The West Haven-based basketball program Savin Rock Ballerz played in a couple tournaments the last few weekends. April 21-22, the 7th and 8th grade teams played in the same bracket in the Round Ball Classic. The 7th graders started things out against the Long Island First Ladies, winning 45-25. Tylena Rivas played excellently, controlling the game from the point guard spot and hitting a couple of three-point shots. Cassidy Carrano also got into the action hitting a three, and playing great defense.
Next for them was CT Elite where Maria Bailey showed off her range hitting a pair of 3’s, Talia Annunziato chipped in with 12 points. Jaylice Rosario controlled the boards and Anna Atterbury had several steals. Savin Rock won, 52-20.
The 8th graders also played the Long Island First Ladies. Taija Lloyd played a great game leading all scorers with 16 points. Also playing well for the Ballerz was Julia Ball with 12 points.
The next Game was against St. John’s out of Long Island. This was a hard matchup for the Ballerz going against a team that plays together year round. They fought hard but it was not enough as they lost by four. Leading the way for Savin Rock was Mya Flemming with 10 point and terrific defense. Davina Mendez played tough under the basket and chipped in 12 points.
Luckily the ball bounced Savin Rocks way, as both Savin Rock teams met in the championship game. It was a fun game for the girls who play against each other all the time in practice. This game had more on the line than a championship this was about bragging rights. Davina Mendez started out hot for the 8th grade squad scoring her team’s first 13 points. The 7th grade countered with Dea Howard hitting a couple long three’s and Amani Abuhatab getting some big rebounds and put backs. Score ended 7th grade coming out on top, 47-40.
This past weekend the Ballerz 6th, 7th, and 8th played in the Zero Gravity. The 6th grade started out hot beating CT Wolves, 44-19. Cameron Ryan and T’naiyah Watters combined for 16 point. Isabella Fiorillo led the way from the point guard spot. Next was WFL Allstars that the Ballerz beat, 35-4. Ava Hallovatch played tremendous defense and scored 15 points. Grayce Christoforo played well on both sides of the court grabbing rebounds under the basket and making her put backs.
The third game was against Hoop Wave. Erica Fronte had 10 points. Navoni Harris also played well along with Kiara Rodgers. Savin Rock won, 39-10.
The championship game was against Valley United. It was Savin Rock’s first time in the tournament getting hit hard, and they struggled to get the offense going. Valley won, 32-25. Sonai Maye and Jillian Guilfoyle played solid games.
The 7th grade also started hot as they beat their first opponent Albany Lady Stars, 65-21. Dea Howard led all scorers with 15 points. Caydance Hill controlled the boards. Next for them was the CT Starters. Ballerz came out shooting winning the game, 53-15. Mya Flemming played great in this game scoring 12 points with 6 steals. Third game was against CT Trotters, who could not control the Ballerz as they fell to them, 51-10. Jalice Rosario again made her presence known by powering the post position on her way to a game high 18 points.
In the championship game was a rematch from first game against Albany. This time with Savin Rock won, 45-15. Great overall team effort on the defensive side.
The 8th grades first game was against Next Generation. Ballerz came out slow and sloppy falling early 12-3 but made a couple runs to bring it with 5. But in the end Savin Rock could not handle Next Generations fast offense and relentless defense falling, 40-21. For Savin Rock in that game Kassidy Carrano played well on the defensive side. Erin Knapp played good minutes learning the system. Taija Lloyd and Olivia Campbell paced the offense with 14 points combined. Angelina Tocci didn’t let her offensive struggles stop her from playing great defense.
The next game for the 8th grade team was against CSA Velocity. The Ballerz had something to prove in this game after a sloppy game in the morning. Taylor Scott let no one stop her as she scored 24 points. Alison Turpin, Alania Schneider, Violet Foyer, and Davina Mendez combined for another 20 as the Ballerz went on to win, 55-12. Third game was against the New Jersey Tornadoes. This game was to the championship. Both teams wanted it bad as they fought for 32 minutes relentlessly. Davina Mendez had another big game under the basket scoring 12 points even with being in early foul trouble. Elena Petrie nursing an injured ankle was able to come in late and add some 6 points in the final 5 minutes. Gates again gave quality minutes every time on the floor. Schneider played terrific defense but it wasn’t enough as the Savin Rock lost, 49-41.