BOYS BASKETBALL FIVE THINGS TO WATCH DURING THE 2021-22 SEASON
Run to the Sun returns: The Mohegan Sun Arena has not hosted a CIAC state championship game since March of 2019. The CIAC has canceled the finals the last two seasons due to the COVID-19 pandemic. So we all are keeping our fingers crossed that we will complete this 2021-22 season with five state championship games being held at the end of what has become a familiar refrain and destination for every single team: Run to the Sun.
In-season tournaments galore: “The 6” GHPA Classic starts the season off with five games on Dec. 18 at Trinity College in Hartford. Two days later, the Day of New London hosts a doubleheader at the Mohegan Sun Arena. Also, the holiday tournaments return, including the Saulsbury Invitational at the Floyd Little Athletic Center in New Haven, the Artie Kohs Classic at Xavier in Middletown and the Fairfield Holiday Tournament at Fairfield Warde among many others.
FCIAC road goes through Ridgefield…again: Yes the Tigers graduated some key personnel, and its best player, point guard Matt Knachel, is out until some time in January as he recovers from a
broken arm. But Ridgefield has won four of the last five FCIAC championships. Bet
against the Tigers at your own risk.
CCC dominance: Bristol
Central returns four starters, including 7-foot center Donovan Clingan, from last year’s undefeated team and No. 1 club in the final top 10 GameTimeCT poll. Northwest Catholic returns key starters Matty Curtis and Hayden Abdullah. Prince Samuels comes over after starring in football to help Windsor remain among the elite. East Catholic lost four starters but still will be quite competitive with James Jones and Luke Reilly Jr. Throw in East Hartford, Maloney, Glastonbury, Farmington and Simsbury and it is the CCC on top ... by a lot.
NVL void: The state has lost a pair of storied programs in back-to-back seasons due to the schools closings. First it was Trinity Catholic in 2020, then it was Sacred Heart this past June. The Hearts’ program won nine state championships, including four straight from 2014-17. Sacred Heart also won six of the last seven NVL championships. So which team fills the void? Will it be Naugatuck with its second league championship in the past three seasons? Will it be WCA? Holy Cross? Crosby? The NVL race is wide, wide open.