The Indians’ girls’ hoops’ squad earned another home win by defeating SCC Hammonasset Division foe Hand 49-35 Jan. 15, starting a six-game home stand 3-0 before defeating Hamden Jan. 17 at home as well. Guilford has now won five games in a row and is 8-4 on the year. With the win against Hamden, the Indians have qualified for the Class L State Tournament following a 5-15 campaign a season ago.

Defense continued to be, as Coach Bob Welsh put it, “our calling card” as Guilford held Hand to 15 first half points. We put the game out of reach with a 21 point third quarter outburst led by Presley Altieri's eight points in the quarter. Hand went up early 8-3 and the Indians responded with a 3-2 zone defense that stymied the Tigers. Nikki Basilicato came off the bench to spark the comeback and the Indians’ win. Ali Hart led all scorers with 11 points and played superb defense. Altieri followed with 10 points. Tori Loukakes added nine points and as many rebounds. Carla Puchini scored seven points and hit two free throws to ice the game. Guilford racked up 22 offensive rebounds and forced Hand into 24 turnovers and just 12 field goals.

Guilford knocked down another win with a 52-34 triumph over Hamden. Loukakes led the Indians with 15 points, seven rebounds, and took two charges. Welsh credited Altieri for having a great game running the point; she scored 10 and committed just one turnover for the game. Hart and Puchini held high- scoring Green Dragon Lauren Singleton to just nine points, well below her season average. Katrina Niedziela came off the bench to score nine, including the first five points of the game.

“The girls played an excellent defensive game and we stepped up the scoring in the second half,” added Welsh on the postseason-clinching victory. “It feels great to qualify for states, but our mantra is still, ‘one game at a time.’”