The Conard girls basketball team opened the season Tuesday at home in West Hartford with a lopsided win over Maloney.

Courtney McPhee helped lead the offense with assists and the defense with forced turnovers. Conard vs. Maloney girls basketball. Dec. 12, 2023. Photo credit: Paul Palmer

By Paul Palmer

The Conard girls basketball team didn’t miss a beat in its home opener with Maloney on Tuesday night.

Coming off an 18-4 regular season in 2022-23 leading to a trip to the CCC final and the Class quarterfinals, the Red Wolves ran out to a 14-0 lead just 2:40 into the game and never looked back as they cruised to a 69-20 win. Emily Knowles led all scorers with 32 points – just 5 shy of the school record for a single game – despite not playing most of the final quarter.

“It feels great to be back with this team,” said Knowles who lets her game speak for her.

Emily Knowles scored 32 points in Conard’s season opening win. Conard vs. Maloney girls basketball. Dec. 12, 2023. Photo credit: Paul Palmer

Using an up-tempo game featuring a pressing defense with double teams all over the court, Conard had Maloney bottled up and befuddled from the opening tip. Up 16-0, Knowles was still diving across the floor for loose balls, as she and her teammates refused to concede any points.

“Our number one things is energy,’ Knowles said. “We practice that and it is our main focus.”

Knowles wasn’t alone. The trapping defense, led by Courtney McPhee and Clara McClay, and the battle on the boards for every rebound with Katherine Colburn, kept Maloney off balance. The visitors got their first points of the game with 1:50 to play in the opening 8 minutes by hitting a pair of free throws making it 20-2.

Clara McClay of Conard (23) fights around the pick. Conard vs. Maloney girls basketball. Dec. 12, 2023. Photo credit: Paul Palmer

Despite substituting for some of her starters in the second quarter, it was more of the same as Knowles stayed hot, the defense stayed tough, and when Nicole Gorman hit a deep 3-pointer from the left corner, it was a 38-4 game.

McClay followed that with a steal and basket and the Red Wolves outscored Maloney 24-3 in the second quarter and it was 50-7 at the intermission. Knowles led all scorers with 26, and McPhee had six and a bucket of assists.

“Regardless of the score, the energy out there will not change,” said Conard coach Laurie Cersosimo. “What is really cool is to see them apply what we are teaching them.”

  This season the 35-second shot clock has been introduced into the girls game, but the speed at which Conard played rendered it a non-factor. Even with the large lead in the final two quarters, Cersosimo had her players working at a high tempo, looking for that one good scoring chance. It didn’t matter if it was the starters or the players who came off the bench, it was about execution. “There are always things to learn. You never stop learning,” the coach said.

The games will get tougher for Conard, but with Knowles, McPhee, Gorman, and Callie Cosgrove (who missed the opener) all being just juniors, the future does indeed look bright. Cosgrove, Knowles, and McPhee were All-League players last year with Cosgrove hitting a school-record 66 3s, Knowles going for 475 points on the season combined with 184 rebounds, and McPhee scoring 196 points, and pulling down 124 rebounds. With that talent and an infusion of strong players to this years squad, it could be  a fun season for players and fans alike.

“I’m just having fun playing for my team,” said Knowles.

Emily Knowles was a force at both ends for Conard. Conard vs. Maloney girls basketball. Dec. 12, 2023. Photo credit: Paul Palmer

Like what you see here? Click here to subscribe to We-Ha’s newsletter so you’ll always be in the know about what’s happening in West Hartford! Click the blue button below to become a supporter of We-Ha.com and our efforts to continue producing quality journalism.