The Westport High School girls basketball team moved one step closer to clinching the Division as they walloped Pioneer Charter School 61-17, in their annual charity game at the high school on Tuesday night. 

The win boosts the Wildcats overall record to 14-2. If the team wins their next two games against Avon and Bishop Connolly, they will clinch the conference championship, said head coach Michael Ponte. The Wildcats have beaten both of those teams this season and coach Ponte hopes to finish the season strong heading into the state tournament. A conference title would guarantee the Wildcats a home game in the tournament. 

“That would be a big deal for us,” said coach Ponte. “We want to win a couple of those (state tournament) games.”  

“Our goal, besides winning the conference, is to get to a neutral site game,” coach Ponte said. 

The Wildcats would need two state tournament wins to reach that goal. 

“We’ll see what we can do,” coach Ponte said. “The team is getting older and the new girls have meshed very well.

Team captain Jessica Carney agrees. 

“Our team chemistry is the big reason why we’ve done so well. We have the ability to bring out each other’s talents. We can find Leah for her shot. We can get the ball to Peyton and she’ll take it to the hole and Lily will be there for the rebound. We have all of the components now and we have finally learned how to put them together.”

Charity event

“It was more than just about basketball tonight,” said head coach Michael Ponte. “Tonight was about the charity. The girls worked hard for the last month, putting this night together.” 

Every year the team picks a charity and works with it, said coach Ponte. 

This year the team chose the 100 Club of Massachusetts which supports families of police officers and firefighters that are killed in the line of duty. Prior to the event, the team raised over $2,000 coach Ponte said. 

On Tuesday, Wildcats team members collected raffle tickets before and during the game, for items set up at a table full of gift baskets and other goodies that were raffled off. The Westport Pep Band under the direction of Chris Nunes, added a festive flair to the event as they rocked the gym during time outs and at half time.  

“We had over the top generous donations,” said coach Ponte. “Seventeen different businesses donated gift cards, Celtics tickets, Red Sox tickets, art work and gift baskets. It was a special night.”

The game 

Wildcats freshman point guard Leah Sylvain scored 11 of her team high 14 points in the first period, with three three pointers. Korynne Holden scored 5, Lacey Chaunt scored 4 and newly acquired transfer student, Isis Oblensky scored 5, as Westport jumped out to a 27-4 lead. Coach Ponte began resting starters in the second quarter. Westport led 40-6 at halftime and 52-6 after 3. 

Oblensky a junior guard, finished with 9 points. 

“She’s a heck of a player and a great kid,” said coach Ponte. “Isis is fitting in really well with the team.” 

The Maryland transplant moved to Westport in January to live with her grandmother, after her dad acquired a job in Africa. After acquiring a waiver from the MIAA, Coach Ponte started working her in slowly as she gains the trust of the team. 

“She’s a positive person, she plays strong defense and I think that she’s really going to help us,” said coach Ponte. 

Westport scoring: Leah Sylvain scored 14 points, Lily Pichette scored 10, I. Oblensky scored 9, Korynne Holden scored 7, Lacey Chaunt scored 5, Peyton Mahjoory scored 4, Sarah Perry scored 4, Sarah Carney scored 4, Jess Carney scored 2, Abigail Silvia scored 1.