Printer Friendly Version - Valley Boys’ Hoops Moves One Win Away from States; Falivene Gets a Win by Pin

Junior captain Colin Sparaco and the Valley boys’ basketball squad beat Haddam-Killingworth and Morgan last week to stand just one victory shy of reaching the postseason this year. Photo by Kelley Fryer/The Courier

The Valley Regional boys’ basketball team was on the road for three Shoreline Conference matchups last week and came away with two crucial victories in its quest to reach the playoffs. After losing at Creed in their first game of the week, the Warriors edged Haddam-Killingworth and then blew out Morgan to improve to 7-10 on the season. Valley now needs just one more victory to qualify for the Class S State Tournament this winter. The Warriors host Cromwell on Tuesday, Feb. 14; are home for North Branford on Friday, Feb. 17; and close the regular season at Coginchaug on Friday, Feb. 20.

Valley opened last week by facing Creed at the Fair Haven School in New Haven and took a 71-41 defeat. Junior captain Colin Sparaco scored 18 points for the Warriors, while fellow junior Ben Weinstein added seven. Sophomore Jason O’Brien had eight rebounds and freshman Cade Ensinger had five rebounds with two steals.

The following night, the Warriors rebounded by recording a 68-65 victory at Haddam-Killingworth. The win completed a season sweep of H-K as Valley had defeated the Cougars 86-65 earlier in the year. Valley gradually built its lead throughout the contest by winning the first (19-17), second (18-15), and third (16-14) quarters to take a 53-46 lead into the fourth. Senior captain Jordan Moran led the Warriors in the scoring column by netting 20 points in the victory. Sparaco scored 15 points, senior Ryan Kelly had 13 points, and Weinstein added eight points to bolster the Warriors. O’Brien and senior Cory Craco chipped in with five points apiece. Weinstein (10 rebounds), Kelly (8), and Sparaco (7) all had nice nights on the boards for Valley. Moran handed out eight assists and O’Brien grabbed two steals in the win.

Then on Feb. 10, Valley gained a measure of revenge against Morgan by beating the Huskies 77-55 in Clinton. Morgan had edged Valley 59-57 on a buzzer-beater back on Jan. 10. The rematch was a different story as the Warriors were up 15-11 after one and led 34-24 at halftime. Following an even third quarter, Valley ran away with the win by outscoring Morgan 23-11 in the final frame. The Warriors used a balanced scoring attack to emerge victorious. Kelly scored 16 points, Moran and Sparaco both scored 14, and junior Ernest Jean-Pierre delivered 12 points. O’Brien and Weinstein added nine and eight points, respectively. Moran had a great all-around game by contributing eight assists and seven rebounds. Kelly added six boards with a pair of steals, plus Jean-Pierre gathered five steals. Weinstein had 12 rebounds and O’Brien added eight in the win for the Warriors.

Ben Falivene competed for Valley Regional when the Morgan wrestling team hosted Ellis Tech on Feb. 8. Falivene defeated Gavin Thoutte by pin in the second round of their 220-pound bout.

Then on Feb. 11, Falivene wrestled at the Central Connecticut Invite hosted by Berlin. Falivene was in a two-man round robin against a wrestler from Bristol Eastern. He lost the first match by a 3-1 decision in overtime and then lost by pin in the second match.

For the regular season, Falivene’s varsity record was 9-11. He is competing at the Class S State Championship that takes place at Windham High School on Friday. Feb. 17 and Saturday, Feb. 18.

Ben Falivene defeated Ellis Tech’s Gavin Thoutte via pin fall when the Morgan wrestling squad squared off against Ellis Tech on Feb. 8. Falivene has been training with the Huskies throughout the year and will compete on behalf of Valley at this weekend’s Class S State Championship. Photo by Kelley Fryer/The Courier