Diverse offense leads to fast start 

0
121
Woodland’s Morina Bojka (22) drives to the basket past Derby’s Percious Perez (20) Dec. 13 in Beacon Falls. Woodland won the game, 61-32. –ELIO GUGLIOTTI

BEACON FALLS — With an offense that can spread the ball around, the Woodland girls opened the season with a pair of resounding wins before falling for the first time.

It’s no secret that in order to stay with the Hawks teams will need to find a way to at least contain Morina Bojka, Woodland’s returning leading scorer. Head coach Jess Moffo knows the key to her team’s overall success hinges on getting a few more hands involved in the offense.

“Getting everyone involved in the offense is huge,” Moffo said. “Teams are going to double team Morina or play a box and one to try and limit her scoring ability. That can change the momentum of a game, and we need to find other options so we have been working on that in practice.”

In the season-opener Dec. 13 versus Derby, the Hawks broke out to an 18-4 lead in the first quarter.

Bojka set the tone with a game-high 23 points, including a pair of three-pointers. Maddie Hupprich and Haley Andrews had 11 points each to give the Hawks multiple scoring threats.

The Hawks headed to the locker room at halftime holding a 42-23 advantage on the way to a 61-43 win. Eliza Smith (9 points), Jenna Pannone (3 points), Cam Johnson (2 points) and Hana Bojka (2 points) completed the scoring.

“Eliza is doing a great job driving to the basket and giving us another scorer in the lineup,” Moffo said. “Haley is running our offense and bringing the ball up court from the point guard position and is getting involved in the scoring. Jenna and Maddie are doing the job battling in the paint for rebounds. They both put us in position to win games with their all-out effort.”

It was Hupprich who stepped up and led the team with 20 points in the Hawks’ 53-27 win over Ansonia on Dec. 14. The Hawks got off to a lightning quick start and led 27-10 at the half.

Smith had 15 points, Morina Bojka and Andrews added six and five points, respectively. Pannone (3 points), Megen Sirowich (2 points) and Jill Barbierito (2 points) completed the scoring.

Woodland’s Haley Andrews (10) rises up to shoot as Derby’s Alyssa Meneo defends Dec. 13 in Beacon Falls. Woodland won the game, 61-32. –ELIO GUGLIOTTI

The Hawks faced a tough test in Bristol on Tuesday against the undefeated St. Paul Falcons, who have allowed an average of 28 points per game thus far. Although the Hawks (2-1) managed to spread the offense around, they couldn’t get any rhythm offensively and fell 56-36.

Hupprich led the way with 10 points and Morina Bojka added eight points for the Hawks, who trailed 27-14 at the half. Andrews and Hana Bojka had five points each and Pannone added four points, but the Falcons (3-0) used a 20-12 third quarter to put the game away.

“Megen is working hard coming in off the bench at the guard spot and pushes herself to get better every day,” Moffo said. “Cam is an offensive threat for us and works hard to help us inside. Hana is another player off the bench who can read the floor well and passes the ball well creating scoring opportunities for us.

“Our bench is going to be huge for us. We just need to prepare for our next opponent and keep working hard to get better. If we can minimize our mistakes and continue to play with confidence spreading the offense around we can compete with anyone.”

Woodland is off for the holiday break. The Hawks return to the court on Jan. 3 when they host Watertown.