For the second year in a row, the Westport girls basketball team's Division 5 tournament run stalled at the Elite 8. This season, the 5th seeded Widcats  fell to 4th seeded Renaissance School 71-56 in Springfield, Mass. on Friday night. The loss signaled the end of an 11-game winning steak as well as the end of the season for the 20-2 Wildcats, who played brilliantly during the winter season.

Still they had no answers for Phoenix stars Zi’yan Wallace and Sy’Nye Baker who led the 24-0 Renaissance School in the victory. Wallace dropped a double-double on Westport, scoring 23 points and bringing down 15 rebounds. Baker also scored 23 points and made five steals defensively. They now take on 1st seeded Hoosac Valley in the Final Four on Tuesday night.

“I will always commend my girls on their sportsmanship,” said head coach Jen Gargiulo, after Westport's win in the round of 16. “They play hard, give 100 percent and it’s been a team effort that has made us successful.”

Wildcats knock off Franklin Tech 50-31 in round of 16

The Wildcats used old school basketball to knock off Franklin County Tech 50-31 in the Division 5 round of 16 at home on Wednesday night. Westport used strong rebounding, terrific passing and a stifling defense that held Franklin Tech to just 1 point in the first quarter and just 5 in the first half.

“They played exceptional,” said Coach Gargiulo. “We knew Franklin Tech was going to be tough. We set the tone from the beginning with our defensive presence. It helped set the tone and put Franklin Tech on their heels.”

Senior guard Korynne Holden scored 19 points with two 3-pointers to lead Westport in the victory. Holden was an impenetrable force in the front court, making 9 steals. The Eagles had a difficult time dribbling and passing up court against the senior and point guard Julia George who made a steal and two blocked shots.

“Korynne is phenomenal,” Coach Gargiulo said. “She’s the heart and soul of the team. She never takes a play off. She works hard and I’m just extremely proud of her and the season she’s had.”

Forwards Meghan Molloy, Sarah Perry, Jenna Egbe and Skylar Rezendes dominated under the basket, accumulating 35 rebounds. They bottled up the middle and ran the fast break to perfection, throwing the ball down court to Holden, who used her speed to slip behind Franklin Tech to make easy layups. The Wildcats also passed well inside and were able to penetrate and capitalize.

Rezendes, a freshman, pulled down 18 rebounds and scored 7 of her 9 points in the first half.

“She’s very composed,” said Perry. “Sklyar is a mature basketball player. She loves the physicality.”

George sank 4 of 5 free throws in the first quarter, when scoring was difficult, drained a 3-pointer in the second quarter and dished out 5 assists. Holden scored 8 points and handed out 4 assists. Perry and Molloy each scored 2 and Tess Silvia scored 1 as Westport held a 29-5 lead at halftime. 

Holden put the game out of reach, netting a pair of 3-pointers in the third quarter. Her relentless pursuit created turnovers as soon as the Eagles got their hands on the ball. She scored 11 points in the second half. Westport led 42-13 after three quarters.

The game was extremely physical, especially for Perry, a smaller forward who battles hard under the boards.

“I got elbowed in the face, linebacker tackled. It knocked the wind out of me,” she said. “Bruises formed in three seconds. It was a crazy game. But I’m good. I’m still standing.”

Westport scoring: Korynne Holden scored 19 points, Skylar Rezendes scored 9, Julia George scored 7, Sarah Perry, Meghan Molloy and Jenna Egbe each scored 4 points, Kylie Hazel scored 2 and Tess Silvia scored 1.