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In a performance that more than one member of the Fairfield Ludlowe boys basketball called a “season maker”, the Fairfield Ludlowe boys basketball team opened up a 16-point lead and held on to beat Fairfield Prep, 52-44, in the Fairfield Prep Alumni Holiday Classic.

Ludlowe’s now won this tournament two years in a row, and the Falcons have to feel good entering the new year. Ludlowe center Andrew Kimberly was named Tournament MVP after logging 17 points and eight rebounds just two nights after recording a double-double. Teammates Brett and Erik Krumins were also named to the All-Tournament teams, as well as Stephen Gulish and Robbie Bier from Fairfield Prep.

For more on last night’s championship game, read Mike Cardillo’s story from the Connecticut Post here, http://www.ctpost.com/basketball/article/Kimberly-powers-Ludlowe-over-Prep-in-title-game-304220.php

Quotes from the championship game

Ludlowe head coach Josh Marko

on winning the tournament: “We came into this week with no wins, and we’re coming out with a championship trophy, two wins under our belt and a little bit of momementum…This was about as big of a week as we could possibly have.”

on Kimberly’s performance in the tournament: “We need to get him established. He’s so tough down there. He’s very difficult to defend…Now that he’s a senior he’s really stepping forward, I couldn’t be happier. That’s a kid that deserves everything that is coming to him.”

on containing Prep’s transition offense: “We worked on that for 25 minutes in practice, just learning how to sprint back and find a guy…we couldn’t let them get 60 points tonight, we would’ve lost.”

on the momentum boost that Ludlowe gets from winning the tournament: “This tournament makes or breaks teams sometimes. I give these guys credit.”

Prep head coach Rich Lee

on falling behind 14 in the first half: “You couldn’t get off to a worse start than we had. Defensive breakdowns, not executing on offense, when you get frustrated on the offensive end, it manifests itself into sloppy play. We’re a lot better team than we showed.”

on coming back to cut the lead to four in the second half: “I was proud of them. Everybody thought the game was over…I think if we had gotten to within two, we might’ve been able to pull off the miracle. It was nice to see that there was some fire there. It’s something to build on.”

on Kimberly: “I know him very well…I give credit to him, he played great. I’m proud of him because I’ve known him since he was 9 or 10 years old and he didn’t get a great chance the last few years. He’s a great kid and hope he continues to improve as well.”

Warde wins consolation

In a game that was played with a lot of intensity and had a number of twists and turns, Warde beat Notre Dame in the consolation game of the Prep Tournament, 56-55 in overtime.

The Mustangs got a stellar performance from returning senior captain Tyler Bisack, who scored 20 points, had three assists and three rebounds, including an assist on the Warde’s game-winning final play. Bisack and center Mersim Markovic ran a pick-and-roll and Markovic hit a layup to win the game and improve Warde to 4-1.

Markovic had another good night, despite getting into foul trouble early. The senior center logged nine points, eight rebounds, three steals and two blocks as he was an all-tournament player as well. He also played strong defense against ND’s all-tournament representative, Arkel Miles, as Miles recorded 10 points, nine rebounds and two blocks.

Warde head coach Walter Fitzgerald admitted that this was a game that his team wouldn’t have won in the past, and I agree. Warde executed when it counted and, despite blowing a four-point lead late in the game, rebounded to get to 4-1. The Mustangs are now just four games from a state tournament berth. Look for more on this game in Wednesday’s Fairfield Citizen

Warde girls pummeled by Career Magnet

The Mustangs are in a terrible place right now, and Warde really needs to limp to 2010 and hope that it can improve.

Don’t get me wrong, Career is very good, very athletic and a difficult team to handle, but it was the perfect storm for Warde. The Mustangs had to play as close to perfectly as possible to win the game, and Warde could not convert on the offensive end. After Warde jumped out to a 7-4 lead, Career went on a 27-1 run to take a 31-8 halftime lead. The game was 52-12 after three quarters of play.

This is danger zone for Dave Danko. I’m sure his confidence is wearing thin, and if his team wants to make the FCIAC and state playoffs, they’d better grow up fast.

Fairfield, SHU women both lose

Iowa State only led Fairfield’s women’s team by four at halftime, but the Cyclones outscored Fairfield, 38-10 in the second half to pull off a 67-37 win in the Cyclone Challenge.

Sacred Heart’s women’s team completed its 2009 campaign with a 51-46 loss to Siena College. Alisa Apo scored 21 points in the loss.

