By JOE PALLADINO
WATERBURY — Shyann Perez hit three 3-point field goals in the game’s opening minutes, and then Lynadia Whiting took over from there, as Kennedy (16-5) looked strong in a 58-38 victory over Woodland in the first round of the NVL girls basketball tournament Saturday at Holy Cross’ McDonald Gymnasium.
Whiting finished with 22 points, and nine steals, while Sarah Emmanuel-Norwood scored 11, as did Perez, with five boards and three assists. Raegon Shirling-Davis added seven boards and four assists.
“We played very well,” Whiting said, “and I think we work well together when we communicate, and play all together as unit, and we did that today, and we hope to do that the rest of the tournament, and the states.”
Carla Piccolo led Woodland (13-8) with 20 points and five rebounds, and Morina Bojka added 13, with eight rebounds.
No. 3 KENNEDY 58, No. 6 WOODLAND 38
Woodland (13-8): Maddie Hupprich 1 0 3, Haley Andrews 0 0 0, Carla Piccolo 9 2 20, Eliza Smith 0 0 0, Cameron Caswell 1 0 2, Morina Bojka 4 4 13, Jenna Pannone 0 0 0, Jillian Chicano 0 0 0. Totals: 15 6 38.
Kennedy (16-5): Raegon Shirling-Davis 1 0 2, Lynadia Whiting 10 2 22, Joyce Benton 3 0 6, Emily Ramos 0 0 0, Sarah Emmanuel-Norwood 5 0 11, Destiny Prather 2 2 6, Ashley Lamb 0 0 0, Shyann Perez 4 0 11, Hannah West 0 0 0, Kiara Davis 0 0 0. Totals: 25 4 58.
Woodland 10 4 14 10—38
Kennedy 14 11 21 12—58
3-pointers: Wo—Hupprich, Bojka. K—Perez 3, Emmanuel-Norwood.