Hamden Hall’s season ended in a loss in the Class C NEPSAC final. However, it was a strong season for the hornets for more than a few reasons.
Rye Redemption >> After losing two games to Rye Country Day School last season, and dropping the Fairchester Athletic Association title game to Rye, Hamden Hall couldn’t wait to top RCDS.
“It’s a rivalry game,” said coach Megan Borelli. “The girls really wanted to redeem themselves from last season.”
She said the team was a little more excited than the average game going into that contest and came away with a resounding 59-33 triumph to earn a little redemption after last season’s defeats.
We’re Going to Disney World >> After beating Rye, the Hornets did what any team does after a big win: go to Disney World.
Hamden Hall participated in a tournament in Florida around the holiday season to prepare themselves for the tough competition of the FAA and NEPSAC tournaments. It was the first time the team had made this trip.
“We wanted to see some really good competition from all over the country,” Borelli said.
Hamden Hall only went 1-2 in the tourney, but they saw good talent and even jumped on a few rides.
“We’d play in the morning and then would have the opportunity to go to the parks in the afternoon,” she said. “But we had one day that just a straight up park day.”
Milestone >> Senior Rachel Plotke has been a mainstay with the Hornets. An All-Area selection last year, Plotke made the move from her normal position of shooting guard to point guard this season and didn’t miss a beat, and barely missed a shot, to reach the milestone of 300 made 3-pointers in her career.
“She’s been a keystone of Hamden Hall basketball for four years,” Borelli said. “She came in as a freshman and made an impact right away.”
She reached the milestone in the FAA semifinal against Holy Child.
We Are The Champions >> Rye topped Hamden Hall in last season’s FAA final, but this season the Hornets not only topped their rivals, but also got the FAA crown. Hamden Hall defeated Convent of the Sacred Heart 47-43 in a tightly contested FAA final to head into the NEPSAC tournament with a ton of momentum.
“It was an exciting moment for me and (the players),” Borelli said. “It was the one big overriding goal that was in the back of their minds. It was the one thing they haven’t achieved yet and it was something they really wanted.”
Moving On Up >> Hamden Hall went from Class D in the NEPSAC tournament to Class C, a big jump competition wise. However, the Hornets were up to the challenge, reaching the Class C title game before falling to Kimball Union Academy 43-36.
“We wanted to challenge ourselves a little bit more,” Borelli said.
She said her team did well and she was proud.
Megan Borelli has coached Hamden Hall girl’s basketball for the last four years and consistently has been outstanding. This year’s team may have been her best one yet. She deserves to be New Haven Register Girl’s Basketball Coach of the Year.