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01/13/2018 11:00 PMLast year, the Morgan girls’ basketball team hit the reset button after longtime Head Coach Joe Grippo retired and many talented seniors graduated. Current Head Coach Caitlin Woods took up the mantle with an inexperienced squad that learned on the job and finished with four wins. The Huskies are looking to take a big step forward in the 2017-’18 season and, last week, they showed a glimpse of what they can do.
Morgan improved its record to 4-5 behind a 41-37 win at Valley Regional on Jan. 9 and a 57-21 home victory over Creed on Jan. 12. Already, the Huskies have matched last year’s win total, before even reaching this season’s halfway point. Coach Woods knew that her team could get something going, and she was pleased to see that happen last week.
“The kids just played extremely well. They did everything that they needed to do. They really came together as a team. We just have to continue on this path,” said Woods. “It goes toward their hard work. Our numbers have been up and down all season. We had a couple of practices with only seven kids, but this is a group where you ask them to do something, and they’ll work to do it no matter what. I’m very happy for them.”
Against Valley, the Huskies rallied for the win after falling behind in the second half. Morgan put up just five points in the third quarter and trailed the Warriors 29-24 entering the final frame. However, Morgan responded by outscoring Valley 17-8 in the fourth quarter on its way to the four-point win.
“What was great about the kids was they never looked like they were defeated. They had this look in their eyes where they knew they could win,” Coach Woods said. “We did all the right things at the right time. It was a collective effort.”
Junior captain Kylie Clifton, who had been sidelined with a knee injury, had five assists in her first game on the floor this winter. Coach Woods thought Clifton was in midseason form and that the team was buoyed by her return.
“It’s not a coincidence that we’ve been successful with her back. You would never even know she was hurt. She hasn’t missed a beat...She’s not a huge scorer, but she made a difference with her defense, and she’s a tremendous passer,” said Coach Woods. “She came in off the bench against Valley, and I couldn’t take her out...She’s the quickest kid back on defense, even with a massive knee brace on. It’s pretty incredible to see.”
Freshman Caitlyn Donadio led the Huskies in scoring with 12 points, including six straight makes from the free-throw line in the fourth quarter. The freshman is averaging 13 points a game this year and has shown tenacity at the point guard position. Coach Woods could see early on that Donadio deserved a starting spot.
“I think there was no question that from the start she was an obvious pure point guard. She’s talented, and she can do pretty much anything,” said Woods. “She’s an incredibly hard worker...It’s a lot of pressure to lead at the point, and she walked right in, and there was no question she could do it.”
Senior captain Brianna Navarra had 11 points on the night versus Valley. Navarra and Donadio both led the squad in steals with five apiece in the win. Sophomore center Leah McComiskey was a presence in the paint with two blocks and five rebounds.
Facing Creed later in the week, the Huskies put up 18 points in the first quarter, while holding the Howling Wolves without a point on their way to the lopsided victory. Coach Woods credited much of that to the defensive effort of Navarra, who had 10 boards and five steals to with nine points and six assists.
“She was a spark for everyone, and the rest of her teammates played really well because of it,” Coach Woods said. “I think that we have been working on our defense all season, and Brianna was the heart of it all. It just caught on with all the other kids.”
McComiskey led the Huskies in points (20), rebounds (14), and blocks (5) versus Creed. It was a huge game for the sophomore center, and she’s been producing for the Huskies in a variety of ways this year.
“It’s funny. She’s 5-11, and at one point when we were down two of our starters, she was at the two-guard because she’s a great shooter,” said Woods. “She’s able to go against kids and convert. She’s drawing fouls too. It’s nice to have a kid that tall with pretty much a perfect shot.”
Morgan’s other key contributors against Creed included Donadio with 10 points and Clifton with four assists.
Coach Woods expects the Huskies to get another boost when junior Rebecca Shamp returns from an injury. As her team enters the second half of the season, Woods wants to see the young Huskies keep working hard at practice, so they can reap the rewards of their efforts come game time.
“This year, we are incredibly young. We have a freshman starting point guard, two sophomores, a junior, and one senior. It’s great in a lot of ways, but they are also still learning,” Woods said. “They are building experience with every single game. Nothing’s better than seeing young kids start to play really well. They’re getting better everyday, and they want to get better.”
From the Sidelines
The Morgan girls’ basketball team’s varsity roster includes senior captain Brianna Navarra, senior Daniela Gallardo; junior captain Kylie Clifton, juniors Joelle Vuilleumier and Rebecca Shamp; sophomores Rachel Lehn, Leah McComiskey, Annalyse Olcott, and Cassidy Shepard; and freshmen Caitlyn Donadio and Alexandra Kelly.
Head Coach Caitlin Woods is in her second season at the helm of the Huskies, and she is assisted by coach Jessica Lynch.
The Huskies have defeated Haddam-Killingworth (45-39), Amistad (53-47, Valley Regional (41-37, and Creed (57-21) so far this season.