Zanor column: High school hoops are here

Just thought I’d empty out my reporter’s notebook while thinking that with their new head coaching hire, the University of North Carolina football team has a decent shot to win their first ACC title since 1980.

Hoop Dreams

I’m looking forward to getting back inside high school basketball gymnasiums, where the goal and mantra for every Connecticut team is “Run to the Sun.” This year’s state finals take place March 15-16 at Mohegan Sun Arena.

The Norwich Free Academy boys basketball team went 10-9 a year ago under first-year coach Jeff Brown. I like what I saw from the Wildcats towards the end of last season. They were much improved, even going toe-to-toe in a loss against state power St. Bernard.

The Wildcats’ schedule, however, looks brutal. Besides six ECC games against New London, St. Bernard, and Griswold, NFA’s non-league slate includes Lincoln, R.I. (Dec. 23), East Catholic (Dec. 30), Daniel Hand (Jan. 29) and West Haven (Feb. 1).

Courtney Gomez begins her sixth season as the head coach of the NFA girls basketball team. Two years after a three-win season, the Wildcats broke through last season in a big way. They finished 14-10 and reached the Class LL state quarterfinals with wins over Manchester and No. 2 St. Joseph.

Look for NFA to take another step forward behind senior forwards Emily Orcutt and Jordyn Bay-kent, senior guard Brooke Stringer, junior forward Petra Berry, junior guard Sophie Miner and sophomore guards Selia Atchinson, Savannah Guernsey, and Jada Harris.

NFA’s traditionally tough non-league slate includes Conard (Dec. 27), Pomperaug (Jan. 4), Newtown (Jan. 11), Newington (Jan. 20), Mercy (Jan. 22) and Daniel Hand (Feb. 12).

I’m also keeping an eye on the Griswold and Killingly boys basketball teams. Longtime Wolverines coach Rob Mileski has a solid nucleus returning, including…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/zanor-column-high-school-hoops-090210238.html

Author : The Bulletin

Publish date : 2024-12-14 09:02:00

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