CIAC GIRLS BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW CAPSULES
CLASS LL
WHEN• : Saturday, 6:15 p.m.WHERE:• Mohegan Sun Arena
SEEDS/RECORDS:• No. 1 Hamden (26-0) vs No. 2 Ludlowe (26-0)
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: Both teams are making their first state championship game appearances.
TOP PLAYERS: Hamden: Gianna Donnarummo, Jr. 5-5; Alana Philpotts, Jr. 5-9; Leah Philpotts, Jr. 5-9. Ludlowe: Madison Roman, Sr. 6-0; Caitlin Finnegan, Sr. 6-1; Rory Kudzy, Sr. 5-7
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: This is the dream matchup fans have been waiting for all season. Two unbeaten teams in Class LL, ranked as the No. 1 and 2 teams in the GameTimeCT Poll since January, one from the SCC and one from the FCIAC. While Ludlowe is a senior-dominant team, Hamden is driven by juniors. Hamden wants to get out in transition with the Philpotts sisters slashing to the basket and Gianna Donnarummo spotting up from outside the 3-point line. While Ludlowe can run, it would prefer to pound the ball inside to Madison Roman and Caitlin Finnegan then kick the ball out to Rory Kudzy and Phoebe Shostak for 3s.
YOU SHOULD KNOW: This is the first time since 2016 that both head coaches in the Class LL championship game are women with Amanda Forcucci leading Hamden and Sara Kinsley coaching Ludlowe. The last time that happened was 2016 when Stamford and Diane Burns defeated Greenwich and Chrys Hernandez. Ludlowe will remain without 6-foot All-FCIAC guard, and maybe the state’s best athlete, Kaleigh Sommers who injured her ankle in the FCIAC championship game and has not played since.
Scott's Pick: Hamden
CLASS L
WHEN: Sunday, 12:30 p.m.
WHERE: Mohegan Sun Arena
SEEDS/RECORDS: No. 1 Pomperaug (22-2) vs No. 3 E.O. Smith (22-4)
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: E.O. Smith is making its third championship game appearance, losing in the 2011 and 2012 Class L championship games. Pomperaug is also playing in its third championship game with the last appearance coming in the 2004 Class L final. In its other trip, Pomperaug lost in the 1987 Class M title game.
TOP PLAYERS: E.O. Smith: Madison Hughes, Sr. 6-2; Jill Dingler, So. 5-7; Isabella Mallory Allen, Sr. 6-2. Pomperaug: Claudia Schneider, Sr. 6-0; Taylor Brennan, Jr. 6-0; Alexis Mackenzie, Jr. 5-5
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Both teams bring size with two of the taller sets of front-court players in the state. E.O. Smith needs Madison Hughes and Isabella Mallory Allen to do work inside but on the other side, 6-foot forward Claudia Schneider can work inside and out and create her own opportunities while Taylor Brennan plays more around the hoop. The guards for both sides may ultimately decide things as 3-point opportunities are sure to present themselves with defenses focusing on the players in the paint.
YOU SHOULD KNOW: Both teams have Panthers as their mascots, marking the first time since 1999 that teams with the same nickname will meet for a girls basketball championship. The last time it happened was the 1999 Class S championship game between the Canton and Valley Regional Warriors.
Scott's Pick: Pomperaug