The way Montville tossed around East Lyme starting pitcher Kevin Bartlett in the first two innings Thursday afternoon, there was no reason to believe that he would still be on the mound in the seventh inning.
But the tall, lanky left-hander proved to be resilient against a Montville team that has been one of the better hitting squads to start the season. Bartlett survived the early barrage, settled down and his teammates rallied behind him as the Vikings handed the Indians their first loss, 13-6.
“This is my first start of the year, so I haven’t thrown in a while, and I still have to get my groove back,” Bartlett said. “I just kept fighting and battling. (The Montville) guys are good hitters, and I surprised myself and went a lot further than I thought.”
Bartlett got some early support when the Vikings scored three runs in the top of the first on a double by Caleb Gulovsen, singles by Alec Christian and Bryan Rowe, a pair of walks and an error.
Montville starting pitcher Jesse Sutherland (0-1) got one of those runs back quickly for the Indians. He was the first batter of the season that Bartlett faced, and Sutherland took him over the fence in right-center.
Bartlett escaped further damage in the first inning, but ran into much more trouble in the second. Ray Ingram had a one-out double and Sutherland almost went yard again an out later. He took a pitch that was just inches off the dirt and muscled it to centerfield where it bounced off the fence on one hop for an RBI triple.
“He’s a great player; probably the toughest hitter I’ve pitched against in awhile,” Bartlett said.
Sutherland didn’t stay at third for long. After Tyler Contillo was hit by a pitch, Montville coach Phil Orbe called for a delayed steal at second, which worked to perfection as an attempt to get Contillo — who was goading East Lyme into throwing — sailed into centerfield to allow Sutherland to score and Contillo to move to third. He came home on a single by Tyler Seeley (3-for-4 and a run scored) after Alec Brown had also been hit by a pitch. Brown came around on another delayed steal.
East Lyme got those runs back in the fifth off Sutherland as Jon Nazarko and Christian singled and Al Lloyd reached on an error to bring up junior first baseman Eric Morse. “Moose,” as coach Jack Biggs affectionately refers to him, was coming off bicep tendinitis and has struggled at the plate early as a result.
“I went up there thinking that we needed to get back in this game and I wanted to do something that would bring the momentum back to our side,” Morse said.
He delivered as he drilled a ball over the head of John Wasilko in left field for a bases-clearing double that put East Lyme ahead for good, 7-5. Morse added to his excitement in the sixth inning — after Montville had cut the lead to one — with a tailing two-run double to right field.
“I was feeling even better — I was on cloud nine,” Morse said.
The Vikings posted only their second win in five games.
“It may gain us some confidence, but everyone has to know also that it’s a long season ahead of us, especially with all the rain outs and the games backed up,” Biggs said.
While East Lyme was looking for a boost, Montville coach Phil Orbe said a little humble pie was probably good for his club after a 4-0 start.
“We have a lot of stuff to work on and sometimes winning becomes a big deodorant for things that you’re not doing well,” the Montville coach said. “When you give up 13 runs, it will help us focus and really come out and work (Friday).”
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Saturday, March 14, 2009
NFA leads Wilbur Cross, 11-9
Stephanie Long has scored four points to help give NFA an 11-9 lead over Wilbur Cross after on quarter of the Class LL girls basketball state semifinals at Central Connecticut State University.
Bacon Academy advances to Class M title game
It may have taken place on a larger stage, but the script changed little and that was bad news for Windham.
The Whippets – as they had on their home floor and as they had in Colchester in previous losses to Bacon – played well in the first half and actually held the lead going into the second half. But as it has in the previous two encounters, the third eight-minute dance proved to be the decisive one and it was dominated by the Bobcats.
As a result, Bacon advanced to its first Class M state championship game since 2001 with a 59-50 win at Central Connecticut State University Saturday over their Eastern Connecticut Conference rivals.
The top-seeded team in the M Division will now play third-seeded Berlin for the state championship at the Mohegan Sun Arena next weekend at a time to be determined. Berlin advanced with a 54-41 win over Ellington on Saturday.
"Our kids showed a lot of guts," Bacon coach Dave Shea said. "They showed that they have character and can come from behind, keep their spirit up and keep working hard."
The Bobcats trailed, 30-26, going into the second half but knew one important thing.
"The third quarter wins games," Bacon senior Brooke Bailey said.
