Conard Closes Out Regular Season with Win over Hall in Girls Basketball

Published On: February 15, 2025Categories: Schools, Sports

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Conard senior Emily Knowles keeps her eye on the ball. Conard vs. Hall girls basketball. Feb. 14, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

West Hartford crosstown rivals Conard and Hall met for the final game of the regular season on Friday night.

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Conard seniors and their coaches. Conard vs. Hall girls basketball. Feb. 14, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

By Ronni Newton

It was the first and only meeting of the Conard and Hall girls basketball teams this season, and as expected the Red Wolves dominated their crosstown West Hartford rival from wire-to-wire, led by veteran star senior Emily Knowles who had 23 points on her senior night in the 56-26 win.

“They’ve really been the identity and the foundation of this program and I consider myself and my coaching staff extremely lucky to coach such incredible players – but even better kids,” Conard coach Laurie Cersosimo said of her team, led by seniors Knowles, Courtney McPhee, Nicole Gorman, and Jalyn Sanchez.

Senior Jaylin Sanchez (14). Conard vs. Hall girls basketball. Feb. 14, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

The game started off somewhat slow, with Conard leading 8-5 at the end of the first frame. The Red Wolves’ offense picked up in the second quarter, and they headed to the locker room for the break up 29-9, led by Knowles who had 14 in the first half.

Hall junior captain Anya Leshem hit a pair of 3s in the third quarter, but Conard continued to dominate. The score was 44-16 to end the third quarter, with bench players contributing in the fourth to the 56-26 final.

“I’m really happy for them to win on their home court tonight against Hall,” Cersosimo said.

Conard senior Courtney McPhee is defended by Hall senior Liv Bush. Conard vs. Hall girls basketball. Feb. 14, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

All four Conard seniors were honored before the game, and all contributed to the final score. McPhee scored Conard’s first four points and finished with eight, going 4-for-4 from the free throw line. Gorman also added eight points, and Sanchez had two.

Nicole Gorman was 4-for-4 at the free throw line. Conard vs. Hall girls basketball. Feb. 14, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Knowles, who became the leading scorer among all West Hartford Public Schools girls basketball players in December, added another 23 to her point total, and recorded her team’s only 3-pointer of the night.

Hall’s two seniors, Liv Bush and Sam Shifrin, were also recognized before the game.

Hall seniors Liv Bush (left) and Sam Shifrin are recognized before the game. Conard vs. Hall girls basketball. Feb. 14, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

The Titans are a young team, and were led Friday night in scoring by Leshem, who had 13 points, including three 3-pointers.

Hall assistant coach Rick Bush said after the game that the coaches were “super proud” of the team. “They played 100% the entire game. They didn’t quit. They had great positive attitude and they worked hard. They ran the plays like they were supposed to and they fought their hearts out, and you can’t ask for anything more than that of any team.”

Hall’s Anya Leshem (10) was high scorer for the Titans. Conard vs. Hall girls basketball. Feb. 14, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

They’ve got a lot of girls coming up through the system, and Bush said the future is bright for the Hall team.

Next up for Conard is a home game to open CCC tournament play. “The CCC bracket is gonna be incredible, really tough. There’s not a single team that’s under-rated and it’s really great to see for girls basketball,” Cersosimo said. The Red Wolves will host 12-8 Bristol Eastern on Feb. 18, beginning at 6 p.m. – a team Conard previously met on Jan. 31, winning that contest 52.42.

With a No. 6 ranking in Class LL, the Red Wolves will also begin Class LL state tournament play at home in early March. Pairings are TBD.

This is the first time in three years that Hall, 6-14, has made the state tournament. The Titans will travel for their first Class L tournament game, with details TBD.

Conard seniors with their families before the game. Conard vs. Hall girls basketball. Feb. 14, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

The Conard girls basketball team and their practice squad pose for a photo. Conard vs. Hall girls basketball. Feb. 14, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton