Huge Win For The Berlin Girls Basketball Team

The Berlin girls basketball team played its third game in five days and it was without a doubt its best.

After being handily beaten by ranked E.O. Smith in its first game and beating Maloney for a solid win, Berlin was able to play its best basketball of the early season for a 57-50 win over a quick, talented and highly regarded Northwest Catholic.

"It was a big win," Berlin coach Sheila King said. "We took the lead and never lost it."

Berlin led 32-21 at halftime and 39-33 going into the fourth quarter but the visiting Indians were able to close the gap to four points in the final period.

"They pressed us the whole game and we expected that," King said. "We lost our composure a few times but everyone played very strong with the ball and we were smart a few times, getting easy baskets on the back end after breaking their press."

Ashley Malloy led Berlin with 16 points while Courtney Trzasko added 12 and Kailene Rampone nine for the winners, who improved to 2-1 with the victory.

"They're quick so we played a three quarter court press and fell back into a zone and also played some man-to-man," King said. "They have a big girl inside, Alyssa Reeves, who is very good but Chelsea Vujs shut her down, only giving up four points in the first half. Chelsea had seven steals. She has 14 in the last two games. We had good help defense and did a good job stopping their penetration."

Last season, Berlin was the only team able to beat E.O. Smth and did it early in the season. That win led to a solid year, despite losing several players to graduation. King is hoping this win could provide the same kind of boost to the Redcoats' confidence.

"We don’t lower the bar because we lose kids to graduation," King said. "We expect a lot out of these kids and they know it. They have to learn and know they can win a big game against a good team. Now they know they can do it. I'm hoping it is just like beating E.O. Smith last year. They got a taste of what they are capable of and what we expect of them.

"We started the season against E.O. Smith and didn't play well but I didn't think that was a fair estimate of the team we had. We got a good win against Maloney but still didn't play our best. We were concerned how they would come out and play tonight but the energy, effort and intensity were off the charts."

Malloy has been the spark plug for Berlin. 

"She has played her typical hard-nosed style of basketball," King said of Malloy. "To play the way she is coming off an ACL injury just shows she plays with all heart. She motivates the other girls. Sometimes she plays a little too hard but you take it."

Berlin plays at Middletown Friday night.