Xavier boys basketball loses to Glastonbury

MIDDLETOWN — Xavier’s basketball team was defeated 53-41 by Glastonbury in the consolation game of the Art Kohs Christmas Tournament played at Xavier High Thursday evening.

The tournament was won by Waterford which defeated Ledyard 84-64 behind 48 points from guard Mikey Buscetto who was named the tourney’s Most Valuable Player. Others named to the All-Tournament team were Jackson Benigni from Xavier, Aaron Latham from Glastonbury, Devin Rickerson and Trevor Hutchins from Ledyard and Omar Rahman from Waterford.

Xavier (1-2) never led in its game with Glastonbury. The Tomahawks (2-1) jumped out to a 6-0 lead and led 12-6 after one. The winners opened up a 28-19 halftime lead and held Xavier to just three field goals in the half. The Falcons stayed in the game on the strength of their freethrow shooting.

Xavier was 13-for-14 from the line in the first half and finished with a 23-for-26 performance. But the Falcons had only eight field goals for the night.

“We struggled on offense again,” said Xavier coach Mike Kohs. “I actually thought we were better offensively than we’ve been, but we have to find some scoring from people other than Benigni.”

The Xavier star guard had 26 points — 57 points in two games — but the rest of the team managed just 15 points. Glastonbury got 14 points from Gianni Zarrilli and 13 from Latham.

The winners took a 37-22 lead late in the third before settling for a 39-27 lead after three. The Tomahawks opened it up in the fourth and led 44-27 before Xavier managed to make the score a bit more respectable at the end.

Matt Bielinda had 10 points for Xavier.

In the championship game, Ledyard jumped out to a big 25-11 lead after one, but then Buscetto took over.

He had just five points in the first quarter, but was unconscious the rest of the way. He drained five 3pointers — plus a 2-pointer and a free throw — in the second as Waterford (5-0) turned the tables on Ledyard to cut the lead to 37-36 at the break.

Buscetto picked up where he left off after intermission, scoring 10 in the third as Waterford led 60-47 after three. He finished off his spectacular night with 14 in the fourth quarter.

Xavier hosts Notre Dame of West Haven on Tuesday, Jan. 2.