Killingly — There is plenty of pomp inside the gym at Killingly High School for basketball games, what with the players entering the court to a smoke machine and a spotlight accompanying player introductions.

And oh how a nearly full house was ready to explode Friday night, not merely for the renewal of a rivalry, but a game for the lead in Division III of the Eastern Connecticut Conference.

What transpired was free of drama, thanks to Griswold’s dominance. The Wolverines took a two-game lead in the division with a 52-41 win that kept the building mostly silent all game.

“A great win. A big statement,” said Griswold senior Evan Merchant, who led his team with 18 points and recently committed to play at Fitchburg State. “Over the past few years, this has been a great rivalry. They get our best and we get theirs.”

Griswold’s best translated into leads of 9-0, 16-3 and 24-7. Merchant and teammate Jeff Souvenance (13 points) had their way offensively, both inside and outside.

“The 9-0 start really helped us,” Merchant said.

Killingly trimmed the lead to nine by halftime and five early in the third period. But then Griswold coach Rob Mileski saw something in his team he’s been yearning to see.

“This was a good one. We have a bunch of senior guys,” Mileski said. “But we don’t always play with the poise we need to. Tonight we did in the second half. That was a big step. If we play with poise, we have some pieces.”

Griswold held Killingly leading scorer Yianni Baribeau to 14 points.

“Holding him to 14 is really a hard thing to do. A very good player,” Mileski said. “We had Michael (Strain) on him mostly. He’s a cross country kid, too, and really has that competitiveness that comes from running races.”

Thomas Dreibholz led Killingly with 16 points.

“This has been a great rivalry over the last five years,” Mileski said. “There’s no quit in either team. Jimbo (Killingly coach Jim Crabtree) knows what he’s doing. We have a lot of respect for each other.”

Griswold, which defeated Killingly by a point at home last month, may see its rival again in the Eastern Connecticut Conference Div. II Tournament.

m.dimauro@theday.com