Girls Basketbal clinches tourney spot

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

NEWINGTON — The Newington girls basketball team struggled early in the season to find the right combinations after losing several key players from last year’s team to graduation.

The Indians got off to a 2-6 start which included five consecutive losses, and it looked like the season was going to be a lost one. The 11-win mark of a year ago seemed like a distant memory. Two straight wins which gave a glimmer of hope were followed with another three-game skid which appeared to put the finishing touches on the season.

The Indians, however, didn’t give up. A huge road win at Simsbury started a stretch of three wins in four games, and the Indians made it four-of-five Tuesday with a 42-38 victory over New Britain. The victory was the eighth of the turbulent season for Newington, which qualifies the Indians for the Class LL state tournament which once seemed unattainable.

“This was a goal I had for the team coming into the season,” Newington coach Rick Bangs said. “It’s great to see it come to fruition. These kids worked so hard, they really deserve it.”

The Indians (8-10) were led by 18 points from Abrial Murray and 10 from Julie Iskra. Newington was up three at the break, but used a 13-5 run in the third quarter to build a lead and then survive a late New Britain run to win.

“This is a special group of kids, it really is,” Bangs said

New Britain (4-14) was led by 13 from Kelsey Hernandez and 11 by Gabby Roy. Newington had won the first meeting by 14, but the steadily improving Hurricanes made this one a fight.

Courtesy of the NB Herald

Friday, February 6, 2015
Girls Basketball stays in tournament hunt with win
 previous

Monday, February 16, 2015
Murray named Athlete of the Week
next