UPDATED 2/19, 2 p.m.: Sometimes when the stakes are at their highest, the game just doesn’t live up to expectations. This was not the case Monday night when the only two unbeaten teams in the Shoreline Conference faced each other.
In a thrilling game played in Cromwell’s packed gym, Old Lyme ended up losing the game 50-48, but played the game of the season to date. Down 13-7 at the end of the first quarter, 22-19 at the half, and still down 11 entering the fourth quarter, the Wildcats clawed back to take the lead with just under a minute to go. Cromwell quashed the advance however, scoring the final three points in the closing seconds.
Asked by email how the game had unfolded, coach Kirk Kaczor told LymeLine.com exclusively,”We didn’t get off to the greatest of starts with eight turnovers in the first quarter. Cromwell played great and kept us out of sync.” He added, “Our kids played hard and they played for each other. That’s something we emphasize all the time.”
Responding to a question about the devastating end of the game, Kaczor noted, “Down 11 in the fourth quarter, Ray Doll, Quinn Romeo, and Aedan Using made some huge plays for us. Defensively, as a unit, we made some big stops and took the lead. I’m proud of the come-back effort.”
He concluded firmly, “We have to put this game behind us now and focus on Wednesday [the final game of the regular season against Morgan.]
Ray Doll finished with 14 points, Quinn Romeo scored 13 and Aiden Using added 10.
Old Lyme is now 16-3 overall and 16-1 in the Shoreline Conference, in which it will now be seeded #2.
Cromwell ends the season unbeaten in the Shoreline Conference and will therefore be top seed. They finish the season 20-0 for the first time in 20 years.