Torrington’s Paige Middleton looks to make a pass during the Red Raiders 58-18 win over Woodland. Middleton finished with eight points.
Marianne Killackey – Special to the Register Citizen
TORRINGTON >> Torrington girls basketball (12-3) pounded out its second 40-point win of the week in a 58-18 rout over a young Woodland team (3-12) Friday night at Torrington High School.
The Hawks start a freshman and two sophomores, then bring in more freshman off the bench.
“We’re very young. We’re getting experience,” said Coach Jess Moffo.
Some of it, no doubt, is more painful than others.
Photos: Torrington 58 Woodland 18
Friday, the Red Raiders let the Hawks stay in the game for the first four minutes, then took off on their own flight to domination in every aspect of the game. Caroline Teti led the scoring with 15 points as 14 Raiders got in the game, 12 of them showing up on the scoreboard.
“Torrington shot unbelievable,” said Moffo. “What did they hit, 80 percent of their shots?”
No, but improved shooting was one of the Raider aims in a two-game stretch against opponents made for working on goals.
“We’re shooting better,” said Coach Mike Fritch. “The kids have more confidence and they’re taking better shots.”
The Raiders hit on three of their first four possessions, all from outside. Paige Middleton (8 points) got the first two, Teti the third, 6-0.
Torrington’s Caroline Teti lays in two of her game high 15 points in the Red Raiders 58-18 win against Woodland.
Marianne Killackey – Special to the Register Citizen
Woodland junior Becky Hale (team-high 6 points) laid in the first Hawk basket. Sophomore Cam Caswell got the second, 6-4.
That was enough for the Raiders, who took off on a 16-0 run, including two threes by Teti.
Foul shots by Brittany Anderson and Olivia Morrison, along with hoops by Kendra Covington and consecutive outside bombs by Brie Pergola rang the Raider total to 22-4 with less than a minute left in the first period.
The Raiders had three steals in the run, on their way to a 17-8 turnover advantage while dominating the boards 26-14.
Youth? Torrington’s Pergola, a freshman, led the Raider rebounding with nine.
“(Coach Fritch) takes five girls every year and gets them to play the way he wants them to play,” said Coach Moffo. “He’s a top tier coach.”
The first period ended 24-6.
“We got to work on things,” said Fritch, convoying people in and out while giving his own youngsters experience off the bench.
They all dominated.
The Hawks hit double figures half way through the second period on a baseline shot by Hale.
That brought it to 33-10 after a nice drive by Torrington’s Mia Barbieri, another Teti three and hoops from Middleton and Pergola.
The rest of it was filed under experience for both teams as the Raiders went on to 39-10 at the half and 54-15 after three.
“We’re 12-3. I never expected that,” said Coach Fritch. “The kids have really worked hard.”
Practice is over.
Next Tuesday, the Raiders go on the road to test the hard work again, at undefeated Holy Cross.
Torrington 58, Woodland 18
At Torrington High School
Woodland 6 4 5 3—18
Torrington 24 15 15 4—58
Woodland (18): Andrea Piccolo 2-1-5; Carla Piccolo 1-1-3; Cam Caswell 2-2-4; Becky Hale 3-0-6; Jen Triana 0-0-0; Maddy Hupprich 0-0-0; Emily Brouillette 0-0-0; McKenna Cronin 0-0-0; Totals: 8-2-18.
Torrington (58): Ashlynn Cook 0-0-0; Paige Middleton 3-2-8; Brie Pergola 3-0-6; Joann Duman 2-0-4; Caroline Teti 6-0-15; Brittany Anderson 0-2-2; Mika Howard 2-0-5; Mia Barbieri 3-0-6; Shelby Howe 2-0-4; Olivia Morrison 0-2-2; Taylor Howe 2-1-4; Lindsay Mathieu 0-2-2; Caitlyn Cornish 0-0-0; Kendra Covington 2-0-4; Totals: 23-8-58.
3-point goals: T—Teti 3; Howard.
Records: Woodland 3-12; Torrington 12-3.