CIAC GIRLS BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS
CLASS LL NO. 3 HAMDEN (24-3) VS NO. 1 SACRED HEART ACADEMY (25-2)
When: Sunday, 6:15 p.m.
Where: Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville
Tickets: $10 per session (day/night). Available online (with service charge) or at arena box office.
On the air/web: NFHS Network (Subscription required)
Championship game appearances: Hamden is making its second appearance in a championship game after beating Ludlowe in last year’s Class LL final. SHA is making its fifth appearance, winning Class MM in 2022 over St. Joseph and Class L in 1992 and 1993.
Key players: Hamden: Kamora Moore, 5-6 , Jr. G; Alana Philpotts, 5-9 , Sr. G; Leah Philpotts, 5-9 , Sr. SHA: Lauren Thompson,5-6 , Sr. G; Morgan Miller, 5-9, Sr. F; Meghan Kirck, 5-7 , Sr. G
You should know: This is the first time the rivals, who are separated by 1.2 miles, have met for a state championship. They have met in the last two SCC title games with Hamden winning both. Hamden is looking to become the first team since NFA in 2009 and 2010 to repeat as Class LL champion.
Outlook: This is the championship matchup people have been anticipating since December. The rivals have already played three times this season with Hamden winning twice, including in the SCC championship …The winner of the game will likely be ranked as the No. 1 team in the final GameTimeCT Girls Basketball Top 10 Poll. Hamden is the No. 1 ranked team in the poll and SHA is No. 2. Hamden and SHA have been the only two teams to occupy the No. 1 spot in the GameTimeCT Poll this season … Both teams like to get out and run and can put up points in bunches. The shot clock will rarely drop into single digits in this one ... This is the second straight year the top two teams in the GameTimeCT Top 10 Poll will meet for the Class LL championship after No. 1 Hamden beat No. 2 Ludlowe last season.
Scott Ericson’s pick: Hamden
CLASS L NO 2 SIMSBURY (22-4) VS NO. 1 HOLY CROSS (24-2)
When: Saturday, 6:15 p.m.
Where: Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville
Tickets: $10 per session (day/night). Available online (with service charge) or at arena box office.
On the air/web: NFHS Network (Subscription required)
Championship game appearances: This is Simsbury’s first appearance in a state championship game. Holy Cross won Class M in 2022 over Bacon Academy. The Crusaders have reached the championship six times previously, winning titles in 2022 and 2007.
Key players: Holy Cross: Shania Howard, 5-7 , Jr. G; Corrine Lomax, 6-0, So. F; Isabella Lombardo, 5-9, Jr. G Simsbury: Amanda Gallagher, 6-0, Sr. G; Olivia Jarvis, 5-11, Sr. F; Alexa Gallagher, 5-8, Jr. F
You should know: Neither of these teams won their conference tournaments before making runs to the state championship.
Outlook: Simsbury is the best defensive team remaining in the state tournaments, holding Windsor to 31 in the quarterfinal and New Milford to 32 points in the semifinal. The Trojans are also extremely patient on offense and will use a lot of the 35-second shot clock on many possessions as they move the ball around looking for high percentage shots ... Holy Cross would rather open things up and can get out and go with Shania Howard and 6-foot sophomore Corrine Lomax, who can run the floor as well as any post player in the state.
Scott Ericson’s pick: Simsbury
CLASS MM NO. 5 SHEEHAN (21-6) VS NO. 2 NORTHWEST CATHOLIC (23-5)
When: Saturday, 3 p.m.
Where: Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville
Tickets: $10 per session (day/night). Available online (with service charge) or at arena box office.
On the air/web: NFHS Network (Subscription required)
Championship game appearances: Northwest Catholic has played in 10 title games, winning four times, including last season in Class S over Kolbe Cathedral. The Lions also won championships in 1988, 1996 and 1999. Sheehan has played in three finals, last appearing in Class M in 2019 . The Titans last won a title in 1976 in Class L.
Key players: Northwest Catholic: Maeve Rushin, 6-1, Sr. F; Lily Pare, 5-6, Sr. G; Abigail Casper, 6-0, So. F Sheehan: Megan Wresien, 5-8, So, F; Liv Cassesse, 5-4, Sr. G; Ella
Dorsey, 5-5, Sr. G
You should know: Northwest Catholic has moved up from Class S to Class MM. The last team to win a state title, move up in class and win again was Capital Prep. The Trailblazers won Class S in 2013, then moved up and won Class L in 2014, 2015 and 2016.
Outlook: Both teams have strong seniors, but are paced by super sophomores in Abigail Casper of Northwest Catholic and Megan Wresien from Sheehan, both of whom were all-conference and their team’s leading scorer... Sheehan lost to Hamden three times, SHA twice and Newington once. SHA and Hamden are in the Class LL final and Newington was in the semifinals. Those are the only blemishes on the Titans record.
Scott Ericson’s pick: Sheehan