Nine weeks into the Morgan girls’ basketball season and the team is thriving with eight wins and one tough loss. So far, the season has been marked with a series of lopsided matchups. The eight wins have been blowouts, winning by at least 20 points a game. However, recently, Morgan traveled to Granby Memorial on December 28th and returned home with a 28-40 loss.Their first loss of the season.
Morgan is led by their three stand-out players: Emma Teuner, a post player, and two guards Sadie Passante and Maddie Grenon. Morgan is a difficult team to stop this year because of how they share the scoring responsibilities. Teuner, a sophomore, has averaged 16.2 points a game, while Passante, a junior, has averaged 14.2 points a game and Grenon, a sophomore, has averaged 13.5 points a game.
Emma Teuner, an athlete of the week recipient for the 2024 season, has stood out as a post player, averaging over 13 rebounds a game.
Passante, a three season varsity stand out player, has stayed motivated reaching the middle of the season. She uses her strengths with her other teammates on the court to give them more opportunities. Passante has high hopes for the rest of the season. “As we are reaching the middle of the season, we are preparing with film and practicing hard in order to keep our successful record,” said Passante.
Morgan girls started the season with two scrimmages against West Haven and Avon. These scrimmages were successful for the girls, winning both. Both schools are out of Class S Morgan’s conference, and so that made the girls stronger going into the season by seeing Class L schools.
“I think having those competitions in pre-season gives us an outlook on what’s coming for games we play in the regular season, such as Suffield; therefore they are important,” said Passante.
So far, the highlight of the season came at Bellringers court in East Hampton as Morgan traveled to East Hampton on Friday, December 5th in hopes to rebound from last season’s upset. Last season, Morgan lost to East Hampton twice. That Friday, Morgan took home a 43-27 victory.
“I believe our defense and offense was incredible throughout the game, and we kept our momentum from the start of the game,” said Passante. Morgan prepared a ton of days leading up to the game, so they would be fully ready for their rival.
For the first time in nine years, Coach Woods said, “It was great to beat East Hampton after so many seasons battling them. It was a terrific team win, and I am so proud of this group for their hard work, drive, and focus.”
A postseason goal for the team this year is to win shorelines, captain Lili Luciani said. Luciani believes her team has a very good chance of making it far in the postseason in hopes of making it deep into states. “I expect us all to continue the season doing well and transfer that into the shoreline tournament, and I know we’ll make a good run in states, which I’m excited for,” said Luciani. Over the past few seasons, Lucaini has been a post player, but this season she is now interchangeable with other positions such as a guard. As she adapted to being a guard, she has benefitted the team by putting up more points and moving the ball more at the top of the key.
Head coach, Caitlin Woods, believes this team is in a great place as they approach the season’s halfway point. “We have some tough competition ahead, but everyone is locked in and prepared to take down each opponent,” said Woods.
Woods thinks if the girls keep working hard, they have the potential to finish the second half of the season as well as the first strong. Woods hopes to continue the momentum they have currently into the postseason, but always emphasize one game at a time.
“I am feeling extremely confident about our postseason outlook. As coaches, it’s been a pleasure coming to the gym every day and working with such wonderful student-athletes. The positive energy in the gym is palpable, and it’s been a great season so far.” said Woods.
