Four area teams compete in winter holiday tournament

TORRINGTON — Four area high school basketball teams faced off over the holiday break for the 2nd annual Winter Tournament in Torrington.

The cross-conference showdown featured the Housatonic Valley Regional High School Mountaineers, Gilbert High School Yellowjackets, O’Brien Technical High School Condors, and Wolcott Technical High School Wildcats.

HVRHS opened the tournament with a game against Gilbert on Tuesday, Dec. 27. With a limited bench, Mountaineer coach Kurt Johnson started one senior, one junior, one sophomore and two freshmen.

Gilbert got off to a hot start and secured a 20-point lead by halftime. The Yellowjackets kept their foot on the gas the whole game as they pressed full court on the Mountaineers and forced turnover after turnover.

Gilbert won in the end with a final score of 74-33.

In the game between tech schools later that day, Wolcott defeated O’Brien 55-43.

As Gilbert advanced to the championship game versus Wolcott, HVRHS was relegated to the concession game against O’Brien Tech on Thursday, Dec. 29.

The Mountaineers once again faced a full-court press that they could not answer. After putting up only three points in the first quarter, the young Housatonic squad went back to the drawing board.

“Work together to get the ball,” said Coach Johnson as he rallied the team.

As the game went on, the Mountaineers moved the ball well and found good looks down-court. They didn’t shy away from contact and earned their points on the free-throw line, led by senior guard Carter Sneller who scored a team-high 12-points and hit 8 of 11 from the stripe.

Housatonic’s momentum came too late and O’Brien Tech could not be caught. The Condors secured thirrd place in the tournament with a 56-29 victory over the Mountaineers.

As for the championship game, Wolcott Tech prevailed over Gilbert in a 65-58 win.

Next year the Winter Tournament will be hosted by HVRHS and will feature the same four schools.

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The HVRHS Mountaineers matched up against the Gilbert Yellowjackets on Tuesday, Dec. 27, as part of the Winter Tournament in Torrington. Photo by Riley Klein

The HVRHS Mountaineers matched up against the Gilbert Yellowjackets on Tuesday, Dec. 27, as part of the Winter Tournament in Torrington. Photo by Riley Klein

The HVRHS Mountaineers matched up against the Gilbert Yellowjackets on Tuesday, Dec. 27, as part of the Winter Tournament in Torrington. Photo by Riley Klein

The HVRHS Mountaineers matched up against the Gilbert Yellowjackets on Tuesday, Dec. 27, as part of the Winter Tournament in Torrington. Photo by Riley Klein

The HVRHS Mountaineers matched up against the Gilbert Yellowjackets on Tuesday, Dec. 27, as part of the Winter Tournament in Torrington. Photo by Riley Klein

The HVRHS Mountaineers matched up against the Gilbert Yellowjackets on Tuesday, Dec. 27, as part of the Winter Tournament in Torrington. Photo by Riley Klein

The HVRHS Mountaineers matched up against the Gilbert Yellowjackets on Tuesday, Dec. 27, as part of the Winter Tournament in Torrington. Photo by Riley Klein