Joseph Fortier, Woodland health and physical education teacher, is now taking on the Connecticut girls basketball state championship; on March 19th, 2023, at Mohegan Sun Arena. Fortier is the head coach of Pomperaug High School’s girl’s basketball team. The team, which is going on 13 strong seasons, had high hopes for the championship game.
Fortier’s goal is to not make the game seem bigger than it is; in order to do this, he plans to keep the same practice schedule. Although the experiences like the luncheon at Aqua Turf and the feeling of a huge community rallied around can feel like a lot, Fortier says “the game plan” is key.
Pomperaug High school holds a high ranking in “Class L”, making them a larger team in the state of Connecticut. Pomperaug is known as the “Top Seed” through news headlines heading into the championship. The team will be playing Storrs Connecticut’s, E.O. Smith High in the Class L championship.
Entering the casino, Pomperaug girls arrived early to take in the full experience. The VIP badges, breakfast and lunch spreads, and the performer wall of fame, really made all the difference.
Although nerves can get the best of some, Fortier and his team pushed through the game until they realized that E.O. Smith would outsize them in rebounds. Leading by seven after the first quarter, E.O. Smith refused to back down from their leading position. Outsmarting the game, Pomperaug put up thirty-two three-pointers but made eight.
“You can not say enough about their effort,” Fortier said to CT Insider.
It has been years since the Pomperaug girls entered the state championship. But when the clock hit all zeros, Pomperaug had lost yet another state championship.
E.O. Smith added another twelve points to the final score leaving the score at 58-46. Although this loss was tough, it did not stop Pomperaug from enjoying this experience as a team.
“I think they worked very hard and in the end, it was about the memorable experience,” said Fortier.
