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02/03/2019 11:00 PMBoys’ Basketball
The Valley Regional boys’ basketball team scored a pair of blowout wins versus North Branford and Haddam-Killingworth during last week’s action. With these victories, the Warriors improved their record to 11-3 on the season.
On Jan. 29, the Valley hosted North Branford and defeated the Thunderbirds by a 77-42 margin. The Warriors turned in a dominating performance during the second period by scoring 28 points and holding North Branford to just three. Valley established a 42-13 halftime advantage and cruised to the 35-point win. Fourteen players saw the floor for the Warriors in the victory.
Junior Gavin Grabowski scored 16 points to go with three rebounds, five assists, and six steals for Valley. Cade Ensinger had 11 points with seven rebounds, two assists, and five steals, while senior captain Kevin Fasulo added 10 points, three boards, five assists, and three steals. Junior Chris Sparaco netted eight points and grabbed 10 boards on the night.
Three days later, the Warriors headed to Haddam-Killingworth, where they beat the Cougars by a convincing 74-45 final. Valley outscored H-K 22-9 in the second quarter and was up 40-21 by the end of the first half. Grabowski turned in an outstanding effort by pouring in 38 points on a 14-of-23 shooting performance for the Warriors. He also had 10 rebounds, five assists, and five steals. Junior Brian Rankin scored six points and grabbed 10 rebounds, while Sparaco pulled down 10 rebounds to go with five points and six assists. Fasulo had six points with five rebounds, two assists, and five steals. Ensinger posted six points, four rebounds, five assists, and five steals.
Girls’ Basketball
One week after qualifying for postseason play, Valley Regional split a pair of games against North Branford and Haddam-Killingworth last week. The Warriors now have a record of 9-7 on the season.
On Jan. 29, Valley lost a 44-43 contest at North Branford. Two days later, the Warriors hosted Haddam-Killingworth and defeated the Cougars 54-41. Sophomore Addi Marchese scored a career-high 23 points to go with two rebounds, one block, six assists, and one steal in the win. Senior captain Lexie Finnerty put forth a strong effort with 17 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, two steals, and one block. Valley got out to an early 11-6 lead in the first quarter and held a 20-18 advantage at halftime. The Warriors pulled away from H-K by winning the third quarter by a 16-5 differential.
Wrestling
Senior Ben Falivene represented Valley Regional in a match against Cheshire on Jan. 31. Falivene squared off with Michael Cinke of Cheshire and earned a win by pinfall at the 1:51 mark of their 285-pound bout.
Boys’ Ice Hockey
The East Haven-Old Lyme-Old Saybrook-East Hampton-Morgan-Valley Regional boys’ ice hockey team took a 5-4 overtime loss against Hall-Southington at DiLungo Rink on Jan. 31. The Yellowjackets now have a record of 6-7-1 on the season.
East Haven was down 4-1 midway through the second period, but battled back to force overtime, where Hall-Southington won it by scoring with 1:38 to play. Old Lyme junior Alec Speirs, Valley Regional senior Ricky Persico, East Haven sophomore Dave Amatruda, and Morgan sophomore Ryan Egan all scored goals in the loss for the Yellowjackets, who saw East Haven sophomore Chad Feola get an assist.