SATURDAY’S CIAC BOYS BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS
DIVISION II NO. 12 WEST HAVEN (20-7) VS. NO. 2 WINDSOR (24-3)
When: Saturday, 8:15 p.m.
Where: Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville
Tickets: $10 per session (day/night). Available online (with service charge) or at arena box office.
On the air/web: NFHS NETWORK (Subscription required)
Championship game appearances: Windsor is 4-3 in finals, last playing in 2019 and last winning in 2014. This is West Haven’s second final. The Westies won their first one in 1987 in Class LL.
Key players: Windsor: Anthony Williams, 6-5, Sr., F; Kaiden James, 6-1, Sr., G; Jakeel Martin, Windsor, Sr., G; West Haven: Michael Singleton, 6-0, Sr., G; Ethan Griffin, 6-7, Jr., F/C; Bernett Scott, 6-0, Sr., G
You should know: Reggie Hayes was the coach for West Haven’s only state championship team in 1987.
Outlook: Prepare for a lot of defense and turnovers.
Both teams need to create them, and win the rebounding battle, to win the game. Windsor’s twin towers of Williams and Gyan Davis are tough to keep off the backboards. Griffin can hold his own, but he will need help from the guards. The Westies are playing with a lot of confidence after pulling three seeded upsets to get here. They will need to play their best game of the entire tournament to pull this one off.
Joe Morelli’s pick: Windsor
DIVISION III NO. 5 BUNNELL (20-6) VS. NO. 2 LEWIS MILLS (19-5)
When: Saturday, 12:30 p.m.
Where: Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville
Tickets: $10 per session (day/night). Available online (with service charge) or at arena box office.
On the air/web: NFHS NETWORK (Subscription required)
Championship game appearances: Lewis Mills will be making its third appearance. The last trip was a Class S victory in 1996 against Portland. The Bulldogs’ only trip was a successful one: capturing the 2015 Class L championship over Naugatuck.
Key players: Lewis Mills: Connor Evans, 6-4, Sr., F; Eli Pelletier, 5-11, Sr., G; Jack Nestor, 6-3, Sr., F; Bunnell: Jordan Ricketts, 6-1, Sr., G; Jordan Pierce, 6-1, Jr., G/F; JT Turnage, 5-10, Jr., G
You should know: Bunnell coach Dannie Powell was a standout player himself at Bunnell’s town rival, Stratford, and then at Central Connecticut State University.
Outlook: Bunnell likes to turn up the defensive pressure on opponents and get out on the break. Playing the likes of Notre Dame-West Haven, Notre Dame-Fairfield and Kolbe Cathedral strengthened the Bulldogs’ resolve. Lewis Mills has adjusted to life in the CCC after moving over from the Berkshire League. The Spartans eeked out a win the semifinals against Fairfield Ludlowe.They did beat Masuk earlier in the tournament. Masuk beat Bunnell earlier in the season.
Joe Morelli’s pick: Bunnell