High Impact Times: Another MetalNED Exclusive, CHSCA Basketball Players of the Week, NFP Sports Sponsor Spotlight
Another MetalNED Exclusive, CHSCA Basketball Players of the Week, NFP Sports Sponsor Spotlight.
Fitch Girls’ Hoops Embraces Grueling Regular Season to Prepare for the Post-Season
A MetalNED Exclusive
Falecia Porter wanted to change the culture of the Fitch girls’ basketball team during her first season as head coach last year. This season, Porter wanted to make her Falcons believe they could contend for a state title and went about it by assembling a demanding non-conference schedule. The Falcons’ non-conference schedule has been a who’s-who of Connecticut high school girls’ basketball featuring three of the five defending CIAC state champions and Sacred Heart Academy, the No. 1 team in the current GameTimeCT.com Top 10 poll.
Fitch has also played defending Class MM champion New London twice as well as Bacon Academy, a consistent state medium-school contender, as part of its Eastern Connecticut Conference schedule. “Last year, we had a second round (state tournament) exit (against) Torrington,” Porter said. “We weren’t really ready because the schedule we had last year didn’t prepare us for the state run. I looked back at myself as a coach from last year and thought, ‘What could I do to better ready these kids for the state tournament?’ And I said, ‘You know what, I’m going to make them believe we can get there. I’m going to play every single team that won a state championship last year.’”
“If you prepare against the best teams in the state, even if we lost to all of them, it’s going to make us more prepared going into our state (playoff) run.” Fitch is 10-9 with one regular season game remaining against Woodstock Academy on Friday.
Seven of the Falcons’ nine losses were to defending state champions as well as Sacred Heart Academy. The first of those losses was to defending Class LL champion Hamden (59-40, Dec. 16). “We were really, really struggling to find our footing,” Porter said, “but we needed that game. We needed that game to learn our lessons and then apply what went wrong and fix it in the next game.”
The Falcons kept it closer in their next game in a 49-39 loss to defending Class L champion E.O. Smith (Dec. 20). Fitch played defending Class S champion Northwest Catholic twice and lost, 50-46 (Dec. 29) and 69-43 (Jan. 22). It finished its non-conference schedule with a 70-54 loss to unbeaten Sacred Heart Academy on Jan. 24. “We looked at the stats and watched film and we saw ourselves shoot 60-percent form the free throw line and only 29-percent from the field,” Porter said. “We missed 10 wide-open layups. After the game, I was like, ‘Guys, this isn’t a bad loss. Take all the things we’re learning from (it) but we can fix all these errors.’ Obviously, we dropped all those games but I’m glad we played against them and lost and learned rather than a playing. … a little bit weaker competition, blowing them out by 30 or 40 points. That’s what our schedule was like my first year here. We had 40-point win margins like, three or four times, but that (didn’t) prepare us.”
The Falcons split with New London winning 55- 44 on Jan. 2 and lost Saturday, 58-45. Senior guards Dre’Ana Singleton and Gabby Dimock have been two of Fitch’s catalysts. “She’s (Singleton) a senior point guard and captain,” Porter said. “She’s been in that role for the last two years. Gabby, I think, is very underrated. I don’t think people talk about her enough, but she has a huge impact on every practice, every game. She’s shows up ready to go up every day. She’s always the first one in and the last two leave. She’s a very big leader for us on the court on both ends of the floor.”
Senior guard Meleeya Robbins has become a more reliable scorer this season for Fitch while freshman guard Synaa Waters has made an immediate impact. The latter had 19 points and 14 rebounds in a 65-48 win over East Lyme on Jan. 18. Then there’s junior Ada Ellis who, at 5-foot-2 ½, is the Falcons center. “She’s just the toughest kid,” Porter said. “She’s going to dive out of bounds to get a ball. She’s going to pick a teammate up. She’s going to be a hustler. On the court, no matter what, Ada is there. And she can push kids around twice her size. She’s strong.”