The boxes for both games can be found here. http://www.ctpost.com/basketball/article/Iowa-State-women-dominate-Fairfield-67-37-304275.php

Here’s hoping that everyone has a Happy New Year and that you’ll continue to read us in the new year. As always, follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/pickensfcsports. Happy New Year and take good care.

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The second annual Todd Burger Holiday girls basketball tournament was a lot smaller and shorter than last year’s, but nonetheless it took place after all. Ludlowe went on a 12-0 run between the third and fourth quarter and the Falcons beat Warde for the first time since 2005, 55-50 at Fairfield Ludlowe High School.

Sam Hickey was dominant, and Ludlowe, itself, was dominant on the glass. The official Ludlowe book had Hickey with 25 rebounds, my book had her at 12. Somewhere in the middle probably lies the truth, but unofficially, Ludlowe outrebounded Warde 47-23 for the game. Lily Pigue had a career game with 12 points, seven assists and six steals and Emily Armstrong six points and pulled down 12 rebounds for Ludlowe.

Dave Danko said some harsh things to his squad after the game, and the Mustangs may have deserved it. The Mustangs have put forth a lackadaisical attitude thus far this season, and Warde (and Danko) appear as though getting to the FCIAC and state playoffs is a birth right. The Mustangs play Career Magnet tomorrow in a game that, besides Career’s 2-2 start, could get ugly.

Either way, it was nice to honor former Fairfield Citizen sports editor Todd Burger, who passed away three years ago. Despite losing Bridgeport Central and Bassick, who competed in the tournament last year, the single game worked and the family of Burger’s were in attendance this afternoon. Both coaches were also pleased that they could participate in the game, and that the game and tournament still exists to honor a man that “kept high school sports in perspective for what they are.”

Quotes

Ludlowe head coach PJ Wax

On beating Warde: “Anytime you play your crosstown rival, it’s a big game. It’s bigger than anything else you have going. It is a nice win for us. It was a fun game to coach. The girls did a great job.”

On his team’s performance: “The girls on the bench stepped up for us. Everybody just played well tonight.”

On Ludlowe’s 12-0 run in the second half: “This group has a tenacity that I have not seen in a team in a while. Their hard work on the floor paid off.”

On Todd Burger: “He was so good to the kids. The perspective he had on it was the right perspective. It should focus on what the kids are doing… I’m proud to be part of it.”

Ludlowe guard Lily Pigue

On beating Warde: “It’s amazing. Beating Warde in my senior year is huge.”

On her performance: “It’s always a big game. We’ve been working really hard in practice.”

On Ludlowe’s 12-0 run in the second half: “Coming out of the half, we didn’t want to lose our streak. The third quarter is a big quarter for us.”

Ludlowe junior captain Emily Armstrong

On Ludlowe’s 12-0 run: “On defense our communication is really helping us. We were really focusing on defense. We relaxed on offense.”

On the win: “It pumps us up to beat Warde which gets us going for the rest of the year.”

Warde head coach Dave Danko

On his team’s defeat: “We got outhustled. We scrapped in segments, but we were standing…They were the better team”

On Sam Hickey’s performance: “I congratulate her. That’s a good girls high school player. If she goes and believe for 32 minutes and gets it, she carried her team tonight. I really believe that she was the difference tonight. It was fun watching her.”

On Ludlowe’s 12-0 run: “I think we got a little lackadaisical, and they attacked…They had a good little run. They outworked us, they were determined to win this game.”

On Todd Burger: “Todd and I were close. Todd was all about positive writing on the student-athletes of Fairfield…He was a great man who took it heart that the kids succeeded…the great student-athletes of Fairfield.”

Prep and Ludlowe to meet in Prep Tournament Final

There will be a full recap of the semi-final games in tomorrow’s Fairfield Citizen, but Ludlowe and Prep will play tomorrow night for the championship of the tournament. Prep has won the tournament in four of the last five years. Ludlowe lost to the Jesuits in the 2007 edition of the game, 71-70 in overtime.

The consolation game is at 6 p.m. and will be followed 20 minutes after by Prep and Ludlowe. ND and Warde will play in the consolation game at Alumni Hall at Fairfield University. Look in tomorrow’s Citizen for a prediction of the game, and look here for a recap of the game on Thursday.

Odds and Ends

I think the Jets will make the playoffs. What they do after that is anyone’s guess… The Mets signing of Jason Bay addresses their most pressing need. I think it is a good move, and if he can stay healthy, the Mets could rise back to the top of the NL East… The Giants have a lot of soul searching to do after this most disheartening end to their season. Big changes could be in order… The Devils keep playing well, the Rangers: not so much, the Islanders are a nice surprise… The Nets are pitiful. I bet their entire front office’s Christmas wish is for the next two years to pass so they can get to Brooklyn… Watch for the Knicks make the playoffs this year.

