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03/19/2022 12:00 AMThe Guilford girls’ basketball team enjoyed a successful 2022 season that saw the Grizzlies accomplish a lot on the court this winter. After posting 13 wins during the regular season, Guilford advanced to the quarterfinals of both the SCC Tournament and the Class L State Tournament on its way to an overall record of 16-9 for the year.
Everything that the Grizzlies achieved throughout the season was backed by a courageous effort. Guilford was led by Head Coach Bernie Brennan, who concluded his third year at the helm of the program. Coach Brennan was more than satisfied with his squad’s performance and gives plenty of credit to the players who made it happen.
“I think it was an amazing season. The kids played great,” Brennan said. “The SCC is a tough conference, so playing in this conference just makes you better.”
Guilford’s season was shut down for a couple of weeks as a result of COVID protocols during the early goings of the campaign. When the Grizzlies returned to the floor, they took a 49-24 loss to Mercy on Jan. 5. It was a tough spot for Guilford to face one of the strongest teams in the SCC, especially since several players were still sidelined due to the protocols.
“We had a little adversity,” said Brennan. “We came back at the beginning of January, and it felt like we had to start all over again.”
After dealing with those obstacles, the Grizzlies rattled off a six-game win streak in January and were on their way to a solid season. Guilford’s success heavily relied on the contributions of its four seniors, two of whom were a pair of captains holding that role for the second-straight year. Senior captain guards Faith O’Donnell and Miabella Diaz led the charge for the Grizzlies, whose senior class also featured center Laureen Cunneen and guard Rachel Ellison.
“Three of the four seniors led the team in scoring,” Brennan said. “So, the underclassmen will have to step up and replace that.”
O’Donnell and Cunneen both averaged 12 points per game on the season with Cunneen also averaging 8 rebounds a game. O’Donnell earned All-SCC Second Team accolades for her performance. Diaz, the team’s “jack-of-all-trades,” averaged just under 9 points to go along with 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals per game. The efforts of Guilford’s seniors throughout the season elevated the play of the team and established the Grizzlies as a force heading into the playoffs.
Guilford earned one win in the SCC Tournament and then notched two victories in the Class L State Tournament on its way to making the quarterfinals of both brackets. In SCCs, the Grizzlies claimed a 53-39 victory versus Cheshire in the first round before taking a 47-38 loss to Mercy in the quarterfinals. Then in states, Guilford defeated Northwest Catholic (45-29) and Torrington (42-37) in the opening rounds of the draw, after which the Grizzlies dropped a 54-45 decision versus Newington in the quarters.
Guilford put up quite a fight against top-seeded Newington in what was a competitive contest from start to finish. After falling behind 8-0 to start the game, the Grizzlies battled back to take the lead in the second quarter, spurred by O’Donnell hitting three 3-pointers in the first. In the end, Newington was able to come way with the nine-point win, but Coach Brennan felt plenty proud of how his club played in the game and the tournament in general.
“We actually gave them a really good battle,” said Brennan. “The highlight of the season was definitely making it to the Elite Eight in Class L, just to prove we were one of the best teams in the state.”
With the graduation of the team’s four seniors, Coach Brennan is expecting big things from his returning underclass athletes next season. Brennan likes the attitude and energy that those players brought to the court this year. Some of the players who contributed in supporting roles were junior guards Kat Baseggio, Ava Lepro, and Olivia Weekes, all of whom are expected to be leaders for Coach Brennan’s team in 2023.
“There’s definitely promise there with some kids,” Brennan said. “They want to get better. They have good attitudes.”
Freshmen centers Alexa Kukta and Kate Footit also played well in their first season with the program and will be looking to fill the void left by Cunneen’s departure. Freshman guard Keira Reynolds also showed potential during her short stint with the team this year. After missing a good portion of her season, Reynolds returned for the home stretch and turned in some solid performances for Guilford in the playoffs, especially against Newington in states.
“She’s one of the fastest girls I’ve ever seen. She changed the game with her quickness and intensity,” said Brennan of Reynolds. “We expect good things from her going forward.”
Guilford’s roster for the Class L State Tournament also featured sophomores Jordan Fitzgerald, Alexie Gipson, Faith Ferrie, and Gianna Amter, as well as freshman Hailey Murray.
With a bright future ahead for the Grizzlies, Coach Brennan appreciates how this year’s seniors have made their mark on the program in a major way. Along with their contributions on the court, Guilford’s senior captains also organized five car washes last summer that raised money that helped them purchase team sweatsuits, backpacks, and T-shirts. Brennan thanks Diaz and O’Donnell for everything they did to help make the 2022 season a special one for the Grizzlies.
“They both put the team ahead of themselves, and they wanted to make sure everyone had a good experience,” said Brennan. “There were there for the underclassmen like big sisters.”