Woodstock beats St. Bernard to capture ECC Division II girls’ basketball title

St. Bernard is no match for No. 4 Woodstock

Norwich — Last season, St. Bernard went to Woodstock Academy for a regular-season game and lost big, a result between one of the Eastern Connecticut Conference's smallest teams (St. Bernard) and one of the ECC's largest teams (Woodstock) which generally got lost in the shuffle.

The fact that Wednesday's edition between the teams was played for the ECC Division II title, in its first year, made the result a little more disappointing for St. Bernard coach Mike Nystrom.

No. 4 Woodstock blitzed No. 2 St. Bernard 47-22 in the championship game at Norwich Free Academy, with Woodstock holding St. Bernard scoreless for all but 1 minute, 37 seconds of the fourth quarter. St. Bernard (17-6) shot 8-for-40, 5-for-18 in the first half.

“I think it would be a good experience if we played in the regular season,” Nystrom said. “It's disappointing. I'm not disappointed in my kids, but I'm disappointed.”

Caitlyn Dittman finished with 11 points, nine rebounds, five blocked shots, a steal and an assist for St. Bernard and made the Division II all-tournament team along with teammate Briana Beverly (14 points in a semifinal win over Lyman Memorial).

Ari Koivisto had 12 points for Woodstock (15-8) to earn Most Outstanding Player honors. Woodstock's Heather Converse (11 points) and Jamie Woods also made the all-tournament team.

Woodstock used two or three players to defend Dittman, St. Bernard's all-time leading scorer, at all times. St. Bernard led 4-0 in the first quarter on baskets by Beverly and Dittman before Woodstock opened an 11-6 lead on back-to-back baskets by Koivisto, including a 3-pointer to end the quarter.

“I felt like I was a little inadequate,” Nystrom said. “Like 'How can I get (Dittman) the ball?' … I'm sure if I watch the tape I could prepare something. But (8-for-40) says it all. If the other team plays Cait like that, the other kids have got to shoot the ball.

“I knew Woodstock would be a tough matchup for us.”

Woodstock led 21-10 at halftime and 36-16 after three quarters. v.fulkerson@theday.com

TIM MARTIN/THE DAY St. Bernard’s Caitlyn Dittman, left, shoots over Woodstock Academy’s Jamie Woods during Wednesday night’s ECC Division II final at NFA. Dittman had 11 points, nine rebounds and four blocked shorts, but the No. 2 Saints fell to the No. 4 Centaurs 47-22.