Boys basketball
Big tests this week for Falcons
AVON, Feb. 2 – After beginning the season by losing four of its first five games against some challenging competition, the Avon High basketball team can take a big step toward its second NCCC championship in three years with a pair of victories this week over Somers on Tuesday and against undefeated Canton (11-0, 6-0 NCCC) on Friday night in Avon.
The Falcons (8-4, 6-0 NCCC) fell to Bristol Central, Farmington, Northwest Catholic and Springfield Commerce in December and they returned just one starter from last year’s team.
But since they began play against NCCC teams, the Falcons have won seven in a row, most by a comfortable margin. A 17-10 fourth quarter rally fueled a three-point win over Stafford, 53-50 in the closest game in the winning streak.
Senior guard Joe Ives has been the most consistent offensive player. He had a season-high 24 points, including four 3-point goals, in a 60-53 win over Enfield on Jan. 23. Forward Zak Blawie, center Lambert Givens and forward Austin Kick have each had games when they have stood out.
Givens had 15 points on Friday in a 68-55 win over Tolland, Kick had 13 points in a 75-55 win over East Windsor while Blawie had 10 in a 70-47 win over Granby.
Due to the snow, the Falcons played just one game last week with a 55-36 victory over Coventry on Friday night. A 19-8 run in the third quarter was the difference for the Falcons. Ives scored a game-high 13 points while Givens added 12.
The Falcons’ last conference title came two years ago in 2007 when they ran the table in the league, going 13-0. They also shared conference titles in 2005, 2003 and 2002.
Girls basketball
Avon extends win streak to 36 in a row
AVON, Feb. 2 – The No. 3 Avon High girls basketball team extended their school-record winning streak to 36 straight games with a pair of comfortable NCCC victories over East Granby and Coventry last week.
This week, Avon faces two of the better teams in the league this year when they host Somers (13-2) on Tuesday night at the high school and then travel to face Canton (12-2, 7-2 NCCC) on Friday night on the road.
The largest crowd of the season filled the Avon High gym last Friday for Fan Appreciation Night against Coventry, which played for a Class S championship last March. Avon (14-0, 9-0 NCCC) broke open a eight-point game at halftime with a strong third quarter in a 59-35 victory.
With seven points from Jenni Marcus, a long three-point shot from Lauren Primovic and a pretty transition basket from Lindsay Horbatuck on a feed from Primovic, the Falcons jumped out to a quick 12-4 lead. Coventry didn’t blink and tied the game at 12-12 thanks a pair of three-point shots.
Avon stretched the lead to eight at halftime, 26-18 and broke the game open with strong defense from Sam Riccio (five steals) and the sizzling shooting of Marcus, who had a game-high 22 points including four 3-point shots.
Horbatuck had a double-double with 14 points and 14 rebounds while Titi Vanriel continued her fine play off the bench with eight points and eight rebounds. Primovic had six points and seven assists while Riccio finished with six points. Arina LaFrance was solid defensively, pulling down six rebounds.
Against East Granby, the Falcons raced out to a 23-2 first quarter lead in cruised to a 61-24 victory. An active man-to-man defense, crisp passing and an explosive transition fueled the big surge. Horbatuck had seven points while Marcus and Primovic added six points in the first half run. Riccio had an exciting shot to close the second quarter when she banked home a 45-foot shot to beat the buzzer.
Twelve Avon players scored in the game led by Horbatuck with 12 points and 13 rebounds while Primovic scored 11. Marcus finished with eight while Riccio, Vanreil (10 rebounds) and Maggie Hartman each scored five points. Deven Boundy and Stephanie Janson played well off the bench with four points each.
Ice hockey
Avon beats Farmington, 3-1
AVON, Feb. 2 – After a break of 10 days, the Falcon ice hockey team split a pair of games last week. Avon (6-6, 2-2 Northern Hockey Conference) received 39 saves from goalie Mike Munoz in a 3-1 win over Farmington. David Muench, David Lavoie and Adam Leibowitz scored for the Falcons.
On Saturday night, Amity-Woodbridge had a pair of third period goals to earn a 3-1 victory. Muench scored for Avon while Munoz stopped 28 shots.
Wrestling
Falcons win Williams Duals
VERNON, Jan. 31 – Avon (21-2, 5-0 NCCC) had little trouble in capturing the 11th annual John Williams Duals at Rockville High with a 49-24 win over the host Rams in the championship match. It was Avon’s first title in the tournament. They had finished second in 2006.
Avon handled Windham High, 50-24 and RHAM. They also beat a group of junior varsity All-Stars from the other seven teams in the tournament.
Earlier in the week, the Falcons remained undefeated in the NCCC with a 63-12 win over Enfield on Thursday night.
