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12/26/2021 11:00 PMThere some significant achievements in the Branford sports world during 2021. The Hornets’ boys’ basketball team had solid season in the winter, and the Branford girls’ tennis squad went on a nice run during the spring. Then in the fall, the Hornets’ football squad put together a stellar season that featured a playoff berth. Here’s a recap of the biggest moments from Branford sports from the past year.
Winter
The 2020-’21 winter season was an abbreviated one that featured no state tournaments or state championship meets. Instead, conference competitions served as the culmination of the season. There were no wrestling, cheerleading, or dance seasons held, and indoor track teams competed on a limited basis, if at all. Several teams around the state missed portions of their seasons after going into quarantine due to exposure to COVID-19.
The Branford boys’ basketball team enjoyed a successful season on the court this winter. Head Coach Chris Burnham’s club posted an overall record of 8-6 and made it to the semifinals of the SCC Division II Tournament.
After going 7-5 in the regular season, Branford started off the SCC Division II Tournament by claiming a 53-46 win versus Guilford in the quarterfinal round. Branford went on to take a 32-26 defeat versus Lyman Hall in the semifinals.
Tucker Jacobson and Jackson Van Gelder served as the Hornets’ senior captains. Fellow senior Justin Elpi made the All-SCC East Division Team, as did freshman Jake Palluzzi.
The Branford girls’ basketball squad finished with a record of 2-10 for the winter season. The Hornets competed in the SCC Division II Tournament, where they took a 40-28 loss versus Guilford in the first round.
Branford was led by senior captains Gabby Lucertini and Francesca Valletta. Freshman Lauren Thompson earned All-SCC East Division honors for the Hornets.
The Branford boys’ ice hockey squad posted a record of 2-5 this year. Branford had to spend a few weeks in quarantine during the season. When the Hornets returned to the ice, they saw their season come to a close with a 5-4 loss against Lyman Hall in the quarterfinals of the SCC/SWC Division II Tournament.
Branford’s senior captains were goalkeeper Jared Yakimoff, Declan Ross, and Sawyer Moriarty. Senior defender Billy Linder earned All-SCC Division II Second Team accolades on behalf of Head Coach Jim DiNapoli’s squad.
Spring
Following the cancellation of the 2020 season, spring sports came back to play in Connecticut this year. Teams played full seasons, and state tournaments were completed for the first time since the fall of 2019.
The Branford girls’ tennis team put together a stellar season during the spring of 2021. Head Coach Jim Cole’s club posted 12 victories while qualifying for SCC and states, advancing to the championship of the SCC Division II Tournament.
Branford went 11-4 in the regular season. The Hornets went on to notch a 4-3 win over Sheehan in the SCC Division II semifinals before taking a 6-1 loss to Jonathan Law in the title match. Following SCCs, Branford lost to Guilford by a 6-1 score in the first round of the Class L State Tournament.
The Hornets’ senior captains were Shae Lepre and Hanna Bloomquist. Lepre earned All-SCC Division II First Team honors for her performance at No. 1 singles. Sophomore Leila Omeragic was an All-SCC Division II First Team honoree after going undefeated at No. 2 singles during the regular season.
The Branford boys’ golf team enjoyed plenty of success on the greens this spring. The Hornets notched 12 wins and then competed at both the SCC and state meets.
Branford posted a record of 12-2 for a regular season that saw Head Coach Jen Kohut’s club rattle off a 10-match win streak. The Hornets went on to participate in the SCC Championship and finished in ninth place at the meet. After that, Branford finished in 11th place at the Division II State Championship.
Senior Billy Linder, senior Finn Thompson, junior Justin Acquarulo, sophomore Keegan LaLonde, and sophomore Colin Deane competed for the Hornets in their postseason meets. Branford’s senior captains were Luke Albinger, Anna Dendas, and Sean McCarthy.
The Branford-East Haven (Bfd-EH) co-op boys’ lacrosse squad finished with a record of 6-10 and qualified for the Class L State Tournament this spring.
Bfd-EH went 6-9 during the regular season, making states with a 13-0 win versus Wilbur Cross in its finale. The Hornets went on to compete in the Class L State Tournament and took a 7-6 loss to Newington in the qualifying round.
