By Patrick Dalahan,
December 3, Salisbury, CT- Avon Old Farms traveled up to their rival Salisbury School looking to set the tone for the season. And set the tone, they did.
To start the game off, post graduate and former Northfield Mount Herman guard, Christian Moore, knocked down a three pointer on the first Winged Beaver possesion. Avon would not relinquish the lead for the rest of the game.
The Winged Beavers came out hot in the first half, scoring a total of 40 points, while holding their Crimson Knight counterparts to just 22. Avon shot 40% from three in the first frame, with four of ten shooting, and converting on 10 of 17 from 2 point range, good for 58.8%. The Avon defense held Salisbury to 30.8% shooting from inside the arc, but allowed the Crimson Knights to convert on 4/7 on three point attempts, well above 50%.
In the second half, it was more of the same for Avon Old Farms, playing smothering defense on the Crimson Knights, this time holding them to only 11% from behind the arc. The Winged Beavers recorded six steals in both the first and second halves for a total of twelve, and took five total charges, three of which coming in the second half. By the end of the game, Avon Old Farms found themselves victorious, with a final total of 78-43.
Leading the way in scoring for Avon Old Farms was postgraduate, and Fairfield commit, Matt Curtis, who tallied up 21 points on 47% shooting from the floor. The Winged Beavers had three other players in double digits. Jared Flaks, Tom Prendergast, and Jeff Akintolu all finished with 11 points each. Prendergast led the way in assists and rebounds, as well, grabbing 8 boards and dishing 6 assists, while also recording 4 steals.
For the Crimson Knights, guard Holleder Novogratz led the way in scoring with 17 points. Holleder was connecting from deep, going 4 of 5 from three point range. Ashton Khoorchand was not too far behind, scoring 12 points of his own, while grabbing 10 rebounds.
The Winged Beavers will be in action again on Wednesday, December 7th in a Founders League matchup against Gavin Griffiths and the Kingswood Oxford Wyverns.