CHSCA Basketball Players of the Week
The votes are in, and the first edition of the CHSCA Basketball Players of the Week have been decided. The Girls’ CHSCA Basketball Player of the Week is Northwestern basketball player Maddie Topa. And the CHSCA Basketball Player of the Week is Thomaston basketball player Vince Russman.
Congratulations to both Maddie and Vince on their hard work being rewards. Remember to vote on the CHSCA website each week for who you think should win CHSCA Basketball Players of the Week.
CHSCA Ice Hockey Players of the Week
One of the best traditions in Connecticut high school sports is the weekly CHSCA Ice Hockey Player of the Week program sponsored by Cheshire Sport & Hamden Sports Shop. This week, we have two extremely talented student athletes taking home the award.
This weeks Boys’ Ice Hockey Player of the Week is Rocky Hill Co-op forward, Mason Parker. Parker takes home the award after an impressive stretch of games for the Terriers. Congratulations Mason!
This weeks Girls’ Ice Hockey Player of the Week is Daniel Hand Co-op forward, Kendall Dobratz. Dobratz tallied an excellent stretch of games for the Tiger. Congratulations Kendall!
ECC Athlete of the Week Winners
We’re back for another week of recognizing the best athletes from the ECC for the ECC Athlete of the Week program sponsored by Buffalo Wild Wings.
This weeks ECC Boys’ Athlete of the Week is Waterford High School basketball player, Parker Spencer. Spencer performed at an extremely high level for Waterford and his hard work paid off as he won this weeks ECC Boys’ Athlete of the Week. Congratulations Parker!
This weeks ECC Girls’ Athlete of the Week is Montville High School basketball player Jada Cheung. Cheung had an impressive week on the court for Montville this past week which earned her the award of ECC Girls’ Athlete of the Week. Congratulations Jada.
NFP Sports Sponsor Spotlight
Buffalo Wild Wings to host multiple NFP Sports & CHSCA Events!
As part of a collaborative partnership between NFP Sports and Buffalo Wild Wings franchisee group, The Awesome Group, multiple CHSCA events will be held at its restaurant Connecticut locations within the next month.
The first is the CHSCA spring sports meeting, which will bring the sports chairs for all of the spring sports to its Wethersfield location. The location is one of only a few to have a “team room” on site, where small group meetings can take place, while enjoying great food and service. The location played host to the press conference to announce the CT vs NY Senior Football All-Star (which has been pushed to 2025) back in July of 2023. Its central location is perfect for groups, such as the CHSCA to hold meetings there. Interim Executive Director, Leonard Corto believes hosting meetings with their sponsor is a great gesture for all involved. “It gives our committee members a fun and relaxing environment to conduct business and it allows us to show our appreciation to our sponsor, who has done a lot for our student-athletes and organization as a whole.” Corto is referencing the Player of the Week program, which Buffalo Wild Wings sponsors throughout the entire year.
On Thursday, February 29th, NFP Sports will be hosting a coaches’ social on the first night of the Nike Coach of the Year Clinic. The social will be open to any NFP Sports client and CHSCA member coaches. Food and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided to all guests. Members of the CHSCA Senior All-Star Game Committee will be on hand to provide updates about the 2024 Connecticut Senior Football All-Star Game. Invites and a registration link will be sent out shortly. We look forward to seeing all of our coaches for a fun and informative night. We appreciate Buffalo Wild Wings’ hospitality in advance!
Newington Weightlifting Club set to Kick Off David’s Cookie Dough Campaign
If you’re interested in purchasing cookies and supporting a good cause, you should look to support the Newington High School weightlifting team. From Triple Chocolate cookies with Hershey Kisses to White Chunk Macadamia Nut, you can purchase a box of delicious cookies while also helping out the Newington weightlifting team.
All you need to do is scan the QR code below, pick out which cookies you would like to purchases and then checkout. In the checkout process, you’ll be able to pick which athlete on the team you would like to support so they can get credit for your purchase!
Montville Girls' Basketball Is Running An Online Fundraiser!
