givens 1 0-0 2, Mia Juodiatis 10 0-1 21, Ella Watson 2 0-0 4, 6 0-0 15. Ariana Perlini 5 1-1 11. Totals 26 1-4 57.

3-POINTERS: West Haven Evangelista (1), Sebastian (1), Dixon (1) Steinman (1) Cheshire-Juodiatis (1) Watkinson (3). Records: WH 1-6; C 4-4.

Cheshire Academy 55, Gunnery 20

Nia Hubbard finished with 22 points and nine rebounds and Aubrey Allen added 10 rebounds and five steals for Cheshire Academy (6-2) in a prep school victory at Washington.

CHESH ACAD.23 32 — 55
GUNNERY9 11 — 20

CHESHIRE ACADEMY (55)

Alexis Tolentino 1 0-0 2, S. Pfannenbacker 0 1-2 1, Nia Hubbard 9 1-1 22, Liv Redding 1 0-0 2, Julianna Fazzino 2 0-0 4, Megan Olmstead 0 0-2 0, Audrey Allen 3 1-2 7, Ashley Nadeau 0 1-2 1, Ara Gonzalez 2 0-2 4, Kyla Raccio 4 0-0 10, Mia Tougas 1 0-0 2. Totals: 23 4-11 55

GUNNERY (20)

Gianna Russillo 2 2-6 6, Remay Pemba 0 4-8 4, Cailin Kessman 0 0-0 0, Lenaijah Ferguson 2 3-4 8, Grace McEnearey 1 0-0 2. Totals: 5 9-18 20.

3-POINTERS: CA 5 (Hubbard 3, Raccio 2); G 1 (Ferguson 1) Records: CA 6-2, G 2-3. Notes: Hubbard had nine rebounds. Allen had 10 rebounds and five steals.

Guilford 40, Career 27

CAREER       6 9 4 8 — 27
GUILFORD  16 2 9 13 — 40

CAREER (27)

Rosemund 2 0 2-4 6. Emery 0 0 1-6. 1. Booker. 0 3 0-0 9, Washington. 1 1. 0-0 5. Council. 0 2 0-0. 6 Alicia. 0 0 0-0. 0

GUILFORD (40)

Kellaher. 4 0 1-3. 9. O’ Donnell 0. 1. 0-0 3. Leiby 2 2 0-1. 10, Petra. 5. 0. 1-2 11. Danaher 1 0. 0-0 2. Diaz 1. 0 0-0 2 Petonito 0. 1. 0-0 3

Records: Career 2-5; Guilford 3-4

Hillhouse 69, Lyman Hall 36

HILLHOUSE     12 20 22 15 -69
LYMAN HALL     9 8 15 4 -36

HILLHOUSE (69)

Tyree Allen 4 0-0 10, Jade Ormond 1 0-0 2, Ranasha Frazier 5 0-0 10, Fatihah Singleton 1 0-0 2, Shaniya Butler 0 1-2 1, Tanayja London 5 6-9 16, Ciara Little 11 0-1 24, Alexis Powell 1 0-0 2, Justice Auston 1 0-0 2.

LYMAN HALL (36)

Julia Capello 2 1-2 5, Kailey Lipka 6 5-7 17, Hailey Bruneau 2 0-0 6, Theresa Lynch 1 0-0 2, Brianna Mik 1 0-0 2, Natalie Panagrosso 1 0-0 2.

Notre Dame-Fairfield 66, Stratford 30

NOTRE DAME-FAIRFIELD 15 18 20 13 -66
STRATFORD10 4 7 9 -30

NOTRE DAME-FFLD (66)

Yamani McCullough 7 2-4 20 Aichanique Mayo 3 0-0 7 Erin Harris 2 2-2 7 Taylor Gibbs 2 0-0 4 Mac Stone-Fulmer 0 0-0 0 Corinn Oulette 2 0-0 2 Kristalee Fernandez 2 0-0 5 Ciara Brown 6 1-1 15 Vanessa Joseph 1 0-2 2 Larissa Guimaraes 0 1-2 1. Totals: 25 6-11 66.