The Bobcats (24-2) wasted little time tying the game up as Katie Mahoney followed up a McKenzie Hyde miss to make it a two-point game. After Dominique Demar blocked a Windham attempt on the other end, Hyde followed up her own missed shot to tie the game at 30.
The senior forward was held to three points in the first half, part of that due to the fact that she had picked up her second foul with 2 ½ minutes left in the first quarter.
"It was frustrating, but I just kept my head in the game and tried to stay composed on defense," Hyde said.
Since she failed to pick up her third infraction in the first half, Hyde was able to play more aggressively in the second and had another putback to complete a 9-0 Bacon run to open the second half.
Windham (20-6) did tie the game on a three-point play by Amie Toner (14 points, 14 rebounds), but Katie Mahoney hit five of the next seven points and Hyde - who finished with a game-high 21 points and 10 rebounds- followed that with six consecutive points to give Bacon the 46-37 lead going into the final quarter.
"We talked about that at halftime," Windham coach Ken Valliere said. "We had been in that position before- been ahead of them at halftime- but we had to go out and play a good 16 minutes and it was what, 20-7(in the third quarter); it’s an uphill battle from there."
Bacon also switched up the defenses as Shea elected to go man-to-man in the first half which produced a lot of open looks for sophomore guard Ali Risley. She took advantage of those to drop four 3-pointers on the Bobcats. Those looks went away in the second half when Bacon went back to its traditional 2-3 zone and extended it.
"It’s kind of funny to go into a zone after Risley was hitting all those shots, but we’re pretty good in that 2-3 zone and extend out to the wings really well," Shea said.
"My teammates were really good kicking it out in the first half, but in the second half they got out on me more- maybe, I should have moved around more," said Risley who finished with those 12 points as she didn’t score after the first quarter.
"They’re big across the baseline and (Shea’s) crazy to play man-to-man against us, I don’t know why he did that in the first half" Valliere said. "We penetrate the zone pretty good, but they swallow us up."
The Whippets had a run left in them late in the fourth quarter as Danyelle Rodriguez went baseline for two and, after two missed Bacon free throws, hit a 3-pointer with 51 seconds left to cut the deficit to four, 54-50. The Bobcats finished things from the free throw line where Mary Corrado and Bailey both sank a pair and Hyde added one with 22 seconds left to send the Bobcats into the championship game.
"I know the coaches know about them," Mahoney said when asked about Berlin. "Right now, I’m just so happy we won and we have a week to prepare."
"Berlin has a really tall girl (Katelyn Zarotney), she’s like Amie (Toner) on the boards," Hyde said. "I’ve played AAU with her and we just have to box her out."
Bacon has never won a state title game as it lost in 2001 to Plainville in the Class M final and fell to Westbrook in a Class S championship game in 1979.
The Whippets – as they had on their home floor and as they had in Colchester in previous losses to Bacon – played well in the first half and actually held the lead going into the second half. But as it has in the previous two encounters, the third eight-minute dance proved to be the decisive one and it was dominated by the Bobcats.
As a result, Bacon advanced to its first Class M state championship game since 2001 with a 59-50 win at Central Connecticut State University Saturday over their Eastern Connecticut Conference rivals.
The top-seeded team in the M Division will now play third-seeded Berlin for the state championship at the Mohegan Sun Arena next weekend at a time to be determined. Berlin advanced with a 54-41 win over Ellington on Saturday.
"Our kids showed a lot of guts," Bacon coach Dave Shea said. "They showed that they have character and can come from behind, keep their spirit up and keep working hard."
The Bobcats trailed, 30-26, going into the second half but knew one important thing.
"The third quarter wins games," Bacon senior Brooke Bailey said.
The Bobcats (24-2) wasted little time tying the game up as Katie Mahoney followed up a McKenzie Hyde miss to make it a two-point game. After Dominique Demar blocked a Windham attempt on the other end, Hyde followed up her own missed shot to tie the game at 30.
The senior forward was held to three points in the first half, part of that due to the fact that she had picked up her second foul with 2 ½ minutes left in the first quarter.
"It was frustrating, but I just kept my head in the game and tried to stay composed on defense," Hyde said.
Since she failed to pick up her third infraction in the first half, Hyde was able to play more aggressively in the second and had another putback to complete a 9-0 Bacon run to open the second half.
