Holy Cross, St. Paul girls garner top seeds in state tourneys

The CIAC girls basketball state tournament pairings are out, and Holy Cross and St. Paul are seeded the highest.
The Crusaders (19-3) are the No. 2 seed in Class L. The biggest question for the 2017 Class L runner-up is the health of All-NVL and All-City senior Meah Austin. Austin was hurt in the NVL semifinal loss to Sacred Heart and had to be helped off the floor. Holy Cross loses a big piece if Austin can’t go. Aiyana Ward, who was All-NVL, All-City, the top NVL senior and top city senior, would have to take on even more of the load. The Crusaders would be helped big time, with or without Austin, if they can make more outside shots. All-Brass choice Julia Mecca can be one of those outside options. Holy Cross opens the tournament next Tuesday in The Pit against No. 31 Joel Barlow (6-14 regular season) at 7 p.m.
St. Paul (17-4) is the No. 3 seed in Class M, and it opens at home with NVL foe Oxford (9-11), the No. 30 seed, next Monday at 7 p.m. The Falcons have had injury issues, biggest of which the loss of All-NVL sophomore Janessa Gonzalez for the season, and they will need a slew of contributions, including those from All-Copper sophomore Jade Udoh. St. Paul won both regular season matchups against its Copper Division foe from Oxford.
Sacred Heart (17-5), which plays in tonight’s NVL final, is the No. 6 seed in Class S. The Hearts and their terrific three-headed attack of Treasure Coleman (All-NVL, All-City), Aamya Rivera (All-Brass) and Mikayla Mobley (All-Brass) host No. 27 Ellis Tech (9-11) next Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Alumni Hall.
Crosby (13-8) is the No. 16 seed in Class L. The Bulldogs, led by All-NVL and All-City standout Tiahna Pulliam, host No. 17 Platt (12-8) next Tuesday at 7 p.m. at The Palace. All-Brass member Gloria Vergeli will look to help Crosby’s cause.
Wolcott (12-10) is seeded 23rd in Class M and travels to No. 10 Amistad (15-5) next Monday for a 7 p.m. game. The Eagles will look for a big effort from All-NVL standout Raven Cody.
WCA (10-11) is the No. 24 seed in Class L and will travel to No. 9 Bullard-Havens (13-5) next Tuesday for a 7 p.m. contest. All-NVL and All-City choice Armani Weaver hopes to have her outside touch for the Spartans.
Bristol Eastern (7-13) is the last team in for Class LL at No. 32. The Lancers will have to go to New London to face the top seed, which is also the No. 1 team in the state. The Whalers play for a ECC title tonight. Eastern and New London play next Monday at 7 p.m.