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Schools

Major Rebound For Ledyard Basketball

New Coaches, New Talent Rejuvenate Boys', Girls' Teams

Wrestling has always been king during the winter sports season at Ledyard High School. In the past few years, basketball did little to steal any of the spotlight away from the 17-time state champion grapplers.

The Colonel girls have achieved a degree of credibility lately, narrowly qualifying for state tournament play and winning a rare post-season game last year during a 9-13 season.

The Colonel boys would have been thrilled with even that modest success in recent years. They posted five straight losing records, hitting rock bottom last year during a 1-19 campaign.

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Another suburban basketball wasteland? No more. Armed with an infusion of new talent and a first- and second-year coach, Ledyard basketball is soaring above the rim.

The girls, who recently have waited until final games to qualify for post-season play, are 8-2 and tourney bound at mid-season under second-year coach Adam Baber. The boys are 5-3, showcasing major upgrades in skill thanks to an influx of Mashantucket Pequot transfer students under first-year coach David Cornish.

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"When I saw them in summer leagues, I knew we had better than one-win talent," Cornish said. "The kids have been interested in learning, winning and playing the up-tempo system I brought from New London."

Cornish, a veteran assistant for Craig Parker on numerous superior Whaler squads, including last year's No. 1 ranked state champs, has changed the culture of Ledyard basketball very quickly. The Colonels played slow and sloppy, averaging under 45 points a game last year, only beating tiny Wheeler.

Maturing talent has meshed with some key tribal transfer students on a deep squad that averages more than 67 points a game.

Leading scorer (18.9 ppg) Darnay Gray, a 6-3, 230-pound sophomore center, transferred from Wilbraham & Monson Prep, where he was also a football standout. Thomas Whipple, Jr., a 6-1 junior guard transfer from St. Thomas Moore, is back at his home high school, averaging 15 points a game. Also, point guard John Rainey, who started for St. Bernard last year, adds stability and ballhandling to the backcourt.

"Darnay actually played shooting guard in prep school and never played in the post," Cornish said. "At this level, he's so much stronger than everyone he's very effective down low especially on the offensive glass. Thomas is great attacking the basket as a lead guard. John can play point, but he's one of our better 3-point shooters too."

Whipple and Gray are All-ECC Medium caliber, but they receive plenty of help from a 12-player rotation. Nakai Northup, Nick Green and Jordan Grant are slashing quick forwards with athletic games. Grant featured a thunderous dunk against St. Bernard.

Isaiah Cruz and Jaquantee Reels add spark in the backcourt off the bench. Six-five junior Chris Gill adds bulk and rebounding up front. Football players Cal Williams and Evan Stockmon also contribute as front court reserves.

"I like to play a deep rotation," Cornish said. "We keep players fresh in an up-tempo style, but I also want to see what everyone can do and make everyone feel like they are contributing. In crunch time, though, I go with the hot hands."

The girls team has been hot, losing only to powerhouse Bacon Academy and Waterford in its 8-2 first half. A gritty defensive squad in Baber's first season, Ledyard showcases more offensive talent and inside power despite not starting a single senior.

The future only promises to get better from an already rosy present. Forward Kylie Fustini is the only upperclass starter as a junior. Six-foot freshman Michelle Klinikowsi and sophomore Hannah Hutchins are rebouding machines and inside scorers. And sophomores Olivia Delgrosso, Arianna Fustini, Bianca Matira and freshman Francesca Matira also contribute to the balanced scoring attack.

“The girls put the time in, on their own, in the off-season, which has improved our ability to score,” Baber said.  “Also, our natural athleticism has allowed us to get up and down the court a lot and score in transition. We have a young team that play with a lot of energy. The girls that played varsity last year have matured a lot, in spite of still being young.  And everyone else is gaining alot of experience very quickly.”

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