Windham (20-6) did tie the game on a three-point play by Amie Toner (14 points, 14 rebounds), but Katie Mahoney hit five of the next seven points and Hyde - who finished with a game-high 21 points and 10 rebounds- followed that with six consecutive points to give Bacon the 46-37 lead going into the final quarter.
"We talked about that at halftime," Windham coach Ken Valliere said. "We had been in that position before- been ahead of them at halftime- but we had to go out and play a good 16 minutes and it was what, 20-7(in the third quarter); it’s an uphill battle from there."
Bacon also switched up the defenses as Shea elected to go man-to-man in the first half which produced a lot of open looks for sophomore guard Ali Risley. She took advantage of those to drop four 3-pointers on the Bobcats. Those looks went away in the second half when Bacon went back to its traditional 2-3 zone and extended it.
"It’s kind of funny to go into a zone after Risley was hitting all those shots, but we’re pretty good in that 2-3 zone and extend out to the wings really well," Shea said.
"My teammates were really good kicking it out in the first half, but in the second half they got out on me more- maybe, I should have moved around more," said Risley who finished with those 12 points as she didn’t score after the first quarter.
"They’re big across the baseline and (Shea’s) crazy to play man-to-man against us, I don’t know why he did that in the first half" Valliere said. "We penetrate the zone pretty good, but they swallow us up."
The Whippets had a run left in them late in the fourth quarter as Danyelle Rodriguez went baseline for two and, after two missed Bacon free throws, hit a 3-pointer with 51 seconds left to cut the deficit to four, 54-50. The Bobcats finished things from the free throw line where Mary Corrado and Bailey both sank a pair and Hyde added one with 22 seconds left to send the Bobcats into the championship game.
"I know the coaches know about them," Mahoney said when asked about Berlin. "Right now, I’m just so happy we won and we have a week to prepare."
"Berlin has a really tall girl (Katelyn Zarotney), she’s like Amie (Toner) on the boards," Hyde said. "I’ve played AAU with her and we just have to box her out."
Bacon has never won a state title game as it lost in 2001 to Plainville in the Class M final and fell to Westbrook in a Class S championship game in 1979.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Superintendents nix football plan
The football committee of the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) thought it was a good idea, as did a majority of football coaches. But as a proposal to expand the state high school football playoff format climbed the ladder, it ran into resistance.
The top rung of that ladder decided that it, as it stands now, will go no further.
CIAC Executive Director Michael Savage said on Wednesday that he had met with the executive board of the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents last Thursday and the superintendents expressed reservations about the plan.
The idea, devised by a group within the CIAC football committee, called for an expansion of the high school football playoffs from 24 teams to 48 by adding a quarterfinal round that would take place the Thursday prior to Thanksgiving.
The committee decided that Thanksgiving Day football rivalries are sacred to many and that those games should continue in the midst of the new playoff system. The semifinals, as is the case now, would be held the Tuesday after the holiday and the championship games on the following Saturday.
According to Savage, the Superintendents took exception to the plan based on three issues:
— The physical toll on high school players of playing four games in 16 days.
— The impact on Thanksgiving Day games
— Shortening the regular season for all to lengthen the playoff season for fewer teams
“The superintendents sent a letter to the Board of Control asking to postpone any decision on this matter until the superintendent’s concerns were addressed and that no action be taken until after the 2009 season,” Savage said.
The death knell of the plan is in the details, as the superintendents made it clear these issues would have to be dealt with without any discussion of extending the football season, according to Savage.
“Everyone, including the superintendents familiar with the situation, is pleased that the football committee discussed the extension of tournament play for the last 18-24 months and commend them for their work,” Savage said. “If there are ways to address these concerns without extending the season, everyone is open to listen to those recommendations.”
Supporters of the plan such as Ledyard High School coach and football committee member Jim Buonocore felt the new system was the way to go.
“I felt we had a viable plan that met the needs of the coaches and the powers that be,” Buonocore said. “I was satisfied with the effort that we made, disappointed that we didn’t get a full vote, but I support and respect the decision of the superintendents.”
The CIAC Board of Control meets on March 19 and will likely follow the superintendents’ recommendations and table the proposal. Savage said in his 30 years with the CIAC, he has never seen the Board of Control not follow the superintendents’ advice.
“It’s a dilemma to get more games in and deal with issues concerning the safety of the kids. Four games in 16 days is significant,” Windham High principal and Board of Control member Gene Blain said. “It’s a concern and I think we need to have some medical opinion on that before moving forward.”
