Schools

Morgan Girls Lose To Coginchaug [Video]

Blue Devils' fast break proves too much for Huskies in 52-37 Class S semifinal.

Bad news for Clinton, but great news for the other team.

Coginchaug overcame a slow start Monday night to outrun shoreline rival Morgan 52-37 in the Class S semifinals at Branford High School to advance to the team's first ever state final.

The No. 1 seeded Blue Devils had several early opportunities against the Huskies but were unable to finish close to the basket.

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Trailing 10-8 early in the second quarter, Coginchaug guard Audrey Biesak scored eight straight points for the Blue Devils, including two 3-pointers, to spark a 16-5 run that gave Coginchaug a 24-15 halftime lead.

In the third quarter, the Blue Devils continued to push the pace as Sam Mancinelli grabbed a rebound and found a wide open Lauren Esposito in the middle of the lane for an easy layup which increased Coginchaug's lead to 30-17.

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Biesak, who led all scorers with 17 points, and Esposito, who finished with 15 points, took advantage of several more fast break opportunities in the fourth quarter.

"I thought that's what really gave us the edge in the game," said Coginchaug coach Rett Mancinelli. "Especially in the mid-part of the fourth quarter, that's when were able to rebound and go and really get some baskets to keep the lead."

Jen Dawson scored 10 points to lead the Huskies who finished the season 16-9.  

With the win, Coginchaug (22-1) advances to play No. 2 Capital Prep (20-3) in the Class S state final game at Mohegan Sun Arena.

"From the first practice of the year this is what we wanted. We worked all year for this. We're so happy," said Biesak, who was unable to play in last year's state tournament after breaking her hand in the shoreline final.

The Trailblazers defeated Portland Monday night in a 68-45 blowout, the team's closest game of the tournament so far. 

"I've seen them play. They're big, they're athletic," Mancinelli said.

The title game will be played either Friday or Saturday at a time TBD.


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