This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
12/26/2017 11:00 PMThe winter of 2017 saw junior Brett Lequire and Head Coach Dave Parness come away with some prized distinctions on behalf of the North Branford' boys' basketball team. T-Birds' girls' hoops introduced a new head coach, while the girls' indoor track team placed second at Shorelines and broke a pair of school records.
Boys' Basketball
The North Branford boys' basketball team played to a 12-11 record, qualified for the Shoreline Conference Tournament, and claimed a victory in the Class S State Tournament this winter. In the state tourney, the Thunderbirds defeated Haddam-Killingworth 50-36 before losing in the second round.
Junior Brett Lequire was named the Shoreline Conference Player of the Year, and Head Coach Dave Parness was selected as the conference's Coach of the Year. Lequire, who eclipsed the 1,000-point milestone for his career, was a Coaches All-State First Team selection, received
New Haven Register All-State Honorable Mention, and an All-Shoreline Conference Team member. He was also named North Branford's Most Valuable Player after averaging approximately 23 points and 13 rebounds per game. Senior Gianni Lavorgna and junior Jake Haeckel were both presented with the Desire and Dedication Award for the Thunderbirds.
Girls' Basketball
The T-Birds welcomed new Head Coach Courtney Brinton into the fold and finished 9-12, while qualifying for the Class M State Tournament. North Branford earned two wins versus Haddam-Killingworth, as well as one win against Creed, Morgan, Old Lyme, Portland, Hale-Ray, Old Saybrook, and Amistad.
Boys' Ice Hockey
North Branford finished the season with a 10-11 record and was eliminated in the first round of the Division II State Tournament.
Senior Brian McKee was named to All-SCC/SWC Division II First Team, the Connecticut High School Coaches Association Division II All-State Second Team, and was also a New Haven Register All-State Honorable Mention.
Girls' Indoor Track
The Thunderbirds had large numbers this winter, and they paid off with a second-place finish at the Shoreline Conference Championship.
Two school records were broken during the year. Junior Jenna Bryden's time of 44.64 topped the school record in the 300, while Emily Muzyka's shot put throw of 30 feet-6.5 inches also set a T-Birds' record. Junior Grace Little earned All-Shoreline First Team as she won the 55-meter dash in 7.68 seconds, and Bryden was Second Team in the 55 and 300. Muzyka and senior Winnie Chan also went All-Shoreline in the shot put and high jump, respectively.
Boys' Indoor Track
North Branford came away with an eighth-place finish in the Shoreline Conference Championship.
The team's MVP Award was won by junior Michael Madoule. Sophomore Michael Rabuffo was the Rookie of the Year, and junior Jacob Marshall received the Thunderbirds' Desire and Dedication Award.
Cheerleading
North Branford performed at the Class S State Championship and finished in seventh place. It was the highest placing that Head Coach Marisa Laudano's team earned in a competition during the season.