Berlin blocks Fermi in Class L
Falcons run in state tournament comes to an end at hands of Redcoats
By JEFF HANOUILLE
Editor
BERLIN – The Enrico Fermi High School girls basketball team fell short in the second round of the Class L state tournament, losing to fourth-ranked Berlin 79-51 last Thursday, March 4.
The victory means the Redcoats (21-2) will square off against No. 5 Pomperaug (21-1) at Maloney High School in Meriden Thursday, March 11 in the quarterfinals. The No. 20 Falcons, meanwhile, end their season at 13-9.
Fermi struggled to score points throughout the game as the Redcoats’ press defense forced untimely turnovers resulting in easy baskets for the hosts.
Berlin held a 23-14 advantage after one quarter of play as Alexys Vazquez hit a trio of 3-balls to pace the Redcoats while Stacy Kraucunas drained two shots from 3-point land to lead the Falcons.
Berlin extended its lead to 41-22 after limiting Fermi to just three field goals and two converted foul shots in the second quarter, throwing a balanced attack at the Falcons as five different players scored in the quarter. Vazquez hit her fourth 3-pointer of the game in the quarter and Kaitlyn Bouee had six points as the Redcoats went up comfortably by 19 points at the break.
The Falcons continued to struggle offensively in the third quarter, managing just 12 points compared to 26 scored by the Redcoats. Berlin’s Katelyn Zarotney dominated in the quarter, scoring 10 points on her way to a team-best 21 for the game.
Fermi outscored Berlin 17-12 in the fourth quarter as Megan St. Amand hit two threes and scored 12 of her game-high 23 points in the quarter but it was too little too late for the Falcons, as Berlin cruised to the 28-point victory.
Vazquez finished the game with 15 points, all on 3-pointers, while Bouee had 16 to lead the Redcoats. Kraucunas ended the game with nine points for Fermi while Kerry Davis contributed with seven points and Brittany Kennedy six points.
Berlin outshot Fermi at the free throw line, going 13 for 23 from the charity stripe compared to the Falcons, who converted 8 of 13 shots from the free throw line.
Starting junior guard Toni Alexander, who injured her ankle in Fermi’s 57-55 first-round victory over Lyman Hall of Wallingford, did not play in the game.
