Boys’ Basketball

North Branford boys’ basketball traveled to Morgan on Jan. 2 and fell 86-38. Jack O’Brien was the leading scorer for the Thunderbirds, with 13 points. Other contributors in the contest were Vic Castillo (four points), CJ Cameron (three points), Archie Yu (two points), Jason Cosgrove (three points), Jake Johns (two points), Braden Burns (five points), Jack Monde (two points), Charlie O’Brien (three points), and Aiden Fortier (one point).

Next, North Branford hosted East Hampton on Jan. 5 and fell 60-54.

Boys’ Ice Hockey

On Dec. 23, North Branford boys’ ice hockey traveled to Watertown-Pomperaug and lost 4-2. Goal scorers for the T-Birds were Chris Maisano (assisted by Michael Matteo and Jack Maley) and Jake Pederson (assisted by Connor Stoner).

Then, on Dec. 27, the team hit the road to Hamden and took another 4-2 defeat. Maisano scored an unassisted goal for North Branford, and TJ Connelly found the net late in the game for an unassisted score. Senior goaltender Austin Fruin recorded 16 saves in the contest.

The team hosted the Eastern CT Eagles on Dec. 30, recording a strong 6-5 win. Scoring goals for the Thunderbirds in this matchup were Stoner (unassisted), Nickie Ryszcyck (assisted by Colin Augur), and freshman Max Becker, who scored his first career goal in the second period.

The third period saw a lot of scoring action, as Maley took one to the net (assisted by CJ Sherwood). Maisano then added a goal, which was assisted by Maley, before Becker scored the game-winning goal with 1:24 left in the contest.

On Jan. 3, North Branford traveled to North Haven and won 3-1 over the reigning Division II state champions. Goals for the Thunderbirds were scored by Ryszcyck (after Matteo won a faceoff), Sherwood (assisted by Maley), and Augur (assisted by Connelly). Fruin also came up big in net in the victory.

“I was impressed with our determination and grit to win this battle,” said Head Coach Ralph Shaw. “These guys played so hard for one another, I am so proud of them.”