MERIDEN — Seymour High senior co-captain Payton McDaniel strolled out of Benjamin P. Nessing Gymnasium at Maloney High School Monday night disappointed in the final outcome, but still so appreciative of being a part of this recent three-game postseason success.
"I can't be upset," said McDaniel, moments after the No. 6 seeded Wildcats lost to No. 2 Bacon Academy of Colchester 63-30 in the CIAC Class M semifinals. "We won 19 games this season," added McDaniel.
"We had a really good run in the state tournament. I love this team so much. We all got so close this year. From day one, we just kept getting better and better. We worked so hard together. I am so proud of everyone. The underclassmen have so much promise and a lot of potential. I know they will do great things next season."
McDaniel, along with co-captain Skylar Barton (11 points), Ariana Rivera and Genesis Valdes are the only seniors on the Wildcats.
Seymour sophomore forward Mia Cunningham and sophomore guard Viktoria Michalczyk each scored eight points in the loss
The Wildcats (19-7) were limited to just 11 second-half points and committed an uncharacteristic 22 turnovers in the game.
Michalczyk had scored a combined 35 points in the two recent postseason wins, over Watertown and Woodland, respectively.
Seymour had to not only contend with a strong defensive stand by the Bobcats, but also deal with the soft shooting touch of sophomore guard Kayleigh Engle. Engle scored 14 of her game-high 26 points in the pivotal third quarter when the Bobcats outscored the Wildcats 23-7 to take a commanding 50-26 edge.
"We watched film for hours on Kayleigh and Skyelyn Schoen-Rene (9 of her 13 points in the first half) and Katelyn Novak (16 points, three 3-pointers)," said Seymour coach Brian Cleveland. "They have a very talented team."
But as good as the offense was, the Bobcats' defense was even better.
"We knew that to win this game, we had to play really good defense, and that's what we did," said Engle. "We re-set after halftime (leading 27-19). I started hitting some shots and gave my teammates some open looks. We knew they had a really good lefty shooter (Michalczyk) and we had to play good defense and that would lead us."
Bacon Academy coach Kevin Fennell praised Bobcats senior forward Veronica Smith with stingy defense on Michalczyk.
"Veronica's defense changed the momentum of the game," said Fennell. "No. 24 (Michalczyk) hit two 3-pointers early in the first half and kept Seymour in the game."
With Smith on defense and Engle spot on with the offensive touch, the Bobcats were well on their way to their eight state championship berth this weekend at the Mohegan Sun Arena.
Bacon Academy (24-3) has won two state titles in its history, the last time in 2012.
Seymour was making its first trip to the state semifinals since 2004.
"We had an amazing ride," said Cleveland. "This is my 16th season as head coach and it will go down as one of the most special teams I've ever coached."
CLASS M GIRLS BASKETBALL SEMIFINAL
Bacon Academy 63, Seymour 30
Seymour (19-7): Payton McDaniel 0 0 0, Jenna Pollastro 0 1 1, Ariana Rivera 0 0 0, Mia Perry 0 0 0, Isabella Melissano 0 2 2, Mia Cunningham 4 0 8, Genesis Valdes 0 0 0, Viktoria Michalczyk 3 0 8, Arianna Roxo 0 0 0, Skylar Barton 5 1 11, Colbie Drezek 0 0 0. Totals: 12 4 30. Bacon Academy (24-2): Kayleigh Engle 8 6 26, Veronica Smith 0 0 0, Skyelyn Schoen-Rene 5 2 13, Katelyn Novak 6 1 16, Kiley Filloramo 0 0 0, Hannah Ferrigno 0 0 0, Madeline Ives 1 0 2, Elizabeth Glover 3 0 6. Totals: 23 9 63.
SEYMOUR 9 10 7 4 — 30 BACON ACADEMY 17 10 23 13 — 63
3-point goals: S - Michalczyk 2; BA - Engle 4, Schoen-Rene 1, Novak 3.