Connecticut Class LL State Preview
December 16th, 2009
New England Recruiting Report
Career looks to be class of LL again this year
Connecticut Class LL State Preview
Career has incredible depth and appears ready to make a run at their fourth straight state title game. Last year’s team finished 22-5 and 7-1 in the Oronoque Division and should cruise to its third straight division title with contributions from J’Voni Hilton, 6-0, Sr F; G; Nicole Bentley, 5-6, Jr., G; Jasmine Claxton, 5-9, Jr., F, and transfer Trinity Barnes, 5-6, Jr., G. With a tremendous season last year and strong AAU showing, 5-10 Junior Bria Moore is already getting interest from top level Division 1 programs including UConn, LSU and UNC. Freshman Nicole Anderson, 5-9, according to reports, is a prolific scorer and has the potential to be the best player in the program’s history. Norwich Free Academy last year’s runner up returns 5-8 Kentucky recruit Kastine Evans and Stephanie Long a heady point guard who can create and defend.
In Housatonic Division, defending champion Cheshire should compete for a division title again this year. Senior guards 5-5, Kelly Riddle and 5-9 Lauren Hague provide leadership and their scoring punch. 6’1 Sophomore Lauren DeBisschop is continuing her development into a good interior player. In Quinnipiac division, Mercy, undefeated last year and the winner on five straight titles lost a lot to graduation, but Amber Bepko is a tremendous guard who has playmaking ability and can be a primary scorer. A tough senior laden group who will get after teams defensively should also be a contributing factor to their success. Freshman Sadie Edwards should contribute immediately. Hamden will be Mercy’s primary competition led by senior St Michael’s signee Cara Deroy. In FCIAC, Staples is a deep and talented team and despite losses to graduation St. Joseph should have enough talent to compete.
CCC North, Manchester has plethora of talented underclassmen to go along with a solid group of veterans which should help them compete for the division title. Dynamic sophomore Ashley Perez is athletic, able to get to the rim and fill it from the outside. Glastonbury led by junior Cara Manfredi, sophomore Liz Otto, and junior forward Catherine Pinone and point guard Kaley Watras may be able to compete in the division due to their tenacious defensive style and work on the glass. Led all state honorable mention Latiqua Patterson and Kenya Stewart, Weaver should also be able to compete for the division.
Other Top Players in Class LL
Nkenge Blue, 5-5, Sr G, Amity - Team’s top returning scorer @ 11.5 ppg
Shaniqua Fuller 5-8, Sr G, Wilbur Cross – Tremendous athlete who can score in a variety of ways averaged 14.5ppg and 7.0 rpg
Clare Kane, 5-9, Jr, F, Sacred Heart Academy - formidable inside presence averaged 11.6 ppg, 10.6 reb
Anyolina Montilla, Sr, G, Hartford Public - All league guard who averaged 16ppg, 9rpg
Tyler Kimball 5-9, Sr., C, New Britain - A tremendous rebounder who is coming off an ACL injury. She should see her role increase offensively.
Keylantra Langley 5-10, Sr, Lauralton Hall - St John’s bound point guard can really distribute and score from inside and out
Casey Smith 6-2, So., C, Danbury - One of the best young post players in the state. She has size, is quick, can handle and shoot it from the outside
Christina DellaVecchia, Sr G St. Joseph -- Multi-sport star has already accepted a softball scholarship to play at UMass and averaged 13.7 points last year
Eliza Howe, Sr, F, Staples – Versatile player who scored 14.7 ppg
Erynn Miller Jr, F, Bunnell – All conference player last year should be a primary scorer
Shakira Murphy Sr, G, Harding – Averaged over 19ppg last year
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