Cromwell and Ellington faced off against each other in the Division IV boys basketball championship game, where Cromwell emerged as the winner with a 53-46 win over Ellington, securing their first title since 2018. The coaches, John Pinone of Cromwell and Bob Freitas of Ellington, have a strong friendship that goes back to the time when Freitas was Pinone’s assistant from 2002-06. Cromwell’s junior Victor Payne led the team with 23 points, and Salafia added 11 points. Payne struggled in the first half but started to score in the second half. Cromwell’s defense improved in the second half, and they made some big shots. The game started slowly for Cromwell, trailing 17-8 after the first quarter, and they were down 21-16 at halftime. Despite the tough game against a good friend, Cromwell was able to overcome the challenges and come out on top.
Cromwell Secures Division IV Boys Basketball Championship Title with a 53-46 Win over Ellington
Cromwell and Ellington faced off against each other in the Division IV boys basketball championship game on Sunday morning at Mohegan Sun Arena. The coaches, John Pinone of Cromwell and Bob Freitas of Ellington, have a strong friendship that goes back to the time when Freitas was Pinone’s assistant from 2002-06. They talk every day, know each other’s teams, and each other’s plays. In preparation for the game, Cromwell had to make up new names and plays.
Despite the bittersweet victory, Cromwell emerged as the winner with a 53-46 win over Ellington, securing their first title since 2018. Pinone expressed empathy for his friend, saying, “I feel for him, he does such a good job with his kids.” He added that the two teams knew each other’s strategies and plays, which made the game more challenging.
Junior Victor Payne led Cromwell, the top-seeded team, with 23 points, and Salafia added 11 points. Cody Murphy had 23 points for No. 2 Ellington. The game started slowly for Cromwell, trailing 17-8 after the first quarter, and they were down 21-16 at halftime. However, they had been in a similar situation before, trailing by nine points in the Shoreline tournament championship game and coming back to win that game.
Payne, who was guarded by Ellington’s Elijah Miller, struggled in the first half but started to score in the second half. His three-point play with 1:36 left gave Cromwell a 30-28 lead, and Miller picked up his fourth foul. Cromwell’s defense improved in the second half, and they did not turn over the ball 11 times like they did in the first half. They were able to get Payne going, and they made some big shots.
Cromwell’s six seniors, including Salafia, were thrilled with the victory. Salafia said, “I can’t even describe the feeling. It’s a good way to go out as a senior. There’s no better way to go out than as a Shoreline champion and with a state championship.”
In conclusion, Cromwell secured their Division IV boys basketball championship title, and even though it was a tough game against a good friend, they were able to overcome the challenges and come out on top.
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