This basketball season, the Montville Girls' Basketball team is fundraising through an online donations campaign. To donate to the Montville Girls' Basketball team and ensure that they have a great season, all you have to do is click on THIS LINK. From there, you’ll be able to choose which student athlete you’d like to support with your donation and then you can pick the amount. This is an awesome way to support the Montville Girls' Basketball team as they finish up an exciting season.
East Lyme Boys' Soccer Is Running An Online Fundraiser!
This offseason, the East Lyme Boys’ Soccer team is fundraising through an online donations campaign. To donate to the Vikings and ensure that they have a great offseason where they can purchase new equipment for players, all you have to do is click on THIS LINK. From there, you’ll be able to choose which student athlete you’d like to support with your donation and then you can pick the amount. This is an awesome way to support the East Lyme Boys’ Soccer team as they also gear up for an exciting season in 2024.
Conard Wrestling Is Running An Online Fundraiser!
This wrestling season, the Conard High School wrestling team is fundraising through an online donations campaign. To donate to the Red Wolves and ensure that they have a great season, all you have to do is click on THIS LINK. From there, you’ll be able to choose which student athlete you’d like to support with your donation and then you can pick the amount. This is an awesome way to support the Conard wrestling team as they finish up an exciting season.
Upcoming Events
Nike Coach of the Year Clinic Set For Their Annual New England Clinic!
It’s that time of the year! The Nike Coach of the Year Clinic has set their New England date for February 29th to March 2nd at the clinics usual location, the Windsor Marriott hotel. Some of this years great guest speakers are Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck, UConn head coach Jim Mora, Air Force head coach Troy Calhoun and UMass head coach Don Brown.
If you’re looking for more information regarding the clinic and how to register, you can go to: 2024 Nike Coach of the Year Clinics by NIKE Coach of the Year Clinics, Inc. The NFP team hopes to see you in attendance for the always great event.
Glazier Clinics Will Be Back in Connecticut in March!
The Connecticut High School Coaches Association shared the following message on behalf of their sponsor:
What separates great coaches from everyone else?
#1 They spend the off-season getting better.
#2 They go to in-person clinics.
#3 They learn from the best!
Glazier Clinics – the only provider of nationwide in-person football clinics – is coming to Greenwich March 8-10 with up to 150 sessions by some of the top coaches around:
Brad Idzik - WR Coach for Tampa Bay Buccaneers
John Marinelli - Pass Game Coordinator at UCONN
Aaron Whitecotton - D-Line Coach for New York Jets
Pete Lembo - Special Teams Coordinator at South Carolina
Brandon Napoleon - Safeties Coach at Jacksonville State
With a Glazier Unlimited Season Pass you get unlimited access for unlimited coaches to:
All Glazier’s 26 Clinics, and Leadership Summits, Coordinator Schools, Head Coach Academies, Athletic Performance Clinics, Option Clinics, and 8-Man Clinics.
Glazier Drive, a digital football coaching platform with more than 40 coaching systems and 2,000 videos with more being added each week.
Go to Glazier Clinics to register!
Follow Glazier on X and Facebook!
The Walter Camp Football Foundation Breakfast of Champions is Approaching!
Not only will Connecticut High School Football Coaches be busy with two great clinics at the end of February/beginning of March. They will have the opportunity to take part in the biggest high school football awards event in New England on March 16th. That is when the Foundation will host its 16th annual Breakfast of Champions. More information and a link to purchase tickets can be found at: Walter Camp Breakfast of Champions – Walter Camp Football Foundation.
Thank You To Our Sponsors!
Connecticut High School Coaches Association
Aqua Turf Club
Buffalo Wild Wings
Glazier Clinics
Stadium Systems
Town Fair Tire
Cheshire Sport & Hamden Sports Shop
Eastern Connecticut Conference
Brian Dagle Foundation
Buffalo Wild Wings
Dodd Stadium
Domino's of Southeastern Connecticut
Game On
JayPro Sports
Kelley's Pace
Metro Team Sports
University Orthopedics
Valenti Auto Group
Vocatura's Bakery
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If you’re interested in fundraising with NFP or looking to work with us on the sports marketing front, you can send an email to james@nfpbrands.com.