Lady Jackets claim second victory, 35-26

WINSTED — Last year’s winless Lady Jackets picked up their second victory of the season, defeating the Shepaug Spartans 35-26 at home Monday, Dec. 21.

Shepaug took command of the game early, sticking to the outside and building their lead by tallying three-pointers. Gilbert managed to generate plenty of offensive opportunities, but failed chances or poor shot selection kept them behind the Spartans 11-7 at the end of the first.

Things picked up for the Jackets early in the second as their defense shut down Shepaug while their offense drove hard to the net, drawing fouls they capitalized on with a decent effort at the line. That momentum built through the middle of the quarter and provided the Jackets with a slight 17-13 heading into the break.

Gilbert remained relentless out of the half and kept the Spartans stumbling in their own zone. Shepaug found themselves turning over the ball to the Jackets on nearly every possession, effectively dismantling their offensive game and allowing Gilbert to extend their lead to 26-17.

Things started to look hairy for the Jackets through the fourth as the Spartans began to find ways through Gilbert’s defense and hacked at the gap a few points at a time. With time winding down and Gilbert’s rebound efforts improving as the game progressed, Shepaug became desperate for nabbing crucial offensive zone rebounds and ended up whacking senior co-captain Courtney Cesca a few times too many, allowing Cesca to secure her team’s lead at the line late in the fourth. The Jackets held on for the 35-26 home court victory.

The Jackets hit the .500 season mark with their win over Shepaug, improving their record to 2-2.

Head coach Paul Grossman commented on what his team needs to do to continue picking up victories this season: “We need to take care of the ball and play to our potential. They always come out and play hard.�

Gilbert continues to see even scoring throughout their squad, including strong efforts from the younger element. Cesca paced the Jackets with 10 points, while Jen Fritch and Cheyenne Skinner added seven points each.

Latest News

Water main cleaning in North Canaan

NORTH CANAAN – Aquarion Water Company today announced a water main cleaning project in the company’s North Canaan system. The project is scheduled to take place from Monday, April 1 through Tuesday, April 16, and is being undertaken to ensure customers in North Canaan continue to receive the highest quality water.

The cleaning for April 1 and April 4 (subject to change) will take place on the following streets:

Keep ReadingShow less
Tuning up two passions under one roof

The Webb Family in the workshop. From left: Phyllis, Dale, Ben and Josh Webb, and project manager Hannah Schiffer.

Natalia Zukerman

Magic Fluke Ukulele Shop and True Wheels Bicycle Shop are not only under the same roof in a beautiful solar powered building on Route 7 in Sheffield, but they are also both run by the Webb family, telling a tale of familial passion, innovation and a steadfast commitment to sustainability.

In the late ‘90s, Dale Webb was working in engineering and product design at a corporate job. “I took up instrument manufacturing as a fun challenge,” said Dale. After an exhibit at The National Association of Music Merchants in Anaheim, California, in 1999, The Magic Fluke company was born. “We were casting finger boards and gluing these things together in our basement in New Hartford and it just took off,” Dale explained. “It was really a wild ride, it kind of had a life of its own.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Robert Cray’s soulful blues coming to Infinity Hall

Robert Cray

Photo provided

Blues legend Robert Cray will be bringing his stinging, funky guitar and soulful singing to Infinity Hall Norfolk on Friday, March 29.

A five-time Grammy winner, Cray has been inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame and earned The Americana Music Awards Lifetime Achievement for Performance. He has played with blues and rock icons including Albert Collins, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, The Rolling Stones, Tina Turner, Eric Clapton and many more.

Keep ReadingShow less