Boys’ Basketball

The Old Saybrook boys’ basketball squad won both of its games last week to improve to 9-5 overall and punch its ticket into the State Tournament.

The Rams started the week with a 50-37 victory over North Branford on Feb. 1. Connel Henderson led Old Saybrook with 17 points and added four rebounds, while Shane Henderson scored 11 and grabbed nine boards. Jake Tully scored 10 crucial points and added seven rebounds for the Rams. Victor Pascoe was the defensive star of the game while guarding North Branford’s top scorer, Brett Lequire. Pascoe also posted six points and eight rebounds. Senior Ben Molesky came in off the bench to nail a two-point field goal to seal the win.

On Feb. 3, Old Saybrook defeated Hale-Ray 58-34. It was once again a balanced attack for the Rams as Shane Henderson scored 16 points and grabbed five rebounds, Tully scored 13, and Connel Henderson added 12. Tully and Pascoe combined for 16 rebounds for Old Saybrook.

Girls’ Basketball

The Rams won two of three last week to improve their overall record to 10-7 this season. Head Coach Steve Woods said he was happy with his team’s response following a pair of losses the week before.

The week started with a 44-41 loss to North Branford at home on Feb. 1. Old Saybrook was outscored 24-10 in the second half of the defeat. Mandy Beck led the team with 13 points and Marissa Newell added 10. Beck also had 12 deflections and five steals. Kristin King had six points, four rebounds, and four steals for the Rams.

On Feb. 3, the Rams bounced back with a 57-27 win over Hale-Ray. Newell led all scorers with 17 points and added seven steals as Old Saybrook saw nine different players score points in the win. Beck scored 10 and had eight steals, Alyssa Parker finished with eight points, and Riley Roarick added seven. Roarick also added four assists. All 12 players for the Rams got into the action.

The very next night, the Rams edged Valley Regional 38-34. Old Saybrook got out to a good start behind an inspired effort from senior Maggie Smith, who had missed the past six weeks after playing in the first game of the season. Smith had four of the team’s 10 first quarter points and was all over the glass throughout the game. Newell took control of the game as she dropped 20 points, leading the Rams to victory. King and Smith each had six points, while Smith added 12 rebounds.