Leggett leading the way for St. Paul; Buchanan scores 1,000th point for Bolton

Jamie Leggett scored 26 points as a freshman at St. Paul. He only played 14 games as a sophomore during the Covid-19-shortened season.

So the fact that he became the 10th 1,000th career point scorer in program history last month was impressive. Leggett, a 6-2 senior guard who is looking to play baseball in college, is the lone returning starter from last season for the team.

But even though the Falcons have only won five games, Leggett is still working hard: he posted 24 points and nine rebounds in an 86-76 loss to Holy Cross on Monday, had 33 points and 16 rebounds in a 62-54 loss to Torrington Wednesday and 31 points and 10 rebounds in a 64-53 win over Naugatuck Saturday.

Leggett is averaging 24.4 points per game and is the Falcons’ leading rebounder (9 rpg). He also averages 3.8 steals and 3.6 assists.

Coach Steve Phelps said he spoke with a group of St. Paul freshmen, six or seven of whom practice with the varsity players, last week after the loss to Torrington and told them to watch Leggett during practice.

“I told them, ‘We don’t know how much longer we’re going to be together but in the time that remains, when you come to our practice, glance over to where he is, whether it’s a live action segment of practice, or a drill, just watch the way he practices and the level he practices at — his success is not by accident.’

“I’m still amazed by watching him, even if we’re doing a mundane warmup thing — he’s intense, humble, he’s a great teammate, all those other accolades that go along with it. His focus is to qualify for the postseason. He’s a special one.”

St. Paul still has a chance to qualify for the postseason. The Falcons snapped a four-game losing streak with the win over Naugatuck Saturday and will play Watertown, whom they beat Jan. 17, on Tuesday.

Top performances of the week

Elijah Black, Bacon Academy:

Black had 28 points in a 50-44 loss to Killingly Friday.

Trevor Buchanon, Bolton:

Buchanan scored his 1,000th point in a 68-64 loss to Windham Tech Monday.

Da’mnic Gittens, Cheney Tech:

Gittens had a double-double (17 points, 11 rebounds) in a 70-54 win over Prince Tech Friday.

Dom Laduca, East Hartford: Laduca notched six 3-pointers and 23 points in a 76-63 loss to Bloomfield Monday.

Trey Lindsey, Windham Tech: Lindsey had 21 rebounds and 15 points in a 91-51 victory over Grasso Tech Friday.

Anthony Parker, Xavier: Parker scored 25 points in a win over Cheshire and 34 in a win over Amity.

King Shaw, SMSA: Shaw had 17 points in a 54-52 victory over Suffield Friday.

Caden Smith, Bloomfield: Smith hit four 3-pointers, all in the first half, and had 20 points in a 76-63 win over East Hartford Monday.

Marquis Ward, Maloney: Ward, who had 17 points, hit two free throws with 4.4 seconds to give Maloney a 55-54 win over Bristol Eastern Thursday.

Chris Wilson, Weaver: Wilson had double-doubles in his last three games — 26 rebounds and 24 points in a 75-71 loss to Bloomfield Saturday; 20 points, 16 rebounds) and six blocks in a 79-50 win over Comp Sci Tuesday and 15 points, 15 rebounds and six blocks in an 81-36 win over Capital Prep Monday.

Storylines of the week

After losing to Hall 39-36 on Jan. 26, Farmington broke out last week with a pair of wins, notably a 63-59 victory over Windsor Jan. 30. Farmington, which was 10-4 before a game against Conard Monday, had lost to East Catholic and Northwest Catholic earlier in the season, two of the top CCC teams.

Platt had an eight-game win streak broken by Newtown Saturday with a 62-56 loss. Platt (12-3) had beaten Southington 81-53 Tuesday for its eighth straight win behind Makhai Anderson’s 21 points and 10 rebounds.

Games to watch Windham (10-4) at New London (13-3), Tuesday, 7 p.m.:

The Whippets, last year’s Division V champions, are on a threegame win streak after losing to St. Bernard; New London is coming off a 60-52 Friday loss to St. Bernard.

Platt (12-3) at Lewis Mills (11-4), Friday: Platt looks to rebound from its loss to Newtown with games against Berlin and Lewis Mills this week.

Lori Riley can be reached at lriley@courant.com.