Teammates to foes in Glenbrook

Former Fair Haven Union High School basketball teammates Ryleigh Coloutti and Kerigan Disorda squared off against each other Wednesday at Castleton’s Glenbrook Gynasium when the 6-4 Lyndon Hornets invaded the 8-6 Spartans for some mid-week, non-conference action. The pair won a division II state title together in 2018 and were crowned co-champions with Harwood in 2019 when the final contest was axed due to COVID-19.

The Spartans welcomed fans back into the gym coming off the semester-beginning attendance restriction and were coming off a pair of lopsided defeats at the hands of Rhode Island College and UMass Boston. 

“The first time having fans back helped us,” Coloutti said. “We had a bit of a losing streak.”

For Disorda and the Hornets, it was their first game in 18 days following a string of four postponements in the month of January. 

“Just being able to play and have fans there helped us, too. We’ve postponed more games than we’ve played this year I’m pretty sure,” Disorda laughed. 

This matchup was not the first time that the pair have squared off against each other. They began their playing days in the AAU ranks as teammates and then played against each other all through middle school with Couloutti attending Castleton and Disorda in Benson. When they rejoined each other at Fair Haven Union, they clicked immediately as underclassmen stalwarts on the varsity team. 

“They complimented each other very well,” said Kyle Wilson, a 13- season holder of the head coaching position for the Fair Haven women’s team. “Kerigan was very good at finding situations where Ryleigh could get open looks.” 

The excitement of the reunion diminished quickly as focus shifted to the game for the two, as their competitive spirit was well-noted by all. 

“We both came into it knowing we’d be down each others’ throats a little bit,” Disorda said. 

“I’m sure they spoke nicely before and after the game but during those 40 minutes it was all about competing at your highest level and giving your team the best chance to win,” Wilson said. 

Coloutti confirmed, saying that they briefly texted before the game about their excitement to play each other and later met for a photo after the game. Ultimately, the Spartans were victorious at home with a 57-37 victory over the Lyndon Hornets. Despite the different outcomes, one common theme ran through the game: The impact of Kyle Wilson, who watched from the stands as his former players started the game as underclassmen for both teams with Coloutti turning in 39 minutes and leading the Spartans with 17 points. Disorda gave 31 minutes, 3 points and an assist. 

Disorda recalled and credited the intensity of Wilson’s atmosphere at Fair Haven in practices and games and Coloutti agreed it was very helpful and made for excellent preparation for the next level.  

“I thought I’d have to get used to the pace of college basketball, but it hasn’t been too hard,” Coloutti said. 

“It’s very fun to watch their careers and track former players and watch them do what they love on a collegiate level,” Wilson said. 

The contest was the only scheduled meet between the Spartans and non-conference Hornets for the 2021-22 school year, so Coloutti and Disorda will have to wait to meet again on the court, but given their status as underclassmen, it’s far from the last time they will lace ‘em up as in-state rivals. 

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