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02/25/2018 11:00 PMThe Valley Regional girls’ basketball team exacted a bit of revenge last week by defeating Haddam-Killingworth in a qualifying-round game for the Class M State Tournament on Feb. 24. The No. 32 seed Warriors earned a 48-37 victory versus 33rd-seeded H-K, a squad that had knocked Valley out of the Shoreline Conference Tournament with a 46-37 win in the quarterfinals the previous week. The Warriors improved to 9-13 on the season and will travel to Winsted to face top-seeded Northwestern in the first round of the Class M bracket on Monday, Feb. 26 at 7 p.m.
Valley’s loss against H-K in Shorelines gave the Warriors a little more a week to rest and get healthy prior to facing the Cougars again, and Head Coach Geoff Konstan felt that made a huge difference in the rematch. The long layoff also gave the Warriors some more time to prepare different approaches for their familiar foe.
“I cannot stress how important those eight days were for several reasons. One was getting healthy. Another was that I gave the team four days off, and I think they needed it,” Coach Konstan said. “It’s been a long season, and everyone’s a little burnt out...Everybody came back refreshed and ready for basketball. Then, finally after the four days off, we had enough time to implement completely new strategies during practices leading up to the game.”
The Warriors looked well-rested, and they got out to a fast start by outscoring the Cougars 12-5 in the first quarter. Valley built on that lead by scoring 14 points in the second quarter, while holding H-K to nine. The Warriors were able to stave off the Cougars’ scoring surge in the third quarter on their way to securing the 11-point victory.
Alexis Finnerty returned with a vengeance after battling a nagging injury. She led the team in scoring with 13 points to along with eight rebounds, three assists, and two steals in the win. Coach Konstan was happy to see Finnerty get back on the court with a little more pep.
“She had more spring in her step. She’s a smart player. Her passing was excellent, and she never forces shots,” said Konstan. “H-K was focused on stopping her, and she still led in scoring and rebounding. She scored 13 points, which isn’t a lot for her, but this was the best team win we’ve had this year. We’ve had other games where the team didn’t play as well and Alexis carried us to victory. It was so balanced.”
Coach Konstan also thought that point guard Sadie Konstan had her strongest game of the year by being patient, moving the ball well, and making every one of her points count. She finished the game with seven assists on top of seven points and a steal.
“It was huge to have her back. I don’t always want to brag about my daughter, but it was easily the best game of her high-school career,” Konstan said. “She scored seven points, and they were all massive with a three at the end of the half, a layup to end a scoreless streak in the third quarter, and then she hit two big foul shots in the fourth. The assists were fantastic, and it was just the poise she showed with her court vision and leadership.”
Paige Atkinson provided her usual strong presence in the paint by putting up nine points with a block and six boards. Atkinson was integral helping the Warriors win the battle on the boards against H-K.
“She was a monster. During pregame, I told her to box out and not to let go, so her teammates could grab rebounds,” Coach Konstan said. “She did it, and she was incredible. Her clearing out space allowed rebounds for other players.”
Carly Thompson had six points, four rebounds, two steals, and a block for Valley. Addison Marchese had five points, three assists, and a steal. The Warriors also played great defense by stopping H-K’s Tara Murphy.
“The story of the game was defense. I had four girls take turns face-guarding Murphy. Heidi Clark and Addison Marchese guarded her for 80 percent of the game between the two of them, and Alena Crosby and Annie cooper also had time defending her,” said Konstan. “Their defense was big. We came up with good strategies and the players executed them. That’s the main thing.”
Up next for the Warriors in states is No. 1 seed Northwestern. If Valley wins that game, the team will face the winner of North Branford and Nonnewaug in a second-round contest. Coach Konstan thinks the Warriors can go deeper into the bracket if they play the same way they did in their win versus Haddam-Killingworth.
“We have to continue to do all the little things. We have to communicate on screens and switches. We have to yell ‘Shot!’ when the ball goes up, and box out,” said Konstan. “They did all those things [against H-K], and they never took a play off. The bench was jumping up with every basket and giving motivation. That’s absolutely paramount. We’ll need all of that to beat the good teams.”
From the Sidelines
Valley’s wins this season have come against East Hampton (34-29), Old Saybrook (46-42 and 49-35), Hale-Ray (40-26), Haddam-Killingworth (46-41 and 48-37), Amistad (61-53), Creed (40-26), and Westbrook (59-35).
This most recent matchup between the Warriors and H-K marked their fourth meeting of the season. The two teams split the series 2-2 with Valley winning the first and final games.
The Warriors’ roster consists of senior captains Paige Atkinson, Heidi Clark, and Carly Thompson; juniors Annie Cooper, Alexis Finnerty, Heather Jones, Saide Konstan, and Tiffani Turpin; and freshmen Addison Marchese and Alena Crosby.
Head Coach Geoff Konstan is in his third year as Valley’s head coach and is assisted by JV coach Lauren Budney and assistant coach Allyson Pitney.