As always, you can follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/pickensfcsports for updates on all things Fairfield. Look for my final blog posting of the decade on Thursday. Take good care.

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It’s been a long way up for the Fairfield Warde boys basketball team, but it seems as though that trek to respectability is worth the wait.

The Warde boys won their first two games by identical 52-43 scores over Wilton and Staples. The Mustangs won a grand total of two games in the previous three seasons, and now are 2-0 this year.

What Warde has done is nothing short of remarkable, but can’t entirely be unexpected. The Mustangs were bound to have some size and talent come into their high school eventually. Mersim Markovic has been a beast so far as the senior center notched double figures in each of the Mustangs’ first two games.

Warde had the visions of the state playoffs in its head when the season started, but this team is on its way to surprising everyone. It remains to be seen what the Mustangs will do against a top-flite FCIAC opponent, but if Warde stays healthy and gains confidence as the year goes on, who knows what this team can accomplish.

If Warde can at least win the games that it is supposed to, the states will be a lock. Six more wins, the rest of the year? That should be achievable.

It’ll be interesting to see what the Mustangs will do at the Prep tournament. ND is likely the favorite, but a ND/Warde final could be an intriguing matchup.

Warde girls at a crossroads

On the other side of the coin, the Mustangs girls team is not as strong or as deep as once expected. Warde has already surpassed its loss total from last season and scoring the basketball has been a problem for Warde. Alex Aufiero is the only player scoring for the Mustangs. Ali Rocchi has provided strength up front and with defense, but beyond those two, it is really a crapshoot for who is going to score enough to help the Mustangs win.

What is more alarming, to me anyway, is the way that Warde is struggling to finish games. Against Wilton, the Mustangs were outscored 15-10 in the fourth quarter. This is a team that owned the second half for years.

Warde really needs to find some leadership besides Rocchi and Aufiero and soon. After tonight’s game with Greenwich, the Mustangs will play at Ludlowe on Tuesday and then the always tenacious Career Magnet. A 4-3 or (gasp) 3-4 start, would really hurt the Mustangs’ state seeding in Class L. It could seriously danger their season.

Ludlowe boys losing heartbreakers

Before the year started, I spoke with a Ludlowe coach who was unsure how the Falcons boys basketball would fare this year.

After two games, Ludlowe as proven that it can compete, but closing games could be a struggle.

This Falcons’ team graduated seven from a year ago, and the team this year looks talented. But it is just seems that if Ludlowe can grow up into a varsity team, it can win some games. Andrew Kimberly looks like the real deal up front, and Jack Vacheron gives the team toughness. Brett Krumins could be a matchup problem for opponents, but they need to figure out how finish.

Ludlowe girls on a roll

The Fairfield Ludlowe girls basketball team is getting some secondary scoring now and has won two straight. Sam Hickey and Sarah Nesi have become valuable supporting cast members for Emily Armstrong. The Falcons need to play a little bit more cohesively and less sloppily in order to compete for an FCIAC bid. I think the Ludlowe/Warde game on Tuesday should be interesting.

Warde wrestlers win Guilford Invitational

Despite losing to Danbury on opening night (don’t fear, Warde fans, everyone does) the Mustangs rebounded to finish first place in the Guilford Invitational on Saturday in Guilford.

Four Mustangs: Pharoh Eaton (103), Brandon McBrierty (130), Ian McAllister (135) and Michael Sullivan (160) won their weight classes and a Mustang finished in the top-four in every weight class.

Warde should not lose a dual match for the rest of the year. I expect them to compete with Danbury for the FCIAC championship as well, as Warde’s freshmen become more seasoned.

Odds and Ends

It isn’t out of the realm of possibilities for the Giants to make the playoffs. But don’t expect the Redskins to help them out on Sunday against Dallas. Washington likely won’t win again this year… The Yankees trade for Javier Vazquez gives them much more depth in the starting pitching department. It also allows them to keep either Joba Chamberlain or Phil Hughes in the bullpen, and makes keeping Johnny Damon an option as well…It’s hard to believe that the Jets are still alive for a playoff spot, isn’t it?… The Red Sox greatly improved their pitching staff as well, with John Lackey. I still the Sox lineup is average at best. It could be a three-team race at the top of the division this year.

For all of your holiday tournament needs, including the Fairfield Prep Boys Basketball tournament semifinals and the Warde vs. Career Magnet girls basketball game, follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/pickensfcsports. Here’s hoping that you all have a safe and joyous holiday time and take good care.

