Tolland Girls Fall In Class M Finals

Weaver erupted for a 15-0 run over a 2:27 span of the third quarter, erasing a four-point deficit en route to a 55-47 victory over Tolland in the Class M girls basketball championship game Friday night at the Mohegan Sun Arena.

After trailing by seven early in the second quarter, Tolland battled back to take a 25-21 lead before the Beavers went on their scoring spree.

"I felt pretty good when we were up four, but I felt the momentum swing and should have used a timeout," Tolland coach Rocco Sansone said. 

Kristin Schatzlein, the Gatorade Connecticut Player of the Year, poured in a game-high 32 points, but the Eagles could get no closer than four with 1:11 to play.

"We didn't get anything inside like we did in the semis (a 60-38 win over Ellington)," Sansone said. "(Weaver) did a great job of not making mistakes, and we just didn't get good quality shots."

Tolland trailed by as many as 11 near the midway point of the fourth quarter, but refused to fold, cutting the lead to four on a pair of NBA-length three-pointers by Schatzlein.

Weaver held tough, and a steal and layup by Zi'Tizhia Parker sealed the victory for the Beavers.

"It's heartbreaking, but we got here," senior Jessica Olson said. She and teammates Jenna Lovett and Allie Gallo joined Schatzlein in forming the finest senior class in recent school history.

"Kristin makes all of us better," Lovett said. "She's a great leader and a great captain."

Scoring Summary

Tolland - Sam Olson 0 2 2, Chelsea Domian 0 3 3, Jenna Lovett 3 2 8, Jacqui Foreman 1 0 2, Kristin Schatzlein 10 6 32. Totals 14 13 47.
Three-point goals: Schatzlein (6).

Weaver - Zi'Tizhia Parker 2 1 5, Fifi Walcott 7 1 16, Qiana Dean 0 3 3, Cathrine Cruz 0 3 3, Della Gunn 1 0 2, Amanda Stewart 1 0 2, Jocelyn Davis 2 3 7, Kenya Stewart 4 0 8, Alyassa Stewart 4 1 9. Totals 21 12 55.
Three-point goals: Walcott.

Score By Quarters
Tolland 11   9    7   20 - 47
Weaver 16   4   16  19 - 55