Boys’ BB Team Picks Up Second Win in Holiday Tourney

As 2017 began, the Branford boys’ basketball team picked up their second win of the season by beating the Academy of Aerospace 49 – 37 in the consolation round of the North Haven Holiday Tournament at the Fred Kelly Gymnasium at North Haven High School. The Hornets fell to the host team in the first round 53 – 47.

“We didn’t play our best against them tonight,” said coach Jake Palluzzi(pictured), ​“but we’ll take it.”

Aerospace, located in Windsor, has only had a team since the 2014 – 15 season. The school’s official name is ​“Academy of Aerospace and Engineering.” It is a grade 6 to 12 magnet school that draws students from 42 Greater Hartford cities and towns.

The North Haven Holiday Tournament gives young teams like Aerospace a chance to play teams across the state. 

The Jets took the lead at the end of the first quarter 13 – 10 before the Hornets got their momentum. A couple of hard-earned baskets by sophomore Jordan Donnelly and senior co-captains Ryan Sember and Jake Sullivan propelled the Hornets to a 25 – 17 lead at halftime. Here Sember hits one of his two three-pointers.

Here Donnelly scores two of his nine points on a lay-up.

Sullivan was the leading scorer in the game with 17 points followed by Donnelly with nine including a three-pointer and Sember with eight and two three-pointers. Here Sullivan fires one up for two of his 17 points

Aerospace narrowed the score to 31 – 28 at the end of the third period on the scoring of junior Angel DeJesus and senior Marquis Hawkins who both had 13 points for the Jets. Here Trevor Brown fights to take the ball away from Hawkins.

“We played better in the fourth quarter,” said Palluzzi. Branford outscored the Jets 18 – 9 in the final period. ​“They wouldn’t go away, and I told our guys at the break not to let them get the lead. We played better defense and got some big baskets from Sullivan, and Sam (Roach) had some important rebounds.” Here Sullivan gets mugged on his way up for a shot.

The Hornets won their opening game of the season 43 – 39 at East Haven before the holidays and then went on to defeat Hand 56 – 53 behind John Sullivan’s 23 points and Ryan Sember’s 16. Here Sember keeps an eye on Chris Jacobs as he dribbles toward the basket. .

Their next home game was last night against Cheshire. It was close. Branford lost 44 – 43. Their record is now 3 – 2.

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