Hillhouse to induct two HOF classes

The Hillhouse Athletic Hall of

Fame will induct both the 2020 and 2022 classes on May 19 at Seasons in East Haven.

The inductees include:

Sabrina Breland, a Wilbur Cross graduate and a member of the hall of fame for Cross, St. John’s, where she starred in college, and the Connecticut Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame. Breland coached the Hillhouse girls basketball team to a pair of Class L state championships and is now the principal at East Rock Community and Cultural Studies Magnet School in New Haven.

Sam Burrell, who coached the Hillhouse baseball team to its first state tournament berth in 1989. Burrell coached several other sports and was involved in many community organizations, including serving as president of the Walter Camp Football Foundation.

Jayne Penn (2003), a two-time New Haven Register Area MVP for indoor track who went on to star at Georgetown University.

Travis Smith (1983), a boys basketball standout, who went on to star at Sacred Heart, helping lead the Pioneers to the 1986 NCAA Division II national championship.

George Grandinette (1936), an allstate football player who went on to play at Fordham

Charles Ashe (1977), also a standout boys basketball player who led Hillhouse the 1977 CIAC state championship and went onto play at Fayetteville State.

The 1978 boys basketball team which won the Class LL state championship despite a 9-10 regular-season record.

The 2022 inductees are as follows: Edwards Bobinski (1933), a standout for both football and basketball.

Allen Futrell (1989), who played football and baseball, the latter for Burrell and was a Register All-Area selection. and the 1930 swimming team, which won its first state championship after three straight runnerup

finishes.

Tickets are $65. Contact Eric Barbarito at 475-220-7500 or eric.barbarito@new-haven.k12.ct.us or Bob Davis at 203-627-6105 or rdavis43@comcast.net.

Jayne Penn, a 2003 Hillhouse grad, will be one of the new inductees into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame.