Boys’ Ice Hockey

The North Branford boys’ ice hockey squad stands at 4-3 after posting a pair of road victories and taking a loss at home last week. Brian McKee had the hot hand for North Branford by scoring seven goals between the three games.

On Jan. 9, the Thunderbirds rallied to beat Milford 7-5 behind four goals in the third period. McKee scored four times and added two assists, while Marc Daddio scored twice and Richard Caruso chipped in with one. John Lovelace made 19 saves in net to earn the victory.

On Jan. 12, North Branford defeated Cheshire 6-3, led by another hat trick from McKee. Daddio, Connor Odell, and Sean McKee scored once each, plus Sean McKee and Scott Clinton both recorded a pair of assists. Lovelace stood tall with 20 saves in goal.

The T-Birds finished the week at home on Jan. 14 and lost to Hand 6-3. Sean McKee scored twice and Daddio netted North Branford’s other goal. Brian McKee had two assists and Lovelace made 21 saves.

Boys’ Basketball

North Branford claimed a 54-38 victory over Cromwell on Jan. 10 to improve to 5-3.

Brett Lequire connected on 14 baskets from the floor to put home a game-high 32 points for North Branford. Jake Haeckel pitched in nine points and Gianni Lavorgna contributed seven.

Girls’ Basketball

The Thunderbirds lost to Cromwell by a 49-24 score on Jan. 10.

Stephanie Seymour and Angelina Ramada had six points each for the T-Birds, who dropped to 4-4.

Boys’ Indoor Track

North Branford competed at Shoreline Conference League Meet No. 1 on Jan. 10. Top individual results included Jacob Marshall in the 55 (4th, 6.81); Bryce Sweetapple in the 55 (11th, 7.0); Michael Madoule in the 300 (2nd, 39.76) and 600 (2nd, 1:31.72); Austin Gibilisco in the 300 (11th, 40.86) and 600 (6th, 1:35.72); Parker Nadeau in the 1,600 (13th, 5:27.01); and Nick Ash in the shot put (10th, 32-8). In relays, the 4x800 of Joey DeLucia, Jason Ash, John Pellegrino, and Nadeu finished eighth at 10:23.29; the 4x200 of Marshall, Sweetapple, Aaron Biesaw, and Anthony Sarmento took sixth at 1:43.58; and the 1,600 sprint medley relay (SMR) of DeLucia, Sweetapple, Beisaw, and Noah Taylor placed eighth at 4:44.63.

On Jan. 14, North Branford competed in the Shoreline Conference Coaches Invitational. In order to compete, athletes needed to achieve the Class S state qualifying standard in their respective events. Top individual performances were achieved by Rabuffo in the high jump (5th, 5-6); Madoule in the 600 (6th, 1:31.71); and Marshall in the 55 (17th, 7.02). The SMR of Marshall, Madoule, Nadeau, and Beisaw placed 18th at 4:14.05.

Girls’ Indoor Track

The T-Birds took part in Shoreline Conference League Meet No. 1 on Jan. 10. Grace Little prevailed in both the 55 (7.47) and the 300 (45.79) for North Branford. Winnie Chan took first place in the high jump with a height of 4-10 and she was also fifth in the long jump at 14-6. Other top individuals included Jessica Tang in the 55 hurdles (14th, 10.44); Tatyana Allgood in the 55 (16th, 8.08); Caitlin May in the 1,000 (15th, 3:50.34); Lydia Mattson in the 300 (18th, 50.81); Erika Roof in the 600 (14th, 2:06.31); Joselyn Streeto in the high jump (7th, 4-4); Deanna Sgambato in the pole vault (4th, 6-5); Emily Muzyka in the shot put (3rd, 30-0); and Carly Monge in the shot put (9th, 26-4). For relays, the 4x800 of Jillian Damiani, Sarah Sullivan, Roof, and May took eighth at 11:42.28; the 4x400 of Streeto, Roof, Jordyn Franco, and Mattson finished 10th at 5:10.04; the 4x200 of Jenna Bryden, Little, Sarah Criscuolo, and Mattson placed sixth at 2:00.58; and the SMR of Franco, Tang, May, and Criscuolo finished seventh at 5:19.18.

On Jan. 14, North Branford competed in the Shoreline Conference Coaches Invitational, at which there were more than 40 schools represented. Top individuals for the girls were Muzyka in the shot put (5th, 30-6.5); Little in the 55 (8th, 7.82) and 300 (26th, 47.31); Bryden in the 55 (18th, 7.98) and 300 (12th, 45.73); Streeto in the high jump (11th, 4-6); Chan in the high jump (12th, 4-4) and long jump (19th, 14-4); Monge in the shot put (18th, 26-0); Damiani in the 1600 (6:34.86); and Sgambato in the long jump (11-9). The 4x200 relay team of Bryden, Little, Chan, and Mattson placed 15th at 1:59.32.