H.S. girls' basketball / 2024-25 preview capsules

ECC DIVISION I EAST LYME Coach: PJ Zipser (5th season) Key returnees: Sr. G Kate Erikson; Jr. G Juju Guarraia; Jr. G Brouwer Kenney; Jr. G/F Morgan Romanowicz; Jr. F Taylor Kachinsky; Soph. G Cassidy O'Brien; Soph. F Cailin Delaney. Top newcomers: Sr. F Abby Parulis; Soph. G Nitya Bulusu; Fr. G Sadie Eident; Fr. G Lexi Pazzaglia. Outlook: The Vikings (1-20) are young and hope to continue to develop — to one day have a more experienced group. "We'll be reliant on many sophomores and juniors who will play key roles, looking for many of them to elevate their game and increase their contributions after earning minutes last year," Zipser said. "Through the opportunities they will be provided both on and off the court, we hope to develop leaders who will help our program return to being competitive at the conference and state levels." FITCH Coach: C.J. Parker (1st season) Key returnees: Sr. G/F Ada Ellis; Sr. G Camila Santini; Soph. G Synaa Waters; Soph. G Katherine Wenger; Soph. F Jayda Johnson; Soph. G/F Leilani McCoy. Top newcomers: Sr. G Promise Seales; Jr. G Mallory Bogle; Fr. G Rylie Gemaly; Fr. F Lucy Stebbins; Fr. G/F Giovanna Sardelli. Outlook: Parker, a former player and coach at New London and assistant coach at UConn Avery Point, takes over for the successful Falecia Porter, who resigned earlier in the fall. He likes his sophomore class, "which provides length, toughness, and versatility." Ellis is the most experienced player "who adds experience and leadership to this young team." Parker: "A challenging nonconference schedule will supply opportunities to learn and grow throughout the year." Fitch was 13-11 last season. NEW LONDON Coach: Tammy Millsaps (5th season) Key returnees: Soph. G Jaidelis Rivera; Jr. G Nyarah Dudley; Sr. F Ky-Ani Allgood; Jr. G Kymyiah Willis; Soph. G Joaralisse Guzman; Soph. G Mari Pacheco; Sr. F Joy Schneider. Top newcomers: Fr. G Jazin Torres. Outlook: The Whalers (20-5) begin L.W.S (Life Without Serenity) as all-state forward Serenity Lancaster transferred to prep school in the offseason. There's still talent, led by Allgood and Dudley, who were on the 2023 state title team and Rivera, who was solid as a freshman last year when New London won the ECC Division I tournament title. "We've been working hard on our chemistry and we have a strong group of players who are all dedicated to pushing each other. Our goal is to make a deep run in the state tournament and hopefully win a championship," Millsaps said. "One thing that stands out this year is how close our team is. We've been bonding off the court, and I think that's going to translate into more success on the court." NFA Coach: Courtney Gomez (6th season) Key returnees: Sr. G Brooke Stringer; Sr. F Emily Orcutt; Sr. C Jordyn Bay-Kent; Jr. F Petra Berry; Soph. G Selia Atchinson. Top newcomers: Jr. G Sophie Miner; Soph. G Savannah Guernsey; Soph. G/F Jada Harris. Outlook: NFA (14-10, Class LL quarterfinal berth) returns an experienced senior class, including two-time All-ECC and Day All-Area choice Orcutt as well as Bay-Kent, who has committed to Connecticut College. Gomez has again challenged her team with one of the top nonleague schedules in the state: Conard, Ridgefield and Southington. (Woodstock Academy also plays in ECC Division I) ECC DIVISION II BACON ACADEMY Coach: Kevin Fennell (3rd season) Key returnees: Sr. F Elizabeth Glover; Sr. G Katelyn Novak; Sr. F Veronica Smith; Jr. F Skyelyn Schoen-Rene. Top newcomers: Soph. G KayLeigh Engle; Soph. F Hannah Ferrigno; Jr. G Reagan Reid; Jr. G Kiley Fillorama. Outlook: Bacon (18-7, Class MM quarterfinals) lost four-year starter Cara Shea and three-year starter Emily Ferrigno to graduation. But there is plenty of talent and experience returning to the defending ECC Division II champion Bobcats with