Jackets Boys Basketball Downs Terryville

Senior Jim Bunel, son of this writer, scored a game-high 24 points to lead the Gilbert boys basketball team (7-1) to victory over Terryville Tuesday, Jan. 8, at the Gilbert gym in Winsted.

The Jackets offense was mirrored by an outstanding team-wide performance on the defensive end. The team jumped out to a 11-0 lead before the Roos got on the board and when the first quarter ended, the Jackets held a 16-6 advantage.

Gilbert guard T.J. Monka kept the pressure on the Terryville guards in the second period, while senior Adam Vaccari and junior Zac Tuozzo were doing yeomens work on the boards and on defense. The Jackets' intensity paid dividends as the team outscored Terryville 19-12 in the second period.

Both teams entered the game with a record of 6-1 and needed a win to keep pace with undefeated Northwestern. Terryville had won six in a row following an opening game loss to Northwestern, while the Jackets had won five in a row following their only loss of the season against Litchfield.

Terryville came out in the second half determined to cut into the Gilbert lead and make a game of it. The Kangaroos managed to outscore the Jackets 15-11 as junior guard Mike Garrow got hot in the third period, but each and every time the Roos appeared to be mounting a serious rally, Gilbert would answer with a big basket or defensive stop.

Coach Mark Douglass changed up the defensive assignments near the end of the third period and stayed with it in the fourth period. Bunel moved over to cover Garrow, shutting him down. At the same time, Terryville's 6-foot-5-inch sophomore center Jason Pranulis began to assert himself, but the Jackets responded with a big basket or defensive stop.

Both Bunel and Vaccari canned key three-pointers just when it seemed Terryville had seized momentum and were on the verge of making a serious run. Reserve Jorge Pimentel also came up big for Gilbert during the stretch, scoring seven of his nine points.

Douglass said he was pleased with the overall effort of his team, especially defensively. "When we play with that type of intensity, we're tough to beat. Terryville is a tough matchup for anyone, but I think our team defense surprised them."

With the victory, Gilbert enters this Saturday night's game with an opportunity to draw into a tie with a victory over Northwestern. The game will be played at the Torrington High School gym starting at 7 p.m.Terryville Girls

Defeat Gilbert, 50-41The Terryville girls basketball team held off a furious fourth-quarter rally by Gilbert and went on to defeat the Lady Jackets Tuesday, Jan. 8, at the Gilbert gym.

With the new Terryville gym unavailable, the Lady Jackets got a chance to play at home as part of a doubleheader. After taking a 10-9 lead at the end of the first period, the Jackets went into a deep freeze, scoring only six more points combined in the second and third periods, and found themselves looking at a 33-16 deficit to start the fourth period.

To their credit, the Jackets didn't quit. Coach Paul Grossman went to a full-court press to start the fourth period and the Jackets mounted a furious rally. The Lady Yellowjackets swarmed all over the court, causing numerous turnovers and outscoring the Roos 25-17. Unfortunately, time was working against them and Terryville players made their foul shots at the end to seal the Jackets' fate.

Jackie Vaccari led the Jackets with 16 points, while her sister, Sarah, had 10 points. Also scoring for Gilbert were Nikki Hoxie, who added eight points, and Kate Williams, who chipped in with five.Jacket Grapplers Shine

The Gilbert boys wrestling team continued its winning ways, capturing first place in the Northwestern Regional High School duals Saturday, Dec. 5, at the Northwestern Gym in Winsted.

The Jackets dominated throughout the tournament as they stormed past Stafford (72-9), Rocky Hill (65-16), Morgan (69-9) and Northwestern (56-23) to earn a spot in the finals against St. Bernard.

The Jackets built a solid lead in the finals before losing two matches on points, but junior Toney Decato pinned his opponent in the 125-pound class final to clinch the victory.

Junior Tore Lovetere was also victorious as he improved his record to 14-0 in the 171-pound class. Decato, with a record of 11-4, Eric Parsons (11-3) and Alex Senetcky (11-3) are also enjoying good seasons for the Jackets.

With the victory, the Jackets improved to 10-1 overall and 2-1 in the Berkshire League.Northwestern Downs

Shepaug, 70-46The Northwestern boys basketball team improved to 7-0 as the squad defeated Shepaug Saturday, Jan. 5, in Washington.

Chris Laudati led the Highlanders with a game-high 24 points, while Matt Ryan and Josh Seibold chipped in with nine and eight points, respectively. Gilbert Downs

Housatonic, 69-35The Gilbert boys basketball team (6-1) defeated Housatonic Saturday, Jan. 5, at the Gilbert Gym.

Jim Bunel paced the Jackets with a game-high 25 points, while Adam Vaccari added 16. Jorge Pimentel chipped in with 12 points, while T.J. Monka added 10 and Zac Tuozzo grabbed 14 rebounds.Litchfield Defeats

Gilbert, 98-85The Litchfield swim team overcame a strong early start by Gilbert and went on to defeat the Jackets Saturday, Jan. 5, at the YMCA pool in Winsted.

The Jackets opened up with a win behind Jarrod Groth, Nick Berger, Keith Sykes and Mark Dragone in the 200-meter medley relay. Matt Palmer then added a third-place finish in the 200-meter freestyle. Groth added a second-place finish in the 200-meter individual medley, followed by a third-place finish in the event by Jim Brady.

Gilbert swimmers continued the strong performance as Sykes captured the 50-meter freestyle, while teammate Berger took home a third-place finish. Next up, Carry Garneau captured a diving win, but no other Jacket diver placed and that hurt the team effort.

Groth would add a third-place finish in the 100-meter fly, while Sykes picked up his second individual win in the 100-meter freestyle with Guy Guyton finishing third. In the next event, Matt Palmer placed second in the 400-meter freestyle, followed by a third place finish by Natasha Owens in the 100-meter backstroke and then a victory by Berger in the 100-meter breaststroke. Dragone placed second in that event before the team of Brady, Groth, Guyton and Sykes picked up Gilbert's last points of the meet with a win in the 400-meter freestyle relay.