Gilbert’s Liz Wexler. Christopher Massa Republican-American
By The Republican-American
WINSTED — The Gilbert School girls basketball team shook up the Berkshire League race with a spine-tingling 39-38 upset of front-runner Housatonic on Thursday night.
The Yellowjackets (11-5) came from behind to edge the Mountaineers even though Housy knocked in a pair of 3-pointers in the final half-minute.
The Mountaineers (14-2 overall) are 12-2 in the BL, still a half-game ahead of Thomaston (11-2) in the standings but tied with the Bears in the loss column.
At 10-4 in the Berkshire League, Gilbert moved into a tie for third place with Lewis Mills.
Gilbert cinched the upset at the foul line, hitting nine of 11 free throws in the final period. Liz Wexler hit two foul shots with 40 seconds to go for Gilbert’s first lead of the second half.
Housy’s Chloe Dakers banked in a 3-pointer with 20 seconds to go to pull her team within 37-35, but Wexler pushed the lead back to four with two more foul shots with eight seconds on the clock.
Amanda Jacquier sank another 3-pointer for the Mountaineers just before time ran out.
“We have had problems with our free throws, but tonight we were really on,” said Gilbert coach Gerry Hicks. “We’ve been sort of flying under the radar and looking for a chance to show what we can do.”
Jill Wexler (three 3-pointers) and Deanna Delacruz both had a team-high 13 points for Gilbert while Liz Wexler added nine.
“It was Senior Night. Our seniors (Delacruz, Ali Brochu, Grace Valickis) didn’t want to be denied. They did whatever they could to stay in the game,” said Hicks.
Housatonic was in front nearly the whole night and took a 27-23 lead into the final period.
Jacquier finished with 15 points, while Dakers and Olivia Fortsmann both had eight.
Gilbert had lost earlier in the season at Housatonic, 33-29.
“In the first game, we led and they caught us in the second half,” said Hicks. “This was a bit of reversal. We overtook them.”