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Defense helps Avon stop Farmington for second win of the year and the Taft Cup

A few hours after Avon beat Farmington for the second straight time, the Falcons were back in the gym at practice Saturday morning.

A few hours after Avon beat Farmington for the second straight time, the Falcons were back in the gym at practice Saturday morning. Head coach Kris Pedra (red top) cheers on the Falcons.

AVON, Jan. 23 – Only a few hours earlier, the Avon High boys basketball team celebrated a hard-fought win over rival Farmington, 44-37 for their second victory of the season. It also allowed Avon to retain possession of the Taft Cup, which goes to the winner of contests between the two schools.

The Falcons were in the gym early Saturday morning practicing.

“We have to get better,” Avon’s first-year coach Kris Pedra said. “It is such a young team. Just because we get a big win, we can’t rest on that. We have to get right back to work.”

Avon (2-9, 1-4 CCC Central White) has been focusing on defense for the past weeks. That is what happens when a team gives up more than 100 points twice in a 10-day period. Defending Class M champion Weaver rang up 101 points in a 101-63 decision while Windsor dominated in a 100-34 decision. Both are ranked in the top 10 of the state coaches poll.

“When you give up 100 points twice, it is irrelevant who you played, obviously defense is a problem,” Pedra said. “We’ve been working on our defense, working on closing out games and protecting our basket. And last night (against Farmington), we did it. Defense was the key.”

The Falcons allowed a season-low 37 points to beat Farmington for the third time in the last five games with the Indians.

Avon’s Darcy Comas got two big defensive rebounds in the final minute and was fouled each time. He went 4-for-4 from the foul line to extend the Avon lead.

“Defense was the key,” Pedra said. “Our senior leadership was key bringing pressure. When we brought pressure, we were able to settle down and we didn’t have a lot of turnovers.” Pedra cited the play of seniors Ian McDonald and Bryan LaChance.

It was LaChance who finished with a game-high 17 points. McDonald added nine points, many of which came at crucial junctures of the contest. Farmington (4-7, 1-4 CCC Central White) was led by Jake Sytulek with 13 points.

Avon got to take home the Taft Cup, which goes home with the winner of each game. The trophy is named after long-time Avon High coach Jim Taft, who led the Falcons to 368 wins, eight NCCC championships and a Class S state title in 1989. He coached Avon from 1978 to 2003.

Avon returns to the hardwood on Tuesday night when they host E.O. Smith beginning at 7 p.m. They close out the week by playing Weaver at Hartford Classical High on Saturday night, Jan. 30, at 6 p.m.

Avon 44, Farmington 37
At Avon
Farmington (37) Trajan Simpson 3-2-10, Makhi Hawkins 2-1-5, Isaiah McKinley-Jones 1-0-2, Clayton Herr 1-0-2, Neville Buxton 0-0-0, Sam Roy 1-2-5, Kevin Dunst 0-0-0, Jake Sytulek 5-1-13, Jack Tuohy 0-0-0, Carson Frey 0-0-0. Totals 13-6
Avon (44) Ian McDonald 3-3-9, Charlie Reiss 0-0-0, Jordan Williams 3-1-8, Riley Welter 0-0-0, Bryan LaChance 6-2-17, Jordan Bailey 0-0-0, Darby Comas 0-4-4. James Chany 1-2-4. Totals 14-12
Farmington (4-7)               6  9  5  17  – 37
Avon (2-9)                       18  2  9  15  — 44
Three-point goals: Simpson (F) 2, Roy (F), Sytulek (F) 2; Williams (A), LaChance (A) 3

 

 

Since 2009, the Collinsville Press has been providing award-winning coverage of sports and news in the Farmington Valley and across Connecticut.

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