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03/09/2020 12:00 AMAfter losing to Hamden in the SCC final, the East Haven girls’ basketball team had six days to get ready to play in the Class MM State Tournament. The Yellowjackets used that time to reset and regroup and have now found themselves advancing to the quarterfinal round.
The 11th-seeded Yellowjackets hosted No. 22 seed Capital Prep for a first-round game on March 3. East Haven held a comfortable lead throughout the contest, taking an 18-point advantage into the fourth quarter and eventually winning by the score of 49-37.
Three days later, the Yellowjackets were on the road to play No. 6 East Catholic in the second round of states. East Haven faced a 31-18 deficit at halftime, but fought back and cut the gap to just seven entering the fourth quarter. The Yellowjackets kept battling and outscored East Catholic 17-10 during the final period to come away with a 55-50 victory. The Easties are playing Sheehan in the Class MM quarterfinals this week.
“We knew this was a different tournament; the stakes were higher. If we lost, the season was over,” Head Coach Anthony Russell said. “We let the girls know that that shouldn’t spark anxiety or fear—it should make you want to get out there and play better. It’s all on the line.”
For seniors Alexis Pendziwater and Bella Ragani, each game in states could potentially be their last with East Haven. Both athletes were starters on the 2017 team that claimed a state title, and they’ve used that experience to help the Yellowjackets navigate through the first two rounds of this year’s tournament.
“They know the stakes are high. They understand the type of play that has to happen,” said Russell. “They have stepped up all four years, so it’s not anything they aren’t used to. They’re ready. They’ve been battled-tested for four years, and they understand the gravity of each game. I think everyone is kind of feeding off of their energy.”
Coach Russell has also been impressed with the play of juniors Taylor Salato and Erin Curran this season. Salato and Curran have started throughout the year and proved key components to East Haven’s success.
“They’re really talented basketball players, and our whole message to them this year has been, ‘You don’t even know how really good you are,’” Coach Russell said. “They’re starting to believe it. It’s translating to their performances out on the floor.”
Coach Russell is quick to point out junior Angelina Munoz’s ability to do a little bit of everything on the court. Meanwhile, sophomore Kate Pycela has been providing the Yellowjackets with strong defense and energy off the bench. Russell also commends sophomores Tanner Punzo and Teresa Vitello for giving the team some valuable minutes in big spots.
East Haven used a dominating effort to defeat Capital Prep in its state tourney opener. However, in the second round, the Easties had to rally for the win in a game that came down to the final minutes.
After East Haven trailed by as much as 18 points in the first half, Coach Russell made a crucial defensive adjustment to start the third quarter, implementing a three-quarter trap defense. By applying that extra pressure, the Yellowjackets were able to rattle East Catholic, while also boosting their own game. East Haven ultimately outscored the Eagles 37-19 in the second half to secure the victory.
“We’re the type of team where, if we aren’t hitting shots, we need something to generate some energy,” Coach Russell said. “The kids knew that we had to just keep chipping away.”
By defeating East Catholic, the Yellowjackets advanced to face No. 3 seed Sheehan in the Class MM quarterfinals this week. East Haven and the Titans will square off at Sheehan High School at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 12. With a victory, the Yellowjackets will play the winner of No. 10 seed Sacred Heart and No. 10 Hillhouse in the semifinals on Monday, March 16. The Class MM state final is being played at Mohegan Sun Arena on either Saturday, March 21 or Sunday, March 22.
With two wins under their belt, the Easties are looking to continue their momentum and go as far as they can in states. While the focus is on Sheehan, Coach Russell and the Yellowjackets realize how much it would mean to play in the Class MM state championship game.
“Everybody knows it’s out there, what the ultimate goal is. But at the same time, you have to dial them back and make them realize that you don’t know what’s going to happen on the other side of the bracket,” Russell said. “There are so many question marks. The only real thing you know is the opponent in front of you. As we enjoy the process and really embrace the process and embrace playing every team, I think in the end we’ll be OK.”