Pomperaug advanced in the Southwest Conference playoffs with a 45-33 victory over Immaculate on Tuesday night, avenging a one-point loss from earlier in the season.
Three Pomperaug players registered double-digit points: Avery Macumber led all scorers with 15 points, Molly Schneider added 12 points and five assists, while Dina Benelli-Donascimento pitched in 10 points.
The seventh-seeded Panthers will travel to play the second-seeded Joel Barlow Falcons on Thursday, February 26, in the conference quarterfinals.
Pomperaug head coach Joe Fortier referenced some hard practices after the team finished its regular season with a 10-10 record.
“You don’t always get a chance to avenge a loss, and we feel like that was our lowest point,” said Fortier, referring to the 30-29 loss to Immaculate earlier this season. “Since then, we’ve been playing pretty good basketball.”
He credited Macumber’s expanded role as a key factor in the team’s recent success.
“Part of our turnaround has been Avery getting more minutes,” added Fortier. “Her energy and how much she creates things…she’s so athletic on the floor.”
For Immaculate, Maggie Mottola scored 12 points and Sophia Elezaj added 11 points.
Earlier this month, the Panthers defeated Joel Barlow 40-36, and are looking to find the same success on Thursday. The Falcons finished their regular season with a 15-5 record, with their last loss being against Pomperaug.
“We were down seven in the third quarter against [Joel Barlow],” said Fortier. “We played really well in the second half against them. They’ll be ready for us.”
Thursday’s game will be held at Joel Barlow High School in Redding.
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