From The Bench: EHGBB Taylor Salato 2nd Team All State

I remember watching Taylor Salato play basketball in middle school. You could see the talent was there, raw but there was talent. People were looking forward to watching her grow and mature into a great basketball player. Let me tell you she didn’t disappoint. This week Taylor was named to the CHSCA Class MM All State 2nd team, as a junior. I watched Taylor these last years playing for the Easties and her commitment to the game and giving 100% all the while smiling and having fun are rivaled by none. You can tell she loves the game.

While going through my photos in my shop at home I came across photos of her that I had taken over the last few years. I posted a few for this article.

In a recent email I was able to ask Taylor, “What changed in your game from freshman to junior year?”

She said, "Obviously, freshmen year was a learning experience for me. I had great upperclassmen to help me find my way through everything. I blended into my role at East Haven through the years. Freshmen year was a starting point for me. We won the State Championship and I had a chance to actually play in that game.”

“Sophomore year I broke out a little more and showed people what I could be able to do in the paint. Junior year definitely was a turning point for me. It has always been a struggle to have that confidence that I needed to have to be able to play to my full potential. I got more aggressive through the years and built up in my mind that I have to be a leader on the team and not be in my own head so much. Realizing that, I thought I played very well towards the end of the season and i know next year I will have another good year and the team will do very well." No doubt Taylor.

When I spoke with Coach Anthony Russell he had nothing but praise for his junior all state player.

“Taylor is a great young lady and a wonderful athlete. I saw so much growth this year in her both mentally and physically. She became so consistent during the second half of the year and in the postseason, and she was such an important part of our success. I am so glad she has one more season to go and I expect great things from her next year."

Next season will come (I know it will) and East Haven Girls Basketball will take the court with a great leader in Taylor Salato, a great coach in Coach Russell and a fired up Easties team. I personally can’t wait to see sports again and take some photos.

Congratulations Taylor and best of luck!

I wish everyone the best of health and please stay safe.

Mark Curcio

From The Bench