High school girls' basketball preview capsules
ECC Division I
Bacon Academy
Coach: John Shea (2nd season)
Key returnees: Sr. G Victoria Violette, Jr. F/C Emma Mancuso, Sr. F Caitlin Shea, Jr. G Ashley Lizotte, So. F Marissa Nudd, Jr. G Valerie Luizzi.
Top newcomers: Fr. G Cara Shea, So. G Ariel Nair, Fr. G Emily Ferrigno, Fr. F Mia Mancuso.
Outlook: Shea, who took over for his father, Dave Shea, last season, returns four starters from a team that went 20-5 and reached the championship game of the ECC Division I tournament at Mohegan Sun Arena. Violette, Caitlin Shea, Nudd and Luizzi give the Bobcats plenty of talent and experience along with Emma Mancuso and Lizotte. "We're just glad to have hopes of a season," John Shea said.
East Lyme
Coach: P.J. Zipser (1st season)
Key returnees: Jr. G Sachi Vora, So. G Izzy Pazzaglia, So. F Tori Buzzelli.
Top newcomers: Sr. Fr. Jess Wood, Sr. G Morgan Vane, Sr. F Kora Lovdahl, So. G/F Ava Roach, So. G Bella Chambers, Fr. F Kristin Timpano, Fr. G Lindsay Todd.
Outlook: The Vikings were still playing when COVID-19 ended the 2019-20 season, awaiting their Class L quarterfinal matchup against Hand. Zipser, who took over the coaching reins late in the season, must replace a big senior class led by guard Sophie Dubreuil, The Day's All-Area Player of the Year, and center Nadia Tarhini. He will be relying on sophomores and freshmen to play key roles, so there will be some growing pains during this abbreviated season. Zipser said the focus is "being able to create a new identity and culture."
Fitch
Coach: D.J. Berger (4th season)
Key returnees: Sr. Alyssa Virtue, Sr. Charlotte Carney, Sr. Francesca Foster, Jr. Rita Sefransky, Jr. Katelyn Cervini, Jr. Trinidey Moone-Clark, Jr. Nora Casey, So. Grace Jenkins, So. Sophia Clang, So. Aaliyah Clark, So. Dabria Arana.
Top newcomers: Fr. Dre'Ana Singleton, Fr. Mariette El Khoury, Sr. Meleeya Robbins.
Outlook: The Falcons return a veteran cast from a team that went 14-6 during the regular season and graduated just one starter. Berger loves Fitch's size, athleticism, versatility and depth, which includes a solid mix of post players and guards who thrive on defense. "The team has great senior leadership and a positive attitude going into the season," Berger said.
Ledyard
Coach: Michael Morgan (3rd season)
Key returnees: Jr. G Natalyah Williams, Jr. G Samantha Money, Jr. F Clare Inyang, Jr. C Nicole Walker, So. G Monet Augmon, So. G/F Kieara Kirvan, So. G Aliyah Dantzler.
Top newcomers: So. F Ciara May McGrath, So. G/F Brynne Wisniewski.
Outlook: The Colonels have no seniors, but many of the returning juniors and sophomores have varsity experience, led by the backcourt duo of Williams and Money. Williams averaged 12 points, seven rebounds and four steals a year ago. Ledyard is playing in a strong division during this abbreviated season, but Morgan is optimistic his Colonels will be competitive.
Montville
Coach: Becky Alfonso (4th season)
Key returnees: Jr. C Maya Hillman, Sr. G Jillian Murallo, Jr. G Grace Sanford.
Top newcomers: Sr. G Lindsey Beavan, Jr. G Christyna Winstead.
Outlook: The Indians return a pair of valuable starters in Hillman and Murallo after finishing 9-11 during the regular season a year ago and reaching the Class M second round. Montville will compete in a challenging division during this abbreviated season, but Alfonso likes the versatility of her newcomers and has really been impressed with the energy during the early days of practice.
New London
Coach: Tammy Millsaps (1st season)
Key returnees: Sr. G Jayden Burns, Jr. F Jalene Johnson.
Top newcomers: Jr. G Jamaya Beddoe, Jr. G/F Olivia Goode, So. F Nalyce Dudley.
Outlook: Millsaps, who guided the highly successful Capital Prep of Hartford program for 10 seasons, takes over the Whalers, who went 17-3 during the 2019-20 regular season but were upset by Hall in the first round of the Class LL state tournament. New London is in good hands with the return of all-state guard Burns, a member of The Day's All-Area team as a junior who will play at Division II Post University in Waterbury next season. Millsaps said the Whalers have tremendous versatility, with players being able to play multiple positions. "We will be a disciplined, athletic, quick, aggressive, structured team who will excel on the defensive end of the court," Millsaps said. "Our defense will create our offense."
NFA
Coach: Courtney Gomez (2nd season)
Key returnees: Sr. PG Jenissa Varela, Sr. G Sarah Ericson, Sr. C Anajah Ingram.
Top newcomers: Jr. F Caitlin Daley, Jr. F Cynthia Deneus, So. PG Arrayah Loftis.
Outlook: Gomez returned to her alma mater and made sure the Wildcats didn't skip a beat. The senior-laden team went 20-5, won the ECC Division I tournament and reached the second round of the Class LL tournament. Gomez must replace seven seniors plus Jada Mills, who started as a freshman but left to attend Putnam Science Academy. There is plenty of experience returning, though, especially in the backcourt, which features two players who have already committed to Division II colleges: Varela (Goldey-Beacom College, Del.) and Ericson (St. Thomas Aquinas, N.Y.). Ingram provides NFA with a strong presence inside.