STRATFORD (30)

Keryna Upchurch 1 0-1 2 Julia Torreso 3 3-6 9 Abby Anka 5 2-2 12 Sydney Ritchie 1 0-0 2 Serena Mbachiantim 1 0-0 2 Amanda Ogrodowicz 0 0-0 0 Julie Carbone 0 0-0 0 Juliette Macisco 0 0-0 0 Lyna Upchurch 1 1-4 3. Totals: 12 6-16 30.

3-POINTERS: ND—McCullough 4, Mayo, Harris, Fernandez, Brown 2.

Sacred Heart-Greenwich 40, Hopkins 28

HOPKINS              13 15-28
SACRED HEART GREENWICH 14 26 -40

HOPKINS (28)

Ella Zuse 0 1-2 1, Jasmine Simmons 2 0-0 4, Fiona O’Brien 1 0-0 2, Abigail Mills 0 5-8 5, Charlotte Yin 3 3-6 9, Casey Dies 2 0-0 4. Totals: 8 9-16 25

CONVENT OF SACRED HEART (40)

Ryan Smith 2 2-4 6, Morgan Smith 1 0-0 2, Leah Atkins 3 4-6 10, Sarah Eckerson 5 0-0 10, Sophia Curto 1 0-0 2, Francoise O’Brian 2 0-0 4. Totals: 14 6-10 34

3-POINTERS: HOPKINS 1 (Fiona O’Brien), SACRED HEART 2 (Mary Anne Gallagher, Francoise O’Brian).

Records: Hopkins (4-6), Sacred Heart (6-0).

STRATFORD 46, PLATT TECH 29

STRATFORD

Kairyn Jimenez 0 0-0 0 Keryna Upchurch 3 0-0 6 Julia Torreso 4 2-2 13 Abby Anka 6 0-0 14 Sydney Ritchie 2 0-0 4 Serena Mbachiantim 1 0-0 2 Amanda Ogrodowicz 1 1-2 3 Julie Carbone 1 0-0 2 Juliette Macisco 0 0-0 0 Lyna Upchurch 1 0-0 2. Totals: 10 3-4 46.

PLATT TECH

Jeida Reyes 1 0-0 2 Alana Cammano 3 0-0 6 Jaelyn Mitchell 2 2-2 6 Angil Tocci 4 1-4 10 Gabby Stadt 1 3-3 5. Totals: 11 6-9 29.

STRATFORD8 14 15 9—46
PLATT TECH8 10 7 4—29

3-pointers: S—Torreso 3, Anka 2; PT—Tocci.

FORAN 50, LAURALTON HALL 38

FORAN (8-0)

Lauren Heenan 5 4-8 16 Samantha Inthapanhya 0 1-4 1 Mia Tunucci 3 6-7 12 Jasmine Lord 3 3-5 10 Courtney Musante 4 0-0 8 Emma Lucas 1 0-0 2 Bridget Collins 0 0-0 0. Totals: 16 14-24 50.

LAURALTON HALL (1-7)

Julia Sendzik 2 0-0 5 Lauren Dowling 1 0-0 2 Lauren Adams 2 0-0 5 Veronica Pinho 3 3-4 10 Athena Chirgos 3 0-0 6 Shannon Redgate 4 0-0 10. Totals: 15 3-4 38.

FORAN8 14 8 20—50
LAURALTON HALL7 4 13 14—38

3-pointers: F—Heenan 3, Lord; LH—Redgate 2, Sendzik, Adams, Pinho.

Highlights: F—The Lions qualified for the SCC tournament for the first time in six seasons. Tunucci had 17 rebounds, six blocks and five steals.

BOYS HOCKEY

West Haven 2, Cheshire 1 (OT)

First Period: — Kaden Morgillo (from Niko Kyle and D.J. Carfora) 13:11; Third Period: — Scott Heseltine (from Michael Caron Jr 4:38; — Scott Heseltine (from Michael Caron Jr 4:38; Overtime: — Kaden Morgillo (from Richie Greene 1:42. Saves: — Nick Maringola 14 on 16 shots; — Jared Pliszka 19 on 20 shots.

