Connecticut Class L Preview
December 17th, 2009
New England Recruiting Report
Hillhouse looks like the team to beat again this year.
Connecticut Class L Preview
Last year’s state champions Hillhouse went 25-2 and return a number of extremely talented underclassmen which should make them the front runner again this year for the state title. 5-6 junior point guard Andreana Thomas suffered a leg injury and will miss some time. Talented sophomore 6-0 Bria Holmes, 6-0 Junior Kalinka DeRoche, and Takerra Williams, a transfer from Hamden, will need to put this team on their backs until Thomas returns. Last year’s runner up Fairfield Warde return a number of solid seniors Ali Rocchi and Alex Aufiero and should be the favorite in the FCIAC. Pomperaug has depth, shooting and solid inside presence. Katie Cizynski at 6-2 brings size and quickness as well as an ability to step out and shoot 15 foot jumpers. Nicole Welton is a clutch scorer and can shoot lights out. Kasey Dean is a tremendous ball handler and solid distributor.
In the CCC North, another strong season could be in store for Wethersfield led senior Amanda Corning who averaged 17ppg and can definitely score it in a variety of ways. Senior Latiqua Patterson, an all state selection, and sophomore center Kenya Stewart should help Weaver ascend past the .500 mark and compete for the league title. The CCC South has a number of quality teams and tremendous group of dynamic players. Platt led junior Damika Martinez who averaged over 19ppg and 10rpg last season will receive contributions from junior forward Elisa Plaza and sophomore guard Ashley Dudley and will look to improve on their 13-10 record from last year. Bulkeley returns senior Priscilla Rosa who averaged 16ppg. Talented and athletic wing Raven Wright-James plays hard on every possession and can score in waves for Middletown. Berlin looks to be the team to beat in this division and could compete statewide as they step up a division off last year’s finals appearance. They have solid depth and are led by a good one in senior Katelyn Zarotney who will be playing a Siena next year. In CCC West, Northwest Catholic return a number of good players off their 20 win season including Jenniqua Bailey, Faith Gilbert and Siena recruit Ally Mullings.
In the NCCC, Avon who only lost one game last season returns a nice combination of players who can beat teams with speed and athleticism. In Hammonasset division, Guilford will be looking to get back to the state tournament again behind the scoring punch of seniors Annie Goodrich and KellyAnn Rooney both of which averaged 11ppg last year. Junior Jenna Bellantoni will also be counted on to score. Hand who will be without URI bound Kerry Wallack until February must find scoring to compete. In the Housantonic division, Lyman Hall appears to be the favorite and fresh off their victory of Career may be in position do some damage statewide.
In the Oronoque division, Branford will look to push Career and senior Bryant bound Courtney Schissler leads a veteran group. North Haven has some good young talent. Sophomore Emily Carroll gives them a solid interior player, junior Olivia DiCapua led them in scoring last year and freshman Gina Carbone is ready to contribute.
Torrington should be at the top of Naugatuck Valley league and led a solid inside/out presence of Taylor Christiano and Sarah Royals. Royals has a lighting fast first step and attacks the rim at will. She averaged 19+ ppg last year. East Lyme should be at the top of the ECC.
Other Top Players in Class L
Kelley Sundberg 5-7 G Sr., E.O. Smith
Liz Moynihan 5-9, G/F Sr., E.O. Smith
Alexys Vazquez 5-10, G Sr., Berlin G:
Abigail Corning 5-9, G/F Sr., Wethersfield
Katie Mahoney G Jr., Bacon Academy
Shannon Samuels G Sr., Windsor, Sr
Jessica Webber 5-4 G, Sr., Naugatuck
Alexa Long 6-1 F Sr., Waterford
Amanda Self 5-10 G Sr., FWindsor
Kirstian Parker 6-1 F Sr., Wilby
Uju Nwanko 5-10 G Sr., Northwest Catholic
Breann Redman 5-7 Sr G Bristol Eastern
Shianne Walker 5-6 G Jr., Bristol Eastern
Haili Welton 5-8 G Soph., Pomperaug
Kamika Cummings G Sr Masuk
Nadiyah Bell 5-1 G Jr., Newington
Tiajah Dejesus 5-7 G Jr., Farmington
Kelly Dixon 6-0 F Jr., Bacon Academy
Felicia Ferraro 5-2 G Jr., Lyman Hall
Mary Haas 5-11 F Jr., Pomperaug
Elizabeth Murphy 5-10 G Jr Darien
Margaret Smith 5-10 G Jr., Wilton
Maggie Sundberg 5-6 G Jr., E.O. Smith
Lindsay Karle G Jr., Lyman Hall
Jen Ruys F Jr., Lyman Hall
