Avon ‘5’ beat New Britain for fourth win of season

Avon’s Riley Welter had 15 points to lead the Falcons to a 56-49 win over New Britain Saturday night. It is believed to the first-ever meeting between the two programs in boys basketball.

The Avon High boys basketball team knew that playing in the Central Connecticut Conference would provide challenges. On Saturday night, the Falcons squared off with New Britain – the third largest school in the state.

The Falcons saw New Britain trim a nine-point halftime lead to just three points after three quarters. But Avon (4-5) didn’t flinch in the final eight minutes to beat New Britain, 56-49 in Avon. It was Avon’s second win the last three games.

Charlie Reiss led Avon with 16 points while Riley Welter added 15. “Riley and Charlie played well for us,” Avon High coach Kris Pedra said. “Riley played aggressively offensively and played tough on defense. He took it strong to the basket throughout the game. Riley and Charlie really helped on the defensive rebounds.”

Jordan Williams had eight points for the Falcons while Henry Schrecengost added seven. New Britain (1-8) has lost seven straight games with Jafari Newman scoring nine points for the Hurricanes.

“We’re halfway to our first goal of eight wins (and a berth in the CIAC Class L tournament) but we need to really try and get to 11 wins if we want a good chance to making the CCC Tournament,” Pedra said. “The kids understand that we are not the team we will be at the end of the season. But we need to keep working at practice if we want to accomplish our team goals.”

Pedra said that the Falcons have three important games coming up in the next 10 days. Avon travels to Glastonbury on Tuesday to face the Tomahawks (1-8) at 7 p.m., and on Friday, January 20, the Falcons travel to Farmington to face the rival Indians (2-6) at 6:45 p.m. On Tuesday, January 24, Avon travels to Hebron to face RHAM (0-8).

“The attitude from every player — top to bottom — has been a team first mindset,” Pedra said. “It shows in our recent results.”

It is believed to the first-ever game between the two schools in boys basketball.

Avon 56, New Britain 49
At Avon
New Britain (49) Jemani Eaton 1 3 5, Maurice Turner 1 5 8, Jhailin Mann 3 1 7, Tyehan Ward 2 1 5, Jordan Williams 2 0 4, Jafari Newman 4 1 9, Daniel Kownacki 3 1 7, Gabe Yopp 2 0 4. Totals 18 12 49
Avon (56) Ryan Bartkiewicz 2 3 7, Charlie Reiss 5 6 16, Jordan Williams 3 1 8, Riley Welter 7 0 15, Brett Muni 0 3 3, Henry Schrecengost 2 3 7. Totals 19 16 56
New Britain (1-8)            13    8  12  16 – 49
Avon (4-5)                      12  18    6  20 – 56
Three-point goals: Turner (NB), J. Williams (A), Welter (A)