Savage said the proposal had the “overwhelming support” of coaches. Athletic directors were less enthusiastic, but still “reasonably supportive.” As you went up the ladder, however, principals and superintendents were much less enthusiastic.
“You try to get as much feedback as possible,” Blain said. “This was precedent setting and you need to have everybody on board. Everything had to be perfect for it to happen (this fall); that wasn’t likely.”
Savage said one alternative to the plan could be increasing the number of divisions from six to as many as 10. That could give more opportunities to more teams, but Blain said he felt coaches may feel more divisions would dilute the field too much.
Cochran to be discussed
One issue the Board of Control will take up on March 19 is that of former New London baseball and current football coach Jack Cochran.
Cochran resigned last Friday before he even coached a baseball game after the school self-reported to the CIAC that it had evidence of a minimum of three rule violations regarding offseason practice for the baseball team.
Cochran said Friday that resigned so the kids on the team will not be punished for his actions, which included facilitating the use of the gym for baseball practice by players and parents.
Savage said the Board of Control has the “authority to do whatever it wishes” as far as Cochran is concerned, including taking disciplinary actions. That discipline could include fines or sanctions such as suspension or probation against the school, coaches and players.
New London was fined by the CIAC this past fall after Cochran allowed eighth graders into preseason practice with the high school varsity football team.
The top rung of that ladder decided that it, as it stands now, will go no further.
CIAC Executive Director Michael Savage said on Wednesday that he had met with the executive board of the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents last Thursday and the superintendents expressed reservations about the plan.
The idea, devised by a group within the CIAC football committee, called for an expansion of the high school football playoffs from 24 teams to 48 by adding a quarterfinal round that would take place the Thursday prior to Thanksgiving.
The committee decided that Thanksgiving Day football rivalries are sacred to many and that those games should continue in the midst of the new playoff system. The semifinals, as is the case now, would be held the Tuesday after the holiday and the championship games on the following Saturday.
According to Savage, the Superintendents took exception to the plan based on three issues:
— The physical toll on high school players of playing four games in 16 days.
— The impact on Thanksgiving Day games
— Shortening the regular season for all to lengthen the playoff season for fewer teams
“The superintendents sent a letter to the Board of Control asking to postpone any decision on this matter until the superintendent’s concerns were addressed and that no action be taken until after the 2009 season,” Savage said.
The death knell of the plan is in the details, as the superintendents made it clear these issues would have to be dealt with without any discussion of extending the football season, according to Savage.
“Everyone, including the superintendents familiar with the situation, is pleased that the football committee discussed the extension of tournament play for the last 18-24 months and commend them for their work,” Savage said. “If there are ways to address these concerns without extending the season, everyone is open to listen to those recommendations.”
Supporters of the plan such as Ledyard High School coach and football committee member Jim Buonocore felt the new system was the way to go.
“I felt we had a viable plan that met the needs of the coaches and the powers that be,” Buonocore said. “I was satisfied with the effort that we made, disappointed that we didn’t get a full vote, but I support and respect the decision of the superintendents.”
The CIAC Board of Control meets on March 19 and will likely follow the superintendents’ recommendations and table the proposal. Savage said in his 30 years with the CIAC, he has never seen the Board of Control not follow the superintendents’ advice.
“It’s a dilemma to get more games in and deal with issues concerning the safety of the kids. Four games in 16 days is significant,” Windham High principal and Board of Control member Gene Blain said. “It’s a concern and I think we need to have some medical opinion on that before moving forward.”
Savage said the proposal had the “overwhelming support” of coaches. Athletic directors were less enthusiastic, but still “reasonably supportive.” As you went up the ladder, however, principals and superintendents were much less enthusiastic.
“You try to get as much feedback as possible,” Blain said. “This was precedent setting and you need to have everybody on board. Everything had to be perfect for it to happen (this fall); that wasn’t likely.”
Savage said one alternative to the plan could be increasing the number of divisions from six to as many as 10. That could give more opportunities to more teams, but Blain said he felt coaches may feel more divisions would dilute the field too much.
Cochran to be discussed
One issue the Board of Control will take up on March 19 is that of former New London baseball and current football coach Jack Cochran.
