CIAC BOYS BASKETBALL | 10 GAMES TO WATCH

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Daniel Hand at Fairfield Prep

Thursday, Dec. 15, 7 p.m.: Hand won the CIAC Division III state championship and Prep reached the Division I semifinals. Also, the high school opener in the new Mahoney Arena on Fairfield’s campus.

Wilbur Cross vs. Northwest Catholic

At Trinity College, Saturday, Dec. 17, 4 p.m.: Middle game of the five-game GHPA Classic. Rematch at this venue — Cross won it 72-68, one of only two teams to beat Northwest Catholic last season.

East Catholic vs. Notre Dame-West Haven

At Mohegan Sun Arena, Monday, Dec. 19, 4 p.m.: Rematch of the Division I state championship game, won by East Catholic at Mohegan. Also, it is the preseason No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the GameTimeCT boys basketball poll, if that carries weight at this point. Part of the Day of New London tripleheader that also features Hand vs. St. Bernard.

Windsor vs. Wilbur Cross

At Floyd Little Athletic Center, Dec. 28, 6:30 p.m.: Nightcap of the five-game Bob Saulsbury Invitational. Windsor has played in this tournament several times, including last season’s loss to Hillhouse. Should be quite the uptempo pace.

Ridgefield at Notre Dame-Fairfield

Dec. 30, 7 p.m.: The reigning FCIAC champion vs. the reigning SWC champion in a matchup to set the tone for the New Year.

Conard at Northwest Catholic

Jan. 3, 6:45 p.m.: Riley Fox and Conard would like to get a leg up on the Lions after losing to them three times last season.

East Catholic at Windsor

Jan. 6, 6:45 p.m.: Been the CCC’s best rivalry over the past decade. Windsor won the regular-season matchup last year in Manchester.

Notre Dame-Fairfield at Kolbe Cathedral

Jan. 24, 7 p.m.: The second matchup between the top two teams in the SWC. This is the one that counts toward the league standings.

Ridgefield vs. Danbury

At Western Connecticut State, Jan. 28, 3 p.m.: Rdgefield has owned the FCIAC each of the last four seasons. Hatters seem to have the most returning experience to take a run at the champs.

East Catholic at Northwest Catholic

Feb. 14, 6:45 p.m.: Could be for the top seed in the CCC tournament — or maybe even the Division I state tournament.