Ellington gets an ‘A’ in chemistry
The Ellington girls basketball team won nine games during the regular season last year and lost in the first round of the Class MM tournament.
This year, the Knights are 17-3 and currently the No. 2 seed behind Northwestern Regional in Class MM. They finished their regular season with a 48-40 win over Somers last Friday and will play the winner of the Suffield-windsor Locks play-in game in the NCCC tournament quarterfinal Friday.
Coach Teighlor Clare-kearney said the difference is chemistry.
“I think a big piece of it is their dynamic off the court this year,” she said. “This is the first time where it feels like they just enjoy each other as people more than just teammates and I think it’s translating to how they perform on the court.
“When you have that level of trust and respect amongst teammates, you can call each other out on your mistakes and it’s easier to own up — ‘That was my bad’ — I see that so much more. There’s no pointing fingers. They’re all on the same page and have the same goals. I think that’s been the difference and it’s so enjoyable.”
The Knights are led by senior point guard Sophia Vrakas, who averages 9.5 points and junior wing Hannah Kozic (10.5 ppg).
Ellington’s last loss was to Bolton 64-44 on Jan. 31. Bolton is the top seed in the NCCC tournament; Ellington is No. 2.
Top performances of the week
Skylar Burke, Maloney: Burke had 33 points in a 53-29 win over Plainville Tuesday and 27 points in a 52-24 win over Platt Monday. Amanda Gallagher, Simsbury: Gallagher went 9 for 9 from the free throw line and had 18 points in a 47-37 win over Conard Thursday and had 20 points and six rebounds Monday in a win over Northwest Catholic.
Kylie Lake, Old Saybrook: Lake scored 29 points in a 52-26 win over Old Lyme Friday.
Marissa Nudd, Bacon Academy: Nudd had 20 points and nine rebounds in a 46-31 win over NFA Monday and 19 points in a 54-51 victory over New London Tuesday.
Liana Salamone, East Hampton: Salamone had 32 points in a 57-26 victory over Morgan Tuesday and 14 points, nine rebounds, four assists in a 44-37 victory over Cromwell Friday.
Camden Smith, Stafford: Smith posted a double-double (16 points, 12 rebounds) in a 40-25 win over Rockville Monday. Adriana Stranieri, Westbrook: Stranieri averaged 21.5 points, eight rebounds, two steals and two assists in wins over Old Lyme and Portland while helping Westbrook qualify for the Class S tournament.
Sequoia Turcotte-briggs, Classical: Turcotte-briggs had 23 points, including her 1,000th career point, and eight assists, eight steals and six rebounds in a 60-43 win over Prince Tech Wednesday.
Saneia Walford, Capital Prep: Walford scored 29 points in a 72-37 win over Parish Hill Thursday.
Sarah West, RHAM: West scored 28 points, including 14 from the free throw line, to help RHAM beat South Windsor 55-54 in overtime Monday.
Storylines of the week
Westbrook had lost eight straight games but broke out of its slump with two wins last week and qualified for the Class S state tournament. Westbrook beat Old Lyme 39-21 and Portland 51-26.
East Hampton got revenge for its only loss of the season by beating Cromwell 44-37 Friday night. Cromwell had defeated East Hampton 38-29 on Jan. 3. Jackie Russell had 20 points to lead the Bellringers (18-1).
Games of the week
CCC tournament first round is Thursday at the higher seeds with the matchups TBA, quarterfinals are Saturday at Plainville High.
NCCC tournament starts Wednesday with play-in games, matchups TBA.