Glover, Novak, Smith and Schoen-Rene. "With the returning personnel dedicated to defense, the team will rely on their defense to start the season," Fennell said. LEDYARD Coach: Mike Morgan (7th season) Key returnees: Jr. G Maggie Dykes, Jr. G Faith Dalton. Top newcomers: So. F Olivea Shelton, So. F Emma Sonia Henry-Ortiz, So. G Jocelyn Corder, So. G Gianna Penn, So. F Dior Vasquez, Fr. F Julia Bonser, Fr. G McKenzie Dykes, Fr. G Callie Rice. Outlook: Ledyard, which finished 14-11 and reached the ECC Division I tournament final last year at Mohegan Sun, will have a different look with four new starters and only two players with real varsity experience. Dykes was an All-ECC selection and a member of the ECC all-tournament team as a sophomore, averaging 14.5 points and 7.0 rebounds per game with 60 steals and Morgan says the Colonels' focus will be on its pressure defense. WATERFORD Coach: Kaitlyn Sullivan (4th year) Key returnees: Sr. G Brianna McNeil; Jr. F Jennie Macca-Barnes; Jr. F Audrey Steward; Jr. G Sadie Tiven; Jr. F Lucy Walker; Soph. C Serafina Weymouth. Top newcomers: Fr. G Shae Tiven. Outlook: The Lancers (8-15) don't have much depth, but they do return some experienced players, including Walker, who is a returning all-conference player. Andy Walker, who coaches softball at the school (2019 state title), has been added to the coaching staff as well. (Killingly also plays in ECC Division II) ECC DIVISION III GRISWOLD Coach: Bill Hanley Key returnees: Sr. G Abby Matheson; Sr. G Bella Ware; Jr. F Breanne Harraka; Jr. F Natalia Toucet; Soph. G Kaidence Wichael; Soph. F Sam Wawrzynowicz. Top newcomers: Jr. G Sadie Gervais; Jr. G Madison Pudvah; Jr. F Taylor Burdick. Outlook: Hanley likes his senior class, calling the group "strong leaders." He's also looking forward to more depth. "Our depth will also increase this year with strong junior and sophomore classes," he said, plus four incoming freshmen that will continue to grow the program." The Wolverines were 6-16 last season. MONTVILLE Coach: Scott Chiasson (3rd year) Key returnees: Sr. G Jada Cheung; Sr. G Nicole Hudson; Sr. F Katie Koning; Jr. F Anna Bubucis' Soph. F Kayla Terni; Jr. G Karissa Hochdorfer (JR/SG) Top newcomer: Fr. F Michalina Anton. Outlook: Cheung, an All-ECC pick who eclipsed 1,000 points last season as a junior, is among the best at her position in the conference. "This is a very experienced team," Chiasson said. "Jada has a chance to break the girls' and boys' school record this season for points scored. She will be assisted by a very experienced starting lineup. Hudson and Terni need to make a big step forward offensively to truly take this team to the next level within the ECC." The Wolves were 10-12 a year ago. STONINGTON Key returnees: Jr. G Leah DePerry; Sr. G-F Katelyn Cadmus; Sr. F Rory Risley. Top newcomers: Soph. F Sophie Hoinsky. Outlook: Solar kept it brief when describing the goals for 2024-25: "We are hoping for a strong ECC run," she said. There is precedent for this. The Bears made a strong ECC run two years ago and won the ECC Division II title at Mohegan Sun and reached the final last season, as well, after going 13-7 in the regular season. There is talent here, led by Risley, an All-ECC player, in the middle. (Plainfield and Windham also play in ECC Division III) ECC DIVISION IV LYMAN MEMORIAL Coach: David Lopez (4th year) Key returnees: Sr. G Jenny Lopez; Sr. F-C Phoebe Carpenter; Sr. F Juliana Haynes; Jr. G Emelia Heinzman; Jr. F Ayanna Dillman. Top newcomers: Fr. G Alanna Coulombe; Fr. G Cayla Hawkins. Outlook: The Bulldogs (16-9, Class S quarterfinals) return two very good players in Lopez (all-state and three-time All-ECC pick) and Carpenter (three-time All-ECC). Haynes is back after missing her entire junior season because of injury. "We have a very tough schedule but I feel optimistic