Gilbert girls win close game

WINSTED — The Gilbert School’s girls varsity basketball team scored a win against Housatonic Valley Regional High School in a home game on Friday, Jan. 2.After remaining nearly tied for the entire game, Gilbert won with a score of 48-46.Gilbert team member Ali Brochu, 15, said that her team practices every day.“Tonight’s game was awesome. We really pulled together,” Ali said. “We’ve won four games and lost three so far this season. We work together really well. We’re a great team because we support each other.”Gilbert player Elizabeth Wexler, 14, said that playing basketball takes a lot of dedication.“I’ve been playing basketball since I was 5 and it’s fun to play with a team,” Elizabeth said. “Tonight’s game was very good. We worked as a team, and when things got tough we came together and played harder. We’re very close, and when one person is down someone else helps picks up their game. Our coach is funny, and he makes us work very hard.”Gilbert girls basketball coach Gerry Hicks described the game as one of the most challenging of the season.“It’s great that we won, and it was important for us,” Hicks said. “Housatonic is a strong team so I thought it would be a challenge for us. It turned out to be the biggest challenge we’ve seen out of a lot of teams so far, and we came through. Last season we won one game. This season we’re in the thick of things. We were behind at the end and then came back to win. That’s huge for us.”Hicks said this game will provide a big confidence boost for the team.“Deanna Delacruz making those baskets inside on the block at the end, Grace Balickis with that steal on their in-bounds at the end, Elizabeth Wexler going to the line hitting shots, it was huge for us,” Hicks said.