By Ron P. Coderre

Much like water, which seeks its own level, or cream that rises to the top, the high school girls’ hoop season is heading to the wire and the local teams are making their beds so to speak when it comes to postseason tournament play.  Most teams have about three games remaining on the regular season schedule and those who are ‘in’ and those who are ‘out’ know who they are with the exception of Putnam High School, which remains on the tourney cusp.

The “ins” includes Tourtellotte and Plainfield.  Numbered among the “outs” are Woodstock Academy, Killingly and Ellis Tech.  The Lady Clippers must capture one more victory in their final four games to qualify for the postseason.

In the prep ranks, the Marianapolis I unit and Pomfret School continue to play winning basketball, while Hyde-Woodstock and the Marianapolis II team are struggling at best.

Lady Clippers Enjoy Successful Week

The Putnam High School Lady Clippers came within a mere two points of enjoying a perfect week, as they captured a pair of wins after falling to Classical Magnet 38-36 on a last second shot.

After falling behind 23-16 at intermission the Lady Clippers behind Cynthia Briere’s 13 points and Makenzie Kaylor’s 10 markers made a valiant second-half comeback outscoring Classical 20-15 only to lose on a Nika Orsaris floater at the buzzer.

The determined charges of coach Mandi Hogan came back with victories over Parish Hill (43-32) and Grasso Tech (45-22) to raise their record to 7-9 and 5-3 in the CSC – East.  Kaylor with 18 points was the top gun in the Lady Clippers arsenal in the win over Parish Hill, as she received support from Briere, who added 14 points.  Briere led the way in the win over the Techsters with 14 points.

Tourtellotte and Plainfield, who have already qualified for postseason play, were 1-1 on the week.  The Lady Tigers were dropped 37-27 by St. Bernard but bounced back with a 59-42 win over Wheeler to go to 12-5 on the season and 5-3 in the ECC Small Division.

The offense never got into gear against the Saints as the Lady Tigers were unable to post a quarter in double figures in the loss.  Three players were in double figures in the win over Wheeler, led by sophomore Abby Poirier (15 points) and Ali Ablondi and Jess Dodd with 14 points apiece.

Plainfield started the week on a high note, besting Montville 55-49 only to be disappointed, losing 66-58 to Stonington.  Adrienne Lorange with a big 21-point offensive showing led the Lady Panthers over Montville.  She was joined in double digits by Alicia Cournoyer (10) and her sister Madeline Lorange who also chipped in 10 points.  Julie Jordan was the lone Plainfield performer in double figures with 10 points in the loss to Stonington.  Plainfield is 9-8 overall and 2-6 in the ECC Medium Division.

Woodstock dropped to 2-16 and 0-9 in the ECC Large Division as they were beaten 53-18 by East Lyme and 46-39 by Fitch.  The young “Bousqueteers” of coach Willie Bousquet showed a glimmer of hope against Fitch as Taylor Littell and Becky Messier both posted 16 points in the losing cause.

Killingly (1-15 and 0-8 ECC Medium) was on the losing end of games against Stonington (56-43) and Waterford (56-35).  Meagan Bianchi with 23 and 10 respectively continued as the Redgals top offensive performer.  Ellis Tech plods along on it woeful season losing to Holy Family 51-16 and Parish Hill 49-8.  The Lady Techsters are 0-14 and 0-7 in the CSC – East.

Light Schedule for Preps

Marianapolis I advanced its record to 13-4 overall and 12-3 in the NEPSAC – A with a pair of convincing victories.  The Lady Knights opened with a 57-40 win over Lincoln School with sophomore Madison Springfield providing the fire power on a 16-point performance.  She also had nine boards in the win.

In a walk in the park, coach Lauren Moore’s team destroyed Miss Porter School 82-30.  Rachel Aho with 27 points led the way offensively.  Caroline Soucy chipped in 17 points and Jill Bodreau 13 as the Lady Knights allowed the bench to see plenty of playing time.

Pomfret School went to 12-3 on the season with an overtime 71-59 victory against Williston Academy.  Four Golden Griffin players accounted for 69 of the team’s 71 points.  High flying Alyzae Davis was the top scorer with 25 points, followed by Juliette Lawless (20), Rebecca Erosa (13) and Mary Redmond (11).

Hyde-Woodstock mirrored the stock market last week, dropping two games to dip to 4-9 on the year.  The Wolfpack was beaten by Wheeler School 45-23 and Southfield Academy 50-34.  Janicha Diaz with 12 and 20 points respectively was the Hyde high point producer.

Scoring Leaders: Meagan Bianchi – Killingly – 15.4; Janicha Diaz – Hyde-Woodstock – 15.0; Alyzae Davis – Pomfret School – 14.9; Ali Ablondi – Tourtellotte – 13.7; Juliette Lawless – Pomfret School – 13.3.

Three-Point Leaders: Mary Redmond – Pomfret School – 28; Ali Ablondi – Tourtellotte – 27; Adrienne Lorange – Plainfield – 21.

RPC’s Super Standings: Marianapolis I – 13-4; Pomfret School – 12-3; Tourtellotte – 12-5; Plainfield – 9-8; Putnam – 7-9; Hyde-Woodstock – 4-9; Marianapolis II – 3-8; Woodstock Academy – 2-16; Killingly – 1-15; Ellis Tech – 0-14.

 

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