Fairfield, CT — There was a stretch late in the third quarter of the CIAC Class LL quarterfinals where Ludlowe’s lineup had multiple players on the court who have not seen a lot of varsity action in critical moments. According to Ludlowe coach Sara Kinsley, the Falcons had practiced all week for just such a scenario and the players out there not only weathered the storm but increased the lead. The No. 2 seeded Falcons used all they had, beating No. 7 Conard 58-43, advancing to the first state quarterfinal in Ludlowe’s history. “The perseverance was great. Kaleigh (Sommers) is out but everyone just stepped up and it’s amazing to go another round,” Ludlowe senior point guard Rory Kudzy said. “Every single person on the bench can come in and score. Everyone has an ability and the trust we have in everyone is something most teams don’t have.” Kudzy finished with 13 points, including hitting two big 3-pointers in the third quarter as Ludlowe built a double-digit lead. Ludlowe will face No. 3 Newtown in the semifinals at a neutral site Monday. There were times where Kudzy, senior Amelia Keresey and junior Phoebe Shostak were the only steady varsity players on the court as 6-foot senior Madison Roman and 6-1 senior Caitlin Finnegan were on the bench after picking up their fourth fouls in the third quarter. The foul trouble was on top of All-FCIAC guard Sommers being out for the rest of the season with an ankle injury suffered in the FCIAC championship game. Knowing her bench players might need to play big minutes, Kinsley had reserve players on the floor more than usual this week at practice. “The last few practices, we have been putting different combinations together because we want to make sure we are prepared for any situation that comes our way,” Kinsley said. “Rory (Kudzy) is a phenomenal leader and her court presence keeps us calm and composed. In a competitive, heated game, she kept us level headed and handles pressure really well.” Ludlowe (25-0) led by five at halftime and was up 45-39 after three quarters. Conard got within 46-41 but no closer as Ludlowe pulled away with Finnegan and Roman back on the court. Conard started three sophomores and two seniors in front a raucous Ludlowe crowd. “Our girls played hard and played to the last second and didn’t give up despite the score,” Conard coach Laurie Cersosimo said. “Ludlowe has a lot of seniors and this was a good experience for our younger players to be in this kind of environment. Our seniors are excellent leaders and the heart of the team, but it is an incredible experience for those sophomores to make it to the state quarterfinals.” Conard was playing in its first state quarterfinal game in 44 years. Conard won Class LL in 1979 in its only state final appearance. Conard got 20 points from sophomore Emily Knowles and 21 from sophomore Callie Cosgrove. Player of the Game Madison Roman, Ludlowe: Roman scored 15 points and had 10 rebounds but it was her four assists, all long passes over the defense from beyond half court to streaking players for layups that broke the spirit of Conard. Quotable “Madison’s court vison is extremely impressive,” Kinsley said. “The way she can connect with her teammates and they know how to connect back to her passes is incredible. The players were releasing so well and timing it so well, that allowed Madison to make those passes.” LUDLOWE 58 CONARD 43 CONARD 8 14 17 4--43 LUDLOWE 10 17 18 13--58 CONARD: Callie Cosgrove 8 1-1 21; Emily Knowles 7 4-15 20; Nicole Gorman 0 0-0 0; Kathryn Torla 1 0-2 2; Courtney McPhee 0 0-0 0; Tatiana Harrison 0 0-0 0; Clara Gaglotti 0 0-0 0. Totals: 16 5-18 43 LUDLOWE: Rory Kudzy 4 3-5 13; Amelia Keresey 1 2-4 4; Phoebe Shostak 1 3-4 5; Caitlin Finnegan 3 3-4 9; Taylor Mehta 0 0-0 0; Madison Roman 7 1-3 15; Lily Gervasi 0 0-0 0; Morgan McGowan 0 1-2 1; Kate Cimador 5 0-0 11. Totals: 21 13-22 58 3-point field goals: C—Cosgrove 4; Knowles 2. L—Kudzy 2; Cimador Fouled out: C—Cosgrove, Harrison. L--Roman https://www.ctinsider.com/gametimect/girls-basketball/article/ludlowe-conard-ciac-class-ll-quarterfinals-17826686.php