Coventry And Ellington Split Basketball Showdowns In Conference Clashes

The North Central Connecticut Conference delivered a doubleheader of high school basketball action on Friday, January 16, 2026, as both the boys and girls teams from Ellington and Coventry squared off in a pair of games that showcased grit, determination, and plenty of drama. With both matchups taking place on the same winter night—one at Coventry High School and the other at Ellington High School—the contests offered fans a front-row seat to the intensity and contrasting styles that define Connecticut high school hoops.

First up, at Coventry High School, the No. 9 Ellington boys basketball team took the court against the Patriots in a CIAC showdown. The Knights wasted little time asserting their dominance, ultimately leaving with a convincing 67-45 victory. The win was a statement for Ellington, who demonstrated both depth and poise on the road, pushing their season forward with renewed confidence.

Ellington’s Jack Curtis, wearing number 12, proved a relentless force, driving toward the net and navigating Coventry’s defense with skill and determination. Whether it was Curtis charging through defenders like Johnny Albano or Dylan J Killoran battling for position against Gregor Bici, the Knights were relentless. Ty Fieldhouse, donning number 5, contributed key moments as well—his free throws and offensive spark helping Ellington maintain their edge, especially during a second-half surge that put the game out of reach.

Coventry, meanwhile, showed flashes of resilience. Eric Jordan, the Patriots’ number 11, orchestrated offensive sets and looked for opportunities to cut into Ellington’s lead, while Collin Harrington and Jack Siena provided support on both ends of the floor. Gregor Bici, a constant presence in the paint, worked tirelessly to disrupt Ellington’s rhythm, but the Knights’ balanced attack proved too much.

On the sidelines, Coventry head coach Lois Hasty was animated and encouraging, urging her players to keep fighting throughout the second half. Across the court, Ellington head coach Robert Freitas was a portrait of calm intensity, guiding his squad and making crucial adjustments that paid dividends as the game wore on. The Knights’ bench energy was palpable, with Reese Nicol and Jack Weigand contributing valuable minutes and keeping the momentum squarely in Ellington’s favor.

By the final buzzer, Ellington had secured a 67-45 win, a result that solidified their standing in the CIAC ranks and sent a clear message to the rest of the league. The Knights’ ability to share the ball, defend with purpose, and execute in key moments was the difference on a night when every possession mattered.

But the night’s drama was far from over. Just a few miles away at Ellington High School, the spotlight shifted to the girls’ side, where the defending conference champion Coventry Patriots took on the Ellington Knights in a matchup loaded with storylines. Coventry, fresh off a Class S title and returning every player from last year’s squad, entered with a reputation for fullcourt pressure and relentless energy. Ellington, meanwhile, boasted a disciplined, tight six-player rotation, aiming to out-execute their deeper rivals.

The game lived up to its billing. The first quarter ended in a deadlock, 11-11, with both teams trading baskets and defensive stops. By halftime, Coventry had edged ahead 29-26, but the Knights refused to go quietly, closing the gap and even taking a brief lead late in the second quarter. That’s when Coventry sophomore Reese Jeamel took over. Jeamel poured in a game-high 23 points, including a critical 10-point stretch spanning the end of the second and start of the third quarters that swung momentum decisively to the Patriots.

“In the second quarter, we picked it up a lot and started playing better defense,” Jeamel explained after the game. “We are a good offensive team, so if we can stop teams defensively, we know we can get the win. We had harder closeouts after the first quarter, we rebounded better and pushed in transition.”

Coventry’s depth was on full display. Hailey Mayo chipped in 13 points, Jianna Foran added 12, and Danielle Wheeler contributed 7, giving the Patriots multiple scoring options and the ability to keep up their trademark pressure. Ellington’s Julia Laughlan led her team with 18 points, battling through suffocating defense—especially from Foran, who Coventry coach Kevin Clancy called “absolutely one of our toughest kids” and a leader on the floor. Millie Oliva and Payton Nord also provided crucial buckets, but the Knights’ limited rotation began to show signs of fatigue as the fourth quarter wore on.

With just under three minutes left, the game was still in doubt—Coventry clung to a 50-47 lead. But a series of turnovers and missed opportunities from Ellington allowed the Patriots to pull away, closing on a 7-0 run that sealed a 57-47 victory and improved their record to 9-1. The win was especially sweet for Coventry, who felt they’d been overlooked despite their recent success. Coach Clancy addressed the team’s mindset: “I think the girls deserve the recognition, so we talked about how today was the day we broke the silence. They are a good team, let’s break the silence and show everyone how good we are by beating a good team and putting ourselves more on the map.”

Ellington coach Mark Tancredi, though disappointed with the result, saw positives in his team’s effort. “I was really proud of our effort the entire game, and I just thought the execution at the end with about a minute and a half left, we could have just executed a little better to make it more interesting. This loss isn’t our identity. It is just a learning opportunity for us to move forward. It is going to help us learn to execute and succeed.”

The girls’ game was a showcase of contrasting philosophies—Coventry’s depth and pressing style against Ellington’s discipline and precision. In the end, having “a few extra horses,” as Tancredi put it, made all the difference. For Coventry, the victory was about more than just another notch in the win column; it was about making a statement to the rest of Connecticut basketball.

As the dust settles on a memorable night of hoops, both Ellington and Coventry can take pride in their performances. The boys from Ellington proved their mettle on the road, while Coventry’s girls reminded everyone why they’re the reigning champions. With the season still unfolding, these teams are sure to cross paths again, with even higher stakes and more on the line. Let the rivalry continue—Connecticut high school basketball fans wouldn’t have it any other way.