Before we get started with this week’s Overtime, I want to pause to remember George Pinho, a longtime youth sports coach in our area. George passed away far too soon last weekend. He had many more years left ahead of him to do what he loved, and that was coaching kids and being a great role model. Coming from a guy who is around Woodland sports about as much as anybody who doesn’t go to that school, George was everywhere. He loved doing what he could to lend a helping hand to a player or a coach, or by simply supporting the guys on the field, court or track.
But where his life is best reflected is in his family. I’ve known a lot of families from this area thanks to my involvement in local sports and the Pinhos are one of the best. George and his wife, Jane, have brought up a couple of great kids in Jake and Jack. Those guys have never been the biggest players on the field or court, but I’ve never seen somebody outwork them. None of us will ever forget George because we’ll be able to look at his two boys and see him in both of them.
The unfortunate truth is that life is not fair and great people are taken from us far too soon. George may be gone now, but he will never stop being a role model to the hundreds of athletes to whom he dedicated himself. Rest in peace, George.
Round of Applause
Quinnipiac hockey is No. 2 in the country right now. Hopefully you watched the Bobcats on TV Tuesday night. Almost 4,000 people were at The Bank. You really oughta get into it. That is all.
Chorus of Boos
Manti Te’o is hilarious. Not only may he have been naïve beyond comprehension, but either way he’s an idiot and a filthy little liar. I’ve read every bit of reporting my friends at Deadspin have done, and there is no way he didn’t have something to do with this from pretty early on in the process. I’m not even necessarily mad about the whole thing because it’s pretty brilliant to invent a story like that to get some extra publicity and help with a push for the Heisman Trophy and first-round NFL Draft status. But this fellow will always be remembered as a liar in my book. He invented facts when the story first came out that he “met” “her” at a football game. And it’s all downhill from there. He’ll get what he deserves, though. He’ll be the butt of jokes for the rest of eternity.
Word from the Woods
Boys Basketball
The Hawks edged back to two games over the .500 mark with a 57-39 victory over Sacred Heart last Friday. Woodland’s leading scorer, Dave Uhl, paced the Hawks again with a game-high 20 points while Tanner Kingsley scored 12, Kirk Chamenko added 11 and Rahmi Rountree tacked on 10. Woodland (7-5) is one victory away from qualifying for another state tournament appearance, but it would be the first such showing in Class S. The Hawks will host the league’s top team, Wilby, on Friday night at 5 p.m. before resuming Naugatuck Valley League Brass Division play on Monday at St. Paul. They’ll host Kennedy next Wednesday in a makeup of a game postponed from Tuesday.
Girls Basketball
Strong interior play by the Woodland girls helped them come away with a 33-29 win over Sacred Heart last Friday. Andrea Piccolo led the way with 11 points and 12 rebounds, while Ashley Michie pulled down seven boards and Briana Pacileo had five rebounds and four points. Nicole Fowler also chipped in with 11 points. The Hawks (7-6) can qualify for the Class M state tournament with one more victory. That could come Friday against Wilby at 7 p.m., Monday against St. Paul or next Wednesday against Kennedy.
Naugy Notes
Girls Basketball
The Greyhounds’ up-and-down season hit another low point last Friday night when Naugy suffered a 54-46 defeat in Ansonia. Angelina Piccirillo led the ‘Hounds with 21 points, including five 3-pointers, but only four players scored for Naugatuck. Steph Lima added 11, Amity Dietz had eight and Emma Colucci contributed six. The Greyhounds got back on track Wednesday night with a 35-34 win over St. Paul. Angelina Piccirillo led Naugatuck with 13 points. Naugatuck is 6-9 on the season and needs two more wins to qualify for the state tournament. The Greyhounds host Derby Friday.
