By Nicole Macchio – Entertainment Editor

It’s only midway through the season, but the Law girls basketball team already has two reasons to celebrate.

The Eagles have clinched a spot in the state and SCC tournaments with their 8-4 record. Wins against Branford, Sacred Heart Academy, East Haven twice, Amity, Foran, North Haven, and Guilford secured their spot.

The team is ecstatic about their entry into the state tournament, especially after falling just a game short last year.

“(The girls) are a team, they work together and are really a family,” head coach Mr. Young said. “I couldn’t be prouder of them.”

A last-second loss to Career in their last game has the girls ready to take on the next challenge.

“We’ve come a really long way since those first scrimmages,” said junior captain Laura Dulin, “I think that this loss will just push us to do better.”

The team is excited and already working towards their next goal. With the SCC tournament on mind, they just want to improve and advance as far as they can.

“Now we want to continue to get better as a team to try to earn a higher seed in both SCC and state tourneys,” Young said.

Young has stressed to the team that their attitude must remain the same the rest of the season. The only way to do that is to work hard in practice and work together.

“We’re family, we are constantly having a good time and it reflects when we play,” Dulin said.

Dulin and fellow junior captains Jessica Centore, Erin Saley, and Kailee Frank have led the team this season. Junior Paige Szygiel has also stepped up for the Eagles, who have battled injuries and illness over the past few weeks, limiting their bench.

The captains try to push the team so they are always working their hardest and still having fun playing the game.

Dulin won Athlete of the Week on Game Time CT after scoring 29 points in a win over Guilford last month. Centore received Tuesday’s Star of the Day from Game Time CT earlier this month as well.

Upcoming games for the girls include Mercy, Wilbur Cross, West Haven, Guilford, Hillhouse, Foran, and Hamden.