Cochran resigned last Friday before he even coached a baseball game after the school self-reported to the CIAC that it had evidence of a minimum of three rule violations regarding offseason practice for the baseball team.
Cochran said Friday that resigned so the kids on the team will not be punished for his actions, which included facilitating the use of the gym for baseball practice by players and parents.
Savage said the Board of Control has the “authority to do whatever it wishes” as far as Cochran is concerned, including taking disciplinary actions. That discipline could include fines or sanctions such as suspension or probation against the school, coaches and players.
New London was fined by the CIAC this past fall after Cochran allowed eighth graders into preseason practice with the high school varsity football team.
Monday, March 9, 2009
St. Bernard squeaks by Ellis Tech
Joey Cyr may play for the St. Bernard boys basketball team, but he probably has more in common with the team his Saints met Monday in the first round of the Class M tournament.
Cyr lives just about five miles from Ellis Tech in Danielson and grew up playing basketball with some of the Eagles players.
It added just a little more fuel to Cyr’s fire, not that he needed much more in the way of motivation. After all, this was a state tournament game and the St. Bernard senior knew it would be his last in a Saints uniform if they lost.
He helped make sure that didn’t happen, netting 18 points to help St. Bernard (14-8) slip by the upset-minded Eagles, 46-45, and into the next round.
“(Ellis Tech junior) Sean (Haythe) was on my team for three or four years in rec. league, so it was fun to play him,” Cyr said. “Beating Killingly before and then beating Ellis twice this year, it’s definitely bragging rights in northeastern Connecticut.”
Cyr put the Eagles behind in the first half after he outscored their team, 13-8, in the second quarter. Ellis Tech had sliced an early seven-point deficit to just two at the beginning of the second quarter when Andre Curiel (10 points, seven rebounds) hit a free throw, the only St. Bernard point in the quarter that was not scored by Cyr.
After Ellis Tech missed five consecutive shots, Cyr laid down the first of two 3-pointers within 25 seconds of one another. A free throw by Joe Guilmette for the Eagles did little to cool Cyr’s fire as he followed with a traditional three-point play and then added four more free throws to push the Saints’ lead to 24-14 at the half.
“Wow, I didn’t notice that,” St. Bernard coach Tim Payne said with a laugh about Cyr’s second-quarter barrage. “Did I take him out?”
Ellis Tech coach Dan Piccione, meanwhile, couldn’t believe what he was seeing. His Eagles made just 5-of-28 shots from the floor in the first half and followed that with a 5-of-18 performance in the third quarter.
Lay-ups, 3-pointers, put-backs — nothing was falling, which led Piccione at one point to turn to his assistant coach, Josh Dinerman, and exclaim, “I give up.”
“(It was) really frustrating. It’s lucky that we were even in the game,” Piccione said. “When you can’t make a shot, it’s tough.”
But the Eagles still trailed by only nine entering the fourth quarter, and a pair of 3-pointers by brothers Jon and Josh Arraje brought Ellis back to life, closing the gap to three points. Three minutes later, Jaymie Cellucci’s only basket of the night cut it to one with 2:08 left.
“They’re a good team, they played hard,” Cyr said. “We kind of overlooked them a little when we got the lead and just started coasting.”
Cyr, who had been quiet since the second quarter with the exception of two free throws in the fourth, made three of four from the line. Dylan Delacruz added one from the charity stripe and Josh Bowyer sealed the deal with a pair with 12 seconds left to make it 46-42.
Jon Arraje (16 points) hit a 3-pointer with six seconds left to cut the deficit to one, but Ellis Tech (11-12) was out of time-outs.
“It’s a shame, but there was nothing we could do about it,” Jon Arraje said. “If it happens, it happens. Game’s over.”
The Eagles are still seeking the first state tournament victory in program history.
“We’re just going to have to wait, hopefully until next year,” Piccione said. “It seems like we’re cursed.”
The Saints get another Constitution State Conference team next as they travel to Danbury to take on that league’s champ, Abbott Tech, on Wednesday.
Cyr lives just about five miles from Ellis Tech in Danielson and grew up playing basketball with some of the Eagles players.
It added just a little more fuel to Cyr’s fire, not that he needed much more in the way of motivation. After all, this was a state tournament game and the St. Bernard senior knew it would be his last in a Saints uniform if they lost.
He helped make sure that didn’t happen, netting 18 points to help St. Bernard (14-8) slip by the upset-minded Eagles, 46-45, and into the next round.
