Xavier rolls in annual Kohs Classic

MIDDLETOWN >> Sophomore guard Jackson Benigni scored a gamehigh 27 points to lead Xavier to a 71-61 victory over Wethersfield in the opening round of the annual Art Kohs Boys Basketball Classic on Tuesday in Middletown.

Mitch Nappi had 19 points and Alec McGovern added 10 points for the Falcons, who built leads of 39-26 at halftime and 59-39 after three quarters.

The Eagles (1-2) were led by Mike Mozzicato (21 points), Connor Pace (13) and Jimmy Sullivan (11).

Xavier (1-1) will meet Ledyard tonight (7:15 p.m.) for the championship. The Colonels defeated Glastonbury, 76-51, in the first game of Tuesday’s doubleheader. Steven Fletcher scored 25 points and Isiah McNair chipped in 17 points for Ledyard (2-1).

Alex DuVerger had 13 points to lead the Tomahawks (0-3).

Girls basketball

MIDDLETOWN 53, BOLTON 49 >> At Middletown, senior center Brielle Wilborn poured in a game-high 21 points to lead the Blue Dragons to

their fifth straight win on Tuesday.

Dominique Highsmith scored 12 points, while Amanda Fudge added seven points for Middletown (5-0), which travels to Haddam-Killingworth tonight (6 p.m.) for another non-conference matchup.

Caitlin Whitehead had 10 points for the Bulldogs (3-1), who led 22-18 at halftime. MERCY 47, FARMINGTON 40 >> Junior center Meghan DeVille scored 12 points and junior guard Bella Santoro chipped in nine points to lift the visiting Tigers (3-1) to a non-conference win on Tuesday.

Mary Schoenherr had a game-high 17 points, while Izzy Lipinski added 10 points for the Indians (3-2), who led 22-21 at halftime. EAST HAMPTON 57, CLASSICAL MAGNET 23 >> Senior Gyanna Russell netted a game-high 26 points and the host Bellringers remained unbeaten with a victory in the annual McCabe Holiday tournament.

Jenna DeMartino had 10 points and Lindsay Orbann chipped in eight points for East Hampton (6-0).

Holly Weldon scored 10 points for the Gladiators (2-3).

Girls ice hockey

BRANFORD/NORTH HAVEN/ EAST HAVEN 2, NORTHWEST CATHOLIC/MERCY 1 (OT) >> At Cromwell, Emmy Norton and Emma Sheehan netted one goal apiece and goalkeeper Julia SanGiovanni stopped 29 shots to lift Branford (1-2-1) on Tuesday at Champions Skating Center.

Sophomore Annie Alissi had a goal and freshman Brianna McDermott made 12 saves for Mercy (1-4-1).