GIRLS BASKETBALL OPENING NIGHT: St. Paul starts with solid road win

St. Paul girls basketball got off to a 16-0 start in the first quarter at Kennedy and didn’t look back in a 62-35 win on Tuesday night.
Senior Jillian Kilmer led the Falcons with 17 points, 10 rebounds and five steals, according to a story by Joe Palladino of the Waterbury Republican-American. Seniors Lizzy Ferraro and Lizzy Cretella also had solid nights with 13 and 12 points respectively (Cretella had 5 rebounds). It was a balanced effort form St. Paul, who also got contributions from juniors Amelia Sanchez and Brigid Johndrow.
The Falcons open their home schedule on Friday night against Sacred Heart at 7.
Senior Lynadia Whiting had 11 points while sophomore Destiny Prather tallied 10 for Kennedy, which looks to rebound Friday at Oxford in a 7 p.m. contest.
Wilby 60, Ansonia 36: The Wildcats got off to a great start with a road win over the Chargers in Ansonia. Senior Tchawanda Chambers led the visitors with 21 points.
It’s the second straight season-opening win for Wilby over Ansonia. The Wildcats won 40-37 at home last year.
Wilby plays its home opener on Friday against Derby at 7 p.m. The Wildcats can match their win total from last season with a victory over the Red Raiders.
Holy Cross 57, Seymour 23: Expectations are high for the Crusaders this season, and they started strong with a road win over the Wildcats in Seymour.
Holy Cross was rated 19th in the state media poll. The Crusaders open their home schedule on Friday against Ansonia at 7 p.m.
Weston 56, Waterbury Career Academy 35: The first girls basketball game didn’t go as planned as the Spartans dropped their contest to the Trojans at home.
WCA tries to get back on track on Thursday in Stratford against Bunnell. The tip is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Farmington 62, Bristol Eastern 49: The Lancers showed plenty of fight but came up short against the Class L state champions.
Strong efforts were posted by senior Gianna D’Amato and sophomore Hannah Maghini.
Wolcott 68, Derby 46: The Eagles started up with a road win over the Red Raiders in Derby.
Two players hit for 20-plus points for Wolcott in the victory. Raven Cody had 23 points while Briana Japs tallied 21 for the Eagles.
Wolcott plays its home opener tonight at 7 against Ansonia.
Crosby 52, Oxford 26: The Bulldogs played in the friendly confines of their home gym and came away with a resounding win.
Senior Mariah Machado led Crosby with 20 points. Crosby hits the road Friday for a 7 p.m. contest at Wolcott.
Simsbury 36, Bristol Central 13: It was a tough night for the Rams in a loss to the Trojans in Simsbury.
Central looks to get back on track Friday at home against East Catholic at 7 p.m. The game is the home opener for the Rams.
Notre Dame-Fairfield 53, Kaynor Tech 29: The Panthers lost at home to the Lancers.
Kaynor Tech hopes to regroup Friday on the road in Danbury against Immaculate. The tip is scheduled for 7 p.m.