The high school girls’ basketball season begins this evening for a bunch of local teams.
Holy Cross is the lone returning state champion, having captured the Class M crown. The Crusaders jumped two classes to ‘L’ and bring back one of the state’s best players in Mya Zaccagnini, but they will have to replace a lot of talent and experience from an undefeated squad. Gone to graduation: Cayla Howard, Nyasia Smith, Ella Atkins and Kristina Perry, along with Loren Tuck and Maeve Perrone.
St. Paul got to the quarterfinal round of Class MM, but injuries have already taken their toll on this year’s team. The Falcons will need to develop some chemistry quickly to get back to the top of the NVL. St. Paul lost Lexi Tierpack, Sarah Lindquist and Zoey Rubins to graduation, along with Emily Ronalter and Samantha Naples.
Wolcott pulled off a Class M first round stunner at Woodland in Class M. The Eagles lost Amber Vincent to graduation but return a solid lineup that includes four senior captains. Those four senior captains are: Amanda Sullivan, Julia Sullivan, Mayci Abou Arrage and Mimi Reilly.Wolcott has length and versatility that can make it a competitor in its division and the league overall.
Bristol Central earned itself a home game in the first round of last season’s Class L tournament and took advantage, knocking off CCC foe Platt-Meriden. The Rams lost seniors Gabriella Watson and Lillian Sirois to graduation but return a bunch who shared in last season’s success.
WCA and Kaynor Tech are each scheduled for three games in this opening week. Here’s the entire schedule (through Saturday):
This evening
Crosby at Oxford, 5
Wamogo at Kaynor Tech, 5:30
Bristol Central at South Windsor, 6:45
Seymour at Wolcott, 7
Wilby at WCA, 7
Wednesday, Dec. 14
Terryville at WCA, 6
Holy Cross at Mercy-Middletown, 7
Kaynor Tech at Kennedy, 7
Thursday, Dec. 15
Wolcott at East Lyme, 7
Friday, Dec. 16
Kaynor Tech at O’Brien Tech, 5:30
Middletown at Bristol Eastern, 6
Watertown at Crosby, 6
Maloney at Bristol Central, 6:45
Kennedy at St. Paul, 7
Torrington at Holy Cross, 7
Woodland at Wilby, 7
WCA at Naugatuck, 7
