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03/28/2022 12:00 AMThe Branford girls’ basketball team entered the 2022 season featuring a roster rife with inexperience. However, what the Hornets might have lacked in varsity playing time, they made up for with heart, helping them improve from two wins last year to 10 victories this season, including one win in the Class MM State Tournament.
This year marked Aly Medeiros’s first season as head coach of the Hornets. Medeiros inherited a roster with a large sophomore class and just one senior in captain Nina Shamas. Branford’s lone freshman was Shelby Burnham, who wound up being named to the All-SCC Second Team in her first year on the squad.
As Branford entered the season, Burnham and the Hornets wanted to improve their communication, and they got better in that regard with each passing game.
“Some of the goals heading into the season were being a team and not a one-person show. Communicating was something we went into the season weak, with but came out strong with,” Burnham said. “We grew as a team tremendously throughout the season, and I can’t wait for next season with everyone.”
Branford posted a record of 9-11 for the regular season. In their first game of the year, the Hornets defeated the Sport & Medical Sciences Academy by a 53-14 score. Burnham called it a big win for Branford that gave everyone on the team a confidence boost.
Branford finished the regular season strong by winning its last three games, qualifying for the Class MM State Tournament along the way. Prior to competing in states, Branford faced Mercy in the first round of the SCC Tournament and took a 61-32 defeat to the Tigers.
Branford then entered the Class MM State Tournament as the No. 25 seed. While the Hornets were excited to make the tournament, Burnham knew they had to keep their emotions in check and couldn’t overreact to the moment.
“It was certainly exciting, but at the same time, we needed to keep it down,” said Burnham. “We knew if we were overly excited and went into states saying we were going to win, we would have lost by being overconfident.”
The Hornets took on No. 8 seed Weaver on the road in the first round of the state draw. Branford got out to a hot start, holding a 13-6 after the first quarter and 23-9 advantage at halftime. After Weaver won the third quarter 10-5, Branford outscored the Beavers 11-10 in the fourth to claim a 39-28 victory.
Burnham was Branford’s leading scorer with 16 points in the win. Junior captain Lauren Kendrick had 11 points in the game. Sophomore Lyra Clifford scored 4 points, and fellow sophomore Reanna Sachs had 3 points for the Hornets.
Branford went on to take a 54-27 loss against No. 9 Berlin in the second round of the tournament. The Hornets finished their season with an overall record of 10-13.
Shamas was the only senior on Branford’s roster this season. While she had basketball experience, Shamas didn’t play high school hoops until her senior year. However, Shamas had served as a captain of the Branford field hockey team and felt that she could bring leadership to the court.
Shamas provided that leadership as a captain alongside Kendrick this winter. Shamas knew that she was joining a young club, but was proud to see the Hornets play hard every game and make great growth through the course of the campaign.
“This team was unlike any other team we played this past season. We were young and inexperienced. But we had a lot of grit and determination to go and play our hearts out,” Shamas said. “I am so proud to have been a part of this amazing group of girls this past season. I can’t wait to see what greatness they achieve next season.”
Burnham has three more years to help Branford experience postseason success. As she looks to keep building the program with her teammates, Burnham wants the future generation of Hornets to realize how playing basketball for Branford can help you become both a better athlete and a better person.
“This is a great experience,” said Burnham. “The coaches care about you and want to make you better. You need to be the best you can be and go to your fullest potential to make yourself known.”
The Branford girls’ basketball team’s roster for the Class M State Tournament featured senior captain Nina Shamas; junior captain Lauren Kendrick; juniors Emma Allen and Alexa Markelon; sophomores Stella DiMassa, Ally Colburn, Kaylee Tracy, Lyra Clifford, Reanna Sachs, and Madigan Lawler; and freshman Shelby Burnham.