With two straight wins, Avon secures spot in CIAC Div. III tournament

Avon’s Charley Reiss (11) has scored 13 points in each of the last two games as the Falcons have secured their first post-season tournament berth since 2015.

SOUTHINGTON, February 1 – Jordan Williams had a game-high 24 points while Charlie Reiss added 13 as the Avon High boys basketball team qualified for the CIAC state tournament for the first time since 2015 with a 59-47 victory over Southington Thursday night.

The Falcons (8-6), who have won two straight games this week, will be playing in the CIAC Division III tournament. Avon beat Hall earlier this week, 78-57.

Against Southington, Avon sank seven 3-point shots, including five from Williams. He sank back-to-back three-point shots in the second period to put the Falcons up by six points. Avon had an eight-point lead at halftime, 28-20.

“What we wanted to do was at least keep them outside of the 3-point line. But that doesn’t mean give them open looks and unfortunately, we did that,” Southington High coach John Cessario told the New Britain Herald.

Avon opened up the third quarter with a 7-0 run to cement their control of the contest. Marek Cierniewski had eight points for the Falcons while Brett Muni chipped in with six points.

Earlier in the week, Avon had its second-best scoring night of the season with 78 points in a 19-point victory over Hall in West Hartford. Williams led the way with 22 points while Reiss, again, added 13 points. Riley Welter and Muni had nine points each as Avon had nine players contribute to the offense with points.

Avon returns to the floor on Saturday night when they host long-time rival Canton at 7 p.m.

Avon 59, Southington 47
At Southington
Avon (59) Brett Muni 1 3 6, Charlie Reiss 3 6 13, Marek Cierniewski 3 2 8, Jordan Williams 7 5 24, Riley Welter 1 0 3, Connor Harris 1 0 2, Ryan Bartkiewicz 0 3 3. Totals 16 19 59
Southington (47) Andrew Lohneiss 5 1 13, Ryan Gesnaldo 1 0 2, Colin Burdette 4 1 9, Jeremy Mercier 5 2 13, Tim O’Shea 2 1 5, Adam Hunter 2 0 5. Totals 19 5 47
Avon (8-5)                                       6  22  14  17 – 59
Southington (9-5)                          9  11  12  15 – 47
Three-point goals: Muni (A), Reiss (A), Williams (A) 5, Welter (A), Lohneiss (S) 2, Mercier (S), Hunter (S)

Avon 78, Hall 57
At Avon (Jan. 30)
Avon (78) Brett Muni 3 2 9, Charlie Reiss 5 2 13, Marek Cierniewski 4 2 10, Jordan Williams 7 5 22, Riley Welter 3 2 9, Connor Harris 2 3 7, Ryan Bartkiewicz 1 0 2, Noah Hay 2 0 4, Ryan McGuire 1 0 2. Totals 28 16 78
Hall (57) James DeCrisantis 4 2 14, Maxwell Boyd 1 7 10, Bryan Renker 4 0 9, Abijah Cole 2 2 7, Jack Del Coro 2 2 6, Onyx Erazo 2 2 6, Mike Hardwick 2 0 5. Totals 17 15 57
Avon (7-6)                                       17  15  27  19 – 78
Hall (2-12)                                       13  14  18  12 – 57
Three-point goals: DeCrisantis (H) 4, Boyd (H). Renker (H), Hardwick (H); Muni (A), Reiss (A), Williams (A) 3, Welter (A)

Manchester 58, Avon 51
At Manchester (Jan. 26)
Avon (51) Brett Muni 3 4 10, Charlie Reiss 4 1 9, Marek Cierniewski 3 0 6, Jordan Williams 6 5 18, Riley Welter 1 1 3, Connor Harris 2 0 5. Totals 19 11 51
Manchester (58) Jevin Frett 6 2 14, Rondell Tyson 6 3 15, Logan Tomlinson 4 4 14, Nhasean Murphy 1 0 2, Naithon Rodriguez 1 0 2, Jadon Johnson 4 0 9, Mason Granger 1 0 2. Totals 23 9 58
Avon (6-6)                             14   5  17  15  — 51
Manchester (10-3)                8  15  10  25 – 58
Three-point goals: Williams (A), Harris (A); Tomlinson (M) 2, Johnson (M)