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12/18/2023 12:17 PM

Boys’ Basketball Wins Season Opener, Boys’ Ice Hockey Co-op Wins Two Straight


Olivia Cunningham became the first girl to play on the Valley boys’ basketball team in school history, playing 16 minutes and recording one assist and one steal in the Warriors’ 69-55 win over North Branford on Dec. 14. Photo by Wesley Bunnell/The Courier

Boys’ Ice Hockey

The East Haven Co-op boys’ ice hockey team opened the season on Dec. 13 with a home game vs. Farmington Valley. The Yellowjackets won the contest in commanding 8-2 fashion. In the first period, goals for East Haven were scored by John D’Albero (assisted by Lorenzo Defilio) and Mike Savo (assisted by Carter McGlinchey and Landon Cantele). D’Albero scored again in the second period, this time assisted by Griffin McGlinchey.

The Yellowjackets solidified their dominance in the third period, scoring five goals to cap off a strong season opener. Goal scorers in the final frame were Carter McGlinchey (assisted by D’Albero and Preston Cantele), Ryan Bunnell (assisted by Savo), Landon Cantele (assisted by Cameron LaCroix and Mike Ballough), Nick Perillo (assisted by Billy Demetriades) and Carter McGlinchey (assisted by Preston Cantele and Landon Cantele).

Mike Fritz spent some time in goal for East Haven, allowing two goals on 15 saves, and Chris Anderson allowed zero goals while recording one save.

The next contest for the Yellowjackets was on Dec. 16, when the team traveled to E.O. Smith-Tolland and won in 10-2 blowout fashion.

Lorenzo DeFilio got East Haven on the board in the first period, with an assist from Griffin McGlinchey. The Yellowjackets lit it up in the second frame for six goals. These were scored by John D’Albero (assisted by DeFilio), Landon Cantele (assisted by Ryan Bunnell and Mike Savo), DeFilio (assisted by Cameron Lacroix), Cameron Green (assisted by Nick Perillo), D’Albero (unassisted), and DeFilio (assisted by D’Albero and LaCroix).

In the third period, the scoring kept piling on for the co-op squad. Perillo scored an unassisted goal, followed by Josh Salvati (assisted by Benjamin Brown). Rob Testa also added a goal (assisted by Salvati).

In net, Mike Fritz allowed one goal on 16 saves, and Chris Anderson allowed one goal on zero saves.

In addition to East Haven players, the Yellowjackets’ co-op squad features athletes who attend East Hampton, Morgan, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, and Valley Regional high schools.

Boys’ Basketball

Valley boys’ basketball opened the season at home on Dec. 14, when the team hosted North Branford and won 69-55. Olivia Cunningham became the first girl to play on the Valley boys’ basketball team in school history. She played 16 minutes and recorded one assist and one steal. Other standouts in the contest for the Warriors included Noah Dolinsky (five rebounds, five assists, two steals), Rex Grabowski (five rebounds, two steals, two assist), and Jack Driscoll (five rebounds, three assists, one steal). Conor Quinn led the team in scoring with 28 points, and Dolinsky followed with 25 points.

The Warriors then traveled to New Milford on Dec. 16 and lost 52-48. Quinn led the team in scoring with 23 points and was named Player of the Game. Dolinsky also added 10 points, and Driscoll had nine. Grabowski contributed with four points, while Max Nickel had two.