Printer Friendly Version - Boys’ Hoops Grabs Two Wins, Girls’ Basketball Crushes a Back-to-Back

Eric Zielinski has been a valuable asset to the Branford boys’ basketball team, recently scoring 13 points in the team’s Morgan Holiday Classic Tournament game vs. Old Saybrook on Dec. 29. Photo by Kenneth Marangell/The Sound

The Branford boys’ basketball team traveled to Morgan on Dec. 29 to play in the Holiday Classic Tournament. The Hornets faced Old Saybrook and won 55-47. Jelani Lamotey led the scoring with 14 points, followed by Eric Zielinski with 13. Several other players contributed to the win, including Malachi Sessions (seven points), Nate Florio (five points), Manny Brown and BJ Holmes (four points each), and Joe DiMassa, Noah Cast, and Jalen Glover, who each recorded two points. Lamotey was additionally named to the All-Tournament team.

Branford then traveled to Amity on Jan. 2 and grabbed a 59-54 win before falling 102-50 at West Haven on Jan. 5.

On Jan. 3, the Hornets hosted East Haven Co-op and took a 5-1 loss. Maxwell Voets scored the lone goal for Branford, and it was assisted by William Miller. Dante DiLegge manned the net in the contest, allowing five goals on 47 saves.

On Jan. 3, the Branford boys’ indoor track team competed in the SCC Boys Developmental Meet II. Enaji Muhammad produced outstanding performances in both the high jump (6’2, third place) and the long jump (19’3, qualified for states). Notable performances also came from Nate McCall in the 300 meters (40.96), Nolan Weted in the 600 meters (1:35.02) and Noah Hauswirth in the 1600 meters (5:11.82).

Other athletes that stood out were Coleman Shanley in the 55 meters (7.32), as well as Rhamil Fairclough, Justyn Velasquez, Nate McCall, and Ryan Andrus, who recorded a relay time of 4:09.78.

“The coaches were encouraged with the efforts of the athletes, and the fact that the majority of the athletes set personal or seasonal bests,” said Head Coach Rich Biondi. “Enaji Muhammad has continued his stellar season by qualifying for states in the long jump, and establishing a winter track personal best in the high jump. Enaji and the other captains, Carter Moore, Sam Harwin, and Sam Coppola, have done an excellent job serving as role models for the younger athletes on the squad.”

The Branford girls’ basketball team hosted Wilbur Cross on Jan. 2 and won 49-23.

The team then played host to Guilford on Jan. 5 and grinded out a 53-44 victory. Shelby Burnham put up 30 points in the contest to lead the way for the Hornets. She was followed by Ally Colburn with eight points, Reanna Sachs with five points, and Jess Radziunas and Kaylee Tracy, with four points each. Raiyn Fries also added two points in the win.

The Hornets had their endurance tested when they were faced with playing games on back-to-back days. They took that challenge with ease, as they defeated Waterford 43-39 on Jan. 6. Burnham scored 23 points in the win, and Radziunas added seven points. Tracy scored six points of her own, and Colburn added four. Sachs topped off the victory with three points.

Branford girls’ indoor track competed at the SCC Girls Developmental Meet II on Jan. 2. In the 55 meters, Joelle Budz took second (7.56), Chayse Gueco claimed ninth place (7.93), and Djamilla Toukour came in at a time of 8.08. Budz also finished in third place in the 300 meters (43.64) and Gloriana Buckley finished in a time of 46.01.

Buckley raced to a third place finish in the 600 meters (1:45.58) and Sarit Guela-Garcia recorded a time of 2:05.69. The 4x400 team, consisting of Budz, Maddie Aguilar, Toukour, and Buckley, finished in third place with a time of 4:32.52. Ella Stone claimed third in the long jump (16’.5”) and performed well in the high jump (4’4”). Avery Clouse (4’8”) took third in the high jump. Ava Allen (23') had a standout performance in the shot put.

“The girls are moving along in a positive way, more state qualifiers, good performances, an excellent way to begin the new year,” said Head Coach Kevin Connell. “Joelle had a tremendous meet, running two excellent races (55 and 300). Glorianna had a busy meet, running well in the 300, 600, and anchoring the 4x400.”