“(Ellis Tech junior) Sean (Haythe) was on my team for three or four years in rec. league, so it was fun to play him,” Cyr said. “Beating Killingly before and then beating Ellis twice this year, it’s definitely bragging rights in northeastern Connecticut.”
Cyr put the Eagles behind in the first half after he outscored their team, 13-8, in the second quarter. Ellis Tech had sliced an early seven-point deficit to just two at the beginning of the second quarter when Andre Curiel (10 points, seven rebounds) hit a free throw, the only St. Bernard point in the quarter that was not scored by Cyr.
After Ellis Tech missed five consecutive shots, Cyr laid down the first of two 3-pointers within 25 seconds of one another. A free throw by Joe Guilmette for the Eagles did little to cool Cyr’s fire as he followed with a traditional three-point play and then added four more free throws to push the Saints’ lead to 24-14 at the half.
“Wow, I didn’t notice that,” St. Bernard coach Tim Payne said with a laugh about Cyr’s second-quarter barrage. “Did I take him out?”
Ellis Tech coach Dan Piccione, meanwhile, couldn’t believe what he was seeing. His Eagles made just 5-of-28 shots from the floor in the first half and followed that with a 5-of-18 performance in the third quarter.
Lay-ups, 3-pointers, put-backs — nothing was falling, which led Piccione at one point to turn to his assistant coach, Josh Dinerman, and exclaim, “I give up.”
“(It was) really frustrating. It’s lucky that we were even in the game,” Piccione said. “When you can’t make a shot, it’s tough.”
But the Eagles still trailed by only nine entering the fourth quarter, and a pair of 3-pointers by brothers Jon and Josh Arraje brought Ellis back to life, closing the gap to three points. Three minutes later, Jaymie Cellucci’s only basket of the night cut it to one with 2:08 left.
“They’re a good team, they played hard,” Cyr said. “We kind of overlooked them a little when we got the lead and just started coasting.”
Cyr, who had been quiet since the second quarter with the exception of two free throws in the fourth, made three of four from the line. Dylan Delacruz added one from the charity stripe and Josh Bowyer sealed the deal with a pair with 12 seconds left to make it 46-42.
Jon Arraje (16 points) hit a 3-pointer with six seconds left to cut the deficit to one, but Ellis Tech (11-12) was out of time-outs.
“It’s a shame, but there was nothing we could do about it,” Jon Arraje said. “If it happens, it happens. Game’s over.”
The Eagles are still seeking the first state tournament victory in program history.
“We’re just going to have to wait, hopefully until next year,” Piccione said. “It seems like we’re cursed.”
The Saints get another Constitution State Conference team next as they travel to Danbury to take on that league’s champ, Abbott Tech, on Wednesday.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Cochran resigns as New London baseball coach
Jack Cochran was named baseball coach of the New London a couple of months ago, but he won’t get a chance to ever step foot in the dugout.
Cochran handed in his resignation to athletic director Bob Brackett Friday after Brackett told him that he had committed an offseason practice violation and the school was going to report the incident to the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference.
New London High principal Dan Sullivan said that he had received a report that Cochran had committed violations and asked Brackett to investigate.
“(Brackett) determined that on a minimum of three occasions, Jack had provided access to (the school’s) facilities during which time parents and students participated in hitting drills and other baseball-related activities,” Sullivan said.
Cochran admitted that he did open up the New London gym for the parents.
“I didn’t know (that it was a violation),” Cochran said. “I was trying to do something good for parents and kids who didn’t have the resources on their own. I wish it never happened.”
It’s the second time in three sports seasons that New London has had to self report a violation involving Cochran, he was also cited in the fall for allowing eighth grade students to participate in a New London football practice and the school was fined by the CIAC.
“I’m certainly concerned, I’m certainly disappointed and I’m sure that it’s something the (CIAC) Board of Control will look at seriously,” Sullivan said.
Sullivan said he didn’t know if this would affect Cochran’s status as football coach in the fall, saying it was “up to the Board of Control.” Cochran said he hoped his resignation as baseball coach was punishment enough and that he hadn’t even considered any ramifications when it came to football.
Cochran led the Whalers to a state championship this past fall and was named the Norwich Bulletin Coach of the Year.
Cochran handed in his resignation to athletic director Bob Brackett Friday after Brackett told him that he had committed an offseason practice violation and the school was going to report the incident to the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference.
