BRIDGEPORT — Play like a Husky.
That’s the message Kolbe Cathedral’s John Pfohl routinely delivers when the conversation shifts to the defensive end of the floor.
“You want to play defense? Play defense like the UConn women,” Pfohl, the Cougars’ first-year coach, said he tells his players. “Hold someone to five points in a half.”
While No. 5 Kolbe fell short of that goal Thursday against No. 21 Ellington, the Cougars still did enough to push past the Knights 69-58 in the second round of the Division IV state tournament.
“I couldn’t be more proud of my kids,” Pfohl said. “They have just worked and worked and worked. Now, here we are in the state quarterfinals. We’re playing on Monday. Let’s see where it goes from there.”
The Cougars (18-6) must await the result of Fridays’ game between No. 4 Goodwin Tech and No. 13 Valley Regional to find out whom they will play. The quarterfinal would be at the home of the higher seed.
The Cougars paved their way to the quarterfinals by turning up the intensity on defense, particularly in the second quarter. The Knights were outscored 20-5 in the quarter, during which they went scoreless for over six minutes.
“I don’t know if it was a cold streak. The name of the game is putting it in the basket, and it didn’t go in,” Ellington coach Robert Freitas said. “You can’t score five and expect to win the game unless we’re that good defensively.”
The Cougars stormed into the half up 43-24, using a 13-0 run that stretched from the first quarter into the second. Ellington (12-12) climbed to within eight (53-45 and 60-52) in the fourth quarter, but the Cougars were simply too tough.
Guard Anthony Senior led a balanced effort offensively with 16 points for Kolbe. Forward Quinton Sneed added 12 points and 22 rebounds.
“The competition is always going to play hard, but with our intensity, we definitely gave them a good game,” said Cougars forward Kyle Federici, who added 10 points.
Utilizing a full-court press, Kolbe jumped out to a quick 11-4 lead. Ellington jumped in front for the first time at 16-15.
Guard Kevin Redler led the Knights with 20 points. Ryan Zahner scored 11.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Quinton Sneed, Kolbe Cathedral, F: The 6-foot-3 junior was a force on the boards, notching 22 rebounds to go along with 12 points.
QUOTABLE
“I thought tonight’s effort was tremendous. Our second-quarter effort was off the charts.” — Kolbe coach John Pfohl
KOLBE 69, ELLINGTON 58
ELLINGTON (12-12)
Anthony Beasley 4 0-0 9 Kevin Redler 8 2-4 20 Nicholas Abbruzzese 3 1-2 7 Ryan Zahner 4 3-3 11 Logan Macaluso 1 2-4 4 Colin Garrow 2 0-0 4 Steve Moller 1 1-2 3. Totals 23 9-15 58.
KOLBE CATHEDRAL (18-6)
Nazire Vereen 4 5-7 13 Kyle Federici 4 2-3 10 Evan Coleman 1 0-0 3 Quinton Sneed 4 4-6 12 Taeshaun Sanchez 1 1-1 4 Anthony Senior 6 2-2 16 Justin Leigh 0 2-2 2 Demetrius Gordon 4 0-0 9. Totals 24 16-21 69.
ELLINGTON19 5 19 15—58
KOLBE23 20 10 16—69
3-pointers: E — Redler 2, Beasley; K — Senior 2, Federici, Coleman, Gordon. Fouled out: E — Beasley.