Nick Chieffo, Luke Volpe, Markus Indeck, and Connor Erickson served as the senior captains for Head Coach Jim May’s team. Junior Cam Paleski garnered All-SCC Second team accolades.
The Branford girls’ lacrosse squad posted a mark of 5-10 in its first season with Head Coach Billy Alessi. Senior Jocelyn Smestad earned All-SCC Division I First Team honors for the Hornets. Juniors Isla Lionetti and Julia McHenry both made the All-SCC Second Team.
The Branford softball team finished with a record of 7-11 in the 2021 campaign. The Hornets were led by senior captains Sophia Esposito, Kaitlyn Dugan, and Lily Hitchcock. Junior Marzia Johnson was an All-SCC First Team selection for Branford, while Dugan and fellow seniors Isabella Michaud each made the All-SCC Second Team.
The Branford boys’ tennis team finished with a record of 4-12 in its first year with Head Coach Paul Gagliardi. Junior Josh Berdon earned All-SCC Division I honors on behalf of the Hornets.
The Branford baseball team had a record of 3-15 in the spring season. Senior Collin McNeil earned All-SCC First Team honors for the Hornets. Fellow senior Dan Farricielli was an All-SCC Second Team honoree.
The Branford boys’ outdoor track squad came in sixth place at the SCC West Sectional Championship, finished 10th in the SCC Championship, and took 14th place for the Class MM State Championship this spring.
Senior Mekhi Barnette won the high jump and placed second in the triple jump for Branford at sectionals, after which he finished second in both events at SCCs. Barnette went on to deliver a third-place finish in the triple jump and a fourth-place performance in the long jump at the Class MM meet, qualifying for the State Open in both events.
The senior captains for the Hornets were Barnette, Noah Brown, Julio Tozetto, and Ryan Hanniford.
The Branford girls’ outdoor track team finished in eighth place at the SCC West Sectional Championship, 16th place at the SCC Championship, and 10th place in the Class MM State Championship this year.
Freshman Tess Wasiolek finished second in the 1,600 and the 3,200 for the Hornets at the state meet, qualifying for the State Open in the 1,600. Wasiolek also placed second in the 800 at the sectional meet, where freshman Joelle Budz took third place in both the 100 and the 200.
Branford’s senior captains were Jennifer Hincapie, Ashley Duong, Steph Toste, Noor Issa, and Alisa Gueco.
Summer
After the 2020 campaign was canceled, the Branford American Legion baseball program fielded teams at the Senior, Junior, and Prep levels this summer. The Post 83 Prep Legion team wound up having the best season by winning 14 games and making the state quarterfinals.
The Branford Senior Legion 19-U baseball team finished its campaign with an overall record of 8-16, including a mark of 5-15 in Zone 2 action. Post 83’s head coach was Kyle Heins.
Branford’s Junior Legion 17-U team posted a record of 10-11 in Zone 2 competition and qualified for the State Tournament this year. Post 83 took an 8-1 defeat against Newington in the first round of states. Michael Krause completed another season as Post 83’s skipper.
The Branford Prep Legion 15-U baseball team qualified for its State Tournament on its way to an overall record of 14-9. Head Coach Billy Mitchell’s club went 13-8 in the Zone D standings during the regular season. Branford then notched a 13-2 victory versus Ellington in the first round of states before taking a 7-0 quarterfinal loss to West Hartford to finish at 14-9 overall.
Fall
After no state competitions were held last fall, the 2021 fall season was played in full this year. Football teams also returned to the field to play a season for the first time in two years.
After missing out on the 2020 season, the Branford football team returned to the field and put forth an exceptional performance this fall. The Hornets posted an overall record of 9-3 while qualifying for the Class M State Playoffs, where they won their quarterfinal game to advance to the semifinal round.
Branford went 8-2 during the regular season, earning wins versus Foran (13-0), Notre Dame-West Haven (15-12), Bethel (35-7), Lyman Hall (34-0), Brookfield (41-21), Avon (21-0), Jonathan Law (35-28), and East Haven (33-0) to make the playoffs for the first time since 2005. Head Coach John Limone’s squad started off play in the Class M bracket by claiming a 7-6 victory at Avon in a quarterfinal matchup. Branford went on to take a 13-12 defeat versus Killingly in the semifinals.
