Warde Basketball Saturday

It was a Saturday of Warde basketball. 

The Mustangs hosted Ridgefield in a girls and boys basketball doubleheader. Games were played at all three levels. Freshman, JV and varsity. 

On the girls' side, the teams came into today 1/2 game apart (Ridgefield has played one more game) overall and the same FCIAC record. The Tigers were 10-3, 6-2 in the conference. The Mustangs were 9-3 overall and 6-2 in the conference. 

For the boys, both teams were unbeaten in league play at 6-0 and Ridgefield again 1/2 game better than Warde at 10-1 vs 9-1. 

I went over to Warde to watch both varsity games. 

Both games were very good games with Ridgefield coming away with wins in both games. 

It took overtime and a late three in regulation for the Tigers to come away with a 52-47 victory. 

Ridgefield three ties the game with 1.6 left in regulation. #ctgb pic.twitter.com/X0Hv1FNJRl

— Shawn Sailer (@ShawnSailer) January 27, 2024

In the boys' game, Ridgefield led from start to finish, coming away with a 59-56 victory. 

It was good to get to watch both of Warde's basketball teams play. I don't often get to see them play as most games conflict with Ludlowe games. I see the Warde boys a couple times a year, but rarely ever get to see the Warde girls, other than when they play Ludlowe or in the holiday tournament. 

It's always different for me at a Warde game than a Ludlowe game but good to see and talk to many people at Warde. From people I see more often at work, to people I don't see as much. 

Looking forward to another exciting week of basketball with the Ludlowe/Warde doubleheader on Friday at Ludlowe. Girls game at 5pm, boys game at 6:30pm. 

New Era.....Same Heartbreak

Graphic via Packers Twitter 

It was the start of a new era for the Packers with Jordan Love replacing Aaron Rodgers at quarterback this season. It was another season of a heartbreaking loss to end the season, however. 

Green Bay fell to the San Francisco 49ers 24-21 on Saturday night in the NFC Divisional Playoffs. 

The 49ers will play the Detroit Lions, who, as I am typing this, beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  

It was a tremendous football game. 

It was a season in which the Packers exceeded expectations, but that doesn't mean the loss doesn't sting. Especially in the fashion it happened. 

The Packers had a lead with just over a minute to go and led for most of the second half. Then Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffery and company put together a terrific game-winning drive. 

Green Bay had one last shot, but Love, who played a terrific first three quarters, threw a ball across his body that was intercepted and ended the Packers season. 

The Packers had many opportunities that could have changed the outcome of the game, including Anders Carlson missing a field goal that would have extended the lead from four to seven in the fourth quarter. 

Love also had an earlier interception in the fourth as well as missing Aaron Jones on a short-third down pass that would have extended a drive. 

All that being said, it was a great season for the Packers. They exceeded expectations by getting as far as they did in Love's first year as a starter. Getting to the playoffs in year one is something neither Brett Favre or Rodgers did. 

The future is extremely bright in Green Bay. It's not just Love. So many young receivers, an offensive line that is getting better. Sure, there are some things, like the defense and special teams that need to be fixed/cleaned up. That's what the off-season is for. 

There have been some many years recently in which the Packers seasons have ended with heartbreaking, tough losses. 

2013 NFC Wild Card vs San Francisco

2014 NFC Championship (OT) vs Seattle 

2015 NFC Divisional Round (OT) vs Arizona 

2020 NFC Championship vs Tampa Bay

2021 NFC Divisional Round vs San Francisco

Those are just the close, really heartbreaking losses. There have been many other playoff loses, just in that timespan. Plus, there are ones before that like the two to the Giants, especially the 2007 NFC Championship. 

The have also lost their last five postseason meetings to the 49ers. 

This year was different though. With Rodgers you felt like you had to win, or it was a disappointing season. This year, due to exceeding expectations, it didn't feel the same. Still heartbreaking, but excited for the future. 

I know I probably shouldn't root for the Lions as a division rival, but they are a great story. I also don't really like the 49ers. Probably because of all the losses we talked about above. I know and like people who are fans of each of those teams. Brian Silvestro for the Lions and Charlie Mahoney for the 49ers, to name a couple. Good luck to both teams.  

All the said, forever Go Pack Go! 

100 Wins

Team Photo Following John Dailey's 100th win 

Friday was a special night at Ludlowe. 

Ludlowe boys' basketball head coach John Dailey picked up his 100th career win in the Falcons 49-29 victory over the Westhill Vikings. 

The win for the Falcons is their eighth of the season, clinching them a state tournament berth. Ludlowe sits with an 8-2 record at the midway point of the season. Lots of basketball to play in the regular season before the postseason. 

Making the state tournament is always great, but even more special after not making it the last couple of years. 

It was very cool to have the 100th win for Dailey also be the eight win of the season. Lots to celebrate for the Falcons. 

It's been 10-years for John with many highs and some tougher seasons, as every coach has. 

So many players who he's coached any many assistant coaches who have been with him. Too many to name without forgetting some important people. However, a very cool part of this is Darren Lee, who played for John on the 2014-2015 state quarterfinal team, now coaching with him. 

Darren (No. 10) playing for John, now coaching alongside him. 

It's been a great week for the Ludlowe basketball coaches as Sara Kinsley, the head girls' basketball coach, picked up her 100th win last Friday, January 12, in the Falcons victory over Danbury. 

The girls team currently sits at 7-4, 5-2 in the FCIAC. 

Two terrific coaches who are even better people. Two people who put so much time, effort and care into their programs. A lot more than people see. 

Lots of great things happening with the Ludlowe basketball programs. 

Should be a fun remainder of the season. 

Pack Are Back......In The Playoffs

Photo: Packers.com

With the Packers win over the Bears earlier today, they are back in the playoffs after missing out last season. 

Green Bay will travel to Dallas to play the Cowboys on Sunday at 4:30pm on FOX. 

It was a very impressive first season as a starter for Jordan Love. 

Close to 4,000 yards passing. with 30 touchdowns and only 11 interceptions. 

Most importantly, a playoff appearance. That's something neither Brett Favre nor Aaron Rodgers did in their first seasons as the starting quarterback. 

No matter what happens against the Cowboys, this was a good season. Nobody expected them to make the postseason this year. 

This just makes the expectations that might higher for Love and the team in the future. 

All that being said, I would love (no pun intended) for them to beat the Cowboys and even more so, make a run in the playoffs. 

Obviously, the ultimate goal every year is to win a Super Bowl, but only one team can do that. 

Not to get ahead of anything. It's one play, one quarter and one game at a time. 

Excited to see what happens. 

Go Pack Go! 

Loss

January 4

2005

2011

Uncle David

Grandma Bea

So many memories. So many I could write about. 

Both good and bad. 

However, I don't feel like they are my stories to tell, and a lot of my memories are not important. 

So many more stories I have heard since your passings. 

We think of them often, but especially on a day like today and other specific days of note throughout the year. 

Always in our hearts. 

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Sorry to continue on a sad note, but condolences to good friend Susan and the DeCristoforo family on the passing of her seven-year-old niece Rory on New Year's Day in a fire in their house in Staten Island. 

You can read more here courtesy of ABC7 New York. There is a GoFundMe set up to support the family but support any way you can. 

I'm not going to try to say I know anyone in their family other than Susan more than I do. I don't know her brother Mark or sister-in-law Megan (Rory's parents), or their kids or Susan and Mark's father. But I know Susan and I've heard a lot about the family. A good family. 

This loss comes after Susan and Mark's mom and Rory's grandmother, Mrs. Jane DeCristoforo passed away in November. 

Heartbroken for them all.