It was all smiles for the Derby Red Raiders Wednesday night as the team cruised along to an easy victory to send the team’s four seniors out in style.
Seniors Mary Hyde, Heather Smith, Taylor McMahon and Desantilia Gjata enjoyed a successful close to their careers at Alphonso F. Vitello Gymnasium as the Red Raiders rolled to a 55 – 15 win over the Emmett O’Brien Tech Condors.
Derby dominated a severely undermanned O’Brien Tech team, which had the minimum five players dressed for the game, due to illnesses and scheduling conflict. The game was originally scheduled for Tuesday, but was postponed by snowy weather.
It didn’t take long for Derby to get a big lead, scoring the first 18 points of the game. Derby senior star Mary Hyde led the way, scoring 12 of her game-high 18 points in the first eight minutes.
O’Brien Tech did not get on the scoreboard until Alyssa Long-Jeffrey nailed a shot with 15 seconds left in the first period. Alyssa Long-Jeffrey was responsible for all six O’Brien Tech points in the first half and finished with nine points to lead the Condors.
Derby managed to get the lead to 21 points at halftime, with Jenna Cripps scoring five of her nine points in the second quarter. The Red Raider advantage surged to 41 – 9 by the end of the third period.
“We wanted to give it everything,” Cripps said of the Raiders’ effort.
Derby Head Coach Dave Chevarella was happy all of his seniors managed to score in their final home game. In addition to Hyde’s 18-point effort, McMahon put up eight points, Smith scored six and Gjata scored four points after returning from injury.
“Tonight in general was good overall being our last home game,” Gjata said. “I’m extremely sad. I’ll never get to [play here] again, but I’m really happy that we won, I’m really with the team that I have and I feel really fortunate.”
Chevarella said it was too bad O’Brien could not have more players on the court, but he appreciated the Condors’ efforts. He also praised his four seniors for closing out their home careers on a high note. The senior class finished with a record of 40 – 40 in regular season play, he said.
“Those four kids have been involved in 40 wins. That’s a nice accomplishment,” Chevarella said. “They’re four wonderful kids.”
Four O’Brien Tech players, including seniors Sasha Quinones, Vicky Camillo and Desere Maldinado, did not attend the game. O’Brien Tech Head Coach Mark Belade gave credit to the five girls that played all 32 minutes.
“I’m very proud of them. They did a nice job. They didn’t quit,” Belade said.
Derby finishes its regular season at 10 – 10.
The Raiders return to the court on Saturday at Holy Cross High School for the start of the Naugatuck Valley League tournament.
O’Brien Tech (5 – 13) is scheduled to finish its season Friday at Platt Tech.
