Boys’ Basketball

The Hand boys’ basketball team played host to Fairfield Prep on Feb. 14 and grabbed a big 78-39 win. Elijah Avery-Turner was the leading scorer with 18 points, followed by Sam Markovitz with 13. Aidan Doyle (12 points) and Kyle Hoffman (11 points) were also in double digits in the win. Many other players contributed to the scoring, including Thomas McCullough (two points), Orion Brueckner (six points), Jonas Markovitz (two points), Tyler Maynard (three points), Ernesto Barrosa (two points), Zeke Williams (two points), Chase Docker (two points), and Tim O’Malley (three points).

On Feb. 16, the team traveled to Jonathan Law and won 72-48 to clinch the SCC Oronoque Division title. Avery-Turner recorded his first career triple double, with 13 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists. Sam Markovitz scored 20 points, Doyle added 12, and Hoffman scored 10.

Fencing

After being snowed out vs. Guilford on Feb. 13, the Hand fencing team held its Senior Night vs. Morgan on Feb. 16. The Tigers honored ten seniors: Kassidy Layton and Sarah Hagan from foil, Jacqui Vyce, Lily Paine, and Anna Ferrucci from the sabre squad, and Norah Stotz, Tess Kayla, Addy Morada, and Hanley Tapia from epee. With so many athletes graduating from the women’s team, the squad is looking forward to many rising freshmen and sophomores to join on the strip next year.

The evening began with the women’s teams up first. Junior Ella O’Malley and Paine earned two wins for the saber squad, with Ferrucci getting the decisive fifth win for a victory over Morgan. The Huskies were led by their senior, Sam Way. The women’s epee team also had a close 5-4 win, with Takyar picking up all three of her bouts, and Stotz and Morada earning a victory each.

The women’s foil team had a much easier time, winning 8-1. Hagan earned two wins for the team, with juniors Shay Ryan and Maeve Wiles earning three wins apiece. Overall, the women earned a combined 18-9 victory on the night.

On the men’s side, the saber squad earned a tough 6-3 win. Freshman Owen Swift and junior Norah Lynch both earned two victories apiece, while juniors Will Butler and Will Cassidy earned the other two wins for the squad. The men’s epee team took a decisive 7-2 win. Tapia and sophomore Robbie Ginsburg both had three wins on the day, with junior Max Stin contributing the final win.

The men’s foil team was the only squad to take a loss on the day, losing a close 4-5 score. Junior Ricky Chamorro led the team with two wins, with junior Will Rode and sophomore Noah Enjalran each earning one victory.

Skiing

The Hand ski team had its last regular season race on Feb. 15. The boys’ team came in fifth overall, with a varsity time of 324.6, and the girls came in first, with a varsity time of 299.81. Individually, Hand girls came in first (Lily Vest), second (Bridget Waters), fourth (Avery Waters), 13th (Margeaux Langille), 22nd (Paige Waters), 23rd (Hadley Howard), 33rd (Mary Baker), and 51st (Millie Gobleck) out of over 100 female competitors. On the boys’ side, top finishers were Jack Barrett in seventh, Bryce Malary in 23rd, and Landon Hendershot in 34th.

Girls’ Basketball

The Hand girls’ basketball team traveled to Foran on Jan. 30 and won 45-39 while winning the WELI News and Talk Radio 960am/96.9fm Game of the Week. Tatum Cash was named the “Coach” George DeMaio Player of the Game, with 17 points. Abbey Richard scored 11 points to go with 11 rebounds, and Juliette Brenza added nine points. Also scoring was Caroline Courtney (two points), and Eliza Jobson (two points). The victory qualified Hand for the CIAC State Tournament.

On Feb. 1, the team traveled to Sheehan and took a tough 57-30 loss. Richard led the Tigers with 11 points and eight rebounds, with Cash adding nine points and 10 rebounds. Rounding out the scoring was Brenza (five points), Katie Butler (three points), and Courtney (two points).

The Tigers hosted Norwich Free Academy on Feb. 3 and fell 51-44. Brenza led the Tigers with 10 points, with Cash adding nine points and nine rebounds. Additional scoring came from Ava Davies (seven points), Richard (six points), Courtney three points), Jobson (three points), and Ella Bodner (two points).

Hand then defeated Branford on the road on Feb. 6 by a score of 40-39 in a defensive battle. Cash led the Tigers with 10 points, while Richard recorded nine points, nine rebounds, and three blocks. Contributors to scoring included Brenza (eight points), Bodner (five points), Courtney (four points), Jobson (two points), and Davies (two points).

On Feb. 9, the girls played host to Hillhouse and won 52-44. Cash led the Tigers with 17 points and seven rebounds, with Richard adding 16 points. Jobson (nine points) also contributed to the scoring. Other players that put points on the board were Brenza (seven points), and Courtney (three points). Davies collected eight rebounds.

The Tigers concluded their regular season with a matchup against the state’s top ranked team on Feb. 12, losing to Hamden 51-35. Richard led Hand with 13 points and nine rebounds, and Davies scored seven points to go along with four assists. Adding to the scoring was Courtney (six points), Cash (four points), Jobson (three points), and Bodner (two points). Hand concluded its regular season with an overall record of 8-12.