New London High principal Dan Sullivan said that he had received a report that Cochran had committed violations and asked Brackett to investigate.
“(Brackett) determined that on a minimum of three occasions, Jack had provided access to (the school’s) facilities during which time parents and students participated in hitting drills and other baseball-related activities,” Sullivan said.
Cochran admitted that he did open up the New London gym for the parents.
“I didn’t know (that it was a violation),” Cochran said. “I was trying to do something good for parents and kids who didn’t have the resources on their own. I wish it never happened.”
It’s the second time in three sports seasons that New London has had to self report a violation involving Cochran, he was also cited in the fall for allowing eighth grade students to participate in a New London football practice and the school was fined by the CIAC.
“I’m certainly concerned, I’m certainly disappointed and I’m sure that it’s something the (CIAC) Board of Control will look at seriously,” Sullivan said.
Sullivan said he didn’t know if this would affect Cochran’s status as football coach in the fall, saying it was “up to the Board of Control.” Cochran said he hoped his resignation as baseball coach was punishment enough and that he hadn’t even considered any ramifications when it came to football.
Cochran led the Whalers to a state championship this past fall and was named the Norwich Bulletin Coach of the Year.
New London claims ECC title
You don’t plan for moments like these, they just happen.
The clock was ticking down toward 10 seconds and the 1,500 gathered in the Waterford High School gym stood waiting for the inevitable.
The 10 players on the court will re-play those waning seconds over the years and remember what they did. They’ll think about what they could have done as the crowd rose in unison waiting for the inevitable New London time out.
New London’s Torin Childs-Harris stood 10 feet inside halfcourt with the ball, NFA’s Anthony Clarke was watching his every move with the Wildcats trying to protect a one-point lead. New London coach Craig Parker finally brought his hands together to signal for the time out with 10 seconds left and his focus fell on Childs-Harris.
The sophomore with the silky smooth touch was not about to disappoint his coach or the New London faithful as he caught the in-bounds pass, dribbled inside the 3-point line and lofted up a perfect 15-foot jump shot that found only net, the go-ahead basket that the Whalers needed with six seconds left that led to New London’s 51-48 win over NFA in the Eastern Connecticut Conference boys basketball championship game Friday night.
“We made the decision, if they were going to sit back off of us, we were going to hold the ball until 10 seconds to go and put it all on the line,” Parker said.
NFA coach Neal Curland felt like he had no choice but to go with the flow.
“We were happy with that,” Curland said. “We weren’t going to try and chase them and foul them because we had the lead. If you go out and guard them tight and try to get a five-second call, they’re going by you because they’re quicker than we are.”
Parker decided that Childs-Harris had to be the man since his best outside shooter, Nick Singleton, was not with the team due to family issues.
“It was designed for me to shoot the 3, but no one came out,” Childs-Harris said. “I turned around too late to shoot the 3, so I thought if I drove to the middle and threw a floater that I would get it. I was waiting my whole life for a shot like that.”
Though the winning play wasn’t drawn up on the spot, it might as well have been.
“That play we had for the game-winner, ironically, we just put it in two or three days ago and that’s the first we’ve run it all year,” Parker said. “It could have been a 3-pointer had he been wide open but he made a good decision, made a move, pulled up with a kid in his face and made the tough shot.”
Curland could only compliment Childs-Harris afterwards.
“That was a big-time play — a great shot, off the dribble, guarded, 15-16 feet with a guy on him, leaning a little bit.”
The game wasn’t over yet. There were still 5.9 ticks of the clock left as NFA called for a time-out immediately after Harris made his shot. The time-out didn’t help as the Wildcats threw away the in-bounds pass and were forced to foul. Teaurean Nolan hit two free throws to give the Whalers a three-point lead. NFA’s Wes Murphy did get off a shot just before the buzzer just inside half court, but it bounced off the rim and harmlessly to the ground.
“It is (a little sweeter than a year ago) because of the circumstances (the missing players, which also included Lamont Singleton and center Sylvere Vanterpool),” Parker said. “For these kids to not to let that affect them and keep their focus on the game — this has a special meaning (Friday night).”.
For his efforts, Childs-Harris brought home the Tournament Most Valuable Player Award as he led the Whalers with 22 points. Freshman Kris Dunn added 13 to the New London (22-1) effort.