Hamden 3, Mt. St. Charles (RI) 2

First Period: — Bryce Riccitelli (from Michael Gethings 13:04; Second Period: — Alexander Pratt (from Trey Bourque 2:12; — Michael Canavan 14:01; Third Period: — A.J. Luedee (from Tyler Routh 1:24; — A.J. Luedee (from Michael Gethings 11:26. Saves: — Ryan Forget 15 on 18 shots; — donald Moorcroft 25 on 27 shots.

North Haven 2, East Haven Co-op 2

Second Period: — Cory Benni (from Ricky Persico 14:09; — Dave Amatruda (from Ricky Persico 8:39; Third Period: — Ian Crowther (from Simon Brubaker 8:17; — Alex Kirland 7:13. Saves: — Daniel Godlewski 31 on 33 shots.

WRESTLING

Notre Dame-West Haven 76, Cheshire 0

120 Jeff Bracale (Notre Dame-West Haven) F Paul Ponthempilly (Cheshire), 1:23; 126 Jesse Johnson (Notre Dame-West Haven) F Eli Moskowitz (Cheshire), 3:11; 132 Luis Stephenson West Haven, CT (Notre Dame-West Haven) MD Troy Larusso Cheshire, CT (Cheshire), 15-2; 145 Gianni Liguori (Notre Dame-West Haven) F Zach Coleman (Cheshire), 2:30; 152 David Ayala (Notre Dame-West Haven) F (Cheshire), 2:55; 170 Max Ferrucci (Notre Dame-West Haven) F John Villano (Cheshire), 1:33; 195 Jackson Paulishen (Notre Dame-West Haven) F Elijah Mulligan (Cheshire), 1:13; 285 Robert Lowe (Notre Dame-West Haven) F Michael Cienke (Cheshire), 1:29.

Hand 72, Morgan 12

106 Sam Stein Madison, CT (Daniel Hand) F Aidan Mcenaney Clinton, CT (Morgan), 5:11; 113 Zachary Morro Madison, CT (Daniel Hand) F Kevin Hicks Clinton, CT (Morgan), 1:06; 120 Kyle Davern Madison, CT (Daniel Hand) F Evan Baptista Clinton, CT (Morgan), 1:22; 126 Harrison Toone Madison, CT (Daniel Hand) F Josh Fragola Clinton, CT (Morgan), 0:56; 132 Louis Bradley Clinton, CT (Morgan) F Brian Beirne Madison, CT (Daniel Hand), 1:35; 138 Anthony Cimino Clinton, CT (Morgan) F Joe Auora Madison, CT (Daniel Hand), 5:14; 160 Carter Ganino Madison, CT (Daniel Hand) F Ryan Hromadka Clinton, CT (Morgan), 1:56; 182 Ian Hurley Madison, CT (Daniel Hand) F Ethan Reemsnyder Clinton, CT (Morgan), 2:12; 195 Alec Dube Madison, CT (Daniel Hand) F Jordan Armstrong Clinton, CT (Morgan), 1:23

LUDLOWE 59, WILTON 19

(at Wilton): 106: Michael Huang (L) won by forfeit; 113: Maximus Mannino (W) dec. Jacob Pressler 9-2; 120: Yuri Case (L) won by forfeit; 126: Antonio Nicholas (L) tech. fall Michael Arbisi 15-0; 132: Seamus Foley (L) won by forfeit; 138: Sean Zimmerman (L) won by forfeit; 145: Dominick Caratozzolo (W) maj. dec. Ben Zhao 13-4; 152: Eric Emmendorfer (L) won by forfeit; 160: Justin Hathaway (L) won by forfeit; 170: Stan Godlewski (L) won by forfeit; 182: Thomas Murray (L) won by forfeit; 195: Alex Bueno (L) won by forfeit; 220: Griffin Morris (W) won by forfeit; 285: Jack Ferguson (W) pinned Jesse Barber 1:41. Records: Ludlowe 7-2.

