By Mark Jaffee
TThe Chase Collegiate girls basketball team has won five of its last six to improve to 7-6 overall and 6-2 in the Hudson Valley Athletic Conference with two huge league games on the horizon.
The Highlanders visit first-place Master’s in Simsbury on Wednesday at 4 p.m., and then host second-place Harvey next Monday at 4 p.m. at the Chase’s Goss Fieldhouse in Waterbury.
On Friday, Chase had to rally from eight points down with four minutes left before a 12-2 run closed out a 43-41 win over Christian Heritage. Freshman forward Maddie Patrick scored eight points in the final stretch.
“This game gave the kids a lot of confidence,” said Chase coach Bill Maisto. “We had 400 spectators at the game and the place was electric. It was such a fun atmosphere. Overall, we’re moving the ball so well on offense right now. We’re transitioning down the court. That helps us with a lot more layups.”
Chase senior co-captain Sam Crone and senior co-captain Sam Dassatti, along with sophomore Phoebe DeRiu-Crowley and Patrick, “can all handle the ball and push the ball up the court,” according to Maisto. “Our offense is all coming from our defense. We’re getting a lot of steals and lots of layups.”
Who’s hot
The Oxford High girls basketball team is on the verge of a qualifying for the state tournament having won six in a row following their 42-30 win over Derby Friday. After a 1-9 start in the first half, the Wolverines are now 7-9 overall, 6-8 in the Naugatuck Valley League. The Wolverines play host to St. Paul Tuesday and visit Seymour Friday and will need one win in its final four regular-season games to qualify. Oxford is 2-3 in the Copper Division and tied with Derby in the division. Nora Curley is in her first season as head coach at Oxford.