Berlin Girls Dance To The Final Four

The Berlin Redcoats played a timid and tight first half in its CIAC tournament opener against Joel Barlow. Berlin went on to play better in the second half and won 54-41 to advance to the quarterfinals against Torrington.

For whatever reason, Berlin had no nerves against the bigger Torrington team. After falling behind 5-0 to start the game, the Redcoats went on to control the game and dominate the NVL runners-up 58-47.

With the win, Berlin earned a spot in the Final Four against a familiar opponent, unbeaten and top-ranked E.O. Smith.

"We had a good feeling about tonight," Berlin coach Sheila King said. "Just the way they were acting before the game. I was pretty confident that we would play well."

And play well, they did.

Berlin led 9-7 at the end of the first quarter but Torrington's top scorer Alyssa Otis spent much of the quarter on the bench with two fouls. After a Torrington three from Nicole Kozlak made it 14-10, the Redcoats went on a 12-2 run to close the half to take a commanding 26-12 lead into the halftime break.

Berlin junior Kailene Rampone, who struggled in the first half, hit a corner three to start the third quarter. After she was fouled on a three-point try and made all three free throws, Berlin led 36-16 with 4:11 left in the third quarter.

Kozlak hit two threes to pull Torrington closer but Berlin still led 38-27 after three periods.

"We knew they would make a run," King said. "We kept telling the girls it was coming and that we had to handle it with poise."

Torrington's pressure pushed the tempo and Berlin hurried possessions on offense as the Raiders crept closer. Berlin led by as many as 16 in the third quarter. Rampone hit two free throws and a three to put Berlin up 43-27. From there, Torrington went on a 17-7 run, led by Otis, to close to within 50-44 with 1:28 left. Berlin iced it at the line going 6-of-7 on free throws.

"We made a run but it was too little too late," Torrington coach Michael Fritch said. "Hey, they played good. We knew they were a good team. We knew they would press but they made a lot of shots too. We told the kids you have to bring your "A" game in the tournament because if you don't you're going to get beat. They did a good job on defense but when we have Otis on the bench with two fouls we're done."

Rampone and Courtney Trzasko led Berlin with 15 points apiece. Chelsea Vujs added 10 points. Seven of the eight players who played for Berlin scored. Sophomore Alicia Maule and senior Paige Owens provided a spark off the bench and junior Paige Owens battled Torrington's 6-foot-1 center Cayce Williams all night and added seven points.

"This was the most physical game I've ever played in," said the enthusiastic and emotional Young. "She's big and she is a great player. I just tried my best to keep her away from the basket and I got help from my teammates."

Young called out "The Red Sea" Berlin student cheering section after a game earlier this year. She asked them students to come out to the girls game instead of just the boys game. "The Red Sea" was out in force and very vocal for the game.

"It was awesome," Young said. "It was so loud. I think the other team was intimidated by it. Right from the start it was great. We definitely need them and I hope they'll be there for the next game too."

Rampone said this is all new for her as this is her first year playing on the varsity team. "I didn't play very good in the first half so I knew I would have to play better in the second half to be there for my teammates," she said. "Once I make my first shot I just feel like they are all going in.

"This is amazing. I have never been this far because this is my first year on varsity. It's my first real time up here. This season has been great. We have gotten great leadership from the seniors and I don't want to stop now."

Next comes E.O. Smith in the semifinals with a chance to advance to the state championship game on the line. E.O. Smith beat Northwest Catholic 50-35 to earn their semifinals spot.

"I'm ready for (E.O. Smith 6-foot-2 senior center and brother of UConn player Tyler Olander) Morgan Olander," Paige Young said. "We lost to them the first game of the year (52-32) but we have evolved so much since then. We don't fear them at all."