St. Bernard
Coach: Mike Nystrom (37th season)
Key returnees: Sr. G Lindsay Clement, Sr. F Olivia Massad, Jr. G Sophia Boras, Jr. F Erin Londregan.
Top newcomer: Fr. G Angelica Tompkins.
Outlook: The Saints, who went 7-13 during the regular season but won a Class S state tournament game on the road at Housatonic, have plenty of experience led by co-captains Clement and Massad and Nystrom believes St. Bernard's quickness will be a plus. Depth is a concern, however, as the Saints play their abbreviated season in a difficult division.
Stonington
Coach: Falecia Cabral (interim)
Key returnees: Sr. C Sophia Bell, Sr. G Tori LoPresto, Sr. G Maggie Daley.
Outlook: Cabral takes over this winter for veteran head coach Paulla Solar, who opted out of coaching this year due to COVID-19 concerns. Cabral takes over a team that went 8-11 during the 2019-20 regular season but upset a pair of higher-ranked teams before losing to Holy Cross in the Class M quarterfinals. Bell is one of the ECC's top rebounders while LoPresto and Daley will provide experience in the backcourt.
Waterford
Coach: Daniel Still (2nd season)
Key returnees: Jr. F Milena Walker, Sr. F/C Lily Kramer, Sr. G/F Gaby Kramer, Sr. G Amy Pinch, Sr. G Olivia Davidson, Jr. G Natalie Lombardo, Jr. G Mia Chiappone.
Top newcomers: Jr. F Isabella Fraser, Jr. F Sophia Hathaway.
Outlook: The Lancers went 8-12 during Still's first season, but return a deep, experienced team that was battle-tested a year ago. Walker was an ECC Division II all-star last season and gives Waterford a solid inside presence along with Lily Kramer. The Lancers also have some speed in the backcourt.
ECC Division II
Griswold
Coach: Kevin Babcock (11th season) Key returnees: Sr. F Abigail Wing, Sr. F Amanda Brehler, Sr. G Samantha Falco, Sr. G Kaylee Gagnon, Sr. G Bella Mae Rubino, Jr. G Lyndsey Van Lanen, Jr. G Hailey Eliasson, Jr. F Sonja Matheson.
Top newcomer: Fr. G Natalie Beacotte.
Outlook: The Wolverines went 9-11 a year ago and won their opening-round game in the Class M state tournament. Wing was an ECC Division III all-star last season and is part of a veteran cast that is particularly deep in the backcourt with seniors Falco, Gagnon and Rubino all experienced players. Babcock expects Griswold to play strong defense, get out in transition and compete for the Division II title.
Lyman Memorial
Coach: Jessica London Castillo (2nd season)
Key returnees: Sr. G April Beckwith, Sr. Kate Anderson, Jr. F Callie Nanos.
Top newcomers: So. F Taylor Pankowski, Jr. G Kasey Cook.
Outlook: London Castillo, who has been with the program for 11 seasons, guided the Bulldogs to a 7-13 regular season during her first year in charge and a Class M state tournament bid. Lyman brings a young team into this abbreviated season, relying on junior varsity players to step into key varsity roles and help support veterans Beckwith, Anderson and Nanos.
Others
Grasso Tech
Coach: Jeffrey Duda (10th season)
Key returnees: Sr. F Leslie Melendez, So. G Sophie Byrnes.
Top newcomer: So. G Cindy Holland.
Outlook: The Eagles, who will compete in a Connecticut Technical Conference four-team regional pod with Ellis Tech, Norwich Tech and Windham Tech, will be a young team again with a small roster after a number of returning players opted not to play due to COVID-19 concerns. Grasso returns four starters, many of whom have played varsity basketball since they were freshmen. "We are small and must use our quickness and speed to overcome size disadvantages," Duda said.
Norwich Tech
Coach: Dhana Tulloch-Reid (3rd season)
Key returnees: F Lucie Jules, F Ashlyn Bill, G/F Kaylee Gray, G Autumn Lovett, G/F Ava Collins.
Top newcomers: Sonnie Nixon, Gaby Diaz, Hannah Ross.
Outlook: The Warriors went 11-9 a year ago and qualified for the Class M state tournament, but were hit hard by graduation and transfer losses. Norwich Tech will play its CTC schedule as part of a four-team pod with Ellis Tech, Grasso Tech and Windham Tech. "Our returning players are hungry and poised to continue to move the program forward," Tulloch-Reid said.
Old Lyme
Coach: Don Bugbee (22nd season)
Key returnees: Sr. G Emily DeRoehn, Sr. G Sam Gray, Sr. G Grace Lathrop, Sr. F Emma McCulloch, Sr. G Ellie Zrenda, Jr. G Ali Kyle, So. G Alexis Fenton, Jr. F Megan Loflin.
Top newcomers: Jr. G Victoria Gage, Jr. G Lauren Creagan, Jr. G Melanie Warren, So. C Hayley Cann, Fr. G Calla Gilson, Fr. G Ella Curtiss-Reardon, Fr. G Ava Roth.
Outlook: Bugbee and the Wildcats, following a 13-7 regular season, were awaiting a Class S quarterfinal matchup against top seed and Shoreline Conference rival East Hampton when the 2019-20 season came to an abrupt ending. Old Lyme lost just one starter from that team and returns a talented, experienced lineup for this unusual season. "Obviously, the challenges with the current virus situation have impacted us all," Bugbee said, "but as usual I'm looking forward to the privilege of coaching this group of energetic players."