BUNNELL 39, WESTON 37

(at Bunnell): 106: Evan Cavicchia (W) won by forfeit; 113: Jack Tunney (W) dec. Ryan McLaughlin 10-2; 120: Conner Souza (B) pinned Julian Schlossberg 2:54; 126: Amorando (B) pinned Nicholas Fontana 23 seconds; 132: Roper (B) pinned Jade Dayton 1:03; 138: Nouri Sayegh (W) dec. Depina 5-3; 145: J. DeMatteo (B) won by forfeit; 152: Breon Phifer (W) pinned Mahar 1:20; 160: Andew Prackup (W) pinned Luke McLaughlin 59 seconds; 170: Nicholas DeManche (B) pinned Declan Miles 18 seconds; 182: Alec McGlone (W) pinned Tote 1:24; 195: Tuscano (B) pinned Charles Gallardo 2:31; 220: Daniel McGuire (W) pinned Tyree Hall 48 seconds; 285: Charles Falotico (B) dec. Daniel Ortiz 6-2.

NEW CANAAN 40*, NORWALK 39

(*New Canaan wins on criteria — most first points, at New Canaan): 106: Jack Cahill (N) dec. Jack Goetz 7-0; 113: Michael Campos (N) won by forfeit; 120: Michael Roselle (N) won by forfeit; 126: Sam White (N) pinned Joey Bucci 43 seconds; 132: Dylan Kortman (NC) dec. Chase Larkin 9-2; 138: Cesar Rivera (N) pinned Dean Hannah 48 seconds; 145: Tyler Sung (NC) pinned Lesendro Laguerre 59 seconds; 152: Nate Sibbett (NC) pinned Connor Gilchrist 1:05; 160: Christian Sibbett (NC) pinned Mykol Reyes 1:24; 170: Matthew Benevento (NC) pinned Chris Muralles 2:30; 182: Joey Lusardo (N) won by forfeit; 195: Sergiy Babenkov (NC) pinned David Lamb 4:44; 220: Dante Solano (F) won by forfeit; 285: Benjamin Clay (NC) pinned Tom Jakaj 2:32.

TRUMBULL 42, GREENWICH 33

(at Greenwich): 106: Andrew Grabinski (T) pinned Javier Serra 2:48; 113: Michael Longo (T) dec. Carlos DeWinter 11-6; 120: William Grimes (G) pinned Aidan Burns 49 seconds; 126: Jack Ryan (T) pinned Justin Mejia 2:24; 132: Jonathan Kosak (T) dec. William Grimes 6-2; 138: David Castaldo (T) dec. Emanuel Lai 4:43; 145: George Boman (T) pinned Kacper Grabowski 3:59; 152: Matt Ryan (T) pinned Delvin Gustamar 37 seconds; 160: Christian Stanback (G) dec. Wael Pezreh 8-5; 170: Jason Mercado (T) pinned Vincent Ceci 3:27; 182: Ryan Merida (G) pinned Jacklyn Smith 2:27; 195: Andrew Nanai (G) pinned Joseph Palmieri 3:07; 220: Jackson Blanchard (G) pinned Oneil Kennedy 1:15; 285: Glen Rivas (G) pinned Matthew Ryan 27 seconds.

BOYS SWIMMING

Lyman Hall/Cog 98, West Haven 85

(at Sheehan): 200 MR – Colin Kelly LH/Cog 2:01.84; 200 IM – Cam Baker LH/Cog 2:25.47; 50 FR – Isaac Gorske WH 24.10; Diving – Elyse Boothroyd LHCog 219.65 * new Coginchaug record; 100 Fly – Shane Taulty WH 1:03.52; 100 FR – Colin Kelly LH/Cog 53.09; 500 – Josh Ramirez LH/Cog 5:43.15; 200 FrR – Colin Kelly,Cam Baker,Nick Motmans,Connor Tsolis LH/Cog 1:42.81; 100 BK – Josh Ramirez LH/Cog 1:06 .53; 100 BR – Christopher D’Inzeo WH 1:12.40; 400 FrR – Isaac Gorske,Bryan Barrington,Christopher D’Inzeo,Luis Lopez WH 3:56.71. Record: LH/Cog 1-3.

