By David Fierro
Following three tough losses, Greenwich High School’s girls basketball team got back on the winning track Tuesday night and it did so on a night it always looks forward to: Senior Night.
Receiving points from eight players and contributions from everyone who participated, Greenwich earned its 10th win of the season, defeating visiting Darien, 54-28, on its 2024 Senior Night.
After the game, the Cardinals paid tribute to their five seniors: Ayanna Davenport, Megan Geiger, Caroline McShea, Julia Monteiro and Riana Xhekaj, with a special Senior Night ceremony.
The victory at home raised Greenwich’s overall record to 10-7 and FCIAC mark to 6-6. The Cardinals have clinched a berth in the CIAC Class LL Tournament and are currently ranked 14th in Class LL with three games remaining in the regular season.
Greenwich is ranked 10th in the FCIAC, so it must win the rest of its regular season games and hope for some help in order to qualify for the eight-team FCIAC Tournament.
In Tuesday’s matchup against the Blue Wave, the Cardinals played from in front throughout. They led 13-8 after the first quarter, before entering halftime with a 30-14 advantage. The fourth quarter began with GHS holding a 44-26 lead.
Senior center/forward Riana Xhekaj, one of the Cardinals’ captains, helped power the team offensively, scoring a game-high 13 points, seven of which came during the first half.
Sophomore guard Madi Utzinger scored 12 points, with eight of them coming in the second half, while senior guard/tri-captain Megan Geiger pouring in 10 points for Greenwich.
“I thought it was a great full team victory,” GHS coach Megan Wax said. “I thought everyone contributed and it’s nice to get back on track with some of the things we’ve been working on. We’ve been a little disjointed on offense and I think we were able to clean it up quite a bit today.”
Juliette Pelham, a sophomore guard, scored six points, while sophomore guard Anna Lenschow added five points in the winning effort.
Senior point guard Ayanna Davenport had four points, senior guard Caroline McShea converted a 3-pointer for three points and junior forward Kate Baxendale made a foul shot for a point for the victors.
“We’re down a few players, so we had to it’s nice to get back on track,” Wax noted.
Darien, which has a record of 5-12, received eight points apiece from junior Julia Ryan and Vivian Knott. Greenwich played tough defense throughout and executed pretty efficiently on offense.
Leading 30-16 at halftime, McShea started the Cards off in fine fashion in the third quarter, swishing a 3-pointer to give the hosts a 33-16 advantage. Utzinger converted a left-handed layup, then Xhekaj made a basket while being fouled and hit the ensuing foul shot, putting GHS ahead, 39-16 at the 5:41 mark of the third quarter.
Lenschow’s 3-point shot in the final seconds of the third quarter, gave Greenwich a comfortable 44-26 lead heading into the final quarter.
Geiger, Monteiro and Xhekaj are the Cardinals’ captains. Wax spoke of the commitment to the program all five seniors have shown throughout their GHS basketball careers.
“This group of seniors had a tough go,” Wax noted. “They started their freshman year and it was a COVID year. They played with masks and it was super tough. I was super impressed with their grit and how they wanted to stick it out over the years.”
“Each year they’ve grown and their knowledge and love for the game has grown,” Wax continued. “There are five of them and we will miss them.”
Greenwich hosts a strong Stamford team that is 11-1 in FCIAC play, tomorrow at 7 p.m. They will then travel to Ridgefield on Monday and Norwalk on Wednesday.
“This is a great group of players to coach,” Wax said of her squad. “They are extremely lively. Every day is sort of a surprise, you never know. They are funny and bring a lot of energy and versatility.”
