NEW LONDON VS. NORWALK
When: Saturday, 3 p.m.
Where: Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville
Records: No. 2 New London (22-2); No. 1 Norwalk (24-0)
Tickets: $10 per session. All tickets are general admission.
Broadcast: NFHS Network (Subscription Required)
Championship game appearances: New London: 4th appearance, 2-1 overall. 2017 def. Trumbull; 2016 lost to Capital Prep; 2014 def. Morgan. Norwalk: 6th appearance, 2-3 overall. 2000 def. Norwich Free Academy; 1999 lost to Norwich Free Academy; 1983 lost to Bristol Eastern; 1981 def. Wethersfield; 1979 lost to Conard.
What to look for: Norwalk is one win from becoming the first team since Manchester in 2005 to run the table and complete an unbeaten season with a win in the Class LL title game… Both teams are led by seniors. Forward Xaryia Melendez, center Tai Pagan and guards KD Spencer Roman and Dajah Uzzle anchor the Whalers. Guard Ashley Wilson, forward Sanaa Boyd and center Naeva Rene lead the Bears. ... Both also have talented underclassmen playing key roles in freshman Joniyah Bland-Fitzpatrick and sophomore Jayden Burns on New London and Norwalk junior Belinda Hunte and sophomore Jakara MurrayLeach contributing valuable minutes. ... Both teams pride themselves on defense with Norwalk allowing just two opponents over 50 points this season, one of which was Hamden in the semifinals. New London allowed only three opponents to score 50 on the season.
You should know: This is the first No. 1 vs. No. 2 seed matchup in the LL final since the 2015 championship between Wilton and South Windsor. ... Norwalk beat New London 49-47 on Jan. 26 in New London. ... Norwalk is the fifth FCIAC team to reach the LL championship game in the last five seasons (Wilton, Stamford, Greenwich, Trumbull). ... New London is playing in the LL final for the second time in three years, winning in 2017 against Trumbull.
CLASS S TRINITY CATHOLIC VS. CANTON
When: Saturday, 12:30 p.m.
Where: Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville
Records: No. 7 Trinity Catholic (19-4); No. 1 Canton (23-1)
Tickets: $10 per session. All tickets are general admission.
Broadcast: NFHS Network (Subscription Required)
Championship game appearances: Trinity Catholic: 5th appearance, 3-1 overall. 2006 def. Kolbe Cathedral; 2004 lost to Kolbe Cathedral; 2003 def. East Granby; 2002 def. Wamogo. Canton: 6th appearance, 2-3 overall. 2017 def. Thomaston; 2016 def. Thomaston; 2015 lost to Thomaston; 1999 lost to Valley Regional; 1982 lost to Westbrook.
What to look for: AllState junior guard Abby Charron leads Canton in scoring and has excellent court vision finding open players for assists. ... Sixfoot-3 senior Sarah Bowman is a force inside and will likely matchup with Trinity’s All-State 6-foot-1 center Iyanna Lops. ... Junior Allison Celmer gives the Warriors more size and scoring. ... Junior Trinity guard Caitlyn Scott will be key for the Crusaders handling the ball, distributing and getting to the basket off the dribble. ... Lops is one of the most athletic centers in the state and can move inside and out. ... Kyah Nowlin will be called on defensively for Trinity to slow the Canton attack.
You should know: Trinity boys teams under Walsh won seven CIAC state championships as the Crusaders reached the state final 13 times. ... Canton won two of the last three Class S championships. ... Two seasons ago, Trinity was 2-18, improving to eight wins in 2018. ... Canton allowed one opponent (Notre Dame-Fairfield) to break 50 points this season. The Warriors held teams under 20 three times this year.