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Centaurs tied
for lead in
Division II
The Woodstock Academy girls’ basketball team now sits tied for the lead in Division II of the Eastern Connecticut Conference.
The Centaurs were able to defeat Stonington by two points, 45-43, on the road, but lost by that same margin, 42-40, to Bacon Academy to see their record dip to 4-1 in the division.
The Centaurs also produced a 65-37 win over non-league opponent, Gilbert School, to raise their overall record to 9-4.
It was a back-and-forth battle throughout with Stonington (8-4,4-2).
The Woodstock Academy coach Will Fleeton said even the opening tip was contested, a jump ball resulted off the tip.
“It was gritty, bucket-for-bucket, battle the whole way,” Fleeton said.
The Centaurs went into the fourth trailing by three, 38-35, but battled back to take a four-point lead. The Bears had a chance to tie, but the Centaurs made a couple of defensive stops and then hit some key free throws.
The last gasp for the Bears came with about 30 seconds to play, but they missed a 3-point attempt from deep in the corner and The Academy was able to run out the clock for the win.
“Stonington’s a quality opponent. We’ve had a heck of a week, facing tough opponent after tough opponent. We need these divisional wins because it has to be the toughest division in the ECC,” Fleeton said.
Jamie Woods led the Centaurs with 20 points while Olivia Perry chipped in with 10.
It was, however, the work off the glass that Fleeton thought was key.
Heather Converse pulled down 19 rebounds, Woods 10 and Perry contributed nine boards.
“We controlled the boards, both offensively and defensively. That was the deciding factor. If you’re getting offensive rebounds, you’re getting second chances. If you’re getting defensive rebounds, you’re limiting extra chances. I think we won the rebound battle,” Fleeton said.
The Centaurs had to fight back in Colchester.
They fell behind by four at the half, 20-16, and were behind by as many as 10 in the third quarter.
But an 11-7 advantage in the fourth made it close at the end, the Centaurs falling just two points short against the Bobcats (9-2, 4-1) who have now won eight in a row.
“I thought we played well enough to win, but Bacon is a good team so we have to play even better to compete with teams of that caliber,” Fleeton said. “I’m proud of my kids efforts and composure in the second half to be able to come back from 10 points down and have a chance to win against a good team.”
Woods was the only player in double figures for the Centaurs with 19.
The Centaurs finished off the week far from home.
They traveled to Winsted in northwestern Connecticut where they posted the win over the Berkshire League squad.
The Centaurs jumped out on top early, 18-11, in the first quarter and led by seven at the half. They broke it open in the fourth quarter when they outscored the Yellowjackets, 24-8.
Woods finished with 24 points while Converse added 14 and Kali Dingui added 10 including two 3-pointers.
“Our defense really showed (Saturday), holding Gilbert to three single-digit quarters. Our bigs also were able to control the paint which opened up opportunities from the outside offensively,” Fleeton said.
Marc Allard
Sports Information Director