“It’s like a dream come true,” said Dunn, who was named to the All-Tournament team. “I didn’t think I was going to help win it, because I’m a freshman.”
Mike Mailhot led the Wildcats (19-4) with 13 points and Darryl Ferguson returned to the NFA lineup after being too ill to play in the semifinals to score 10 points, grab eight rebounds, block four shots and alter a host of others. Both Mailhot and Ferguson were named to the All-Tournament team along with Woodstock’s Kyle Senick.
“It took a great shot to beat us and that makes it harder for the kids and for me, too,” Curland said, “but I’ve coached in a lot of games and for them, this is their one chance, the seniors, so it’s really hard.”
The clock was ticking down toward 10 seconds and the 1,500 gathered in the Waterford High School gym stood waiting for the inevitable.
The 10 players on the court will re-play those waning seconds over the years and remember what they did. They’ll think about what they could have done as the crowd rose in unison waiting for the inevitable New London time out.
New London’s Torin Childs-Harris stood 10 feet inside halfcourt with the ball, NFA’s Anthony Clarke was watching his every move with the Wildcats trying to protect a one-point lead. New London coach Craig Parker finally brought his hands together to signal for the time out with 10 seconds left and his focus fell on Childs-Harris.
The sophomore with the silky smooth touch was not about to disappoint his coach or the New London faithful as he caught the in-bounds pass, dribbled inside the 3-point line and lofted up a perfect 15-foot jump shot that found only net, the go-ahead basket that the Whalers needed with six seconds left that led to New London’s 51-48 win over NFA in the Eastern Connecticut Conference boys basketball championship game Friday night.
“We made the decision, if they were going to sit back off of us, we were going to hold the ball until 10 seconds to go and put it all on the line,” Parker said.
NFA coach Neal Curland felt like he had no choice but to go with the flow.
“We were happy with that,” Curland said. “We weren’t going to try and chase them and foul them because we had the lead. If you go out and guard them tight and try to get a five-second call, they’re going by you because they’re quicker than we are.”
Parker decided that Childs-Harris had to be the man since his best outside shooter, Nick Singleton, was not with the team due to family issues.
“It was designed for me to shoot the 3, but no one came out,” Childs-Harris said. “I turned around too late to shoot the 3, so I thought if I drove to the middle and threw a floater that I would get it. I was waiting my whole life for a shot like that.”
Though the winning play wasn’t drawn up on the spot, it might as well have been.
“That play we had for the game-winner, ironically, we just put it in two or three days ago and that’s the first we’ve run it all year,” Parker said. “It could have been a 3-pointer had he been wide open but he made a good decision, made a move, pulled up with a kid in his face and made the tough shot.”
Curland could only compliment Childs-Harris afterwards.
“That was a big-time play — a great shot, off the dribble, guarded, 15-16 feet with a guy on him, leaning a little bit.”
The game wasn’t over yet. There were still 5.9 ticks of the clock left as NFA called for a time-out immediately after Harris made his shot. The time-out didn’t help as the Wildcats threw away the in-bounds pass and were forced to foul. Teaurean Nolan hit two free throws to give the Whalers a three-point lead. NFA’s Wes Murphy did get off a shot just before the buzzer just inside half court, but it bounced off the rim and harmlessly to the ground.
“It is (a little sweeter than a year ago) because of the circumstances (the missing players, which also included Lamont Singleton and center Sylvere Vanterpool),” Parker said. “For these kids to not to let that affect them and keep their focus on the game — this has a special meaning (Friday night).”.
For his efforts, Childs-Harris brought home the Tournament Most Valuable Player Award as he led the Whalers with 22 points. Freshman Kris Dunn added 13 to the New London (22-1) effort.
“It’s like a dream come true,” said Dunn, who was named to the All-Tournament team. “I didn’t think I was going to help win it, because I’m a freshman.”
Mike Mailhot led the Wildcats (19-4) with 13 points and Darryl Ferguson returned to the NFA lineup after being too ill to play in the semifinals to score 10 points, grab eight rebounds, block four shots and alter a host of others. Both Mailhot and Ferguson were named to the All-Tournament team along with Woodstock’s Kyle Senick.
“It took a great shot to beat us and that makes it harder for the kids and for me, too,” Curland said, “but I’ve coached in a lot of games and for them, this is their one chance, the seniors, so it’s really hard.”
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