By Ron P. Coderre

In the first week of girls’ high school 2016-2017 basketball action all six local teams managed to get two games under their belts.  The preps continued play prior to their holiday break participating in area tournaments.

The Killingly Redgals, who are coming of age, got off to a 2-0 start with a pair of Eastern Connecticut Conference victories.  Putnam opened with a strong offensive performance, while Woodstock Academy and Ellis Tech split the two games in which they were involved.  Plainfield lost two as it got off to a rough start and Tourtellotte lost its only game of the opening week.

Pomfret went 1-1 in the New England Girls Basketball Classic, while Marianapolis lost its opening game in the Rivers School Holiday Tournament but followed that up with a pair of victories.

Killingly Redgals Coming of Age

Following many years of losing seasons, the Killingly High School girls’ basketball team is getting its act together.  The Redgals, who have a number of seasoned players, have found a winning combination with a strong inside game complemented by a good outside component.

Killingly opened its season with a big victory over Montville.  They beat their ECC foe 50-42 behind a balanced scoring attack.  The Redgals placed four players in double figures led by Morgan LeSage and Ally Conde with 12 points apiece.  Regan Morin contributed 11 points and controlled the boards with Conde.  Kylee Mazzarella chipped in 10 points.

Against Plainfield, a team they hadn’t beaten in 10 years Killingly romped to victory 53-26 to raise its record to 2-0.  The trio of Morin (12 points), Conde (11) and Mazzarella (10) were the main culprits in the Killingly offense.  The sputtering Plainfield offense was unable to place a player in double digits.

In its opening game of the season Plainfield was dropped by St. Bernard 36-18.  Once again the 0-2 Lady Panthers were unable to place a player in double figures.

Putnam, which lacks height but has a seasoned group of players, opened its schedule with an impressive showing.  The Lady Clippers completely overshadowed Ellis Tech 73-12.  Alyssa Espinosa was the leading scorer with 15 markers.  Maria Fredette chipped in 13 and Kayleigh Lyons had 10 points in the win.  The Ellis Tech offense was never able to get going against the stingy Putnam defense.

The Techsters rebounded in their next game, beating Academy of the Holy Family 32-21.  Kalista Lovely with 12 points paced the 1-1 Golden Eagles offense.

Woodstock Academy lost its opener against an ECC opponent Waterford by a score of 31-19.  The Lady Centaurs were unable to score in double figures in any of the four quarters.  Moving outside of the ECC into Massachusetts, Woodstock slipped by the Sutton Suzies 48-39.  Sophomore Ari Koivisto came to life with a 19-point performance to pace the victory for 1-1 Woodstock.

Tourtellotte was beaten 60-34 in its opener against Griswold.  Emily Vincent led the Lady Tigers with 13 points.

Marianapolis Ladies Come to Life 

in Rivers Tourney

After losing its opening game in the Rivers School Holiday tournament to host Rivers School 60-51, the Marianapolis ladies of coach Lauren Moore picked up victories over Northfield-Mt. Hermon and the Taft School.

Sophomore Olivia Summiel had an outstanding three-game stint in the Rivers tournament, posting successive double-double performances. In the loss to Rivers School, Summiel recorded 16 points to go with 16 rebounds to lead the Lady Knights.  Her teammate, Nicole Anderson also had 16 markers while dishing out four assists.

Summiel continued her torrid pace by scoring 15 points and grabbing 10 caroms in a 63-39 win over Northfield-Mt. Hermon.  Anderson chipped in 15 points and Sophia Widmeyer added 14 markers in the win.

Marianapolis lifted its record to 3-4 with a 60-38 victory over the Taft School as Summiel had 10 points and 13 boards to lead the way.  Widmeyer was the Lady Knights top scorer with 16 points and Saoirse Power-Cassidy had a good all-around game with eight points, seven rebounds and three assists.

Pomfret School went 1-1 in the New England Girls Basketball Classic.  The Lady Griffs opened with a 59-34 victory over Miss Porter School.  Deja Ross led the team to the win with 17 points.  Liv Batastini-Pallister had 11 points for Pomfret, which opened up a 32-12 halftime lead and coasted to the win.

In the next contest of the tourney, Pomfret fell 44-36 to Berkshire Academy as Ross was the only player to hit double figures with 11 points to go with 10 rebounds.