The Cromwell boys basketball team won its first five games. Then its leading scorer and rebounder, junior Ben Symecko, got hurt.
Symecko has a possible stress fracture in his foot, coach Steve Ciarcia said. But the Panthers kept on winning.
They are now 12-0 after a 46-42 victory over Old Saybrook last Friday and a 60-44 win over Hale Ray last Tuesday.
Ciarcia said other players have stepped up.
“It’s been a great team effort,” he said Monday. “We’re grinding out wins. We’ve had close games. Come from behind wins. The young guys have been stepping up for us.”
Sophomore Xavier Hodge has picked up some of the offensive load and two other sophomores, Luke Haslam and Mike Seabra, have also made big contributions.
Ciarcia said he hopes Symecko will be back for the post-season but he’s not sure on a timetable.
Cromwell has a big conference game Friday against Old Lyme, last year’s Shoreline Conference champion and Division V runner-up.
“All our games without Ben are going to be tough,” he said. “He does a lot for us. But this gives other guys a chance to get better. It’s making us stronger.”
Last week’s highlights
Joey Baker, E.O. Smith: Baker had a double-double (12 rebounds, 10 points) in a 46-44 loss to Avon Thursday and had 11 points, eight rebounds and four steals in a 52-37 win over Farmington Tuesday.
Jay Evans, Haddam-Killingworth: Evans scored 19 points in a 69-50 win over Valley Regional Wednesday.
Eddie Fiske, Old Lyme: Fiske scored 34 points in an 80-42 victory over North Branford Tuesday.
Jayden Korber, Glastonbury: Korber scored 28 points in a 62-54 victory over Lewis Mills Thursday.
Ja’shaun Jernigan, SMSA: Jernigan scored 21 points in a 61-44 win over Innovation Tuesday.
William McKeever, Old Lyme: McKeever had five 3-pointers, and a total of 17 points, in a 59-50 win over Haddam-Killingworth Friday.
Mello Moore, Xavier: Moore had 19 points in a 66-49 win over Foran Thursday.
Kehari Walker, East Hartford: Walker scored 18 points in a 63-38 win over Lewis Mills Tuesday.
Games to Watch
Ellington (12-0) at Granby (12-1), Wednesday, 6:45 p.m.: Ellington goes for its 40th straight win as two top NCCC teams face off.
Coventry (10-3) at Stafford (10-3), Wednesday, 6:45 p.m.: Stafford is No. 1 in Division V and Coventry is right behind the Bulldogs so this game could have both playoff and NCCC implications.
Cromwell (12-0) at Old Lyme (10-1), Friday, 7 p.m.: Big Shoreline Conference game, Old Lyme’s only loss is out of conference to Fitch.
