Waterford — Here is what faced New London High School on Tuesday night:
Attempt to snap a four-game losing streak at the Francis X. Sweeney Fieldhouse, where the Whalers hadn’t won in six years. And then do so with most of the responsibility on two freshmen.
Not necessarily the most uplifting circumstances. Turns out the night was merely another illustration that the Whalers don’t have two of the best freshmen in the Eastern Connecticut Conference, but very likely in the entire state.
Da’Shaun Phillips led the way with 16 points and Savahn Warren added 15 as the Whalers did indeed snap the streak with a 49-40 win over Waterford. It was New London’s first win at the X since 2016.
“Our freshmen have been steady all year,” New London coach Craig Parker said. “Both played very well tonight. We got back on track. We have a good team, but we lost our way a little bit because of circumstances. I think we can be a competitive team not only locally but in the state.”
The Whalers (10-6) used a 7-0 run early in the third period to snap a 22-22 tie. Waterford (12-5) didn’t get closer than seven in the fourth quarter. Rhodia Perry, held to two points in the first half, finished with 12. Bebo Martinez made four free throws late that helped the Whalers preserve the lead.
“Me and Da’Shaun, we’ve played together a lot,” Warren said. “We have chemistry.”
There is no need to explain the freshmen impact on Waterford coach Bill Bassett.
“The play I’ll take away from this game is Phillips diving across the floor after a loose ball,” Bassett said. “That’s the kind of effort I hope I can milk out of the Lancers.”
Sean O’Connell led Waterford with 20 points. Logan Peabody added 10.
“When you play the way we have all year, every possession matters,” Bassett said. “If you’re scoring in the 90s, you can afford turnovers and things like that because you have more possessions. But not when you score in the 40s. You just can’t give up offensive rebounds. You just can’t turn it over. It’s the little things. And the other thing about tonight is they just outplayed us.”
m.dimauro@theday.com
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