TORRINGTON >> Torrington’s girls basketball team (7-1) played one of its best games of the season in a 56-47 win over Woodland (4-4) Friday night at Torrington High School.
High scorers Brie Pergola (20 points, 7 rebounds) and Sidnee Kovall (16 points) were largely responsible, but others made key individual contributions while the offense flowed more smoothly than ever around them.
“We have a new offense with more screens,” said Pergola.
“We’re working better together,” said Kovall.
Pergola had 13 of her points in the second half. Kovall had eight of hers in the fourth quarter.
“Coach (Mike Fritch) set a goal for me to score at least 10 points,” said Kovall.
“Sidnee moved without the ball today,” Fritch said.
Still, the flow came from the rest of the team, getting the ball to Friday’s stars when they were open and filling in the scoring on cue.
In the first quarter, sophomore guard Alyssa Maraia (10 points) launched three straight threes from the corner in a key to the Red Raiders’ 17-13 lead.
Junior guard Shannon Reardon scored all six of her game points in the first half on the way to a 32-19 lead at the break.
Then there was defense.
“We made bad turnovers in the first half, trying to get it over the top,” said Woodland Coach Jess Moffo.
Torrington forced 22 turnovers (to 14 by the Raiders), many of them in the first half when ball-hawking Raiders intercepted passes launched into the middle, heading for the other end with the steal.
“We know what we’re doing, but then we have lapses and let teams back in,” said Coach Fritch.
Friday, they began in the third quarter.
Pergola scored all seven Torrington points in the third quarter.
Two early foul shots raised the Raider lead to 34-19.
But the Hawks quit forcing passes. Maddie Kuipprich (team-high 17 points); Eliza Smith (14); Morina Bojka (11) and Jill Barbarito used their height on the way to the basket, often picking up fouls on the way.
By the start of the final period, the Hawks were back to a 39-31 deficit, ready to spring an effective full-court press.
That’s when Kovall and Pergola had their finest moments.
“Brie is always a game-changer. When she’s not scoring, she’s setting up others for scores,” said Coach Moffo. “We try to make her job as difficult as possible.”
Kovall and Pergola made the first three baskets of the fourth period, pushing Torrington back to a 45-31 lead.
Then Pergola picked up her fourth foul and Woodland’s press took over.
“Our press got us back into the game,” said Moffo.
With Pergola on the bench, Kovall still played huge, breaking the press with one layup, driving the baseline for another, 50-34.
The Woodland press clamped down for two steals in an 8-0 Woodland run, back to 50-42 with 3:31 left in the game.
Pergola came off the bench for a great feed to Kovall under the basket.
Another Woodland steal and fast break had the Hawks back to 52-46, 2:14 left.
Alexis Tyrrell and Pergola were perfect in four tries at the foul line. The team flowed through a time-eating weave.
The game was done.
Torrington 56, Woodland 47
At Torrington High School
Woodland 13 6 12 16 – 47
Torrington 17 15 7 17 – 56
Woodland (47): Meg Sirowich 0-0-0; Maddie Hupprich 5-7-17; Eliza Smith 7-0-14; Hana Bojka 0-0-0; Morina Bojka 3-5-11; Jenna Pannone 0-0-0; Cam Johnson 0-0-0; Jill Barbarito 2-0-5; Totals: 17-12-47,
Torrington (56): Alexis Tyrrell 0-2-2; Brie Pergola 7-6-20; Sidnee Kovall 8-0-16; Shannon Reardon 3-0-6; Sara Bardwell 1-0-2; Alyssa Maraia 3-1-10; Totals: 22-9-56.
Halftime score: 32-19 Torrington
3-point goals: W – Barbarito. T – Maraia 3.
Records: Woodland 4-4; Torrington 7-1.