Overtime with Kyle Brennan

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Word from the Woods

Kyle Brennan

Boys Basketball

The Woodland boys are still searching for their eighth win to clinch a state tournament bid after losing both of their games in the last week to fall to 7-8. Last Friday, the Hawks lost to Wilby, 71-49, without point guard Tanner Kingsley. Ryan Angeloszek led the Hawks with 22 points, but he was the only Woodland player in double figures. Billy Alfiere added nine while Dave Uhl scored six. On Monday, a third-quarter letdown cost the Hawks a 67-57 loss to St. Paul. Woodland was outscored by nine points in that period after trailing by just five at the half. Kingsley scored a game-high 26 points in his return while Angeloszek contributed 17, but the rest of the team combined for just 14 points. Another tough game awaits on Friday with a trip to Watertown before a return back home to face Seymour on Tuesday, with the Hawks’ next victory clinching a third straight state tournament berth.

Girls Basketball

The Hawks snapped a five-game losing streak last Friday with a 56-36 win over Wilby. Carli Mariotti turned in a career-high 23 points to pace Woodland, which outscored the Wildcats, 27-8, in the third quarter to pull away after a tied halftime score. Shannon Meany added 12 points while Alma Rizvani had seven and Andrea Piccolo had six. On Monday, the Hawks fell to St. Paul, 47-28. Piccolo was the only Hawk in double figures with 10 points, while Brianna Pacileo had eight and Meany and Mariotti had four each. Woodland, which is 4-12, enters the final two weeks of the season on Friday with a home matchup against Watertown before visiting Seymour on Tuesday.

Boys Swimming

Woodland lost a pair of meets in the last week against two of the better teams in the league to fall to 3-7 on the season. Last Friday, the Hawks suffered a 91-73 loss to Torrington. Event winners for Woodland included the 200 medley relay (Jimmy Tompkins, Andrew Cullen, Pat O’Dell, Eric Dietz), Andy O’Dell (100 free, 200 free), Pat O’Dell (200 IM), and Eric Dietz (50 free). On Tuesday, Woodland fell to Watertown, 92-80. Event winners for the Hawks included Mike Christiano (diving), Pat O’Dell (100 fly, 100 breast), Andy O’Dell (500 free), Tompkins (100 back), and the 400 free relay (Eric Dietz, Aidan Music, Andy O’Dell, Pat O’Dell). Woodland’s next two meets are at home against Holy Cross on Friday and Northwestern on Wednesday.

Naugy Notes

Boys Basketball

The Naugatuck boys clinched their first state tournament bid since 2009 with a 71-67 victory against Derby last Friday. The Greyhounds held off the Red Raiders’ fourth-quarter comeback to improve to 8-6 on the season. Naugatuck’s offensive balance came through again as four players scored in double figures. Husani Foote led the team with 18 points while Mick Pernell had 15, Gabe Pulliam added 14, and Adam Neveski contributed 12. Pernell and Neveski also each hit three 3-pointers and Brandon Kuczenski finished with nine points. After enjoying a week off, Naugy returns to action on Friday at Holy Cross before returning home to face Sacred Heart on Tuesday.

Girls Basketball

The Greyhounds coasted to a 64-20 victory over Derby in their only game last week to improve to 9-6 on the season. Lauren Piroscafo posted her usual strong effort with 23 points, including two 3-pointers, while Amy Dietz contributed 17 points and Steph Lima had 10. Nine players scored in the game for the ‘Hounds, who led, 38-7, at the half and 54-8 after three quarters. After a rescheduled game against Ansonia on Wednesday, Naugy will host Holy Cross on Friday before hitting the road for the final time in the regular season on Tuesday at Sacred Heart.

Boys Swimming

Naugatuck lost its fourth straight meet last Friday in a 99-87 decision against Sacred Heart. Event winners for the Greyhounds included William Wright (200 free, 500 free), Eric Hanley (100 breast), and the 400 free relay (Matt Hall, Josh Deptula, Chris Branco, Wright). Results from Naugy’s scheduled Tuesday meet against Wilby were unavailable as of press time. The ‘Hounds will take the week off before returning to competition at home on Feb. 10 against Torrington.