With only one starter from last year returning to the fold, the possibility existed for the Branford boys’ basketball team to undergo a rebuilding season this winter. Instead, Head Coach Jake Palluzzi’s squad proved why competing in the playoffs is practically a rite of passage for the Hornets, who won 11 games and once again played their way into both the SCC and Class L brackets. Although his team lost its first game in both tourneys, Coach Palluzzi was proud of his athletes for growing up throughout the season and showing up with a great effort on the court each night.

“We got the most out of the kids who played for us this year. They worked really hard and we made both tournaments, which was a goal before the season,” said Palluzzi, whose team finished 11-11 after losing to Hamden and Bassick in SCCs and states, respectively. “It’s tough to make both tourneys with our level of competition, but it’s a credit to our kids and how well they played as a team to get 11 wins this year, which was one more than last year.”

Palluzzi said one of the main reasons his team saw success was because Branford’s roster was loaded with players who accepted any role that was asked of them. This translated to a concrete camaraderie amongst the Hornets, who proved they could hang in there with some of the SCC’s better teams. On Feb. 17, Branford took down one of those teams by posting a 48-42 victory versus Cross, a 13-win squad that reached the quarterfinals of the Class L Tournament. The win helped the Hornets go 4-4 in SCC Oronoque play as they also beat North Haven twice and East Haven once.

“We hadn’t beaten Cross in nine years and we beat them at all three levels [varsity, JV, freshman] this season,” Palluzzi said. “We also led Career [another Oronoque foe] at their place at halftime and played them tough in both games. These are coveted programs in New Haven who’ve been among the best in the state for years.”

Joe Carbone netted 10 of his 22 points in the fourth quarter of the Cross victory, nailing a trio of free throws that gave Branford the lead for good in the final minute. Fellow senior captain Colin Tracy scored five points and grabbed 10 rebounds that night. Carbone, a shooting guard; and Tracy, who played center; proved two excellent leaders for Palluzzi and company with Carbone serving as the vocal leader and Tracy doing the dirty work down low. Carbone won the team’s Most Points Scored Award with his 239 for an average of 10.9 a night. He also claimed the Tom Murray Award for the most three-pointers by swishing 40 from beyond the arc, as well as the Jim MacVeigh Award for most steals (29). On top of that, Carbone gained selection to the All-Oronoque First Team. Meanwhile, Tracy was presented with the Bob Ellis Award as the Hornets’ top rebounder (194), in addition to the Joe Farina Award for taking the most charges with six.

“Joe had a good year and stepped up and took the role as a leader, our top scorer, and a three-point threat that opened up the floor for everyone else. His best game was against Cross and established that he was the leader of the team. It also probably solidified him for All-Oronoque,” said Palluzzi. “Colin was our nuts and bolts, our toughness who brought it every day and who worked after practice to get better. He was an enforcer who often played guys bigger than him, but he was always up for the task. He’s a three-sport captain [football, basketball, outdoor track] and an outstanding individual who was critical to our success.”

Carbone and Tracy additionally received the Senior Award, as did fellow seniors Geoffrey Yasevac (guard/forward) and Gerald DeLise (forward), both whom Palluzzi complimented for their efforts throughout the campaign.

In terms of underclass athletes, the Hornets saw three come away with some postseason hardware. Point guard Richard Jacobson won the Stan Petela Award for most assists (110), the Ray Orsene Award for his desire and dedication, along with the Gerry Crotty Award for the team’s top free throw percentage at 84.6. Small forward Kory King was the lone returning starter and he earned the John E. Knecht, Jr. Award for his exemplary sportsmanship. Sophomore small forward Jake Sullivan had one of his top showings by scoring 26 in the state game versus Bassick and was ultimately handed the Joe Chandler, Jr., Award for being the Hornets’ most improved player.

“Richard ran the team as our point guard and was a blessing to have, especially being a first-year player. He’s a throwback and nobody works harder on his game,” Palluzzi said. “King is more of a guard who played forward and did a good job of rebounding, making threes, and taking it to the basket. He works tirelessly to get better and did everything we needed him to do to be successful. Jake also worked really hard to develop and showed a little bit of what he will be at the end of the year against Bassick. He was probably our best shooter, percentage wise, and can become one of the most potent scorers in the league next year.”

Junior power forwards Brad Valalik and also saw some varsity action this season.

Palluzzi additionally dished out the Jack Corning Service Award to junior student Joseph Reilly, who helped out by with things like handling the scorebook and videotaping duties.

Coach Palluzzi was in season No. 27 as Branford’s head coach. He was joined on the staff by JV coach Rusty Gordon and freshman coach Tom Webster, as well as volunteers Pete Hawley and Dylan Palluzzi.