East Lyme boys outlast NFA in another ECC Div. I battle

East Lyme — There are times when East Lyme High School coach Jeff Bernardi sees his team grab a double-digit lead and perhaps contemplates giving it back. Because it sure feels as though his Vikings play better when the game is close. Not a bad thing necessarily. Take Wednesday night, for example. East Lyme blew a 10-point lead in the first half and nearly another one down the stretch. But the Vikings moved into a first-place tie in Division I of the Eastern Connecticut Conference with a 61-52 boys' basketball win over Norwich Free Academy.

"We lose focus," Bernardi said. "I called a timeout tonight for that reason. When it gets close, we get laser-like again. If we can do that for all 32 minutes ... "

Ah, the familiar coaching lament. Say this much for Bernardi, though: His team is 10-1 overall and 3-1 in the division, a clear threat to make runs deep into the ECC and tournaments.

Luke Leonard and Dev Ostrowski scored 18 points apiece for the Vikings, who turned a 42-38 deficit early in the fourth period into a 5344 lead. But that's when NFA rallied within five, causing some uncomfortable moments.

NFA defended Ostrowski well with a diamond and one, not a defense the Vikings had seen a lot this season.

"They were chasing Dev all over the court," Bernardi said. "We had to make some adjustments."

Aidan Miller led NFA with 15 points, while Brenden Sholes had 13 and Nik Hay scored nine.

"We're close," NFA coach Chris Guisti said. "Our basketball IQ has to improve. Down the stretch we have to make better decisions and realize that teams are going to take our first option away."

Both teams played and won Tuesday night, perhaps adding a fatigue factor to this game.

Meanwhile, it's been another fun week within the ECC, which has emerged among the most competitive leagues in the state this season.

"This is fun," Guisti said. "We're in Division I (in the state tournament) and I don't want to throw my team under the bus, but we could have state champions from the ECC in Divisions II, III and IV. I think our league is that good right now. The coaches are really getting the most out of their kids." m.dimauro@theday.com