Killingly eliminated by North Haven in Class MM opener
The Killingly girls basketball team has made a number of key 3-point baskets during their run to a sixth consecutive state tournament berth.
“It’s our bread and butter,” Killingly coach Gina Lindberg said.
Killingly’s outside shooting game, however, was missing against North Haven on Tuesday night in the opening round of the Class MM state tournament. No. 22 Killingly, which fell behind early, was eliminated, 50-41, at North Haven High School.
“It certainly wasn’t one of our best offensive games,” Lindberg said.
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The No. 11 Nighthawks, who compete in the basketball-rich Southern Connecticut Conference, held Killingly (10-12) to just one 3-pointer.
“They defended our guards very well,” Lindberg said. “We probably should have gone to Ari (Headen) a little sooner in the first half. We live and die with it (3-pointer). North Haven was a formidable opponent.”
Killingly junior center Ariahna Headen poured in a game-high 23 points, while senior Molly Crabtree chipped in eight points.
“The girls got hot at spontaneous times throughout the year,” Lindberg said. “There were just a few games where they were not together. They would kind of feed off each other. Laura (Farquhar) would have a big game and then the next game Molly would be the one. It would rotate throughout the season but Ari heated up the last stretch of this year. I’m really proud of her. She played great.”
North Haven (14-7) had four players score in double figures. Damaria Williams-Davis had 14 points, Lia Calderon added 11 points, while Ava Papa and Olivia Ball netted 10 points apiece.
North Haven built leads of 26-15 at intermission and 38-26 after three quarters. Williams-Davis then scored eight points in the fourth quarter to keep Killingly at bay.
“It just wasn’t our night,” Lindberg said.
It was the final game for Killingly seniors Grace Sumner, Laura Farquhar, twins Sydney and Molly Crabtree, and Erika Horne.
“Erika played her sophomore year, took last year off, and came back this year,” Lindberg said. “She didn’t get much time but she is the epitome of what a teammate should be. She is the first one cheering on the bench. She’s the one that gets the girls going. I can’t say enough about her. I’m glad she came back.”
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Farquhar, Sumner and the Crabtree’s are two-year starters who leave a rich, winning legacy.
“There was never one ounce of drama in this group,” Lindberg said. “They were honestly just the best kids and one of the most fun and hardest working groups we’ve had. My father (assistant coach Scott Derosier) certainly had a special bond with them. We’re going to miss them.”
This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Killingly eliminated by North Haven in CIAC basketball tourney
