Submitted by Ava McCullough (March 8, 2024) —
On March 7, 2024, the Haddam-Killingworth High School Boys Basketball Team suffered a season-ending loss in round two of the state tournament. HKHS hosted Stafford and was looking to advance to the quarterfinals after only the fifth winning season in more than two decades. With an under-the weather crew, the team rallied late on a run led by sophomore Jay Evans, but it was not enough. The final score of 61-49 doesn’t reflect the heart and grit that went into the game or the season.
HK was led by senior co-captain Blake Kamoen with a double-double 16 points and 13 rebounds and junior Andrew Crayton who had 10 points, 6 assists and 2 steals. Jay Evans had 9 points and 2 critical steals. HK also saw the return of sophomore Spencer Savoy who had 4 points. Rounding out the scoring, senior co-captain Luke Mauri had 4 and junior Cody Robinson contributed 6 points. As always, the defense of senior co-captain Bryce O’Linn and junior Joe Slane helped keep the game within reach.
It has been an impressive season for the team, with a 14-6 record, advancing to the semifinals of the Shoreline Conference Tournament and making the state tournament with a first round bye. HK will look to make even greater strides in the 2024-2025 season as Coach Ferguson looks to improve on his first season as Varsity coach and a winning season to boot.
A solid returning bench, including starting sophomore Declan Moriarty, and an experienced JV team under the tutelage of Coach Tee Adeleke including freshmen Noah Marica and Brody Fergusen and sophomore Ethan Pitts, will likely find HK as a leading contender in the conference.
We will certainly miss the seniors who have demonstrated determination, passion and poise in the face of several opponents whose antics left much to be desired. Thank you to Blake Kamoen, Luke Mauri, Ryan Erskine, Bryce O’Linn and of course Johnah Keithan-Resnick. It has been a pleasure watching you play. For the returning team members, family, and friends, see you on the court in December, 2024.
Photos by Erin Crayton
