Girls’ Basketball

The Branford girls’ basketball team opened the week on Jan. 9, traveling to Daniel Hand and taking a 63-42 loss. Shelby Burnham scored 23 points for the Hornets, continuing the dominance she’s displayed all season. Other point scorers for Branford were Ally Colburn (eight points), Reanna Sachs (six points), and Jess Radziunas (five points).

The team then traveled to Lyman Hall on Jan. 10 and took a 45-37 loss, before hosting Career Magnet on Jan. 13 and winning 58-35.

Wrestling

Branford wrestling traveled to Guilford on Jan. 10 and fell 42-33. Michael Barretta earned a win at 106 pounds by fall (1:35) and Alec Dendas (126 pounds) won by fall at 1:09. Moises Morales-Orozco won the 138-pound bout by a 6-4 decision, while Dominick Zdunek (157 pounds) won by a 12-7 decision. Also earning wins for the Hornets was Domenic Maturo at 165 pounds (11-4 decision), Cole Snider at 190 pounds (by fall at 0:49), and Ryan Jones at 285 pounds (by fall at 2:39).

Girls’ Ice Hockey

The Hand girls’ ice hockey co-op team hosted Amity/Cheshire/North Haven on Jan. 10 and won 6-2. In the first period, the Tigers scored two goals. Jaimey DiNapoli knocked one in, assisted by Taylor Manchanda, and Faith Minickene scored, on an assist from Kendall Dobratz.

Hand then added three goals in the second period. The first one was knocked in by Manchanda (assisted by DiNapoli and Cheyenne Wilson), and Dobratz (assisted by Raegan Wyrebek-Brasky and Minickene). Minickene scored an unassisted goal to round out the frame. DiNapoli found the net again in the third period, assisted by Minickene and Wilson. Chloe Monahan manned the net for the Tigers, recording 16 saves.

Boys’ Indoor Track

Branford boys’ indoor track traveled to the James Barber Invitational at SCSU on Jan. 10. Peter Distasio qualified for states in the 55 meters, running a time of 7.03, and Rhamil Fairclough earned a personal record time in the 55 (7.21). In that same event, Coleman Shanley also ran a PR of 7.24.

Additional personal records were earned by Nolan Weted in the 1000 meters (3:10.81), Nate McCall in the 300 (39.93), Supreme Shrestha in the 300 (42.33), and Mason Porras in the 300 (43.15). Enaji Muhammad also had a standout performance in the long jump (18’8).

“The coaches were especially pleased with the sprinters. As a unit, six of the seven sprinters established personal records during the meet,” said Head Coach Rich Biondi. “The arduous workouts that the sprinters have engaged in is beginning to show in regards to their times. Enaji Muhammad has continued to perform at a high level in the jumping events.”

Girls’ Indoor Track

On Jan. 10, Branford girls’ indoor track traveled to the James Barber Invitational at SCSU. Top performances included Joelle Budz in the 55 meters (first place, 7:47), and Chayse Gueco in that same event, recording a time of 8.13. Cecile Hazen also produced a standout performance in the 55, running to the tune of a 12.02.

Budz also placed first in the 300 meters, (43.20), while Glorianna Buckley ran a 46.01. Djamilla Toukour ran a 47.33 in that event. Ella Stone placed second in the long jump (15-9) and Avery Clouse (13-6) also stood out in that event.

At the Yale Track Classic on Jan. 13, Budz placed 10th in the 55 (7.52) and Gueco finished in 8.01. Toukour recorded an 8.09. Standout performers in the 300 included Buckley (44.90) and Toukour (46.75). Three runners finished with strong times in the 600, including Buckley (1:46.27), Maddy Aguilar (1:54.37), and Sarit Juela-Garcia (2:02.51). Stone placed fourth in the long jump (16-4).

“Joelle had an excellent meet at SCSU, she ran personal bests in both events,” said Head Coach Kevin Connell. “The dedicated effort she has put in during the offseason has paid off. At Yale, Ella Stone rebounded to finish a respectable 4th with 16' 4", and Glorianna Buckley continues to be a force in the long sprints, running a PR in the 300.”