that with hard work we can have a successful season," Lopez said. ST. BERNARD Coach: Mike Nystrom (42nd year) Key returnees: Sr. G Maddy Scribner; Sr. G Katie Scribner; Sr. G Aly Hernandez; Jr. F Morgan Kuhn; Jr. G Gemma Tonucci; Jr. F Zanfina Gjonbalaj. Top newcomers: Fr. G Keira Davilla; Fr. G Lila George; Fr. G Maya Casaol; Soph. G Paige Daley. Outlook: The Saints (15-9) must replace 1,000-point scorer Angelica Tompkins, who was an integral part of the offense for most of her time at St. Bernard. Nystrom likes the experience of his players, saying, "we need to learn how to play without Tompkins, a big-time scorer." WHEELER Coach: Megan Perkins (1st year) Key returnees: Sr. G Hayden Bresnan; Sr. G Abby Butremovic; Sr. G Lauren Glaza; Jr. F Morgyn Perkins; Jr. C Zoe Browne. Top newcomers: Fr. G/F Molly Perkins; Soph. C Shay Deary; Fr. G Eloise Post; Fr. G Khloee Marsh. Outlook: The Lions (4-17) are looking to their three seniors (Bresnan, Butremovic, Glaza) for, as Perkins says, "strong shooting and leadership on the court." More Perkins: "Our junior post players will help balance the guards and give our team more looks closer to the basket as well." (Putnam and Tourtellotte also play in ECC Division IV) OTHERS GRASSO TECH Coach: Jeffrey Duda (14th year) Key returnees: Sr. Melanie Hernandez; Jr. Yira Colon-Brito; Sr. Emma Pavlak. Top newcomers: Fr. Giana Martinez; Soph. Kyra Cho. Outlook: Duda and the Eagles endured a difficult season a year ago, finishing 2-15. But might the experience have paid off? "We return three starters and have added some athletic players to the rotation," Duda said, "and that should help in the overall development of the team." NORWICH TECH Coach: Pam Pinch (2nd year) Key returnees: Sr. Autumn Hanks; Sr. Olivia Luurtsema; Sr. Abby Ulrich; Soph. Maya Stimson. Top newcomers: Fr. Tenley Stimson; Fr. Milayah Bostick; Soph. Cady Newman; Soph. Ituah Ojieyan. Outlook: This may be a fun season at Norwich Tech (9-12). Pinch: "We are returning four starters from last year's team and look to the three seniors to lead this young team throughout the season. We have some promising freshmen and sophomores who are going to get a lot of varsity time this year. Our goal is to work hard and keep improving everyday." OLD LYME Coach: Christine Corah (1st season) Key returnees: Sr. G Kanon Oharu; Sr. G Olivia Kelly; Sr. G/F Abby Griffith; Sr. F Abby O'Brien; Jr. F Sybil Neary; Soph. G Mia Bonatti; Soph. G Kaylyn Vernon. Top newcomers: Fr. F Lillian Acosta; Fr. G Vivian Boller; Fr. G Maia Guisti; Fr. G Jillian Kleefeld; Sr. F Clair Mdluli; Fr. G Addyson Morosky; Fr. G Ava Novak. Outlook: Corah, an assistant in the program for the last five years, takes over for the legendary Don Bugbee, who retired in the offseason. "The upcoming season holds great promise for our team, blending the experience of seven returning players with the fresh energy of seven talented newcomers," Corah said. "This balanced mix of veterans and rookies creates an exciting dynamic as the team looks to build on last year's foundation while embracing new possibilities." WILLIAMS Coach: Connor Hart (3rd season) Key returnees: So. F Ouranab Murtaza, So. F Anjeliah Llanos-Reyes, So. G Madden Remmert, So. C Gaby Ivy, 8th-grade G Anne Gringas, 8th-grade C Elle Reid, 8th-grade G Catalina van Berkel, 8th-grade G Lena Cosentino. Top newcomers: Fr. F Elle Swanson, Fr. G Sydney Swenson. Outlook: The Blues ended last season with a four-game winning streak and are looking to build on that, using a group of younger players to create a long-lasting foundation for the program. The Blues, led by captains Anne Shay and Cate van Berkel, won their season opener. Said Hart: "This team has a lot of potential to do something the school has not seen in a long time. (It's) looking better every week and is ready to make some noise."