Shelton Boys Basketball Falls To Amity, 56-36

The Shelton boys basketball team was eliminated from the state tournament following Tuesday's 56-36 loss to Shelton in a Southern Connecticut Conference Housatonic Division contest in Woodbridge.

Amity (3-4, 7-7) snapped a three-game losing streak and now only needs one win to qualify for postseason play.  Shelton dropped to 1-5 and 2-13.

However, according to Shelton coach Brian Gardner, the Gaels played better in their previous three contests and were hoping for a break-through victory at Amity.

The Spartans’ Pat Sasso completed a double-double, scoring 14 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Zach Campbell also scored 14 points and pulled down six rebounds for Amity.

The balanced Amity scoring was evident as Grant Watkins added 13 points and eight rebounds.

Shelton was led by senior Jon Popoli (13 points, including two 3-pointers) and junior Christian Pierre, who added 10 points.

Amity shot 21-of 45 from the field against the Gaels (47 percent). The Spartans also hit 8-of-9 from the free throw line.

“We were 2 for 17 from 3-point range, “Gardiner said.  “We shot around 20 percent overall. You can’t win games when you shoot 20 percent or less. In the first half,  we did not run any of our plays right and in the second half we didn’t score.

"We have to understand that we have to play hard for the entire game. Sometimes teenagers don’t understand that. We’ll keep working hard and being scrappy.”

Amity also hurt the Gaels on the boards, grabbing 34 rebounds, and opened an 8-0 lead as Sasso converted three free throws and three consecutive hoops. 

Amity led 12-3 at the end of one period. Shelton’s Pierre scored all 3 points for the Gaels in the first period (free throw and later a basket).

“Amity played hard, smart and were patient when they needed to be patient," Gardiner said.  "Part of the emphasis for us was that Amity is one of the best offensive rebounding teams we see.

"They crash the boards from the outside and work hard. I told my guys that if they don’t box out they’ll destroy us. We didn’t box out and they destroyed us on the boards."

The Spartans extended their lead to 26-13 at the half, then outscored Shelton 15-11 in the third period to put away the contest.

Shelton plays at Guilford on Friday at Kenefick Gymnasium at 7 pm. The Indians are 1-14 overall this season.