This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
01/22/2017 11:00 PMBoys’ Basketball
The North Branford boys’ basketball team split its two games last week and its record now stands at 6-4 at the midpoint of the regular season.
On Jan. 17, the T-Birds hosted Portland and prevailed 56-34 behind a strong second half. Portland held a one-point lead at the break, but North Branford outscored Portland 37-14 in the second half to come away with the victory. Brett Lequire scored a game-high 22 points and Jake Haeckel added 17 in the win.
On Jan. 20, North Branford dropped a 44-39 contest versus Valley Regional. Lequire netted 13 points for the T-Birds, who were outscored 28-20 in the second half.
Girls’ Basketball
The Thunderbirds won a pair of games last week to improve to 6-5 for the year. Playing three contests on the road, North Branford defeated Portland and Hale-Ray before closing out the week with a tough loss to Valley Regional.
On Jan. 17, North Branford defeated Portland 44-37 in overtime. The two teams were tied at 35 heading into the extra frame, but North Branford scored nine in overtime to pull off the victory. Danielle Ramada scored 13 points and Morgan Violette netted 10 for the T-Birds, who also received contributions from Jess Kilburn (9 points) and Marie Zampano (6 points).
The following night, North Branford defeated Hale-Ray 52-21. Two days later, the T-Birds lost to Valley Regional 50-47.
Girls’ Indoor Track
The Thunderbirds competed at the Haddam-Killingworth Invitational last week. The team’s top performance came from Grace Little, who placed third in the 300-meter dash with a time of 45.18 seconds and was ninth in the 55 at 7.87. Other strong showings came from Jenny Bryden in the 55 (13th, 7.95); Winnie Chan in the high jump (8th, 4-8) and long jump (16th, 14-0.5); Joselyn Streeto in the high jump (10th, 4-6); Deanna Sgambato in the pole vault (16th, 6-0); Jessica Tang in the 55 hurdles (11.15); and Sarah Sullivan in the 3,200 (15:45).
For relays, the 4x400 of Sarah Criscuolo, Erika Roof, Lydia Mattson, and Gabbie Sarmento finished eighth at 4:54.05; the 1,600 sprint medley team of Mackenzie Glenn, Chriscuolo, Jordyn Franco, and Mattson placed 19th at 5:12; and the 4x200 squad of Sarmento, Criscuolo, Franco, and Streeto finished 28th at 2:08.98.
Boys’ Indoor Track
On Jan. 20, North Branford took part in the Haddam-Killingworth Invitational, at which more than 45 schools were represented. Solid individual performances were put forth by Jacob Marshall in the 55 (12th, 7.05); Michael Rabuffo in the high jump (9th, 5-4); AJ Fiondella in the shot put (27-0); Nick Ash in the shot put (27-0); and Hunter Boni in the 1,000 (4:08.59).
For the relays, the 1,600 sprint medley group of Marshall, Rabuffo, Michael Madoule, and Austin Gibilisco finished 11th at 4:05.18.
Boys’ Ice Hockey
North Branford lost a pair of home games last week and dropped to 4-5 this season.
On Jan. 18, Watertown-Pomperaug defeated North Branford 4-1. Brian McKee scored the lone goal in the second period for North Branford, which allowed three goals in the third. John Lovelace made 32 saves for the Thunderbirds.
On Jan. 21, Conard scored five goals in the second period and beat the T-Birds 6-3. Marc Daddio, Christian DeFrancesco, and Nick Mancini scored for North Branford, while Brendan Dupuis finished with two assists. Lovelace made 17 saves and Tyler Odice stopped 11 shots in the loss.