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Watkinson School

Tag: basketball

  • Eyeing Postseason Play

    Eyeing Postseason Play

    Watkinson’s boys and girls varsity basketball teams are in the final stages of regular season competition and both teams have postseason play on the horizon. The boys enter this week boasting a 12-1 record, including a big win against Hamden Hall Country Day School last week. The girls team, the winners of the 2023 New England Tournament, is currently 10-3. Both teams and their coaches are looking to keep the momentum going. Girls Varsity Coach Kristalyn Baisden reflects, “Despite 7 new underclassmen on the team this year, the girls varsity basketball team has had a strong showing this season with an 11-3 record, to date. We’ve emphasized a fast start and focused play from our starters in order to allow their teammates the opportunity to gain experience on the court. In our game against Westover last week, our entire team was able to contribute to scoring. With postseason play ahead of us, the team looks forward to building on their success so far!”

    boys varsity private school basketball

    Make plans to attend a game and support the Rams!

    Watkinson’s private school athletics program fields 18 interscholastic teams and completes in the Housatonic Valley Athletic League. Want to know more? Schedule a visit.

  • Champs at Prestigious Bancroft Tournament

    Champs at Prestigious Bancroft Tournament

    The Charlie A. Bancroft Tournament is always a great early season test for our varsity basketball teams. Both Watkinson’s girls and boys varsity basketball teams emerged victorious. The girls beat Covenant Christian Academy 62-24, and the boys outpaced the Bancroft School 55-50.

    Assistant Athletic Director and Girls Varsity Coach Kristalyn Baisden says, “It allows the teams to play non-league competition that we could potentially face later in the postseason. It also is an opportunity for the team to build team chemistry and trust amongst each other. Our first game against Dublin School was a rematch of the Class D New England Championship game last season. While the first two quarters were pretty evenly matched, our team was able to pull away in the second half with our defensive execution and ability to hit shots. The team had a dominant win against Covenant Christian Academy in the championship game. Our full court defensive pressure was key in our big win. This was a great experience, where we claimed a historical championship for the second year in a row, as Bancroft has only hosted the girls side of the tournament the last two years (2022 and 2023).” 

    Boys Varsity Coach Dan Horwitz reflects, “Our Watkinson boys varsity basketball team left everything on the court in our championship game in the Bancroft tournament. Our team did whatever it took to get the job done and got to head home with the championship trophy. We emphasize being the most connected and most unselfish team we can be and our coaching staff is very proud of our team. We talk everyday about building a championship culture and that was on full display during this game.”

    Our private school athletics program fields 18 interscholastic teams. If you’d like to meet our coaches and see our athletes compete, schedule a visit.

  • New England Champions

    New England Champions

    With a 41-36 victory over Dublin School, Watkinson’s Girls Basketball team has won the 2023 New England Class D Championship!

    The Rams used smart, dynamic, poised, and tough-nosed team play to earn the program’s first New England championship in almost ten years. Congratulations to every player on this year’s team for your incredible growth, effort, and commitment to team. We are so proud of you!

    Kudos to our incredible coaching staff as well! In two short years, Coach (Kristalyn) Baisden, Coach Alferi, and Coach (Chris) Baisden have instilled a positive team culture that serves as the foundation for this success.

    Special congratulations to:

    • Kayla H. ‘23, who was named MVP of the Class D Tournament.

    • Coach Kristalyn Baisden, who was named the 2023 NEPSGBA Class D Coach of the Year.

    See a gallery of game photos here.

  • 1000 Points and an NCAA Division I Commitment

    1000 Points and an NCAA Division I Commitment

    Watkinson School is proud to announce that Kayla H. ‘23 scored the 1000th point of her high school basketball career as a Watkinson Ram on February 11th in a game against Forman School. Additionally, Kayla has committed to play basketball for Central Connecticut State University’s NCAA Division I women’s basketball team. 

    Prior to joining The Academy at Watkinson, Kayla played for Peddie and for East Hartford High. A captain of our girl’s varsity team, Kayla’s leadership was key this season because there are no seniors on the team. Coach Kristalyn Baisden added, “It’s hard to come in as a PG and get adjusted to a new school, a new team, and a new style of play. Kayla seamlessly adjusted becoming a strong leader for our team, on and off of the court. She can play the 1-5 for us, but she’s typically at the guard position offensively. Her bubbly personality and positive energy allowed her to fit right in with the girls on the team.“

    Kayla is averaging a double double this season (about 17 points and 10 rebounds). She was also recently selected as a NEPSGBA All Star and nominated for Class D Player of the Year. 

    About her time at Watkinson, Kayla added, “One of the biggest reasons I love playing at Watkinson is the culture. My team and coaches were very welcoming and trusted me from the start which made my transition smooth. My coaches and teammates work hard to get better with each game and practice. The uplifting environment of Watkinson is something I will never forget.”

    Through The Academy, Kayla takes classes at the University of Hartford (Physics and The Study of the Black Experience) where she received High Honors last semester.

    About Kayla being an exceptional student-athlete, Baisden said, “She’s a great role model, especially for our younger players, and she’s a pleasure to coach. Our entire coaching staff is grateful to have her on the team this year.”

    As of today, March 3, the Girls Varsity Basketball team is 19-2 and is in the New England Championship semi-final game today (#1 seed) at 4 at home against Bancroft School (#4 seed).

  • Shamarla K. ’20 in Top 100 Nationally – Our Watkinson Private High School Senior.

    Shamarla K. ’20 in Top 100 Nationally – Our Watkinson Private High School Senior.

    Watkinson School private high school senior and six-foot guard Shamarla K. has been ranked by Don Olson’s ESPN Collegiate Girls Basketball Report as the 70th prospect nationally. She is the only player from CT in the top 100. Shamarla, who came to Watkinson in 9th grade, is a 4-year varsity starter and was a captain her junior year. She joined Watkinson’s 1000-point scorer’s club in her junior year, the 11th athlete to achieve this milestone.

  • Shamarla K. ’20 Scores 1000th point

    Shamarla K. ’20 Scores 1000th point

    by Harrison Richman, University of Hartford Communications Intern

    This time last year, Alexsia R. ’20 was the 10th private school student in Watkinson’s history to score 1000 points in basketball. Now, almost one year later to the day, Watkinson is proud to add yet another name to that list. Junior Shamarla K. scored her 1000th point against Miss Porter’s School on Monday night.

    Family and friends came out to support the team, as they knew that Shamarla was only 16 points away from her milestone after scoring 23 last Saturday. Her stellar performances all season have helped Watkinson to 12 wins out of their 18 games played so far this season.

    Shamarla was recognized at All-School for her achievements, where she received a standing ovation for her accomplishment. She was presented with the game ball that she had her teammates sign, marking the beginning of a well-deserved tradition.