Bridgeport - This was not how it was scripted in the New London High School locker room: Kris Dunn and his 31 points headed to the bench, done for the night, fifth foul, all with a precarious lead and still 54.4 seconds left.

But then, traveling more than a hour away to play the fourth-ranked team in the state is as much about self-discovery as it is about victory.

And the sixth-ranked Whalers learned quite happily Tuesday night that its defending champion basketball team is a whole lot more than Kris Dunn and the Dunn-ettes.

It was evident all game, with everyone contributing a little of this and some of that during New London's 72-63 victory over Trinity Catholic in the Northeast Christmas Classic at Webster Bank Arena at Harbor Yard.

But it was perfectly emphatic in the final minute when guards Sam Miranda, Doug Henton and Khaleed Fields calmly led the Whalers as Dunn was left to sit on the bench, cheer on his teammates and even do a little coaching.

"I wasn't feeling real good," New London coach Craig Parker said, alluding to the sight of Dunn's fifth foul, all while his team had a 66-60 lead with the Crusaders at the free throw line.

But Parker was thrilled, and somewhat relieved, after the game, to have seen his players respond against one of the state's elite teams. Trinity Catholic (3-1) entered the game unbeaten with 6-foot-6 forward Jason Boswell, a transfer from St. Patrick's in New Jersey, who has drawn interest from Big East schools.

"We needed this," Parker said.

In the final 54.4 seconds, Miranda made four free throws and grabbed a huge offensive rebound to keep a possession alive. Fields had a steal and two free throws. And Henton, who took two charges earlier in the game, drew a foul and got to the line.

"I was nervous at first," Miranda said. "But after the first free throw, the nervousness went away."

Miranda, Fields and Henton joined the others in a victory that offered an illustration as to why New London is very capable of repeating its state title, even in Class LL.

Keith Porter scored 12 points and drew a charge, Voghens Larrieux had seven points (all in the post) and Malcolm Simmons, whom Parker has called a "big game player," showed once again he comes by the compliment honestly. Simmons hit a pair of three-point shots, extending his shooting range considerably from last season.

"I don't want him to make a basketball living taking that, but he's worked hard on it," Parker said. "Malcolm showed up again (in a big game)."

Simmons said, "I wanted to expand my range outward. I've been doing handle (ballhandling) stuff too, but that's not going too well."

New London's win sets up what could be the state's game of the year tonight. The Whalers play St. Joseph of Trumbull, the state's No. 1 team in the latest New Haven Register media poll. St. Joe's (5-0) is the defending Class LL champion. New London (4-1) is the defending Class L champion and the state's No. 1 ranked team last season.

"It's going to be an aggressive game," said Dunn, who has played AAU basketball with St. Joe's standouts (6-7 forward) Timajh Parker and (6-2 guard) Quincy McKnight, both of whom are drawing Division I interest.

Tonight's game will be streamed live on theday.com beginning at 8 p.m.

m.dimauro@theday.com