Connecticut

Connecticut Sun Make Championship Move, Acquire Marina Mabrey From Chicago Sky

Published

57 mins ago

July 17, 2024

Connecticut Sun Make Championship Move, Acquire Marina Mabrey From Chicago Sky

Trade news has emerged from the WNBA just ahead of the 2024 All-Star Game. Wednesday, the Connecticut Sun announced that it acquired veteran guard Marina Mabrey after reaching a trade agreement with the Chicago Sky.

Mabrey averaged 14.0 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game while shooting 34.4% from 3-point range in 23 games with the Chicago Sky this season. She was in her second season with the franchise, joining Chicago in 2023.

In addition to Mabrey, the Sun also receive a second-round pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft. The Sky received Rachel Banham, Moriah Jefferson, a first-round selection in the 2025 WNBA Draft and the rights to swap in the first round of the 2026 WNBA Draft.

“Today is very bittersweet. We traded two really great people who are not only good basketball players but have helped add to the winning culture we have here in Connecticut,” said Sun general manager Darius Taylor.

“We want to thank both Rachel and Moriah for their professionalism and contributions on and off the court. They will truly be missed by our fans, our team and our organization. We wish them well and much success with their new organization.”

Banham is averaging 4.8 points and 1.2 rebounds per game this season. Jefferson has posted 2.1 points and 0.7 assists per contest.

Connecticut has enjoyed a tremendous start to the 2024 season, owning an 18-6 record and sitting in second place in the league standings. The Sun appear to be making a move to be a championship contender by bringing Mabrey into the fold.

“We are extremely excited to welcome Marina Mabrey to the Connecticut Sun. She is a player that we feel will give us the extra edge to compete for a championship this year,” Taylor said. “She brings a competitive spirit and scorer’s mentality along with an ability to make big plays. I believe (coach) Stephanie (White) and her staff will be able to utilize Marina in many ways as we start the second half of our season and continue our quest for our first title.”

Tuesday night, Mabrey hit some clutch shots in Chicago’s 93-85 road victory over the Las Vegas Aces. She finished the game with 15 points while shooting three-of-seven from long range.

“Marina has made a significant impact over the past two seasons with the Sky behind her scoring ability, playmaking, competitiveness and commitment to the community,” said Chicago Sky general manager Jeff Pagliocca. “We appreciate all of her contributions to the organization and wish her continued success in the league.”

With a month-long break upcoming for the WNBA All-Star Game and 2024 Paris Olympics, we won’t see Mabrey in a Sun uniform until an Aug. 16 game against the Dallas Wings.

Could the veteran guard be the missing piece that helps Connecticut bring a WNBA title back home?

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Connecticut

Outstanding Milestones By College Students From Granby And East Granby

Published

8 hours ago

July 17, 2024

Press Room

Outstanding Milestones By College Students From Granby And East Granby

GRANBY-EAST GRANBY, CT — Here are some recent notable accomplishments by local college students, as provided by readMedia Newswire. More great college achievements will be noted as they are received in the coming weeks.

Eastern Connecticut State University, Willimantic CT

More than 800 Eastern Connecticut State University students graduated in the 2023-24 academic year, which culminated with two commencement ceremonies this May at the conclusion of the spring 2023 semester. The University’s undergraduate ceremony occurred May 14 at the XL Center in Hartford, CT, and the graduate-level ceremony occurred May 11 on Eastern’s campus. Among the local graduates were Kristian Kowalski of East Granby, Bachelor of Science in environmental earth science; Jack Sobota of East Granby, Bachelor of Science in business information systems; Aidan Hennessy of Granby, Bachelor of Science in computer science; and Conor Hennessy of Granby, Bachelor of Science in business administration.

St. Lawrence University, Canton NY

Phoebe Jones from Granby has been named to St. Lawrence University’s Dean’s List for achieving academic excellence during the spring 2024 semester. Jones, a member of the Class of 2027, attended Granby Memorial High School. To be eligible for the Dean’s List, a student must have completed at least four courses and have an academic average of 3.6 based on a 4.0 scale for the semester.

University of Hartford, West Hartford CT

Morgan Egan and William Pitney, both of East Granby, and Grace Yoder of Granby earned President’s List honors for the spring 2024 semester. The President’s List recognizes a select group of students reaching the highest level of academic standing. To be placed on the President’s List, students must maintain a GPA of at least a 3.75 and receive grades of C or better.
A half-dozen local residents earned spots on the Dean’s List for the spring 2024 semester. They were Kyle Lavitt, Jered Volpe, Shane Gove and Alex Stelly, all of Granby, and Megan Benner and Jearlin Cabrera, both of East Granby. The Dean’s List recognizes students achieving superior academic standing. The requirement, with some exceptions based on school or college, is a grade point average of at least 3.0 and no grade below C.

University of Saint Joseph, West Hartford CT

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Connecticut

Sabrina Ionescu, New York Liberty pin Connecticut Sun with a WNBA road loss – The Boston Globe

Published

15 hours ago

July 17, 2024

Press Room

Sabrina Ionescu, New York Liberty pin Connecticut Sun with a WNBA road loss – The Boston Globe

NEW YORK — Sabrina Ionescu scored 30 points and the short-handed New York Liberty beat the Connecticut Sun, 82-74, on Tuesday night.

It was the last game before the month-long Olympic break for both teams.

The game was tied heading into the fourth quarter before Ionescu hit a 3-pointer to start the final period and give New York (21-4) back the lead it had held for the entire game. That sparked a 10-3 run which gave the Liberty a 73-66 lead midway through the period.

“Ten more minutes, we have to buckle down and play harder,” Ionescu said of the conversation heading into the fourth. “Play our best basketball for 10 more minutes and lock in. [Kennedy Burke] got huge steals for us.”

Connecticut (18-6) twice got within four, but both times Jonquel Jones answered with baskets against her former team. The Sun could get no closer.

Burke finished with nine points and four steals.

Brionna Jones scored 17 points to lead Connecticut. Alyssa Thomas finished with 16 points, eight rebounds and five assists for the Sun, but didn’t play in the fourth quarter.

Connecticut coach Stephanie White said after the game it was intentional to get Thomas some rest before the Olympics.

New York was missing two starters. Guard Betnijah Laney-Hamilton had minor surgery on Tuesday on her right knee. She’ll be out four to six weeks and should return after the Olympic break. The Liberty also rested Breanna Stewart for the second consecutive game as she was dealing with a tweaked hamstring.

Brondello said that had it been a playoff game Stewart would have been able to play, but with the Olympics coming up the team wanted to be smart.

The Liberty raced out to an 11-2 lead and led 28-23 after one quarter as Ionescu had 12 points in the period, including a four-point play. The team extended the lead to 10 before the Sun rallied to go into the half down 45-42.

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Connecticut

Stamford judge approves Michelle Troconis’ request for a public defender

Published

22 hours ago

July 16, 2024

Press Room

Stamford judge approves Michelle Troconis’ request for a public defender

STAMFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — A judge has approved Michelle Troconis’ request to change her legal counsel as she appeals her conviction in the Jennifer Dulos case.

Troconis was convicted for helping plan and cover up the murder of New Canaan mom Jennifer Farber Dulos in March. Her motion for a public defender was granted on Tuesday in Stamford Superior Court.

Troconis was sentenced to 14-and-a-half years in prison in May for her role in the disappearance of Dulos. She has been behind bars since her sentencing in May.

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