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WOODSTOCK — Next season, the Woodstock Academy girls’ basketball team will be without seniors Jess Cornman-Homonoff and ECC Honorable Mention All-Star Veronica Norman, but returns a strong group, according to head coach David Walley. Juniors Shannon Papuga and Cori Bailey return in the backcourt, which will be a huge plus. “Shannon is a very tough kid, who has started at the point for the past two seasons and Cori really came into her own over the last 6-7 games this season. We will be very strong in the backcourt,” Walley said. Justina Thoma, another member of the junior class, also returns and she brings toughness to the Centaurs. “JT is an athlete. She is not the tallest girl out there, but she will go to the block and battle with anyone. She is the type of kid you want playing for you,” added Walley. Woodstock Academy will also return freshman forward Weigand, who gained a great deal of experience throughout the season. “Lindsey was outstanding this season. She led us in rebounding and was a consistent scorer. We will have to look for even more from her next season.” Walley is also encourage by several other young players, a group that includes junior Tatum Fahs, sophomores Julia Oleksy, Jane Sconzo, and Aideen Hanlon, and freshman Sam Geddes, Julia Low, and Bridget Matsas. Another key will be the return of junior Andrea Plucenik and freshman Lily Lindstrom, who were unable to play this season due to injury. “The young players got a great deal of experience at the JV and Varsity levels this season. If they continue to improve and we are able to get Lily and Andrea back, we could be very strong next season. I am already looking forward to it.”
Looking back, despite a tough start, the 2009-2010 Woodstock Academy girls’ basketball team ended the season with strength. The Centaurs were able to win their final three games to qualify for the ECC and State Tournaments.
In their ECC Tournament game, 12th-seeded WA traveled to the fifth-seeded Montville Indians. The Centaurs played one of their strongest games of the season despite losing 49-42. Woodstock Academy trailed by seven at the half, but cut the lead to two at the end of the third and took the lead in the fourth. WA led by four with 2:30 remaining, before giving up the lead with 1:20 left. The Indians made their foul shots down the stretch to secure the seven-point win.
Walley said, “We struggled some early, which cost us late in the game. We fought hard to get back in it and take the lead, but could not hold it down the stretch. The second-half effort was outstanding.” Weigand led the team in scoring with 12 points, while Cornman-Homonoff added 11.
The girls then moved on to the State Tournament where they were the 32nd- seed and played host to the 33rd-seeded team from Naugatuck. Despite an outstanding game from Naugatuck senior Jessica Weber, who scored 25 points, WA was able to pull out a victory. Woodstock Academy was led by its interior players senior Cornman-Homonoff (12 points) and freshman Weigand (10 points). Bailey also added 10 points, including five of six from the line in the fourth quarter.
Walley added, “Naugatuck did not have much size, and our bigs were able to take advantage. Not only did we score inside, we controlled the boards at both ends of the floor.” After beating Naugatuck, the Centaurs had to travel to undefeated, top-seed Northwest Catholic, who boasts three seniors that will be playing at the Division 1 level. Walley and the Centaurs knew it would be a tough game. “They are very strong, probably the best team we played this season. They are quick and play exceptional half court defense. It was a great experience for our younger players to play a team of that caliber.”