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The boys sports have not yet kicked off (they will on Wednesday), but there have still been a fair number of surprises that happened to the women’s basketball teams.

The Fairfield Ludlowe team is likely missing size up front, and experience. Ludlowe graduated its top player from a year ago, Jill Baranger, and the Falcons have limped through two painful games, losing to Brien McMahon and Bridgeport Central.

Warde came out on opening night at Stamford and blew a two-point lead with just 13 seconds left in the game. Warde answered with a 54-46 win over Norwalk on Friday night in the Mustangs’ second game.

Both teams have obvious flaws and are lacking senior leadership. Ludlowe is being led by junior captain Emily Armstrong, but the Falcons need secondary scoring. Armstrong scored 15 in the Falcons’ loss to Central, but no other player reached double figures. Ludlowe only had four players score, including Tierney Larson who added just two. The Falcons need to develop more depth and find a way to get points, otherwise it could be a long year for the Falcons.

Warde is in the same predicament. Ali Rocchi and Alex Aufiero are providing senior leadership and scoring, but Warde is going through some growing pains. I think the Mustangs will be OK because the leadership is there for now and the rest of Warde’s sophomores and juniors will grow up as the year progresses, but Warde may need to scrap its way to win some games in the early going before the Mustangs can start rolling

Ryan finishes 36th at nationals

The fall sports season finally came to a close on Saturday when Fairfield Warde cross country runner Meg Ryan finished in 36th place at the Foot Locker National Cross Country Championships in San Diego on Saturday. Ryan ran a time of 18:39 which was 16 seconds off of her pace at the State Open.

Ryan said that the course was hilly and nice. She also said that the race was exciting and a great experience. Ryan has now competed in each of the last three national running championships, including the indoor nationals and outdoor nationals this year.

Ryan roomed with Megan Goethals from Rochester, Mich., who actually won the girls race. Ryan said that the race was unlike the other two because she got to interact with the other runners.

SHU and Fairfield split

Sacred Heart University’s women’s team beat Fairfield for the first time in the teams’ three meetings, winning 71-52 on Sunday afternoon at Arena at Harbor Yard. For more on the women’s game, see William S. Paxton’s Connecticut Post story here. http://www.connpost.com/sports/ci_13989958

Fairfield’s men’s team dodged the sweep with a 93-77 win over the Pioneers in the second half. The Post’s story is here. http://www.connpost.com/sports/ci_13990575

Sacred Heart’s women’s team looks like it will be difficult to stop again, Fairfield looks as though Stephanie Geehan has been carrying it the whole year. Geehan may have a sore back by the time the season is over from taking the team on her back.

On the men’s side, Fairfield was certainly quicker and better. Sacred Heart kept up in spurts, but in all fairness, the game is not fair. Fairfield is an above average team in the very good MAAC whereas SHU is a good program in the mediocre (at best) NEC. Fairfield should win every time.

Elliott performs against UConn

Former Fairfield Warde star Daphne Elliott got a thrill and a half on Thursday night as her and the Hartford Hawks got to take on the No. 1 team in the country in UConn. UConn dominated with an 80-45 win over the Hawks at the XL Center.

I got to speak with Elliott after the game was over (there will be a story on this either this week or next in the Fairfield Citizen). Elliott finished with three points, an assist and three steals in 21 minutes.

Elliott appeared to be getting good minutes coming off of the bench and is pleased. I can’t say that I blame her, her role should only get greater as she begins to adjust to the D1 game.

Odds and Ends

The Giants may be destined for the playoffs, but they won’t beat either New Orleans or Philadelphia there, unless they get some help in the secondary…The Pats got off of the schnide yesterday, but have a bigger problem if Randy Moss actually quit on his team as was suggested. Moss wore out his welcome in Minnesota and Oakland and if moodiness and complacency sets in, the Pats’ star receiver could sabotage their season this year…The Jets kept their playoff hopes alive against an abysmal Tampa Bay team. Their schedule looks difficult on paper, but the Falcons are fading and if the Colts and Bengals sit players, New York could win out and finish 10-6 and get the final playoff spot…I love the Yankees move to get Curtis Granderson. He’s young, he’s charismatic, and if he gets back to hitting the ball to all fields, should be a terrific No. 2 hitter… I’m not sure what the Red Sox are doing, but they don’t look promising this year. There are options, but I don’t like their decisions thus far. Fortunately, Boston still has a few more weeks to make changes.

As always, you can follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/pickensfcsports. Hope you are well and that you take good care.