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Sports

Kenney Leads Branford Girls Over East Haven

Kaitlin Kenney's game-high 19 points leads the Hornets past the YellowJackets in a close game.

The earlier meeting between the East Haven and Branford girls' basketball teams represents the YellowJackets' only win this season and Branford was not planning on being swept Wednesday night. Despite a strong third quarter rally by East Haven, Branford was able to pull away 62-57.

According to Branford coach Ted Kaczynski, the eariler meeting between the two programs was certainly a topic in pre-game locker room discussion.

“We absolutely used it as motivation," said Kaczynski. “East Haven is, as far as I'm concerned, our biggest game. It's a long-time rivalry. I'm glad the girls gave it the effort they did and I'm very proud of our seniors tonight.”

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East Haven coach Anthony Russell elaborated on the thoughts he instilled in his team.

“I told them that you should come into this game a little more relaxed,” said Russell. “We tend to start games nervous. So with this being a team we beat earlier I figured the girls would come in with a little more confidence, but not take it too far. Our overall preparation was the same as it was for any game.”

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Still, East Haven started slow as a steal and full-court drive to the basket by Hornets' senior captain Kaitlin Kenny propelled Branford to 9-0 lead with just over five minutes to play in the first quarter.

A five-point burst comprised of free throws by the YellowJackets' Amanda Bradley and a three-pointer by Julia Waters brought East Haven to life. However, the score rested at 22-13 at the end of the first with the Hornets taking a sizable lead into the second quarter.

Nearly midway through the second period, Branford's Kenny went coast-to-coast yet again giving the Hornets a 26-15 advantage.

East Haven answered with six unanswered points before Kenny stole a YellowJackets' pass and laid it in giving the Hornets a narrow 28-21 lead with just over five minutes remaining in the half. Branford held a 33-25 lead at halftime.

Then came the game's defining quarter.

East Haven started the quarter rough and coach Russell showed his frustrations. However, the YellowJackets bounced back into contention, perhaps taking note of their coach's willingness to pick up a technical foul for arguing a call in their favor.

“I would like to say that the fact that I got a little emotional, maybe that trickled down to the girls and made them want to play a little bit harder,” said Russell. “In the first two quarters we sort of lacked that intensity. They (Branford) didn't play that well in the third quarter and that was our best quarter of basketball. We were able to find stuff in transition and that really helped us.”

Branford stalled offensively in the third period and East Haven threw in an 8-0 run, tying the score 41-41 with free throws by Bradley with just over a minute left in the third quarter.

Branford's coach Kaczynski pointed the finger at his team's lack of consistent play, allowing the YellowJackets back into the game.

“I wish I knew what happened there,” said Kaczynski. “We haven't really been consistent all year. We haven't play 32 minutes of consistent basketball. When we had to pull it back together, we did and were fortunate enough to pull off the win.”

Branford's lead was 43-41 heading into the fourth quarter, but stronger play in the final quarter helped the Hornets pull away.

“We began to make better decisions,” said Kaczynski. “We got the ball inside a lot better. Our defense was better, not good but just good enough to hold them off. They're a scrappy team, so I have to give them credit for the way they came at us tonight.”

The Hornets were lead by Kenney with a game-high 19 points, sophomore Tori Peterson added 16 points.

Bradley lead East Haven with 17 points, Water added 15 points and sophomore Danielle Polvan had 14 points.

Branford's 62-57 win over East Haven improves the Hornets to 2-15 while the YellowJackets drop to 1-16.

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