Bellringers Bury Valley, Bring Title Back to Belltown

East Hampton girls basketball celebrated the program’s first state championship since 1980, defeating Valley Regional, 31-29, in dramatic fashion at Mohegan Sun Arena on March 18.
           
Head coach Shaun Russell said he was “grateful” after the victory, adding, “This title is for the town.”
           
Sophomore Liana Salamone shook off a rough day from the field to finish with a game-high 12 points and haul down a team-high 10 rebounds.
           
Russell said Salamone showed “great composure” by doing all the little things down the stretch despite the shooting struggles.   
           
After Salamone split a pair of free throws in the closing seconds, Valley’s Elizabeth Allen nearly tied it at the buzzer but her diving layup attempt rolled off the rim, securing the Bellringers first state title since Queen’s “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” topped the Billboard charts.
           
Coincidentally, it was Queen’s “We Are The Champions” that played over the loudspeakers as players and coaches exchanged hugs and tears on the court following the historic victory. 
           
“It feels amazing,” said Salamone. “I’m so thankful we pulled through and got this win.”
           
The championship contest was a grind-it-out battle between two Shoreline Conference (SLC) rivals that knew each other’s tendencies after having played twice during the regular season—both East Hampton wins.
           
Junior Jackie Russell produced a pair of clutch plays in the final few minutes of regulation, one on each end of the court. 
           
With 1:59 remaining, she made a miraculous reverse layup, putting the Bellringers up 30-27. Then, after Valley’s Regan Grow scored to narrow the margin to one point, Russell drew a charge when Olivia Cunningham drove to the basket for a potential go-ahead layup with 6.7 left on the clock.
           
“We were only up one, so we knew we couldn't give them a basket,” recalled Jackie Russell, who scored 10 points and was playing with four fouls when she took the crucial charge.
           
Shaun Russell said that Jackie Russell developed into a legitimate two-way star this winter, adding, “She has become a kid that plays on both ends of the court at a high level.” 
           
The second half featured five lead changes and a pair of ties as the Deep River-based Warriors deployed an effective defense to take the ball out of the hands of Salamone and Russell, guarding the Bellringers’ two top scorers outside the arc. 
           
“Valley makes it really hard,” stated Shaun Russell. “They made it congested and took things away that we are good at.” 
           
East Hampton shot only 22% from the field and 21% from beyond the arc in the game, but it was second chance points that ultimately made the difference. 
           
Jackie Russell scored following an offensive rebound to give the Bellringers a 25-23 lead early in the fourth, while Salamone and senior captain Jordan Murphy each had two offensive rebounds in the final quarter.  
           
Murphy, who is East Hampton tallest starter at 5’ 9”, had the tough task of controlling the key against a Valley team that features four starters that are 5' 10” or taller. 
           
“Coach told us that defense was what was going to win the game and our shots weren’t falling, so we knew we had to rebound and play defense well and we did,” said Murphy. 
           
The victory was the second state title in the last five month for Murphy, who was named the Most Valuable Player of the Class S volleyball tournament as the East Hampton spikers capture a state championship last November. 
           
Murphy was one of a handful of crossover players that won state championships in both sports, joining Olivia DeMartino, Delaney Russell, Amber Murphy, and Stephanie Miller. 
           
“I am so thankful to have the opportunity. This one is awesome and volleyball was amazing too,” said Jordan Murphy. “I love this team. The past four years under Coach Russell have been amazing.”
           
Including the postseason, East Hampton won 26 of 27 games this season and captured a fourth straight conference title on the road to the state championship. 
           
“It’s an indescribable feeling,” said Jackie Russell. “It’s amazing to bring home [a championship] for my hometown with these girls I love so much.”
           
The cupboard should again be full next season as Jordan Murphy and Mikeala Rich will be the only two departing seniors. 
           
Salamone, the SLC Player of the Year, will be one of four returning starters, joining DeMartino, Jackie Russell, and Delaney Russell as the team aims for a fifth straight conference title and a return trip to ‘The Sun’.