Gilbert's girls can't snap home losing streak

WINSTED — The Gilbert girls varsity basketball team played Wolcott Tech at home on Dec. 18, hoping to break their losing streak and pick up their first win of the season. They had a very narrow defeat in their previous game against Terryville, where Gilbert controlled the lead for most of the game before slipping late. But against Wolcott Tech they took a 54-43 loss at home.

Through the first quarter Wolcott Tech controlled the action, dictating the pace and not rushing their offense. Gilbert had noticeable trouble picking up rebounds, particularly in their own end, and Wolcott Tech capitalized by following up and developing a quick lead.

With Wolcott Tech’s lead increasing in the first, Gilbert Head Coach Paul Grossman was forced to take a timeout late in the quarter to regroup. Gilbert was unable to close the gap by the end of the first, and went into the second with Wolcott Tech ahead 11-4.

Wolcott continued to add to their lead, and kept Gilbert from scoring with a very effective defense. Gilbert’s offense was able to keep the gap manageable into halftime, but still seemed unable to find a way to halt a consistent Wolcott Tech offensive effort. The score was 28-20 at the halftime break.

In the early minutes of the third, the Yellowjackets seemed to be having the same old woes and were unable to narrow Wolcott Tech’s lead, but after a few good trips to the foul line and a number of shots by Kate Williams, the Yellowjackets looked to be closing in.

Gilbert’s defense caught up with their offensive drive and froze Wolcott Tech through most of the third, as the Yellowjackets chipped away at the lead. With 17 seconds remaining in the third, Gilbert’s Katie LaChance tied the game 33-33 with a shot from the outside, and the Yellowjackets held onto that score until the end of the quarter.

Early in the fourth Courtney Cesca’s free throw efforts put Gilbert in the lead for the first time in the game. The Yellowjackets looked primed to increase and secure their comeback, but began to let it fade away late into the fourth. Wolcott Tech captured all the late game momentum and took back their lead and the victory. Wolcott Tech finally snapped their lengthy losing streak with their 54-43 win against the Yellowjackets.

"You are only as good as your components," said Coach Grossman. "We didn’t play our game tonight. They deserved it and they earned it. I am very happy for them."

LaChance lead the scoring for the Yellowjackets with five field goals, one successful three-point shot, and three foul shots for a total of 16 points. Williams and Cesca both tallied seven points in the game: Williams had two three-point shots and one at the foul line, while Cesca managed two field goals and three foul shots. Williams and Cesca both had one assist and four rebounds each. Frankie Marino’s three points in the game were indeed misleading, as she lead her team in assists with six.

Wolcott’s Alyssa Paniati lead her team and the game with 18 points and Ariell Levesque was close behind with 15.

Wolcott Tech has a season record of 1-2, while Gilbert still looks for a win with a record of 0-3.