Printer Friendly Version - EH Girls’ Hoops Seasoned and Eyeing Repeat Playoff Trips

Gianna Castellano is one of several seniors returning to the East Haven girls’ basketball team this year after the club won 14 games last season and made both the SCC and Class MM State Tournaments. Photo by Wesley Bunnell/The Courier

Senior forward Juliana Iovino is one of four captains for the Yellowjackets’ girls’ hoops team, which is off to a 4-3 start this far this winter. Photo by Wesley Bunnell/The Courier

The East Haven girls’ basketball squad experienced a late-season surge that catapulted the Yellowjackets into their league and state tournaments last winter. Now, with a veteran-laden club returning to action this year, they are looking to swarm towards even deeper levels of those brackets.

Following a very strong 13-7 regular season portion of the campaign last year that concluded with a three-game winning streak over Lyman Hall, Law, and Branford, the Yellowjackets found themselves on a return trip to the SCC Tournament as the 11th seed. Despite taking a 53-45 loss at No. 6 Sheehan in the opening round on Feb. 16, East Haven’s efforts earned itself the No. 13 seed in the Class MM State Tournament.

After a convincing 15-point decision over Kaynor Tech in the first round, the Yellowjackets ended up bowing out to fellow SCC program and No. 4 seeded Mercy by a 66-32 final on March 2, finishing their 2022-2023 campaign with an overall mark of 14-9.

As the tide turned to this season, East Haven got out to a 2-2 start to begin the campaign. And in that first week of 2024, the Yellowjackets took two of three contests to up their mark to 4-3.

Head Coach Mike Archambault proclaimed that following the Yellowjackets’ duo of postseason spot showings, they are ready to return with largely the same group, with the one alteration of lengthier outings.

“Our goals are to make a run in both the SCC and state tournaments,” said Archambault. “We are a senior heavy team, who expects a successful year.”

A four-person front heads off the Yellowjackets this winter with four senior captains. In the back court are captains Kelsey Murray at shooting guard and Gianna Castellano running the point. For the front court, there lay leaders with Juliana Iovino (fresh off an All-SCC Team nod) and Olivia Martin, who also plays guard.

“Juliana Iovino is our returning Second Team All-SCC player, who leads us in points and rebounds. Olivia Martin is our all-around player and vocal leader of our defense. She is also a positive vocal leader in practice,” said Archambault. “Gianna Castellano is a leader who runs the offense. She has a great work ethic that all the younger players look up to. Kelsey Murray is our offensive shooter, who has taken on a bigger defensive role this year.”

The deep senior class continues on well beyond the captains. Center/forward Makayla Pacheco is emerging as a dominant shot denying force in the paint, plus Aliana Stephens adds depth in the backcourt. Additionally for the upperclassmen, junior forward Brooke Dennis is primed to be a pivotal sixth man-type figure for East Haven.

“Aliana Stephens has great athleticism and ability to attack the rim. She has also been a key defensive player. Makayla Pacheco has an ability to rebound, and as well as a great timing on blocking shots,” Archambault said. “Brooke Dennis gives us a nice offensive boost off the bench.”

East Haven will compete in the SCC Housatonic Division, with rivals Sacred Heart Academy, Sheehan, Shelton, and Lyman Hall. The Yellowjackets will also have crucial conference clashes versus North Haven, Cheshire, and Amity.

Still, regardless of the opponent on the day’s docket for the club, Archambault maintained that a growth mindset will flow from the top with the seniors, and persist on through to the youth.

“I am hoping that my senior leadership will help my underclassmen grow and have an impact on this year,” said Archambault on his squad’s expectations of growth and progress over the course of the campaign.

The East Haven girls’ basketball team roster is comprised of seniors Iovino, Martin, Stephens, Murray, Castellano, Pacheco, Gianalisse Urbaez, Mya Fenn, Mikaela Pacheco; junior Dennis; sophomores of Nadia Ahmed, Araceli Florentino, Chelsea Mingione, Gloria Soto; plus freshmen Libby Madonna, Isabella Inorio, and Jayla Santiago.

Archambault is returning for his third season on the bench as East Haven's head coach. Also in their third campaigns with him are assistant coaches Ed Crisafi and Miranda Gladwin.