The Jonathan Law and Branford high school boys basketball teams both opened their Southern Connecticut Conference seasons on Wednesday night at the Golden Eagles' nest in Milford, with Law falling short, 52-39.
Opening game jitters affected both squads with many unforced turnovers and failed scoring opportunities -- not surprising given that each team had only one returning starter: senior center Nick Toto for the Lawmen and senior forward Kyle Nolan of Branford.
The Lawmen had several runs to make it a game. They clawed within 6 points at halftime (23-17) and within 7 points (38-31) at the end of the third quarter. But that was as close as it would get.
Find out what's happening in Milfordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
"It (inexperience) showed," said Law Coach Mike Hoggatt. "There were lots of turnovers. When it came down to it, they hit the open shot and we didn't do that tonight. I give them credit."
Branford Coach Jake Palluzzi added," We were fortunate that Law didn't shoot the ball well. We also were lucky because we didn't shoot well from the line (17 of 29—59%) and we pride ourselves in doing that.
Find out what's happening in Milfordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
"Law didn't quit and they could have. I give Mike (Hoggatt) credit for that. It is the opener. But when you have an opportunity, you have to put the game away. A couple turnovers and then all of a sudden we could have been facing a 2 possession game.
"Overall, we won on the road in our first game. That is a great win especially when you win on the road without experienced players."
For Law, Toto scored 13 points and drew the main attention of the Branford defenders. Nolan (6' 5") and Sam Poryanda (6' 3") were the two tallest Hornet defenders who made it hard for the burly 6-2 Toto to get a clean look at the basket all game long.
"Every time Toto got the ball he was double- and triple-teamed," Hoggatt said. "When this happens we need to pass the ball a little more. We had guys open. It is still early in the season and we will work on this."
"Toto is a very good player," Palluzzi said. "He has trimmed down from last year. You never will stop a kid like him. Our plan was to contain him as best we could and we have some decent size which helps."
The Eagles' only lead of the game was a 6-5 advantage after Toto made a block, ran the floor and converted 1 of 2 free throws. Branford hit a 3 by junior Nick Dummar and a layup by senior Buddy Shea for a 10-6 lead at the end of one quarter.
The Hornet then went on a 11- 4 run to start the second quarter. With Law down by 10 points (23-13) with 1:30 left in the first half, they made a run.
Law's Jason Binder stole the ball and Jokari Truheart, who had just entered the game, hit a 3-point basket to cut the Hornet lead to 23-16. After Branford missed two free throws and Jon Feliciano missed the front end of a 1-and-1 opportunity, Truheart converted 1 of 2 attempts from the free throw line.
Toto missed a shot right at the buzzer and Law only trailed 23-17 at the break.
"I told them at the half to stop taking jumpers," Hoggatt said. "You have to take the ball down low. Dan Gregorio was open down low and so were other players. You can't live and die by the jump shot.
"We hit some big shots to keep the game close but when we needed another big shot, we always made a key turnover. The heart and emotion was there tonight. This heart and emotion we showed is how I want them to play in games 1 thru 20.
On the bright side, he noted, "We out rebounded them. It was the opener and hopefully we will get a lot better."
Branford came out strong in the third quarter and opened up the lead once again. With 5:30 left in the third quarter, the Hornets' Buddy Shea stole the ball and passed to Dylan Palluzzi, who was fouled while shooting and he hit both free throws.
Palluzzi then had two steals and two consecutive layups to give Branford a 31-19 lead.
Law still had a chance, scoring 6 of the last 8 points of the third quarter. After the Devonites' John Ciesla scored and Branford matched the hoop, it was time for senior forward Gregorio to get in on the action. He hit a jumper and then, as the clock wound down after a Branford miss, Gregorio scored against right before the end of the third quarter
Gregorio's second hoop was made possible after Ciesla saved the ball from going out of bounds and made a beautiful pass to Gregorio near the basket while in the air. Law found itself down only 7 points (38-31) at the end of the third quarter.
"In the second half we made some key mental mistakes," Hoggatt said. "We struggled offensively so we have to play even better defense and not turn the ball over."
The fourth quarter did not start well for Law as Dummar hit a 3 giving Branford a 10 point lead (41-31). After Palluzzi stole the ball, was fouled, and converted 2 free throws, Law turned the ball over once again. After blocking Poryanda's shot, the Golden Eagles missed consecutive outside shots on the same trip down the court.
With 4:12 left, the Hornets' Nolan put back a missed shot to make it 45-31, the biggest Hornet lead of the game.
The Hornets were led by Dummar, who scored 16 points. "He (Dummar) got some hoops and some confidence and he's one heck of an athlete and I think he'll only get better. He has a real bright future for us," Palluzzi said.
Junior point guard Jon Feliciano added 9 points and senior shooting guard Aaron Gambardella 7 for the Lawmen in the losing effort.
Jonathan Law will host Xavier of Middletown on Friday at 7 pm. Xavier defeated North Haven, 44-42, in its opening game.