GIRLS SWIMMING

Hopkins 101 Holy Child 69

(at New Haven): 200 M.R. HOP 1:53.21 Crissy Earley; Vivivan Mudry; Veronica Yarovinsky; Beth Hartog; 200 FREE Ava Hamblett HOP 2:00.55; 200 I.M. Earley HOP 2:13.74; 50 FREE Mudry HOP :25.75; 100 FLY Yarovinsky HOP 1:01.70; 100 FREE Hartog HOP :57.52; 500 FREE Hamblett HOP 5:16.19; 200 F.R. HOP 1:49.95 Prairie Resch; Izzy Lopez-Kalipir; Yarovinsky; Mudry; 100 BACK Earley HOP :59.89; 100 BREAST Mudry HOP 1:06.83; 400 F.R. HOP 3:56.84 Mackenzie Peters; Hartog; Hamblett; Earley. RECORD: Hopkins 4-1; Holy Child 2-2.

Mia Tunucci goes up for two of her 12 points. She had 17 rebounds. — David G. Whitham photos

The Crusaders’ Lauren Adams attacks the basket.

MILFORD — Foran’s girls basketball team achieved two of its preseason goals in one fell swoop on Wednesday when it traveled downtown to square off with Lauralton Hall in a Southern Connecticut Conference matchup.

The unbeaten Lions overcame a sluggish start to pin a 50-38 defeat on the host Crusaders, and with the victory, qualified for both the league and state tournaments by notching their eight victory of the season.

It was not easy, as the cagey Crusaders, who dropped to 1-8 following their fourth consecutive loss, slashed a double-digit deficit to two points late in the third quarter.

“I knew it was going to be a physical game,” Foran coach Bob Asmussen said. “They played physical and we were able to gut it out. We had some trouble running our stuff… It was a gritty game.

“They did a good job against us defensively and took us out of rhythm. I think our girls were a little hyped up in the beginning, knowing what we had at stake. I think once we settled down we got our feet underneath us.”

Sophomore guard Lauren Heenan paced the Lions (8-0) with a game-high 16 points, while Mia Tunucci added 12 points and Jasmine Lord chipped in with 10.

Foran extended its lead to 12 just 25 seconds into the second half, following a foul shot from Lord.

Lauralton Hall responded with a 13-3 run, bolstered by a trio of 3-pointers, over the next five minutes.

A 3-pointer by freshman Lila Pinho and a basket in the lane from senior captain Lauren Adams cut Foran’s lead to 26-24 — leading to a Lion timeout.

Coming out of the break, Courtney Musante converted a key basket for the Lions that seemed to swing the momentum. The freshman snared an errant Tunucci shot and muscled in the putback to halt the Lauralton run with 29 seconds left in the third frame.

“We haven’t finished games,” Crusader head coach Mike Marratea said. “It’s a work in progress. We had a lot of young girls out there tonight. We have to stay the course and somehow, some way, we have to finish games.”

From there, the Lions maintained a lead of four or more points to lock down their third straight trip to the state playoffs.

“Two of our stepping stone goals for us were eight wins for us,” Asmussen said. “We hit two of them tonight. We just have to push forward and work to get better each game.”

The Lions attempted to pull away in the second quarter, outscoring the Crusaders 14-4 after a back-and-forth opening stanza.

Stout defense was the catalyst for Foran, as it held Lauralton without a field goal for 7:08. The dry spell spanned from Lauren Dowling’s short jumper at the 2:53 mark of the first quarter until Pinho’s layup with 3:05 left in the half.

Tunucci then answered on the other end with consecutive baskets, before countering a Shannon Redgate drive with a pair of free throws to stake the Lions to a 22-11 halftime edge.

“She was battling in the post the whole game,” Asmussen said of Tunucci. “We went to the post game a little more than normal today because I thought we had an advantage there. She matched their physicality.”

FORAN 50, LAURALTON HALL 38

Lauralton Hall

Sendzik 2-0-0-5 Dowling 1-0-0-2 Adams 2-0-0-5 Pinho 3-3-4-10 Chirgos 3-0-0-6 Redgate 4-0-0-10. Totals: 15-3-4-38

Foran

Heenan 5-4-8-16 Inthapanhya 0-1-4-1 Tunucci 3-6-7-12 Lord 3-3-5-10 Musante 4-0-0-8 Lucas 1-0-0-2 Collins 0-0-0-0 Totals: 16-14-24-50

3-point goals LH: Sendzik, Adams, Pinho, Redgate 2; Foran Lord, Heenan 3

Foran     8 14 8 20 — 50
Lauralton Hall 7  4 13 14 — 38