West Hartford’s Hall High School earned a home game in the first round of CCC Tournament play on Wednesday, and defeated Glastonbury 71-61.

Sports reporting is sponsored by Keating Agency Insurance

By Kei Caudle

After nearly a week of being snowed in, the crowds were rowdy with anticipation on Wednesday night. The fans filled the stands with chants and cheers, excited to witness their friends play in the start of an intense CCC tournament tournament as No. 7 Hall hosted No. 10 Glastonbury in West Hartford.

The game started quickly, with players racing across the court. Both teams showed off amazing defense, with powerful shots being blocked left and right. Both the squeaking of shoes, chants of parents, and applause filled the court as Glastonbury scored the first basket of the game, now 2-0. It was quickly tied by Hall’s No. 5 Aiden Delaney.

The energy only elevated as No. 23 Maxwell St.Arromand made a foul shot for Hall, breaking the previous tie to now 3-2. Each team chanted “defense” in the hopes of ramping up their motivation on this brisk Wednesday night.

Despite the chilly snow just outside the gym, the court was filled with heat as players got in each other’s space, blocking their baskets with passion. Barely halfway into the first quarter the score was 11-6, with Hall slowly creeping up behind Glastonbury. Free throws were not missing, as the buzzer quickly joined the regular rotation.

With the score 13-6, Hall felt the pressure as the first quarter slowly came to a close. With both Delaney and No. 21, Eli Kramer, beginning to even out the score, the applause soared. Glastonbury remained hot on their trails, with consistent baskets and defense. As the seconds ticked by, the score skewed to their side with 15-10.

No. 3 Nico Gilbert pushed the score 15-12, the first quarter ended, and each team ran to regroup after a riveting first few plays.

The second quarter began with immediate tension as players raced against the clock. No. 1 Timmy O’Brien started Hall off with a 2-point shot, inchingtoGlastonbury’s with the score of 15-14.

The passes were incredible, with the ball zipping past Delaney to St.Arromand and into Gilbert’s hand. Hall pulled ahead, pushing the score to 18-15 , and the Titans intended to keep it that way. No.2 Isaiah Gaston guarded the net with his arms spread wide as once again; Gilbert’s shot fell. It seemed like this game would end up another victory for Hall.

As halftime ended, the anxiety spiked back up; the score tied at 31-31 thanks to several free throws by both Hall and Glastonbury alike. Shouts became a regular occurrence as each team battled against one another for victory. Gaston quickly scored the first basket of the period, the score now 33-31 in Hall’s favor. After several timeouts, each player seemed to have a strategy in mind.

A tumble for both teams led to a foul shot for Hall’s Gaston. After making both baskets, Hall now up 35-31, Glastonbury grabbed the ball, attempting several shots over St. Arromand’s head. Despite some tense arguments and regrouping, each player was back on their feet and hungry for points. Hall’s shots were powerful and able to break through Glastonbury’s stone wall; the scoring quickly grew with each new pass.

The game grew heated as refs and players became agitated, desperate to bring home the win, the score 46-40, with Gilbert getting another point for Hall at the charity stripe.

The last quarter started with intense rivalry, each player swooping between each other towards the basket. The sound of sneakers heightened as desperate shots were taken. Cheers from the opposing side filled the court as Glastonbury made a nearly half-court shot, the score 48-43, with Hall still in the lead despite Glastonbury’s defense.

The baskets were nearly nonstop as each team made hoop after hoop, wearing each player down. With Glastonbury’s No.11 Brody Cummings scoring, 50-48, the once large gap was closing in on Hall. Nearly halfway into the last period, the game was tied. The crowd sat on the edge of their seats as, yet another foul was called.

It was anyone’s game.

Glastonbury’s No. 3 Shane Santora and No. 5 Jayden Korber kept control of the ball, swerving by their opponents as the basket loomed just beyond their reach. As Korber made a long shot, O’Brien was quick to defend, shooting the ball across the court. Delaney missed the foul shot, maintaining the tie as the game inched to a close.

The last four minutes were intense as the room filled with energy and heat. Each shot made was filled with vigor and passion, dedicated to bringing another win to keep the tournament hopes alive.

Hall pulled ahead after making some free throws, taking a 63-57 lead , with Glastonbury struggling to catch up. With a minute left on the clock, their strategy became pivotal, demanding every minute detail.

With 55 seconds left on the clock, Kramer scored and it was, 67-57. Would this be a close match? Only time would tell.

As the coaches called the last timeout of the game, each player jogged onto the court with one goal in mind: to win. St. Arromond stepped up to the free throw line, earning two additional points for the Titans.

As the buzzer sounded Hall earned the 71-61 lead, and parents, friends, and peers stood up to applaud the victorious Titans, bringing home yet another win for their school.

Hall was set to travel to No. 2 East Hartford on Thursday night for a CCC Tournament quarterfinal game.

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