against Oxford on Jan. 10. The Eagles went further than any basketball team had in school history this season. (Copyright, Sports on CT-69, file)
The Wolcott girls’ basketball team had traveled further than any hoop squad in the history of the school entering Friday night’s Class MM state semifinal game against New London.
The Eagles wanted to take one more step, but the Whalers were having none of it. No. 7 Wolcott lost, 62-36, to No. 6 New London at Guilford High School. The greatest season in Eagle basketball history ended at 18-8.
The Whalers had too much for the underdog Eagles to handle. There was 5-foot-11 senior all-state player Nalyce Dudley, but there was also 6-foot-2 sophomore Serenity Lancaster. The duo combined for 50 of New London’s 62 points.
Wolcott’s four seniors – Julia Sullivan, Amanda Sullivan, Mayci Abou Arrage and Mimi Reilly – combined for 34 of the 36 points. Sophomore starter Lauryn Sinclair added two points. The Sullivan twins scored 11 points each while Abou Arrage added 10. Reilly had two points in her final game as an Eagle.
The journey the four Wolcott seniors went on was an impressive one. The Eagles made the state tournament in each of the three seasons when there was one (2021 started late and was abbreviated due to COVID). Wolcott played in the NVL tournament in 2020, 2021 and 2023 with the 2021 and 2023 runs ending in the semifinals.
The Eagles didn’t make the NVL tournament in 2022, but they went on the road and won a first round state tournament game against Woodland. The Wolcott girls tripled their state tournament win total in 2023, and they went further than any Eagle basketball team has ever gone. It’s something the players, coaches and fans should all be proud of.
