Ansonia-Derby Girls Basketball Secures Three Wins

Ansonia/Derby was back on the hardwood last Sunday and had their most successful weekend in the programs short history by winning three of the five games played. 

The young ladies are continuing to improve on a weekly basis and directors Dave Chevarella and Patrick Lynch couldn’t be happier.

“These girls are learning that you can’t just show up and be good at something,” Lynch explained. 

“It takes hard work, practice, showing up consistently, paying attention and teamwork. I tell them all the time, if it was easy, everyone would do it.”

“It’s hard for kids to be told they are doing something wrong, not just in basketball but in anything,” said Chevarella. ​“So they are learning how to take a little constructive criticism from their coaches, not to get upset and try their best to not make the same mistake the next time.” 

The 4th grade team won a nail biter 18 – 17 over Bethel. Josephine (Jo-Jo) Sanchez led her team in scoring for the 3rd consecutive game by pouring in 10 points. Laney O’Hara helped on both ends of the floor with her 6 points and 7 rebounds. Aaliyah Maldonado rounded out the scoring with a basket for the 4th graders, who are now 2 – 1 on the season. 

They will travel to Clinton this Sunday to play at 12:30 p.m.

Morgan Teodosio led the 5th grade team in scoring with 11 points as they lost 33 – 18 to Madison. Kiara Swilling was all over the court as she scored 4 points, grabbed 5 rebounds and had 4 steals as the team fell to 0 – 3 on the season. Lucy Lane rounded out the scoring for the team with a basket and a free throw. They don’t have a game this weekend and return to action on December 1st with a game in Wallingford at 1:30pm.

Chardenay Rowson continued her steady improvement by leading the 6th grade team with 8 points, 9 rebounds and 3 blocks. Her all-around effort still wasn’t enough as the team fell to Madison 30 – 15. Teodosio (4 points) and Swilling (3 points) rounded out the scoring for the now 1 – 2 team. This Sunday, they will host New Haven at 12pm at the Derby Veterans Community Center.

The 7th grade team secured their first victory of the season behind an outstanding scoring display by Destiny Blackwood. She tallied a program record 23 points leading the team to a 35 – 28 win over Seymour. Sydney Drezek and Gillian Nemec continued to show off their shooting touch with 6 and 4 points respectfully. Gabby Stadt rounded out the scoring with a baseline drive for her 2 points. 7th grade will also host New Haven at 1:15pm Sunday in Derby. 

The 8th grade team improved their record to 2 – 1 with a hard fought 17 – 13 win over Seymour. Both teams had trouble scoring against each other’s defense but Blackwood once again led the way with 11 points and 6 steals. The scoring was rounded out by Judi Palmieri, Alesica Andrade and Asjha Jones, who each had a basket. They will round out the triple header against New Haven this Sunday at 2:30pm.

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