25 CIAC GIRLS BASKETBALL PLAYERS TO WATCH
Amani Abuhatab, Sr. F, West Haven: The Mercy College commit is a twotime GameTimeCT First Team All-State selection; SCC Player of the Year; two-time New Haven Register All-Area; three-time All-SCC First Team and a SCC Scholar athlete who had 19 double-doubles and two triple-doubles as a junior. She has already scored 1,000 career points.
Nicole Decker, Jr. G, Thomaston: The Bears took some graduation losses and have a new head coach, but having a returning All-Berkshire League guard handling the ball should help ease the transition.
Faith Doyle, So. G, Foran: Was First-Team All-SCC as a freshman, averaging 14.4 points and 6 rebounds a game.
Nalyce Dudley, Sr. G/F, New London: A GameTimeCT Second-Team, CHSCA All-State and AllECC pick, the 5-foot-11 senior can score inside and outside and could make a run at state player of the year.
Ayanna Franks, Jr. G, Windsor: The next great CCC guard is here. Franks averaged 21.1 points, 11.1 rebounds, 6.5 steals and 3 assists a game, making the GameTimeCT All-State First Team, CHSCA AllState and twice being named All-CCC.
Bella Gerace, Sr. G, Newtown: The All-SWC selection will lead an experienced Nighthawks team as they try to win the SWC for the first time since 2019.
Sophie Hedge, Sr. G, Mercy:
The senior guard was All-SCC, averaging 13.1 points and 7.8 rebounds a game.
Madison Hughes, Sr. F, EO Smith: At 6-foot-1, Hughes can play inside or outside with the ability to knock down 3-pointers or
go to the hoop. The Southern New Hampshire University commit averaged 10 points and 6 rebounds a game as an All-CCC First Team pick.
Charlotte Jordan, Sr. G, Coventry: The point guard is a two-time CSHCA AllState and All-NCCC pick averaging 17 points, 3.5 assists and 2.5 steals a game. Committed to play at Western New England University.
Natalie Lucas, Sr. G/F, Hand: The 6-foot Springfield College commit averaged 9.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2 steals a game.
Marissa Nudd, Sr. F, Bacon Academy: The Southern Connecticut State commit averaged 18.4 points and 7.4 rebounds a game, earning CHSCA All-State and All-ECC honors.
Alana Philpotts, Jr. G, Hamden: The Dragons leading scorer as a sophomore can get to the rim or score from outside, making her difficult to guard. Was First-Team All-SCC.
Leah Philpotts, Jr. G, Hamden:
The All-SCC First-Team pick broke onto the SCC scene as a sophomore and is back leading one of the state’s most talented
teams.
Madison Roman, Sr. C, Ludlowe: The 6-foot-1 versatile post player was Second-Team All-FCIAC and will anchor an experienced Ludlowe team which should push for the FCIAC and CIAC championship.
Alyssa Rossignol, Sr., F, Enfield: Signed to play at Niagara University after earning CHSCA All-State and All-CCC honors while leading Enfield to a 19-1 regular season.
Jaylice Rosario, Sr. F, Maloney: Led Maloney to first CIAC tournament win since 1988, winning the most games at the school in over 30 years. Two-time GameTimeCT All-State first team; All-CCC; CHSCA All-State 2020-21. Scored 503 points this season, averaging 21.9 a game to give her 969 career points. Had 11.5 rebounds, 3.3. steals and 2.2 assists a game. Tallied 13 doubledoubles.
Lauren Sabia, Sr. G, Simsbury: The 5-foot-8 guard was All-CCC and CSHCA All-State, averaging 18 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals a game.
Liana Salamone, So. G/F, East Hampton: As a freshman was CHSCA All-State and All-Shoreline First Team.
Claudia Schneider, Sr., F, Pomperaug: The 6-foot senior was CSCHA and GameTimeCT Second Team All-State and All-SWC. Scored 412 points (16.5 per game) and added 235 Rebounds (9.4) 113 assists (4.5) 117 Steals (4.7) and 36 Blocks (1.4).
Catherine Sollose, Jr. F, Brookfield: CHSCA AllState and All-SWC as a sophomore, returns as one of he SWC’s best as a slashing forward who can score from all over the court.
Lauren Thompson, Jr. G, Sacred Heart Academy:
Averaged 10.5 points and 2.5 rebounds a game while being named All-SCC Second Team.
Maddie Topa, So., G, Northwestern: The 5foot-7 guard might be the best player in the Berkshire League.
Pauline Vlahakis, Jr. F, Stamford: The 6-foot-4 forward helped Stamford reach the FCIAC final by scoring double digits in the quarterfinals and semifinals. Could be a dominant inside presence with a productive offseason under her belt.
Mikayla Walton, Sr. G, Oxford: The Manhattanville College commit is a two-time All-NVL pick, scoring over 1,000 career points and averaging 24.2 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.7 steals last season.
Mya Zaccagnini, Sr. G, Holy Cross:
Committed to play at Iona, scored her 1,000th career point on the final shot in Class M title game. Averaged 20 points, 6 assists, 5 steals and 5 rebounds, scoring a careerhigh 36 in one game. Was named GameTimeCT First Team All-State, CHSCA All-State, Two-time AllNVL and All-City First Team.