CIAC BOYS BASKETBALL | STORYLINES

Winning streak still intact...for now

Bristol Central has not lost since March of 2020, to East Catholic in the CCC tournament. The Rams won a pair of CCC tournaments and the 2022 Division II state championship. They currently have a 43game winning streak. How long it lasts remains to be seen: Bristol Central lost all of its starters from last season. The Rams opened with Manchester on Thursday, then will play at Tolland on Monday. Windham has the next-longest winning streak at five.

Which conference is best?

That likely won’t change. The Central Connecticut Conference has strength at the top and depth. The league produced three state champions: East Catholic (Division I), Bristol Central (II) and Bloomfield (IV) and a runner-up in Northwest Catholic (II). With Windsor, Conard, Farmington and New Britain among other competitive teams, it will continue to be hard for other leagues to match up in March.

Sweet 16 in Division I

There were 22 teams in the CIAC Division I state tournament last season. Now, we are down to 16 teams, including the defending champion, East Catholic, and the runner-up, Notre Dame-West Haven. Three teams opted to move up: Hillhouse, Notre Dame-Fairfield and Wilton. No firstround byes, You win four games, you win a Division I state championship. There is no perfect system, but it is a pretty stacked division, also featuring Northwest Catholic, Fairfield Prep, Wilbur Cross and Kolbe Cathedral.

Shot clock still a season away

This will be the last season for the CIAC boys’ and girls’ game without a shot clock. Teams could have a chance to practice with a 35-second shot clock for those schools that have them ordered and installed already — you likely will see them at some games you attend. Others teams may choose to wait until next season.