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12/15/2018 11:00 PMBoys’ Basketball
The Old Saybrook boys’ basketball team opened up its 2018-’19 campaign by playing a pair of games last week. The Rams took a 69-67 defeat against Old Lyme in their opener and then hit the road to face Valley Regional, where they dropped a 54-41 decision. Old Saybrook is 0-2 in the early goings this year.
On Dec. 13, the Rams hosted Old Lyme in a up-and-down contest that had featured several lead changes. Ultimately, the Wildcats were able to come away with the narrow victory. Senior captain Shane Henderson poured in 24 points to go along with six rebounds and three assists for Old Saybrook. Fellow senior captain Dan Cote scored 17 points and provided six assists in the loss. Junior Gino Gallitto scored 11 points and snagged four rebounds, while fellow junior Mike Almada had nine points with four assists. Kam Baker (3 assists, 3 rebounds), Davis Brown (4 assists), and Enes Cecunjanin (5 rebounds) also put up some numbers on Old Saybrook’s scoresheet.
Two days later, Old Saybrook lost to Valley Regional by the final score of 54-41 in Deep River. Valley held an 8-6 edge after the first quarter and then extended its lead to 25-17 by halftime. The Warriors then outscored the Rams in both the third (10-9) and fourth quarters (19-15) on their way to the win. Henderson turned in another strong showing with 24 points and five boards. Cote had nine points with five rebounds, while Brown added five points for Old Saybrook.
The Rams have a rigorous schedule to start their year with four games in one week against some formidable Shoreline Conference foes. Even though his team was unable to win either of its first two games, Head Coach Patrick Quinn feels that Old Saybrook’s players will take these early setbacks in stride and use them as motivation for the rest of the way.
“Old Lyme played a disciplined game defensively, and they are a really tough team. Valley played us tough, as well, but we have a tough stretch of four games in a week to start the season. When I saw we were playing four hard teams in one week, I was happy. I want us to go after it early,” said Coach Quinn. “I’m proud of my kids after the two losses. When we lose like that, it helps us. It pushes us. The kids are positive at practice. I never have to worry about them as far as attitude and body language. Everything is great. Our focus is: Let’s go get the 18 other games.”
Girls’ Basketball
The Rams’ girls’ basketball squad lost its first two games of the year and has a record of 0-2 on the young season. Old Saybrook dropped contests against North Branford and Old Lyme in last week’s action.
On Dec. 11, Old Saybrook hosted North Branford and lost a 34-32 contest versus the Thunderbirds. It was a tightly contested game that featured a few big swings of momentum. The Rams took the early lead by outscoring the Thunderbirds 6-4 in the first quarter. In the second quarter, Old Saybrook went on run to take an 18-6 advantage at halftime. North Branford won the third quarter by a 15-3 margin to knot the score at 21-21 entering the final frame. In the fourth quarter, the T-Birds edged out the Rams 13-11 to emerge with the two-point win.
Two days later, the Rams went on the road to face Old Lyme and lost by the score of 46-36. Senior Mandy Beck scored 12 points for Old Saybrook in the defeat.