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03/10/2024 09:28 PMNot many teams can look back on the winter campaign and say they showed as much determination and grit as the Morgan boys’ basketball team. As a squad sported with several veterans, the athletes fought day after day to put together a season they can truly be proud of.
Despite missing out on conference and state championship hardware, the Huskies only lost a pair of games in the regular season this winter, finishing with a strong 18-2 record. Head Coach Frank Rossi was proud of the results he saw on the court and the statement his team made all winter long.
“Unfortunately we fell short in our final two games, but to look back at an 18-2 regular season, which I'm told is the best in school history, and finishing as the top seeded team in Division IV, I would say we exceeded expectations,” Rossi said.
Rossi saw the potential that his team had in the fall. With a strong senior class that had years of combined experience, he knew the group would be ready and able to take on a challenging schedule.
“In the fall, when asked about our team, my response was always, ‘if we stay healthy we could be pretty good,’” said Rossi. “Entering the season, we knew we would be competitive in the league. With the returning seniors and level of experience, we intentionally scheduled more competitive non-conference opponents.”
Morgan started the season 7-0, defeating Cromwell, Haddam-Killingworth, East Hampton, Old Saybrook, Wheeler, North Branford, and Valley Regional. The Huskies then suffered their first defeat of the season on Jan. 12, when they fell 49-45 to Coginchaug.
“I don't think we overlooked them or took them lightly by any stretch,” Rossi said of the Coginchaug game. “They just outplayed us in the 4th quarter - mainly they made shots and we didn't! I think we got a little comfortable. Call it nerves, call it panic, call it what you want. We were in unfamiliar territory, and in trying to work through it, we played 'not to lose.’ You won't win many games shooting under 30% in the second half.”
One thing that stood out about Morgan this season was its ability to show resiliency, even after a loss. Following the match with Coginchaug, the Huskies went on a five-game win streak, before suffering their second loss of the regular season to Cromwell (58-53) in a rematch on Jan. 31.
“The Cromwell game was very different,” said Rossi. “For three quarters we played about as well as we had played all season, leading by as many as 18 points in the second half. That downfall can be attributed to two things. Cromwell's Victor Payne, who might be the best player the Shoreline Conference has seen in the last 25-30 years, took over the game, scoring 28 points in the final quarter. He just didn't miss!”
Morgan continued to showcase its talent by winning the final six games of the regular season by an average of 20.5 points.
The Huskies’ regular season made them one of eight teams to qualify for the Shoreline Conference Tournament. They entered as the No. 2 seed, earning wins against Hale Ray and Old Lyme in the first two rounds, before appearing in the championship game against Cromwell to set up a trilogy match. This round once again didn’t go Morgan’s way, as the team suffered a 64-58 defeat.
“In 19 years as a head coach, I don't think I've ever been so prepared for a game,” Rossi said. “My assistants did a great job of scouting and practice planning. We thought we had a great game plan, and looking back, we executed it as well as we could have. Again, it comes down to making shots. We did not make a three the entire game - we were 0-10! I think Cromwell and Coach Pinone bring out the best in us.”
As Morgan regrouped and shifted its focus to the Division IV State Tournament, the Huskies found themselves holding the No. 1 seed in the bracket. They hosted the No. 32 seed, the Tolland Eagles, who entered the game with an 8-12 record. The Eagles were able to pull off the upset, and eliminated the No. 1 seed in the division by a score of 55-50.
With Tolland not appearing in the Central Connecticut Conference Tournament, and Morgan playing a few days prior in a high-intensity Shoreline Conference Championship game, Rossi knew his team having less rest would play a part in the contest. The Huskies were also missing a key player in the matchup who had suffered an injury.
“I think there was a bit of an emotional hangover from the Cromwell game,” Rossi said. “We had just about 48 hours to get a little rest and turn it around to prepare for them. Early in the game, we didn't have the same emotional intensity we did on Friday night - it just wasn't there. Not having Robby (Estabrook) in the lineup again hurt us, as well. We played hard, but it was evident in our shooting performance the legs just weren't there. You can't win games shooting under 30%. Robby is arguably our most consistent shooter, but with him off the floor we found ourselves with unfamiliar lineups.”
In the midst of what was a historic season for Morgan, there certainly wasn’t a lack of individual accolades, either. The senior duo of Jack Nye and Ryan Donadio achieved All-Conference honors, and Patrick O’Neil earned an Honorable Mention.
Nye averaged 17 points, 14 rebounds, two assists, three steals, and two blocks per game this winter. He was named First Team All-Shoreline, and a CT High School Coaches Association Senior All-Star. Nye is also being considered for All-State. Donadio averaged 10 points, five rebounds, three assists, and two steals per game, and was Second Team All-Shoreline. O'Neil averaged 11 points, two rebounds, 2.5 assists, and two steals per game.
The Huskies will graduate a total of eight seniors that include O’Neil, Noah Cinquino, Kolby Clifton, Donadio, Nye, Mason Krott, Estabrook, and Kyle Kobelt.
Some key returnees next season will be Luke McComiskey, Wyatt Luke, Griffin Ranaudo, Hunter Mancini, and Dylan Cinquino.
The 2023-2024 Morgan boys’ basketball team was comprised of freshman Michael Dwake, sophomore Dylan Cinquino, juniors Ranaudo, McComiskey, Cole Donnelly, Mancini, and Luke; and seniors O’Neil, Cinquino, Clifton, Donadio, Nye, Krott, Estabrook, and Kobelt.