Bulldogs Boys' Team Remains Competitive Heading into Holiday Break

Adam Minor

Editor’s Note: Live coverage of the Eastford Bulldogs basketball season is posted after every game on the Eastford Communicator’s Facebook page. The following article is a brief summary of our coverage up to the halfway point of the season. Follow us on Facebook for more photos and information as it becomes available!

EASTFORD — It’s been an up-and-down season for the Eastford Bulldogs boys’ team, but at the halfway point, they find themselves in the hunt, with a record of 2-2.

Starting out with a loss to St. James at home on Dec. 4, Eastford pulled off two consecutive victories against Parish Hill (Dec. 8) and Wheeler (Dec. 11), followed by a loss to Pomfret on Dec. 16. Originally scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 18, Eastford’s game against Ashford was postponed, with a make-up date yet to be determined. The postponement means that the Bulldogs head into the holiday break with a .500 record. The victory against Parish Hill last month was the first for the program in nearly three years, and Head Coach Zach Hutchings, who is in his fourth year with the program, was excited to see if it would continue to trend upward for the Bulldogs.

“I couldn’t be prouder of the boys,” Hutchings said after the game on Dec. 8. “They showed hustle and grit that I hope to continue to see throughout this season. I can’t wait to go get some more.”

It only took them three days to get their second win, as they handled Wheeler at home on Dec. 11.

“The boys played with the same tenacity that got us a win the other night,” Hutchings said after the team’s win over Wheeler. “Everyone contributed. As a coach, you can’t ask for much more.”

Callum St. John has emerged as the offensive leader for the Bulldogs, scoring 50 points through four games, an average of 12.5 points per game. Charlie Ellsworth (6.8 ppg), Sylas Platt (6.3 ppg), Jackson Ritter (4.8 ppg), Blake Gilbert (3.8 ppg), and Ryan Collard (2.3 ppg) have also contributed points for the team.

After the holiday break, the Bulldogs boys’ team will kick off the road portion of their schedule with a visit to North Stonington, and a rematch with Wheeler on Tuesday, Jan. 6. Tipoff (Varsity only) is slated for 3:30 p.m.

Bulldogs Girls’ Team Searching For Elusive First Win

Shifting gears to the Bulldogs girls’ team, the first all-girls team in several years has been fighting for that first win, but it has not come yet — as the team stands 0-5 at the halfway point of the season with losses to St. James (Dec. 4), Parish Hill (Dec. 8), Wheeler (Dec. 11), Pomfret (Dec. 16), and Ashford (Dec. 18).

Mackenzie Lathrop is the team’s leading scorer, with 21 points through five games (4.2 ppg). Olivia DePercio (1.8 ppg), Zoë Labonte (1.2 ppg), Emma-Lynn Salony (0.6 ppg), Georgia Barlow (0.4 ppg), and Aiyana Reed (0.2 ppg) have also contributed offensively.

After the holidays, the Bulldogs girls’ team will kick off the home portion of their schedule by hosting Wheeler on Tuesday, Jan. 6. Junior Varsity will tip off at 3:30 p.m., and Varsity tipoff is slated for 4:15 p.m.

Boys

Girls

Season Scoring Leaders

Boys

Callum St. John: 50 (12.5 ppg)

Charlie Ellsworth: 27 (6.8 ppg)

Sylas Platt: 25 (6.3 ppg)

Jackson Ritter: 19 (4.8 ppg)

Blake Gilbert: 15 (3.8 ppg)

Ryan Collard: 9 (2.3 ppg)

Girls

Mackenzie Lathrop: 21 (4.2 ppg)

Olivia DePercio: 9 (1.8 ppg)

Zoë Labonte: 6 (1.2 ppg)

Emma-Lynn Salony: 3 (0.6 ppg)

Georgia Barlow: 2 (0.4 ppg)

Aiyana Reed: 1 (0.2 ppg)

Adam Minor photos

a child wearing a blue uniform dribbling a basketball Zoë Labonte brings the ball up the court against St. James on Dec. 4.

two children in blue Eastford uniforms between two children with red St. James uniforms Georgia Barlow and Aiyana Reed line up for an inbounds pass against St. James on Dec. 4.

several children in blue uniforms with an adult; a referee is in the background Zach Hutchings speaks to the girls during a timeout against Parish Hill on Dec. 8.

children in blue uniforms play against children in green uniforms Georgia Barlow makes the inbound pass against Parish Hill on Dec. 8.

a child wearing a blue uniform dribbling a basketball Olivia DePercio brings the ball up the court against Parish Hill on Dec. 8.

a child in a blue uniform tries to take a ball from a child in a green uniform Charlie Ellsworth plays tough defense against Parish Hill on Dec. 8.

children in blue uniforms listen to their coach Zach Hutchings coaches his team during a timeout in their game against Wheeler on Dec. 11.

a child wearing a blue uniform dribbling a basketball; a child in a burgundy uniform is trying to take it Callum St. John brings the ball up the court against Wheeler on Dec. 11.

a child wearing a blue uniform dribbling a basketball Zoë Labonte handles the ball against Pomfret on Dec. 16.

a child wearing a blue uniform dribbling a basketball, a child in a green and white uniform is trying to take it Georgia Barlow handles the ball against Ashford on Dec. 18.

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