By Ron P. Coderre

Blizzard Colbie’s team took center court this week, postponing or delaying much of the hoop action in girls’ basketball.  When action did resume, sometime about 48 to 72 hours after the snow had stopped and been pushed aside, there was a surprise.

The biggest news of the week was the victory posted by the Ellis Tech Ladies over Cheney Tech following a 13-game losing streak to begin the season.  Tourtellotte continued to rule the Eastern Connecticut Conference Small Division with two wins.  The Plainfield Lady Panthers qualified for the CIAC Tournament with a victory over Waterford.

Putnam picked up a win as the Lady Clippers moved to within one victory of qualifying for the postseason.  Woodstock Academy, which needs two wins to make the postseason, was dropped by Norwich Free Academy.

Prep action was also light.  Only Pomfret School and the Marianapolis V1 and V2 teams saw action on the hardwood.

Ellis Tech Avoids Winless 

Season with OT Win

Ellis Tech, which opened its season with 13 consecutive losses, many by large margins, finally hit the Win column with a 35-33 overtime victory over Cheney Tech.  The Lady Eagles survived a second period scoring drought in which they scored only one point to persevere.  Tied at 30-30 after regulation the Lady Techsters outscored Cheney Tech 5-3 in the final five minutes.  Sarah Tellier with 13 points was Ellis Tech’s high scorer.

Later in the week the Lady Eagles were felled by Grasso Tech 52-30 despite 12 points by Hayley Evans.  ET is now 1-14 on the season.

Tourtellotte raised its record to 12-3 overall and 6-0 in the Eastern Connecticut Conference Small Division with a pair of victories.  The Lady Tigers opened with an easy 42-15 win against Griswold behind 15 points from Allie Ablondi who tallied all her hoops from beyond the three-point arc.

They followed that game with a convincing 58-43 win over Lyman Memorial.  Sophomore point guard Abbie Poirier led with victory with 21 points, while the hot shooting Ablondi added 16 markers, with three coming from downtown.

Plainfield rode a pair of double-double performances in squeaking by Waterford 53-50 in a home victory.  Adrienne Lorange was the Lady Panthers high scorer with 14 points, while also corralling 14 rebounds.  Her teammate Julie Jordan contributed 11 point and 11 boards.  It was Jordan’s three-point play late in overtime that clinched the victory for the Lady Panthers.  Plainfield is 8-7 on the season and 2-4 in the ECC Medium Division, as its now qualified for the State Tournament.

Putnam, which has been lacking in offense of late, managed just enough points as it beat visiting Norwich Tech 29-21 to pick up its seventh win of the year.  The Lady Clippers are 7-7 overall and 5-2 in the Constitution State Conference – East.  Woodstock Academy with an eye on qualifying for the States was beaten at home by NFA 54-20.  The Lady Centaurs at 6-9 need two .

Light Week for Preps

Pomfret School traveled to Rivers School and walked away with a disappointing 71-59 loss at the hands of the hosts despite placing three players in double figures.  Juliette Lawless, who’s been hot of late, had 23 points for the Lady Griffs.  She was joined in double figures by Alyzae Davis with 20 and Deja Ross with 14.  The defeat broke a four-game winning streak for Pomfret, which is now 8-5 on the year. 

The Marianapolis V1 team dropped to 9-8 on the season when it lost to BB&N on the road in Cambridge 55-47.  Rachael Aho recorded a double-double in the loss with 13 points and a career-high 20 rebounds.  Sophomore Jordan Frye chipped in 10 points for the Lady Knights.

The MPS V2 squad picked up a 52-26 win over Worcester Academy thanks to Shauna Harney’s double-double, 10-point and 23-rebound performance.  The victory snapped a four-game losing streak and lifted the Little Lady Knights to 3-6 on the season.