Printer Friendly Version - T-Birds’ Girls’ Hoops Wins Class M Opener, Loses in Next Round; Boys’ Hockey Loses in Conference Semis

Jessie Kilburn scored 18 points when the North Branford girls’ basketball team defeated Nonnewaug in the first round of the Class M State Tournament. The T-Birds later lost to No. 1 Northwestern in the second round to finish their campaign with a record of 14-9. Photo by Kelley Fryer/The Sound

The North Branford girls’ basketball team defeated Nonnewaug in the first round of the Class M State Tournament, before taking a loss against top-seeded Northwestern in the second round. The Thunderbirds finished their season with an overall record of 14-9.

In opening-round action on Feb. 26, No. 16 seed North Branford topped No. 17 Nonnewaug 53-48 to advance in the tournament. The two squads played a back-and-forth game throughout and were always within a few points of one another. North Branford played a strong fourth quarter to fend off Nonnewaug and emerge victorious. Jessie Kilburn led the way by scoring 18 points for the T-Birds. Morgan Violette, Marie Zampano, and Angelina Ramada all scored nine points apiece.

On March 1, North Branford came close to taking down No. 1 seed Northwestern, but ultimately lost the game by the final score of 49-43. The Thunderbirds took a 21-20 edge into the half, and then the two squads traded baskets throughout the rest of the game. Northwestern was clinging to a lead in the fourth quarter, when it connected on a pair of foul shots down the stretch to seal the victory. Kilburn scored 15 points, Danielle Ramada had 10 points, and Violette finished the game with nine points for Head Coach Courtney Brinton’s squad.

North Branford earned the No. 3 seed in the SCC/SWC Division II Tournament and took a 4-0 defeat against No. 2 Watertown-Pomperaug in the semifinals at Bennett Rink in West Haven on March 1. The loss put the T-Birds’ record at 13-7-1 as its gets ready to compete in the Division II State Tournament this week.

North Branford is the No. 5 seed in states and hosted No. 12 East Haven-Old Lyme-Old Saybrook-East Hampton (9-10-1) in a first-round game at Northford Ice Pavilion on March 6 (after press time). Should the T-Birds win that game, they will play the winner of No. 4 Conard and No. 13 Hall-Southington on Friday, March 9. The semis take place on Monday, March 12 at Ingalls Rink in New Haven, and the final is also at Ingalls on Friday, March 16 at 7:30 p.m.

North Branford didn’t play a game last week, but the T-Birds did find out who they are facing in their opening game of the Division V State Tournament.

The Thunderbirds earned the No. 7 seed and received a bye through the first round. For its second-round contest, which took place at home on March 7 (after press time), North Branford faced the winner of No. 10 Shepaug and No. 23 Tourtellotte. Should the T-Birds win that game, they will play in the quarterfinals on Friday, March 9. The semis are on Tuesday, March 13, and the championship game takes place at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville on either Saturday, March 17 or Sunday, March 18.