No. 1 Hamden knocks off SHA in OT for second time this season

HAMDEN — For the second time this season Hamden and Sacred Heart Academy went to overtime.

Just another night of girls’ basketball this winter in the Southern Connecticut Conference.

And for the second time, undefeated and topranked No. 1 Hamden (15-0) collected a 48-44 victory over the No. 4-ranked Sharks in front of a full house Friday night at Hamden High School. The Green Dragons won in overtime, 66-64, on Dec. 22.

“They beat us two times last year,” Hamden’s Alana Philpotts said. “This is our get back. A lot of people don’t really respect us, but we respect everybody. It’s just us and our strength.”

Sacred Heart Academy led for most of the final three quarters, but Hamden finally grabbed the lead for the first time since the opening minute of the second quarter with just 2:34 to play when Leah

Philpotts (game high 20 points) scored on a drive in the lane to make it 36-35.

A three-point play by Lauren Thompson allowed the Sharks to grab a 38-36 edge with 1:36 to go, but Gianna Robert countered for Hamden with a layup 20 seconds later.

Sacred Heart Academy elected to run time off the clock and go for one shot to win the game at that point.

“We were trying to execute a set to win the game at the end,” Sacred Heart Academy coach Jason Kirck said.

Hamden, which was whistled for just two fouls at that point, kept on fouling the Sharks to halt their momentum.

“We were fortunately in that position where we could be aggressive,” Hamden coach Amanda Forcucci said. “We knew if they scored, we’d have to end up fouling.”

But the Hamden defense didn’t allow Sacred Heart Academy to get off a good shot. However, Morgan Miller’s one-handed fling at the basket at the buzzer clanked off the left side of the rim, sending the game to overtime.

“They have so many weapons,” Forcucci said. “They have post up players and kids who can shoot with hands in their face, but I know my girls can play defense, so I was positive we could get a stop.”

In the overtime, Leah Philpotts got Hamden going with a pair of layups.

“It was important to get my team fired up,” Leah Philpotts said. “This was a big win. Another statement game for us, but every game is big. We still need to get better.”

But it wasn’t over at all. Thompson hit a jumper from the left side and Nina Nardecchia nailed a threepointer from the top of the key to give Sacred Heart a 43-42 lead with 1:39 to go in the overtime.

But Gianna Donnarummo followed with the biggest shot of the night, a trey from the left side to give the Green Dragons the lead for good, 45-43. Donnarummo followed with a pair of free throws and Alana Philpotts one in the final 24 seconds to ice the game.

“It just came down to a couple plays at the end of the game,” Kirck said. “They are physical and tough, and they got us a few times inside.”

Both teams seemed to be a little nervous in the first quarter as they each missed a few shots inside the paint.

“Both teams were both nervous,” Leah Philpotts said. “We had a big crowd with the Sacred Heart side and Hamden side going back and forth.”

PLAYER OF THE GAME

Leah Philpotts of Hamden scored 20 points, 14 of them coming in the second half and overtime.

HAMDEN 48, SHA 44 (OT)

(at Hamden HS)

SHA ............................ 9 13 8 8 6 — 44 HAMDEN .................. 11 9 9 9 10 — 48 SACRED HEART ACADEMY (44): Emma Kirck 2 0-0 4, Morgan Miller 2 1-2 5, Meghan Kirck 4 0-0 11, Lauren Thompson 3 1-1 10, Lyla D’Errico 2 0-0 5, Nina Nardecchia 3 1-2 9. Totals 16 3-5 44. HAMDEN (48): Kamora Moore 0 1-4 1, Gianna Donnarummo 1 2-2 5, Alana Philpotts 2 3-6 8, Leah Philpotts 8 4-4 20, Gianna Robert 5 1-2 11, Thailyn Geter 11-2 3. Totals 17 12-20 48.

SHA — M. Kirck 3, Thompson 1, D’Errico 1, Nardecchia 2. Hamden — Donnarummo 1m Alana Philpotts 1.

Records: SHA 10-4, Hamden 15-0.