The Westport girls basketball team clinched a tournament birth after crushing Avon, 63-17, in a Mayflower League home game Friday night. The win boosts the Wildcats’ overall record to 10-2 and Mayflower League record of 4-0. The team has won eight straight since losing a 51-50 nail-biter to Case earlier in the season. 

“We are playing really well,” said sophomore center Lily Pichette. “I’m really proud of our girls. We’ve learned to play really well with each other.”

Wildcats freshman forward Peyton Mahjoory scored all of her team leading 10 points in the first half as Westport jumped out to a 19-2 lead in the first quarter and led 40-5 at halftime. All starters scored and some players scored their first points in a varsity game. Eighth grade guard Korynne Holden scored 8 points, freshman point guard Leah Sylvain scored 7, Junior captain Jess Carney scored 6, Pichette scored 4. 

“Tonight was a good win because everybody got involved,” said Wildcats head coach Michael Ponte who sent the second team and junior varsity onto the court after halftime. “It was nice to have a total program effort tonight. We were able to get some starters a lot of rest. We’ve played a lot of close games this year.”

Coach Ponte also lauded the young Avon players. “That’s a young team. They just got their varsity back this year after a year hiatus. I’ve coached some young teams like that. There are some growing pains. But they’ve got some young talent over there. They are up and coming.” 

Defense is their calling card

The Wildcats team defense stifled Avon. The Panthers guards had a tough time getting by Sylvain and Holden who doubled teamed, made steals and swatted away passes. If they did get by, the Panthers ran into the teeth of the Wildcats defense, forwards Carney, Mahjoory and Pichette. The trio play a punishing style of defense and are not afraid of a little contact. They all are particularly good at boxing out and bringing down rebounds. 

“Coach says that defense comes first,” Sylvain said. “If we play well defensively, then we’ll win games. So we try extra hard on defense.” 

“That’s our calling card at all times,” said coach Ponte. “It’s been something that was preached all year. We’ve been scoring a decent amount of points this year, but the difference has been our defense.”

During their 4-0 Mayflower League stretch, the Wildcats have held the opposition to under 40 points each time. 

“We have the ability to score a lot of points. So if we can hold teams to 30-40 points, we feel pretty good about ourselves,” said coach Ponte.  

Westport scoring: Peyton Mahjoory scored 10 points, Korynne Holden scored 8, Leah Sylvain scored 7, Jess Carney scored 6, Lily Pichette scored 4, Lacey Chaunt scored 2, Sarah Perry scored 5, Abby Silvia scored 5, Z. Sylvian scored 1, A. Defonseca scored 4, M. Hazel scored 2, A. Gadreau scored 8. 

Next up: The team plays two league games this week, Bishop Connolly at home on Wednesday at 5 p.m. and at Sacred Heart on Friday at 2 p.m.