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01/29/2024 11:22 AMThe Haddam-Killingworth boys’ basketball team is going with the time-honored and tested creed of winning each day. It has served the Cougars quite well, after rattling off quite a winning streak to catapult them to a playoff berth.
A year ago, H-K finished just one win shy of reaching state tournament action by finishing with a record of 7-13 for the campaign. The Cougars entered last week at 7-3 and a victory away from qualifying for postseason play. They not only clinched the playoff position, but also stretched their streak to five with a three-point win at Portland on Jan. 26 in their lone game of the week.
First-year Head Coach Keith Ferguson exclaimed that the work is far from down for his combative Cougars. They are looking to continually best themselves, both individually and collectively from the prior day, while packing a punch in the Shoreline Conference.
“Our goals are simple: they are to get a little better every day in practice and to make the conference and state tournament this year,” said Ferguson. “If we do all of that, then we will have had a successful season.”
A trio of senior forwards fortify H-K with their leadership in captains Blake Kamoen, Bryce O’Linn, and Luke Mauri. No matter their position, background, or various skill sets, each squad steward contributes a beaming light of optimism, along with heart and hustle to the program.
“On and off the court, they each bring leadership, a positive attitude, and a high work ethic that the rest of the team feeds off of,” said Ferguson on his captains.
Looking further down the depth chart in the junior class, Andrew Crayton is in the back court with a sharp shooting stroke, along with steady ball carrier and fellow guard Cody Robinson. Additionally in the paint, Joe Slane brings power around the paint via his rebounding abilities.
“Andrew Crayton is a guard who is an excellent shooter,” Ferguson said. “Cody Robinson is another junior guard who is a good handler and shooter. Joe Slane is an animal on the boards.”
Sophomore Spencer Savoy displays a diverse adaptiveness amongst various physical tasks in the game. At the point resides sophomore Declan Moriarty, who can fire away and lock down threats defensively.
“Spencer Savoy is a sophomore who does a little of everything; he can rebound, defend, and score,” said Ferguson. “Declan Moriarty is also a sophomore who is a point guard. He can shoot and is an excellent on-ball defender. They all push each other in practice and are very coachable, hard working players.”
The Cougars reached a crossroads in their season following a 19-point home loss to Cromwell on Jan. 5 to drop their record all even at 3-3. Yet H-K utilized the defeat to forge a more fruitful path–winning now five consecutive contests.
Ferguson remarked that with such a healthy league record in one of the more competitive conferences in Connecticut with the Shoreline, the Cougars never let themselves get caught in any “trap game” scenarios or pitfalls. Additionally, the emerging crop of players beyond 2024 is also boasting prominence.
“Our JV team is 9-0 to start the season, so the future is bright for H-K boys’ basketball,” said Ferguson. “We are 6-2 in league play and every game is a key match up. We never look past our next opponent. In this league, every team is beatable on any given night.”
The 2023-2024 H-K boys’ basketball team roster is comprised of seniors Ryan Erskine, Kamoen, Jonah Keithan, Mauri, O'Linn; juniors Timothy Cavrell, Crayton, Bryce LaCoss, Jake McKenzie, Robinson, Matthew Shea, Slane; sophomores of Jamien Evans, Scott Hosney, Moriarty, Cole Newman, Ethan Pitts, Savoy; plus freshmen Harlin Boothroyd, Mason Eighmy, Jake Favalora, Brody Ferguson, Timothy Hickman, Grant Ignatuk, Eliot Krahn, Robert Krahn, Kody Lehet, Aidan Lena, Michael Leone, Noah Marica, Noah Mathison, Santino Mauro, Bryce McConnell, Ben Murphy, and Rocco Reagan.
In his rookie campaign as the bench boss for H-K, Ferguson is assisted by fellow first-year coaches in JV coach Tee Adeleke and Pete Geissler.
2023-2024 Haddam-Killingworth Boys’ Basketball Regular Season Results and Schedule
Dec. 14: H-K 71, East Hampton 61
Dec. 19: Morgan 64, H-K 49
Dec. 21: Granby Memorial 59, H-K 34
Dec. 22: H-K 67, North Branford 46
Jan. 2: H-K 67, Valley Regional 42
Jan. 5: Cromwell 60, H-K 41
Jan. 9: H-K 62, Old Lyme 54
Jan. 11: H-K 74, Vinyl Tech 42
Jan. 12: H-K 70, Westbrook 43
Jan. 19: H-K 61, Old Saybrook 50
Jan. 26: H-K 58, Portland 55
Monday, Jan. 29: at East Hampton at 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Jan. 31: vs. Coginchaug at 7 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 2: vs. Morgan at 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 6: vs. North Branford at 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 7: at Hale-Ray at 5 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 9: at Valley Regional at 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 13: at Cromwell at 7 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 16: at Academy of Computer Sciences at 6 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 21: at International at 5:30 p.m.