Early surge helps Farmington top Avon for first win and retain Taft Cup

Farmington’s Harry Hawkins (00) goes to block Avon’s Leo Indomenico in Monday night’s CCC contest in Avon. Farmington prevailed, 54-38 for their first win of the season.

AVON, January 5, 2025 – The Farmington High boys basketball team has been competitive this season. Head coach Craig Archambault felt that the River Hawks let two potential wins get away from them in the recent Valley vs. The Hills holiday tournament with losses to Lewis Mills and Lakeview Regional from Litchfield.

Farmington didn’t let Monday night’s game for the Taft Cup get away from them.

The River Hawks took control of the game in the final minutes of the first quarter to secure their first victory of the season with a 56-38 win over Avon in the annual Taft Cup contest.

The Taft Cup is named in honor of long-time Avon High boys coach Jim Taft, who coached the Falcons from 1978 through 2003, leading the Falcons to 368 wins, eight NCCC championships and a Class S state title in 1989.

The trophy goes home with the winner of the game and the River Hawks extended their winning streak over Avon to eight in a row, dating back to 2021.

Farmington (1-5) had one-point lead, 10-9 with 3:35 remaining in the first quarter before going on a 10-1 run to close out the quarter and seize control of the game.

Angelo Maccarone led Farmington with 11 points while Chase Becker and Jake Tomkiewicz each had eight points.

Avon (2-3) was led by Leo Indomenico with nine points with Brendan Mahoney adding seven.

“They are learning,” Archambault said. “We’ve been really pushing them to play smarter basketball and tonight was the first night we actually shared it, moved it, and played fundamental (basketball).

“Guys played more calmly on offense,” he said. “We’ve had injuries just like every other team and we’ve haven’t had a full roster until tonight.”

Farmington lost by four to Lewis Mills in the recent holiday tournament dropped an eight-point decision to Lakeview. Both teams made runs at the end of quarters to erase leads and take control of the game.

On this night, it was Farmington finishing strong.

There were two vocal student sections in the gym, rooting on their respective squads, bringing some energy to a Monday night game on a snowy night in early January.

Farmington led by eight after one quarter and extended that lead to 18 at halftime.

Avon returns to action on Thursday when they host Bristol Central beginning at 6:45 p.m. Farmington will travel to Enfield on Thursday night for a 6:45 p.m. start.

Avon’s last win against the River Hawks came in 2021 in the first of three games that season, including a contest in the CCC Tournament. Farmington’s longest recent winning streak against Avon is 10 straight from 2006 through 2013.

Farmington 54, Avon 38
At Avon
Farmington (54) Harry Hawkins 2-0-4, Chase Clay 2-1-5, Chase Becker 4-0-8, Tyler Thompson 2-2-6, Alex Walton 1-0-2, Michael Lebouthillier 1-0-2, Jake Tomkiewicz 2-2-8, Angelo Maccarone 4-2-11, Xzavior Clark 3-0-5. Totals 18 7-19 54
Avon (38) Jude Turner 2-0-5, Brendan Mahoney 3-1-7, Sam Stinchen 1-0-3, Jack Parker 0-0-0, Tommy Mango 3-0-6, Tristan Lee 0-2-2, Andrew Anderson 0-0-0, Cooper Donnelly 1-0-3, Leo Indomenico 3-3-9, Ryan Cawley 1-0-2. Totals 14 6-15 38
Farmington (1-5)            19  17  12   8  — 54
Avon (2-3)                        11    7   9  11  — 38
Three-point goals: Turner (A), Mahoney (A), Stinchen (A), Donnelly (A), Tomkiewicz (F) 2, Maccarone (F), Clark (F)

The Farmington High fans join the huddle during a timeout during Monday night’s CCC game between the River Hawks and Avon.