Highlander and Yellowjacket basketball wrap-up

WINSTED — As Gilbert and Northwestern close out the winter season and prepare for the approaching spring program, there should be some measure of relief that both teams will retain an incredible amount of young, promising talent.Gilbert’s boys squad had a superb season, improving on last year’s 8-13 record with a 15-8 overall finish this year, including a brief playoff run. The Yellowjackets’ youth component played an enormous role in the school’s turnaround season.Gilbert graduates four seniors this year but sees enormous potential in their possible returns for next season. Senior Jacket Elide Romero certainly will be missed next year, as his yearly improvement peaked in an outstanding senior year season. Romero played plenty of big minutes for Gilbert this season and managed to contribute to the score sheet nightly. The Jackets also will part ways with Gee DelOlmo, Kyle Jones and Greg Hicks.Fortunately for Gilbert head coach Mark Douglass, he should return next season with a very deep and very young bench. Junior Austin Brochu recovered from a mid-season injury to aid in a strong finish to the regular season, as well as tally 24 points in Gilbert’s first-round playoff win over Old Saybrook. Brochu’s strength beneath the net aids in his invaluable ability to snag offensive and defensive zone rebounds, as well winning important battles beneath the boards to put up big point nights. Returning talentGilbert’s most promising prodigy this year was sophomore Robert Skinner. Skinner’s incredible speed, disarming defense, sharp offensive awareness and superb finish made him a team leader in scoring repeatedly this season. Skinner offered a staggering 36-point performance in Gilbert’s first-round playoff game, an achievement that provided a good glimpse of the young Jacket’s potential. Gilbert should also see the returns of junior Dan Williams and junior Devon Molway, perhaps better known for their efforts in the soccer and football programs respectively.The Yellowjackets’ girls team has struggled for more seasons than they would care to recall. The girls finished last year 4-17 overall, a notable improvement after suffering a winless season the year prior. The Lady Jackets welcomed a new head coach this season as Lauren Jones took control of the helm long held by Paul Grossman. Gilbert’s season record is somewhat misleading of Jones’ accomplishments in her first year as head coach. Though the Jackets did drop slightly in their overall numbers, Gilbert offered some very strong, close-call performances this year — a welcomed change from nightly blowouts. The Lady Jacket’s efforts have always been immense, even in their darkest days, and Jones has added skill and speed to that hard working mentality. Veteran Jackets Jenn Fritch and Nicole Crossman graduate this season, but Gilbert will likely see many worthy returns next year. Junior Courtney Hoxie continues to be a speedy, aggressive presence all over the court and seemed to sharpen her playmaking abilities under new leadership. Juniors Kara Mochak and Carissa and Shannon Tuozzo could return next year as well, all capable scorers. Lady Jackets freshman Nicole Nash led her team night after night in scoring, including numerous 20-plus point performances. Her strength while shooting from inside, ability to play long and important minutes, as well as her near perfect foul shooting are welcomed in a team that has labored with scoring. Nash’s colossal talents made her a priority defensive target late in the season, often frustrating the freshman Jacket. As Nash continues to mature and learn to battle through those defensive walls she will become terribly familiar with, she should remain one of Gilbert’s finest. Highlanders keep rollingNorthwestern’s boys basketball program has been a Berkshire League leader for years and finished out this season 15-6 overall. The Highlander gentleman seized a Berkshire League championship for the first time in more than 20 years with a big win over Litchfield. They went on to the playoffs but were narrowly eliminated after a grueling first-round loss to Ansonia at home.The Highlanders graduate senior Bobby Lippincott, who underscored his senior season by hurdling the 1,000-point mark as well as earning the school a Berkshire League championship. Lippincott’s size, strength and leadership will be immensely difficult to replace in the years to come. Lippincott battled relentlessly beneath the boards and contributed plenty of high scoring finishes for the Highlanders throughout his stretch on the team. Northwestern also graduates two other valuable seniors in Andrew McCarthy and Brandon Couloutte. Northwestern received plenty of strong effort from the younger members of their squad this year, including sophomores John Stevens, Connor Guiheen and Mike Jeffko. Stevens and Guiheen frequently graced the score sheet as top point producers and still have a few years yet to continue developing their already potent and valuable talents. The Lady Highlanders had another strong year, finishing 13-9 overall. Northwestern’s girls squad fought their way into the playoffs again this season, but were unfortunately eliminated in the first round after a low-scoring 28-23 loss to Weston. Northwestern must endure some tough losses to graduation, as they part with seniors Shanley McClave, Sarah Raftery and Alyssa Cassanella. McClave’s strength and presence were unique and unmatched on her team. No Highlander fought as hard or as effectively beneath the boards and inside as McClave. That hard-nosed effort made her a frequent high point scorer, as well as a formidable defensive obstacle in her own end.Raftery’s playmaking ability and leadership should be equally difficult to replace, but youth runs strong through this program as well. The Highlanders should see the returns of Kaci Seibert, Kristen Olson, Rasa Hamel and Nicole Folino — all big players in the squad over the last few years. All four are considerable offensive threats, as well as responsible defensive players, and should be valuable youth returns next year.