ANSONIA – The Ansonia Lady Tigers turned Senior Night into a celebration Friday, defeating the visiting Franklin Monroe Lady Jets 66-24 in WOAC varsity girls basketball action while honoring seniors Lydia Hahn, Rose Barga, and Olivia Creager.
“These girls I look at like little sisters to me, so the fact that we’re not going to have them for too much longer definitely is a tear-jerker,” said third-year Ansonia coach Connor Custenborder. “I’m very proud of the work they have put in for us over the three years that we’ve been here.”
Following a season-ending injury the previous week, senior Rose Barga was honored by scoring the opening basket of the game. Franklin Monroe answered with an open shot to tie the score at 2-2.
“It’s too bad for Rose that her season is done and her year had to end like that,” Custenborder said. “I’m glad we got to honor her by letting her make the first basket of the game.”
Ansonia quickly took control, jumping out to a 16-4 lead in the opening five minutes and extending the advantage to 25-7 after one quarter behind a smothering full-court press. Charlotte Barga scored 12 first-quarter points, while Shyann McKenna and Olivia Creager added four points each. Rose Barga and London Reichert chipped in two points apiece.
“The press created a lot of turnovers for us,” said Custenborder. “Shots were falling for some of our girls. That’s what we need coming into the tournament.”
The Lady Tigers continued to build their lead in the second quarter, outscoring Franklin Monroe 20-9 to take a commanding 45-16 halftime advantage. Creager led the period with seven points, including a three-pointer. Charlotte Barga added five points with her third triple of the half, Reichert scored four, and McKenna and Autumn Best contributed two points each.
Ansonia put a running clock in motion midway through the third quarter with the score at 51-16 and pushed the margin to 60-20 entering the final period. Charlotte Barga poured in 11 third-quarter points, including her fourth three-pointer of the night.
With the outcome decided, Custenborder turned to his bench in the fourth quarter as the teams played to a 6-5 period, sealing the Lady Tigers’ 66-24 Senior Night victory.
“It was rough,” said Franklin Monroe first-year coach Carrie Wood. “We knew what to expect coming in — a lot of pressure, good defense, and really good shooters — and they definitely showcased that tonight.”
Wood also credited Custenborder’s leadership.
“Connor and I have talked, and he started where I was and built his way up,” she said. “He’s been really encouraging, and I really appreciate that.”
Custenborder closed the night with praise for his senior trio.
“They mean so much. They are three of the hardest workers and all very coachable — just great kids,” he said. “We’re going to miss Lydia’s defense, OC’s hustle, and Rose’s leadership. All three bring great leadership, and we’re going to miss them.”
Charlotte Barga led Ansonia and all scorers with a game-high 30 points. Franklin Monroe senior Ava Figel paced the Lady Jets with nine points.
BOX SCORE
ANSONIA 66, FRANKLIN MONROE 24
ANSONIA – C. Barga 30, O. Creager 17, S. McKenna 6, L. Reichert 6, A. Best 3, R. Barga 2, E. Jamison 2 – TOTALS 21 9-13 5 66
FRANKLIN MONROE – A. Figel 9, B. Flora 3, Q. Cox 2, K. Brandt 2, R. Flora 2, P. Buhl 2, A. Riffle 2, C. Nichols 2 – TOTALS 7 4-4 2 24
3-POINTERS
Ansonia 5 (C. Barga 4, O. Creager 1)
Franklin Monroe 2 (B. Flora 1, A. Figel 1)
SCORE by QUARTERS
25-20-15-06 66 Ansonia
07-09-04-04 24 Franklin Monroe
