Windsor’s ‘D’ too much for Berlin

WINDSOR — Berlin's Angela Perrelli hit a 3-pointer with 1:42 left in the first quarter of the girls basketball game against Windsor on Tuesday night.

Berlin would not hit another field goal until there were 14 seconds remaining in the third quarter.

That's how thoroughly Windsor's defense disrupted the Redcoats.

Windsor, No. 1 in the Courant's area rankings and eighth in the state, won the CCC interdivisional game, 48-29.

“I think we just tried our best to get them out of their rhythm early,” Windsor coach Kendrick Moore said. “I thought our kids gave a great effort, paying attention to the game plan. It's a night by night basis. Tonight it worked for us. But I know Berlin is an excellent team. You can't let them get going.”

Senior Denise Solis led Windsor (12-1) with 20 points, and sophomore Rebecca Fraley added 11.

Perrelli was the leading scorer for Berlin (9-3) with 13 points.

“They had us rattled,” Berlin coach Sheila King said. “We didn't play our game. They set the tempo. They owned the whole game.”

Perrelli's first 3-pointer cut Windsor's lead to 6-3. And that was about the closest the Redcoats — whose other losses before Tuesday were to Canton and RHAM — would get the entire game. They had 3-pointers go in and out that may have made a difference, stopped the bleeding a little bit, but always there was Windsor, in their faces, relentless on defense.

“We always try to make sure we're focused,” Windsor senior guard Trinity Hill said. “Any team could beat us at any time. We just focus on doing what we do during practice, focus on layups, shots, defense — so when we do come to these big games, we're able to execute.”

Asked how she would rate the Warriors' defense Tuesday, she said, “We're all right. We can always get better. But tonight it was pretty good.”

The Warriors led 19-8 at halftime and came out hard again in the third quarter. Berlin didn't score until another Perrelli 3 at the end of the quarter and then it was 31-11.

The two teams had played twice last season, and Berlin won both times, the second a heartbreaker for the Warriors in the first round of the CCC Tournament, when they lost 43-41 on their home court.

“Since they beat us last year — OK, we have to bounce back,” Hill said.

King said she tried to prepare her team for Windsor's intensity, but it was difficult.

“They just play outstanding defense,” she said. “I can't say enough about it.

“You practice, practice, practice and you prep for it, and we didn't get execution tonight. It's a gut check for us.

“Sometimes losses like this are a good thing, so we'll try to turn it into a positive.”

Lori Riley can be reached at lriley@courant.com.