A Historic Win and a Team Focused on Unity

In a thrilling showdown at the Timothy McDonald Gymnasium, Seymour High’s girls basketball team secured a 64-56 victory over Holy Cross on Saturday. The win not only marked a significant milestone for the Wildcats but also highlighted the team’s strong sense of unity and determination.

For head coach Brian Cleveland, the focus was on celebrating the win rather than personal achievements. This victory brought his career total to 208 wins, making him the all-time leader in girls basketball wins at Seymour High. However, Cleveland emphasized that it’s not about the numbers but the legacy of those who came before him. He acknowledged previous coaches such as Joe Frager (1987-1998), Eric DeMarco (1998-2007), and Mike Collins (2007-2009), expressing deep respect for their contributions to the program.

“I have looked up to those guys a great deal in my career, and still do to this day,” Cleveland said. “Their influence continues to shape how I approach coaching.”

Key Performers and Team Effort

The game saw standout performances from several players, with junior Viktoria Michalczyk leading the way. She scored a career-high 24 points and grabbed six rebounds. Fellow junior Mia Cunningham added 14 points and eight rebounds, showcasing her versatility on the court.

Cleveland praised the team’s overall effort, highlighting the importance of every player’s role. Senior captain Bella Melissano contributed seven points, eight rebounds, and four assists, while junior Jamie Keough added seven points and six rebounds.

“Colbie Drezek doesn’t show up in the stat sheet scoring points, but she’s our anchor, especially on defense,” Cleveland noted. “She hit that big layup right at the end today. That’s her role. She loves her role and she’s passionate about it.”

He also pointed out the synergy between the two Mias—Cunningham and Perry—who are both 5-foot-11 and bring more than just traditional post play to the team. Their ability to contribute in various ways has helped the team build a strong identity.

Overcoming Adversity

The team’s attitude shifted significantly after a tough loss to Fairfield Warde on December 28 in the annual Todd Burger Holiday Tournament. Cleveland reflected on how the loss led to some finger-pointing, which he sees as a turning point.

“With Warde, we were kind of finger-pointing a little bit, but that was what it’s about,” Cleveland said. “We’re not going to finger-point anymore, and we’re going to play five as one, and go through whatever adversity together.”

Since that loss, Seymour has won three consecutive games, including the crucial victory against Holy Cross. The Crusaders, known for their young roster and well-coached approach, posed a challenge with their full-court pressure and relentless style of play.

“They just never go away. They put the full-court pressure on, they try to wear you down,” Cleveland explained. “They’re a well-coached team, and when you play a team like that, they kind of pull mistakes out of you, maybe bad selection out of you, and we just kind of pulled away with it.”

Looking Ahead

As the season progresses, Seymour faces another test on Monday when they take on St. Paul at 7 p.m. The team will return home on Wednesday for a highly anticipated matchup against undefeated Ansonia, who enters the game with a 6-0 record.

This journey has been defined by resilience, teamwork, and a commitment to growth. With each game, the Wildcats continue to build on their foundation, showing that success is not just about individual talent but the strength of the entire team.