Bellringers Bend but Don't Break

Hale-Ray took a couple of shots at East Hampton in the second half but the Bellringers responded each time, then put the game away from the free-throw line for a 43-34 victory in a girls' basketball game Thursday night at home.

This is a much-improved version of the East Hampton team that struggled through the early part of its schedule and was routed by Old Saybrook at home on Jan. 3. Since that loss, the Bellringers have played five games, been in every one and have won three of four. The one loss was by two points to Haddam-Killingworth.

“Just stuck to the plan, which is playing together, staying together,” East Hampton coach Shaun Russell said. “Stuck with the defense, which is where we’re going to win games and I think that was the answer tonight.”

East Hampton (5-8) took an 18-13 lead into the third quarter, where Hale-Ray quickly cut it to 18-17. Ashley Chasse, however, drained a three-pointer to make it 21-17 then later converted a nice assist from Klaudia Komarnicka to give the Bellringers a 23-19 edge.

The Little Noises continued to hang around, however. Lydia Walters’ 8-footer cut their deficit to 24-21. Other opportunities followed but they couldn’t cash in.

Sarah Denihan’s shot on a drive to the basket crawled in extending East Hampton’s lead to 26-21, then Denihan followed that with a big three for an eight-point lead with 1:27 left in the quarter.

A mini run by Hale-Ray (4-9) capped by Missy Martin’s layup off a turnover made the score 29-25 heading into the fourth quarter.

The run didn’t stop there, though. A basket by Emily Traceski and two more by Martin gave the Little Noises a 10-0 run and a 31-29 lead.

East Hampton needed someone to step up and Denihan did. Denihan tied the score at 31 with 4:43 left on a drive to the basket, then took a rebound the length of the court for a layup and a 33-31 lead.

Chasse was next, hitting an 8-foot bank shot to extend the lead to 35-32. The senior has picked it up on the offensive end of late, scoring a game-high 15 points and has 40 points in the last three games.

“She’s making great decisions with the ball and that’s what fuels it for her,” Russell said. “She’s such a good passer. She’s such an instinctive mover of the basketball, that when she’s feeling good and positive and doing those things, the rest of the kids can just play off it. It’s not ‘let’s go bail somebody out,’ it’s ‘let’s keep playing.’ The ball’s OK. She’s moving it where it needs to be moved. The extra pass is being made, the extra cut is being done. I’m very happy with that. I’m very happy for her that she is playing that way.”

Then it was Komarnicka’s turn, hitting a long two for a 37-32 lead.

Threatened twice in the second half, East Hampton had an answer both times. From there it was solid defense, rebounding and free throws that carried the Bellringers to the finish line.

Denihan scored 14 for East Hampton and Komarnicka had 11.

Afterward, Russell had plenty of praise to pass around.

“Sarah had another good game,” he said. “I really liked Adrianna’s [Zawodniak] energy as usual. Ashley was very solid. Klaudia fought through it today, was able to make enough contribution when we needed it. Got good minutes from everyone on the bench. Coleen Owen. Meghan Close for a few minutes in the first half, Whitney Rubega for a few minutes in the first half. The bench responded. I think they’re really feeling good about fitting in together, playing together, knowing their roles. I continue to be impressed with their ability to respond to me, to each other, to the situation, without reinventing the wheel. For us, the game plan, we have to stick with it. That’s are bread and butter at the moment. If we don’t do those things, we’re going to have a hard time.”

Lauren Shmittburger scored 10 points to lead Hale-Ray. Missy Martin added eight.

East Hampton doesn’t play again for a week when it will host North Branford on Thursday night.