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01/04/2017 11:00 PMIt’s never an easy transition when your program says good-bye to a longtime head coach and graduates a good chunk of its starting lineup from the previous season. However, the Morgan girls’ basketball team appears to have the right collection of diligent athletes, along with a motivated first-year coach, to keep its successful tradition going.
In their final campaign with Joe Grippo as head coach last winter, the Huskies finished with a record of 21-5 after making it to the Shoreline Conference Tournament final and the Class M State Tournament quarterfinals. Morgan defeated Old Lyme and East Hampton to move on to the Shoreline final and a game versus Cromwell, which defeated the Huskies to win the conference title. Then in the Class M State Tournament, Morgan upended Suffield and Waterford before losing to Cromwell in the quarterfinals.
This winter, Caitlin Woods has taken the helm at Morgan and, although her new-look Huskies have gotten out to a 1-6 start, Woods said that her squad is focused on improving incrementally, while its athletes grow together as a group.
“We are big on numbers, but low in terms of experience. Overall, we are looking to be successful and also build the program. I want to see them get better every day and be competitive as possible,” said Woods, who earned her first win as head coach when Morgan prevailed at Portland 52-46 on Dec. 23. “The girls are competitive and want to win. We’ve had a tough schedule, including playing Cromwell twice already, but the way they’ve responded is really impressive. We want to establish togetherness and do everything to become one unit.”
The Huskies have four athletes in their senior class this season with Shannon Maher at the point guard position, center Sydney Chomicz in the paint, plus Hannah Scarpace and Kate Driscoll. Morgan also features two junior in the captain’s chair in Maddy Seeger and Brianna Navarra. Unfortunately, Seeger played her last game of the season in the Portland win due to a foot injury.
“Shannon is our one true player with varsity experience returning to the team. She’s an aggressive guard and good defensively. She’s new to the point guard position, but she sees the court well, can create plays, is a good passer, and she’s athletic. She’s a quiet leader and hard worker as a player and student. Sydney is extremely positive. She’s a 5-foot-6 center that plays like she’s 6 feet. She’s a beast on the court. She rebounds, goes to the basket, and plays defense,” Coach Woods said. “Hannah and Kate’s hard work in practice is what is helping our starters get better. Both of them are great leaders. Brianna is a quiet leader, but a strong, smart kid on and off the court. She moved to shooting guard, and she’s probably the most complete player we have. Maddy is a huge loss, but she’s a solid player, great rebounder, and coachable kid.”
The Huskies have already seen glimpses into a bright future with the emergence of a few underclass athletes. Sophomores Kylee Clifton (guard) and Rebecca Shamp (forward) have contributed thus far this year for Morgan, as has freshman Leah McComiskey.
“Kylee is a starter and unsung hero. She does so many good things and is a smart passer. She’ll be a more complete player when she shoots more, but I have full confidence in her. Rebecca is filing Maddy’s shoes, but she’s doing a great job and will be an offensive threat,” said Woods. “Leah has raw talent and is a great shooter that handles the ball well. She played well versus Haddam-Killingworth and is a future star.”
In its most recent games, Morgan took a 34-31 loss at North Branford on Dec. 30 and then dropped a 51-44 home contest versus fellow Shoreline Conference opponent East Hampton on Jan. 3. The contest against East Hampton was neck-and-neck right down to the last few seconds. Chomicz had 18 points and 11 rebounds, while Maher had 10 points and four steals for Morgan in the loss.
"Of course, when you end a game, you want the win, but I was really happy with how the team played. We are getting better every day and East Hampton is a tough team to play, especially with Gyanna Russell [30 points], who is hand's-down the best player in the Shoreline," said Coach Woods. "I'm asking these kids to play all four quarters with little to no rest and they are responding so well. They're tough, hard-working, athletic players who are continuing to see the court and play good basketball more and more. Shannon Maher was outstanding against the Bellringers and just set the tone for our team. I couldn't be more proud of her. She's one of the toughest kids I've ever worked with."
No matter the final score each night, Coach Woods looks at every one of her club’s contests as a lesson for the girls and another opportunity to progress. Woods concluded by saying that as long as the Huskies maintain that mindset and act upon it come game time, then the victories will take care of themselves.
“We have a chance to establish ourselves and we hope to make a run down the stretch. I tell them that every game is a learning opportunity,” said Woods. “The most important thing is getting them to play good basketball. The wins will come with hard work and I’m excited about this team. They are great to coach.”
From the Sidelines
Joining Morgan girls’ basketball Head Coach Caitlin Woods on the bench this winter is assistant coach Jessica Lynch. Also helping the Huskies is their team manager Michael Lee, who’s a senior at Morgan.
Caitlin Woods has been an English teacher at Eliot Middle School in Clinton for the past six years.
Morgan’s upcoming games are at Notre Dame-Fairfield at 1:15 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 7; at home against Valley Regional at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 10; at Creed at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 13; and at home against Hale-Ray at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 16.