The girls basketball state tournament starts today, but only for four area teams.
At 5:30 p.m., No. 32 Kennedy (5-15) takes on No. 1 Staples (18-2 regular season) in Class LL. The Eagles wouldn’t have made the tournament under the previous format where teams had to win 40 percent of games played, but the CIAC decided to fill out all five divisions with 32 teams each. The fifth division was added to the girls tournament after being added to the boys previously.
In Class MM, No. 21 Wolcott (9-12) is at No. 12 Bethel (13-7 regular season) at 6 p.m. The Eagles last played on Saturday, Feb. 22, in the NVL tournament’s quarterfinal round.
There are two local teams that tip off at 6:30 p.m. in Class M. No. 3 Holy Cross (20-3) hosts No. 30 Innovation (7-13). Innovation also wouldn’t have been a tournament qualifier under the old 40 percent rule. The Crusaders are coming off an NVL championship, their first since 2016.
In the other Class M game, No. 23 Kaynor Tech (8-13) takes on No. 10 Coginchaug Regional (13-7 regular season) in Durham. The Panthers last played on Thursday, Feb. 20, in a CTC play-in game.
Other local girls teams tip off tomorrow. Those teams are: Bristol Eastern, Bristol Central, St. Paul and Crosby in Class L; Sacred Heart in Class MM.