Branford was led by senior captains Nate Mathis, David McDonald, and Cam Paleski. Mathis (offensive tackle), McDonald (defensive line), and Paleski (linebacker) earned All-SCC Tier 3 honors for the Hornets. Senior John Frawley (defensive back), junior Nate Chieffo (running back), and sophomore Nate Florio (defensive back) also made the All-SCC Tier 3 Team. Coach Limone was selected as the SCC Tier 3 Coach of the Year.
The Branford girls’ soccer team netted a record of 12-5-3 on its way to reaching the quarterfinals of the Class L State Tournament this year.
Branford finished with a mark of 10-4-3 for the regular season. The Hornets then competed in the SCC Tournament and took a 1-0 loss to Mercy in the quarterfinals.
The Hornets went on to win their first two games in states to advance to the quarterfinal round. Branford earned a 1-0 win over Woodstock Academy and a 1-0 victory versus Pomperaug to make it to the quarters, where they took a 2-1 loss against St. Joseph.
Branford was led by senior captains Kendall Infantino and Macey Girard. Infantino made the All-SCC First Team, while Girard was an All-SCC Second Team honoree for her performance as the Hornets’ goalkeeper. Junior Ava Ferrie made the All-SCC First Team, and sophomore Tess Ferrie garnered All-SCC Second Team honors on behalf of Head Coach Jen Kohut’s squad.
The Branford girls’ volleyball team enjoyed a solid first season with Head Coach Mike Martone. The Hornets claimed 16 victories, including one apiece in both SCCs and states, during the 2021 fall campaign.
After going 14-5 in the regular season, Branford claimed a 3-0 victory over Lauralton Hall in the first round of the SCC Tournament. The Hornets went on to take a 3-0 loss to Hand in the quarterfinals.
Branford opened up the Class M State Tournament by claiming a 3-2 win versus Waterford in a first-round contest. In the second round, the Hornets took a 3-0 defeat versus Haddam-Killingworth.
Branford’s senior captains were Molly Martone, Marzia Johnson, and Peyton Giordano. Johnson and junior Allie Bietz both made the All-SCC First Team.
The Branford field hockey team finished with an overall record of 12-6-0-1 on its way to making the SCC Tournament and the Class M State Tournament.
The Hornets earned a 1-0 win over Hand in the SCC quarterfinals before taking a 4-1 loss to Guilford in the semis. Branford faced Hand again in the first round of the Class M State Tournament and lost the game by a 3-0 score.
Branford’s senior captains were Lenora Longway, Julia McHenry, and goalkeeper Nina Shamas. Longway made the All-SCC First Team and the All-State First Team on behalf of the Hornets. McHenry earned All-SCC Second Team honors. Fellow senior Catalina Brown was presented with the Lauren E. Hayes Most Improved Player of the Year Award.
Junior Scout Engstrom made the All-SCC First Team for Branford. Junior Lauren Kendrick garnered All-SCC Second Team accolades. Fellow junior Aryana Wilson was also an All-SCC Second Team honoree. Head Coach Frye was named the SCC Coach of the Year.
The Branford boys’ cross country team tallied a record of 8-1 this year. The Hornets went on to take 2nd place at the SCC Oronoque Division Championship, 10th place at the SCC Championship, and 9th place in the Class M State Championship.
Senior Wes Raymond finished in eighth place for Branford at the Class M meet. Raymond had previously finished third at the Oronoque Division Championship, where fellow senior Peyton Moriarty came in fourth place.
The Branford girls’ cross country squad finished with a record of 2-7. The Hornets also competed in the SCC Oronoque Division Championship, the SCC Championship, and the Class M State Championship, taking 16th place at the state meet.
Junior Hannah Jackson turned in Branford’s top postseason performance by taking fourth place at the Oronoque Division Championship.
The Branford boys’ soccer team finished with a record of 4-10-2 for the fall season. Senior Dimitrios Gionteris earned All-SCC First Team accolades for the Hornets. Fellow senior Sebastian Verdesoto was an All-SCC Second Team honoree.
The Branford girls’ swimming and diving team came in 15th place at the SCC Championship and then finished in a tie for 18th place at the Class S State Championship. Senior Erika Barone finished sixth in the 100 backstroke for the Hornets at the state meet.