Lady Academics Clobber Career

Hillhouse’s Lady Academics didn’t let a tough one-point loss on Monday get in the way of coming out victorious Tuesday night. 

Tuesday’s face-off between Hillhouse High School and Career High School’s girls varsity basketball teams was held at Career. Hillhouse took the win, 68 – 31, putting the team at eight wins this season and ten losses.

“They battled really hard yesterday and came back after a really tough game,” head coach Catrina Hawley said Tuesday about Monday’s loss. ​“They came here today to execute and with the determination to get better each game.” 

The Lady Academics kicked off the game by winning the tipoff and scoring with a layup in the first 20 seconds by number 1 on the court, Jordyn Thomas. 

Career caught up with a steal and a score on the Academics, making it 2 – 2. 

The teams stayed neck-and-neck until the final two minutes of the first quarter when the Academics took a total that was double Career’s score thanks to a steal and a layup by freshman Zariah Rivera, bringing the score to 12 – 6. 

Hillhouse was still in the lead going into the second quarter, 22 – 9, and continued its scoring streak through layups, mid range shots, and floaters. 

They did this by keeping their communication strong both verbally and nonverbally, signaling to their teammates where they needed them on the court. 

The two teams battled against turnovers, constantly making steals from their opponents. Rivera aided her team with several steals leading to assists or her own layups. 

With 20 seconds left in the second quarter, Thomas sunk a three-pointer, increasing Hillhouse’s lead to 47 – 19. 

During halftime, the Lady Academics remained on the court to practice their shooting. 

Despite being down 28 points, Career stepped into overdrive during the final two quarters, amping up their rebounds and steals, but Hillhouse kept a steady lead. 

The fourth quarter began with Hillhouse up 58 – 27 and both teams battling aggressively for a win. Hillhouse ultimately took the win thanks to its focus on making shots in the paint. 

This was Hillhouse’s second win this season against Career. 

In the stands cheering for the Hillhouse varsity team were several junior varsity players supporting their teammates with stomps and claps. 

The Lady Academics took little time after Tuesday’s game to celebrate as most of the team — including coach Hawley — went to support the Wilbur Hillhouse boys basketball team during their game that same night. 

Team co-captain Dillyn Boyd is a senior at Metropolitan Business Academy and has been playing for Hillhouse since her freshman year. ​“It feels like a family, it’s definitely what they say it is. ​‘House Fam,’ ” she said. ​“It’s more than just basketball. On and off the court they support you in everything you do.”

Thanks to basketball, Boyd said she has improved her ability on and off the court to multi-task and to not give up on anything. ​“Life throws you battles all the time and you win some and lose some, just like the sport.” 

Boyd said the Tuesday win felt good after taking Monday’s loss very personally. ​“We was so close, so it feels to get a win here,” she said. 

Boyd described the start of the season as ​“rough” because this year’s team is young. ​“We grew together as a team,” she said. 

Hillhouse freshmen Zariah Rivera said that during her first year of high school basketball, her team has taught her the importance of spreading the floor and how to work as a team. 

Last year, Rivera’s sister graduated from Hillhouse and played basketball and encouraged her to join the team. 

“I get in my head too much, and they just be telling me stay in the game, don’t give up, they need me. Like that’s big for me, them needing me, a freshman. It’s big,” she said. ​“I can’t give up on my team.” 

When asked how it was facing off against Career for a second time this season, she said, ​“Other players play nasty but they don’t.” 

“At the end of the day, we all are one, we’re New Haven,” Boyd said. 

The Lady Academics have two games left in the season. Friday they will face off with Daniel Hand High School in an away game at 7 p.m. Their final game and senior night will be Monday against Mercy High School at 7 p.m. at Hillhouse High School’s gym.