Enfield girls basketball coach Jay Gaucher was asked over the weekend where his high school team ranked in the state.
“Honestly, I haven’t looked yet; we still have nine games left, that’s still so far,” he said. “We have a big week this week and a big week next week. I haven’t looked that far ahead.”
As of Monday, Enfield (11-3) was ranked ninth in Division II, solidly in the middle of a group of teams with similar records. Last year, the Eagles went 13-7 in the regular season and lost to Greenwich in the second round of the Class LL tournament. Gaucher called it a “solid year.”
This season, he believes his team is better. Four starters, including seniors Kendall Coffey and daughter Emma Gaucher, plus junior Arabella Herron, have returned. Enfield added junior Reese Coffey, a defensive star (she had seven steals in a win over E.O. Smith last week) an all-conference soccer player who didn’t play basketball last year. The first three have been averaging double digits for the Eagles. Sophomore Kara Hosig is another player who got a lot of experience last year as a freshman.
“It’s a really good knowledgeable group,” Gaucher said. “If one girl doesn’t step up, another one does.”
Enfield lost to Rocky Hill in its first game, then fell to Ledyard and Suffield in overtime. The Eagles have won 10 of 11 and their last four. Enfield will face a big test in East Catholic (9-2) on Thursday at home.
“I’m hoping we’ve learned from our mistakes and got better,” Gaucher said. “That’s the ultimate goal.”
Highlights from last week
Reagan Beeler, Mercy: Beeler scored 20 points in a 77-43 win over Wilbur Cross Friday.
Kiley Bohn, St. Paul: Scored 20 points and had 10 rebounds and five steals in a 52-36 victory over Wolcott Friday.
Alyssa Diehl, Bolton: Had 21 points in a 49-34 win over Stafford Friday and 23 points in a 55-48 win over Windsor Locks Wednesday.
Peyton Kelleher, Cromwell: Scored 33 points in a 64-37 win over Portland Monday and 19 points in a 54-27 win over Old Lyme Friday.
Kelsey LaMay, Rocky Hill: Had a double-double (24 points, 13 rebounds) in an 84-17 Rocky Hill victory over Maloney Thursday.
Grace Mik, Lyman Hall: Scored her 1,000th career point and had 20 points in a 62-50 loss to West Haven Friday.
Sadie Passante, Morgan: Had 33 points in a 78-23 win over Old Saybrook Friday.
Taeleyona Ramey, Weaver: The freshman scored a career-high 31 points and had six assists and six steals for Weaver, which beat Parish Hill 68-44 Wednesday.
Nicole Riemer, Bristol Central: Scored 24 points in a 72-55 win over Lewis Mills Tuesday.
Kayla Roberts, New Britain: Scored 20 points and had four rebounds and three steals in a 55-38 win over Newington Thursday.
Games to watch
Sacred Heart (11-1) at Mercy (12-2), Tuesday, 6:30 p.m.: The last time the two SCC teams faced each other, Sacred Heart won 50-25, on Jan. 2. That was Mercy’s last loss.
East Catholic (9-2) at Enfield (11-3), Thursday, 6:45 p.m.: This is a big test for Enfield, which has won 11 of its last 12 games. Before Monday’s game against E.O. Smith, East Catholic had won eight straight.
International/Aerospace/Bloomfield (10-1) at Weaver (10-2), Friday, 4:30 p.m.: Weaver beat Parish Hill, which is the only loss International/Aerospace/Bloomfield has had this season.
Northwest Catholic (11-1) at St. Joseph (9-3), Saturday, 11:30 a.m.: Northwest Catholic has not lost to an in-state opponent this season.
