They aren’t the top teams in the area, but there are a whole bunch of local boys basketball teams who can still play their way into the state tournament.
Starting with the seven-win teams, there’s Waterbury Career Academy (7-8), Kennedy (7-8) and St. Paul (7-9). It’s simple for these teams: win one more game, and you’re in the state tournament.
WCA has Holy Cross (10-5, Tuesday), Wilby (1-13, Friday), Seymour (3-11, Feb. 12), Ansonia (7-6, Feb. 14) and Derby (7-7, Feb. 19). Kennedy faces Sacred Heart (16-1, Tuesday), Crosby (8-6, Friday), Naugatuck (11-5, Feb. 12), Torrington (11-4, Feb. 14) and Kaynor Tech (8-5, Feb. 16). St. Paul goes up against Watertown (1-13, Tuesday), Naugatuck (11-4, Friday), Holy Cross (10-5, Feb. 14) and Wilby (1-13, Feb. 19).
Bristol Central is the lone six-win team at 6-8, and it needs two wins for state tournament qualification. The Rams begin their final push toward a state tournament berth at home today against Wethersfield (5-10) at 6:45 p.m. Central also has games against Berlin (8-4, Wednesday), Capital Prep (6-, Friday), Plainville (7-8, Feb. 12), Hall (10-5, Feb. 15) and Bristol Eastern (4-10, Feb. 18).
Bristol Eastern has the toughest road in terms of wins needed with its 4-10 record. The Lancers will need four wins in their final six games to make the state tournament. Eastern hosts New Britain (10-3) today at 6:45 p.m. After that, the Lancers face Planville (7-8, Thursday), Derby (7-7, Saturday), Middletown (3-11, Feb. 13), Conard (2-11, Feb. 15) and Bristol Central (6-8, Feb. 18).
