Ansonia Girls Defeat Seymour, 58-31

The Ansonia girls basketball team head into the playoffs on a high note, thanks to a 58 – 31 victory at Seymour Wednesday.

I credit the girls for the way they came out and played,” Ansonia Coach Pat Lynch said. I said to them before the game that a win will get them a home game at (the state playoffs) and a loss would put us on the road. Seymour has played better in the second half season and we knew it wouldn’t be easy. We just wanted to come out and play hard.”

The Chargers did that, raising their record to 13 – 7. They led at every quarter — 17 – 9 after one quarter, 28 – 17 at the half and 39 – 28 after three quarters.

The Lady Wildcats finished their season at 5 – 15.

Senior co-captain Kristin Mooney (16 points, 14 rebounds, five assists, five steals, three blocked shots) ignited Ansonia by attacking the basket. Mooney hit three early layups to give the Chargerettes the early lead.

My teammates gave me the ball at good times,” Mooney said.

Scoring wasn’t Mooney’s biggest contribution — it was her work on the boards. She was instrumental in Ansonia’s rebounding advantage over Seymour, which gave the Chargers many second chance opportunities and limited Seymour to one shot, for the most part.

Everyone on our team boxed out and got to the boards,” Mooney said. It was a great team win.”

Junior Nicole Kachoulous (11 points, one assist) swished her first of two treys to double Ansonia’s lead from three to six points, 15 – 9 with 2:05 remaining in the first quarter. 

Ansonia was off to the races after that.

I just worked hard in practice and what I did in practice came out in the game,” Kachoulous said. This gives us a lot of confidence.”

Freshman Tierney Lawlor (12 points, six rebounds, one assist, one steal) was instrumental in breaking it open for Ansonia in the third quarter. Lawlor opened up the half by swishing a 3‑pointer and a conventional jump shot. 

She also hit a layup off a feed from senior co-captain Jeanne Whalen (four points, three assists, two steals) and set up Whalen’s layup.

I just had to relax and shoot them at the right time,” Lawlor said.

Mooney swished two treys to build the lead to 17, 38 – 21 before Seymour started to rally back behind sophomore Christina Cretella (17 points, seven rebounds, one steal, two blocked shot). Cretella hit a layup and 3‑point play off a steal.

I just worked as hard as I could and I played for the seniors,” Cretella said. I played like it was my last game.”

Seymour senior Amber Martinez’ (six points, three rebounds, two steals) layup off a midcourt steal cut it to 39 – 28.

Ansonia didn’t allow Seymour to get closer. 

Mooney hit two free throws and Kachoulous nailed a trey and a jump shot. Freshman Melissa Tirella (seven points, two assists, two steals) had a big steal to stem the tide. Juniors Catherine Devellis (two points, two steals) and Jessica Mooney (two points) and sophomores Ashley Bowns (three points on a 3‑pointer) and Beka Behrendt (one point) also contributed for Ansonia.

Senior co-captains Ali Ciocca (three points, one trey, five rebounds, three assists) and Meghan Cabrera (one two assists) and classmate Danille Lemachko (three points, one 3‑pointer) and juniors Mary-Kate Durette (one point, six rebounds, one blocked shot) and Alison Garman (one point) contributed for the Lady Wildcats.

For the past four games [three wins and a close loss], we played the type of basketball we teach them,” Seymour Coach Brian Cleveland said. Tonight, it didn’t seem like it was there.”

Seymour more than doubled last year’s win total (2 – 18) and hope better days are ahead.

We finished on a strong note this year and we hope to make States next year,” Cleveland said. We laid a foundation and the girls will know their roles and what’s expected of them.”

Ansonia will play at Holy Cross on Saturday against an opponent to be determined. Seedings weren’t immediately available Wednesday night.

This gives us a lot of confidence going into our next game,” Kristin Mooney said. We’ll be competitive in the tournaments.”

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