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02/03/2013 11:00 PMFor the first time since 2008, the North Haven girls' basketball team has punched its ticket to ride to the state tournament by virtue of a 39-38 victory at SCC Oronoque rival Cross on Feb.1.
The Indians led by seven points at halftime before getting outscored 17-12 in the third quarter, setting up a dramatic final frame. The contest remained close throughout with North Haven sophomore forward Haley Arnaoutis hitting a three-pointer with 30 seconds left to give Chris Barry's team the lead for good. Leading the charge for the Indians (8-9, 4-3) were junior captain Brie Melillo with 13 points, seven rebounds, and five steals; along with senior captain forward Gina Carbone, who scored nine with six boards and three steals.
"This wasn't our best performance, but we came out on the right side of the game and a win is a win," said Coach Barry. "We were all super-pumped and the entire coaching staff couldn't be prouder of this team to persevere from having no wins last year to getting the eight needed to make states this year."
Earlier in the week, North Haven avenged a prior loss to division foe Branford by notching a 52-42 home win against the Hornets on Jan. 29. Brooklin Davis scored 21 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to lead the Indians, who also received 14 points with seven steals by sophomore Jill Johnson, nine points from Melillo, five assists by Carbone, plus clutch free throws down the stretch from Kyle Searles. This game was tied 6-6 after one quarter before Chris Barry's team put up 18 points in the second quarter to take a seven-point lead to halftime. Although Branford was still in the game in the fourth, Searles came off the bench to make both ends of a 1-and-1 from the stripe to seal it.
North Haven then dropped a 51-38 home decision the next night, a game which saw Johnson leave with an ankle injury in the first quarter that will keep her out of action indefinitely. Davis scored 13 with six boards, Theresa DeFalco chimed in with seven points, and Melillo scored six with five rebounds for the Indians.
Boys' Basketball
The Indians picked up a trio of recent wins by prevailing at division foe East Haven 79-75 on Jan. 19, followed by a 62-39 victory at Law the next night, and then another victory against an SCC Oronoque opponent with a 46-41 home win against Branford on Feb. 1.
Will Reaves led the effort for Pete Civitello's team by scoring 24 versus the Yellowjackets, a contest which saw North Haven trail by seven points at halftime before outscoring East Haven by 11 in the second half to earn the season sweep.
Chandler Andrewsen netted 24 points in the Law game, another victory that gained the Indians a season sweep. Matt Defranceso added 15 points for North Haven.
Andrewsen then made four three-pointers in scoring 20 points as the Indians avenged a prior loss to Branford. Defrancesco and Reaves both added 10 for North Haven, which won the game by outscoring the Hornets 25-19 in the fourth quarter. The Indians are now 6-8 overall and 3-5 in the Oronoque, needing two more wins to make states.
Indoor Track
For the second straight season, senior Matt Marcarelli won the shot put at the SCC Championship on behalf of North Haven boys' indoor track, throwing 48-4½ at Floyd Little Athletic Center on Feb. 1. Marcarelli had previously won the event at the SCC West Sectional two weeks ago. Patrick Vanacore finished fifth in the shot put at 43-10 for the Indians, who placed ninth out of 19 teams with 22 points.
Additionally scoring points for the boys were Steve Cofrancesco (4th, 8.37) and Nick Sbabo (6th, 8.78) in the 55 hurdles, Andrew Iovanna in the high jump (6th, 5-4), the 4x400 relay of Jonathan Gonzalez, Iovanna, Dave Goodrich, and John Spencer (5th, 3:44.81); plus the 4x800 relay of Gonzalez, Chris DelVecchio, Raymond Rich-Fiondella, and Dave Goodrich (5th, 8:47.87).
For the girls' team, which finished in 14th out of 18 teams with seven points, Kristina Klemenz followed her triumph at the Sectional by placing fifth in the shot put at 33-9¾. Teammate Emi Kanyo finished third in the high jump with a leap of 4-10. Kanyo and Goodrich were also both recently named Scholar Athletes of the Month by the SCC.
Rifle
North Haven posted a season-high score in taking a 919-916 defeat at rival Bunnell on Feb. 1. Scoring points for the Indians were Caroline Bennett (189), John Quimby (186), Kevin Landino (184), Brendan Quinn (182), and Jeremy Piercey (175), the latter three which were season-best showings. Coach Brent Heidenis, whose team is 5-2, also complimented Mitchell Gimler for recording a personal-best mark of 167.
Boys' Swimming
North Haven dropped a 95-79 home decision to Xavier on Jan. 31, a meet which saw Doron Rose win the 200 individual medley at 2:14.92 and the 100 breaststroke at 1:08.50. Additionally winning for the Indians were Alex Powers in the 100 butterfly (1:00.33), David Broggi in the 100 backstroke (1:11.61), and the 400 freestyle relay of Jimmy Pucci, Stephen Christoforo, and Solomon Shim (4:17.86).
Gymnastics
North Haven recently recorded a score of 81.05 to beat Hamden (62.95) and Branford (57.65) while losing to Hand (122.30) at Madison.
Gabby Gontarek placed second on floor (8.4), missing first by one-tenth of a point, to go with tying for third in vault (8.2) and finishing sixth on beam (7.0). Marie Facin finished second on bars (7.30) and was fifth on the vault (8.00). Captain Lauren Macolino came in third in bars (7.0), fourth on vault (8.15), fourth on beam (7.8), and was also fourth on floor (8.00). Amanda Macolino finished fifth on the bars.