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Centaurs fall
short in Cranston
championship
Will Fleeton was beginning to wonder what he got himself into.
The Woodstock Academy girls’ basketball coach had forgotten that he had gone over the state line to the east.
“When the officials came over and told us all the differences (between Connecticut and Rhode Island rules). I was wondering, ‘My God, why did we come down here?’ It’s totally different rules to an extent because of how the game was called than up here. At that moment, I was thinking we shouldn’t have done it. Looking back on it, it was probably one of the best things for us,” Fleeton said.
The Centaurs traveled to Cranston West High School in Rhode Island for the Hank Orabone Holiday Tournament last week. Woodstock Academy handled the changes pretty well.
The Centaurs downed E. Providence, 44-35, in the first round and just lost to host Cranston West, 45-37, in the championship game.
In addition to how games are officiated, Rhode Island follows NCAA not Federation rules which means games are split into halves, not quarters, and there is a shot clock.
“I think the kids did a good job adjusting. It caused a little trouble because we’re not used to it and we had a couple of possessions where we lost track of the time,” Fleeton said.
To help the players on the floor, the bench began counting down when the shot clock hit 10 seconds.
“We were counting every time, not that we were in trouble, but we wanted to give the kids a little comfort so they would know what was going on and not forget where they are,” Fleeton said.
Although he had no numbers to back it up, he thinks the opposition in both games was more prone to shot clock violations than his team.
It’s a feature Fleeton would love to see adopted by the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference.
“I’m a defensive guy so if we can play ‘D’ and cut some time off the clock; the pressure is on the offense. I’m a huge fan (of the shot clock). I think it makes defense a little bit stronger,” Fleeton said.
It took a little while to get used to.
The Centaurs (1-3) found themselves down to East Providence early in the first half by nine points.
But Woodstock Academy rallied with an 11-point run at the end of the second quarter to take a three-point lead by halftime.
“It was a full team effort which is why I was personally so excited about it. Everybody got touches and I think, everyone who was on the floor, scored,” Fleeton said.
Katie Papp battled hard inside for the Centaurs, something they needed since East Providence had a bit of a size advantage.
The senior finished with 12 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists to lead the Centaurs. Sophomore Aurissa Boardman was also in double digits with 10 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists. Kayla Gaudreau helped with eight points including a pair of 3-pointers.
The Centaurs started out well in the championship game against their hosts, Cranston West, only to see the Rhode Island school rally.
“I think they just outplayed us, outworked us, outhustled us and, at times, even outcoached us. With all that said, we were in the game. That’s why I say those things because I think a few positive adjustments and we have a win,” Fleeton said.
Papp had a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds to go with two blocks.
She was named the Centaurs MVP in both games.
“Katie played well. She was clearly a force under the basket in the first game and, offensively, she was in rhythm so she put up some good points for us, For the people in Rhode Island, they got to see something special in Katie Papp. They got to see everything she can do,” Fleeton said.
Hallie Saracina added six points while both Boardman and Gaudreau finished with five.
It was the Centaurs first holiday tournament since the Centaurs Classic came to a close a couple of years ago at Woodstock Academy.
“I like the comfort of being at home but I would much rather play a tournament situation like this on the road because the pressure is on the home team especially if it makes the final like Cranston West did. It’s their tournament. I’m sure they wanted to win their own trophy,” Fleeton said. “It was nice to take as trip during vacation week and playing teams we’re not familiar with was even more important.”
The Centaurs opened the week with a matinee loss to Fitch, 41-32.
Peyton Saracina led Woodstock Academy with eight points in the loss while Alexa Pechie finished with six points.
“We could very well be 3-1 or 2-2 if a couple of things had gone differently. I think the kids have shown the possibility is there, it’s just a matter of me and my staff getting it out of them,” Fleeton said.
The Centaurs are off until Jan. 2 when they visit Waterford (3-0) and then play at East Lyme (0-4) also on the road Jan. 4.
Marc Allard
Director of Sports Information
The Woodstock Academy
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