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01/12/2019 11:00 PMGirls’ Basketball
The Hand girls’ basketball team improved to 6-4 overall and 2-0 in the SCC Housatonic Division after winning two of its three games last week. The Tigers beat Cheshire, lost to East Haven, and then earned a victory versus previously undefeated Foran in last week’s action.
Hand knocked off Cheshire by the final score of 61-52 on Jan. 7. Sara Wohlgemuth had a huge game by posting 16 points, 14 rebounds, seven assists, and three steals for the Tigers. Summer Adams contributed 14 points, nine boards, and six steals in the win. Brooke Salutari chipped in with 13 points, including a 3-of-3 performance from long range, to go along with seven rebounds.
Hand trailed 7-0 early in the first quarter, but the Tigers found their shooting touch, and ended the quarter on a 9-2 run to tie things up. Hand increased its lead in the second quarter, but a late turnover and a buzzer-beating three from Cheshire had the Rams down just four at the half. However, Hand made adjustments at halftime and came out on fire in the third quarter, outscoring the Rams 24-11 to take a 17-point lead into the final frame. Cheshire didn’t go away quietly, but the lead was too much to overcome, as Hand finished with the nine-point win.
The Tigers lost a 58-53 decision against East Haven two days later. Wohlgemuth led the Tigers with 18 points and seven rebounds. Anna Beccia posted a career high 12-points to go along with five rebounds in the game.
East Haven jumped out a quick 11-2 lead behind a trio of 3-pointers, but Hand worked its way back into the game, getting within two at the end of the first. A pair of threes from Taya Akers pushed Hand to a 23-17 lead midway through the second quartet. However, East Haven would regroup as two quick threes from Mackenzie Helms tied the game, after which the Yellowjackets reclaimed the lead for good. Up four at the break, East Haven extended its lead to nine heading into the final period. Down by as many as 13 points late in the fourth, Hand was able to get within six with just less than two minutes to go. However, East Haven made its free throws down the stretch to ice the 59-53 victory.
Hand finished the week with a 45-34 victory over Foran on Jan. 12, marking the Lions’ first loss of the year. Wohlgemuth scored a game-high 23 points, including four 3-pointers, in the win.
Foran jumped out to a 9-2 lead, but Hand settled in with an 11-0 run, eventually taking a 17-11 lead after one. Foran came back with a 7-0 run to go up 18-17 with just a couple minutes left in the half. Hand responded with a 6-0 run that included Julia Kuhn’s buzzer-beating layup to take a 23-18 lead into the locker room. The Lions and Tigers traded baskets through the third quarter, but this time it was Foran that beat the buzzer with a bank shot from the wing to bring the Lions within four heading into the final frame. A pair of free throws to start the fourth quarter turned out to be the last points that Foran would score in the game, as Hand closed the night on a 9-0 run to seal the divisional win.
Boys’ Basketball
Hand stands at 4-5 overall and 0-1 in the SCC Hammonasset Division after winning one of its three games last week.
The Tigers edged out Lyman Hall by a 39-38 margin in a low-scoring affair on Jan. 7. Ethan Haberman hit a free throw with no time left on the clock to give Hand the victory. Pierson Chapman scored 11 points on the night for the Tigers.
Hand then took a 55-41 defeat versus Law on Jan. 9. Three days later, the Tigers dropped a 73-29 contest against divisional foe Hillhouse.
Boys’ Ice Hockey
The Tigers improved to 8-1-1 this year after picking up three more victories last week.
Hand bested the Eastern CT Eagles by a 4-2 score on Jan. 9. Three days later, the Tigers notched a 4-1 win over North Branford. On Jan. 14, Hand hosted non-conference opponent Trinity Catholic at Northford Ice Pavilion and earned a 5-1 win to qualify for the Division III State Tournament.
Girls’ Ice Hockey
Hand-Coginchaug-Old Lyme picked up win its first win of the season last week and now has a record of 1-7.
The Tigers took a 7-1 defeat against Hamden on Jan. 9. The following day, Hand scored its first win of the year by earning a 9-1 victory versus Masuk-Barlow-Newtown-Lauralton Hall. On Jan. 12, the Tigers lost a 5-2 final against Guilford.
Wrestling
The Tigers improved to 10-3 after posting a convincing win over Morgan last week and then hosting a duals meet.
Hand defeated Morgan by a 72-12 final on Jan. 9. The Tigers received a victory from Sam Stein in 106-pound weight class via pin at the 5:11 mark; along with Zachary Morro (113, pin at 1:06), Kyle Davern (120, pin at 1:22), Harrison Toone (126, pin at 0:56), Blake McGee (145, via forfeit), Sam Williams (152, forfeit), Carter Ganino (160, pin at 1:56), Seamus Moriarty (170, forfeit), Ian Hurley (182, pin at 2:12), Alec Dube (195, pin at 1:23), Sam Docker (220, forfeit), and Matt Derken (285, forfeit).
On Jan. 13, the Tigers hosted the Hand Duals. Hand earned wins versus Maloney (51-24), Wilton (72-9), and Bristol Central (54-16) at the meet, while also taking a 36-31 loss against East Haven.
Gymnastics
The Tigers moved to 0-4 on the year after taking a few defeats last week.
Hand hosted Stonington on Jan. 8 and lost by the score of 133.05-126.7. Grace Rogers finished as the runner-up for the all-around with a score of 34.25, while Paige Dean came in third place by scoring a 33.4 for the Tigers. Rogers took second place on vault (8.55) and finished first on bars (8.85), while Dean placed third (8.45) in the event. Rogers also finished tied for second on the beam (8.35). Dean finished second for the floor (8.55), and Rogers took third (8.5). Riley Caruso finished with a total of 26.8 for the all-around, led by a 7.85 on floor and an 7.45 on beam. Alara Nahar scored a 7.5 on the beam for Hand.
The Tigers then scored 118.7 points in a meet on Jan. 11, losing decisions against Fairfield Ludlowe (131.7) and Fairfield Warde (125.3). Hand’s competitors at the meet included Rogers (33.7 all-around, 8.8 on floor, 8.7 on beam), Dean (31.9 all-around, 8.3 on floor, 8.0 on beam), Grace Segnere (25.0 all-around, 7.7 on vault, 7.3 on beam), and Nahar (7.9 on vault). Ally Gabrynowicz also made her high school gymnastics debut by competing vault and bars.