Indoor Track

Three athletes from the Branford boys’ indoor track team competed at the State Open Championship on Feb. 18. Enaji Muhammad placed ninth in the high jump, with a score of 5’10. Ryder Kropiwnicki’s fourth place finish in the pole vault (12’6) qualified for All State. Another athlete who made the All State team was Colin Donahoe, who took sixth place in the 600 meters (1:24.36).

“Today was a special day for the track program. All three of the Branford competitiors did well,” said Head Coach Rich Biondi. “Enaji had very sound attempts at 6 feet. He has worked hard in practice and in the weightroom. Just a junior, Enaji is on the cusp of being an elite athlete. I have had the pleasure of coaching Colin and Ryder since middle school. They are two young men that are a dream to coach. Both Colin and Ryder are respectful, eager to learn, they are honors students and they represent the program in a positive light. To watch them perform well on this stage says a great deal about who they are as talented athletes and leaders. They are both going to have stellar outdoor seasons and they will excel in college. They have been a pleasure to be around for eight years.”

Boys’ Ice Hockey

Boys’ ice hockey skated to another victory, posting their fifth in a row in a commanding 8-5 win on Feb. 15 over Guilford. Jack Linder scored in the first period on an assist from Mike Farricielli. Guilford scored two quick back-to-back goals to take the lead, but Matt Morgan scored on a Farricielli assist to even things up at 2-2 with :08 remaining in the first period. Morgan scored again on a Colin Deane assist, and also scored three more goals, while Farricielli added one. The team then faced Farmington Valley at home on Feb. 18, recording a 4-0 shutout win. They are now 12-7 on the season.

Boys’ Basketball

It was a tough week for Hornets boys’ basketball. They continued their five-game slide, posting two home losses against Xavier and Notre Dame. The team hosted Xavier on Feb. 14 in a 87-40 loss. On Feb. 17, Notre Dame came to town for a 97-31 defeat. They are 4-14 for the season.

Girls’ Basketball

Girls’ basketball ended its regular season with a 49-40 loss on the road against East Haven on Feb. 13. They ended the season at 6-14.

Girls’ Ice Hockey

The Hand girls’ ice hockey co-op split the final week of regular season play, recording a win on the road and a loss at home. The team hit the road to face Amity-Cheshire-North Haven on Feb. 15 in a 7-4 victory, and they returned home on Feb. 18 to host Wilton/Norwalk/McMahon in a 7-4 loss. The team ended the regular season 11-7. They entered the SCC playoffs as the fourth-ranked team.

To submit results and box scores for your team, contact sports editor Gabby Hurlbut at g.hurlbut@shorepublishing.com.