Top seeds Waterford, Ledyard roll into ECC D-I boys’ semis

Waterford — Top-seeded Waterford came out flying, scoring 32 points in the first quarter en route to a 97-51 victory over No. 8 Fitch in the quarterfinals of the Eastern Connecticut Conference Division I boys' basketball tournament on Thursday night.

The Lancers will play No. 4 New London, a 57-51 winner over No. 5 Bacon Academy, in Saturday's semifinals at 6:30 p.m. No. 2 Ledyard, an 89-46 winner over No. 7 Stonington, will face No. 6 East Lyme, a 66-63 upset winner over No. 3 Norwich Free Academy, in the first semifinal at 4:30.

Both games will be played at Waterford High School and be streamed live on theday.com.

Waterford (18-3) was never threatened after opening a 32-14 lead after the first eight minutes.

Jeff Evans led the Lancers' balanced attack with 21 points and six rebounds while Liam Spellman finished with 17 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, Walker Sutman 15 points and seven rebounds, and Mikey Buscetto 11 points and 10 assists. Tyler Yeomans added 10 rebounds for Waterford.

Freshman Ajia Brown scored 11 points for the Falcons, who finish 6-15. In other Div. I tournament action: • No. 2 Ledyard led 52-24 at halftime and went on to beat No. 7 Stonington 89-46. Isiah McNair had 27 points, Julio Nieves had 16 points and 11 rebounds and Trevor Hutchins had 12 points and 12 rebounds for Ledyard (17-3).

Austin Brandt (13) and Steven Fletcher (11) also scored in double figures for Ledyard and teammate A.J. Genova had nine assists. Matt Schmeelk had 22 points and Connor Woodworth scored 12 for Stonington (8-13).

Division II quarters

• Hunter Baillargeon hit a 3-pointer pointer at the buzzer to give No. 4 St. Bernard a 41-38 victory over No. 5 Griswold in the quarterfinals.

Baillargeon finished with 19 points for the Saints (9-12), who will play top-seeded Plainfield at 2 p.m. Saturday in the semifinals at Waterford.

Plainfield beat No. 8 Montville 6442.

• In other games, No. 7 Killingly beat No. 2 Lyman Memorial and No. 3 Windham beat No. 6 Woodstock Academy 73-47.

Windham will play Killingly in the first semifinal at noon.