UNCASVILLE, Conn. — The New London Whalers had won 25 consecutive games since falling to the Stratford Red Devils in the boys basketball season opener back in December. And when the Whalers faced those same Devils again in the Class L final, it appeared that revenge was in the making as New London took a 20-7 lead in the second quarter.
But the Red Devils were not to denied in their pursuit of a perfect season.
Stratford worked its way back into the game late in the second quarter and then outscored the Whalers, 18-11, in the fourth quarter en route to a 51-47 victory at the Connecticut Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville on March 20.
The win gave Stratford a record of 27-0, which also included the teams second SWC title in three years. New London fell to 25-2 with both losses coming to the Devils. For Stratford head coach Paul Dudzinski, the championship was a testimony to the talents of his three seniors: Brandon Sherrod, Russell Payton and Jason Charles.
"These three seniors had been in battles for three years now, two SWC championships, two state championships," the coach told the Stratford Star. "We had a target on our backs for a very long time. The legacy of this senior class has been unbelievable. Those guys have been the constants."
While the seniors were the steady forces, the scoring featured big games from a sophomore and a freshman. The sophomore, Tom Bajda, hit several big shots and finished with a team-high 17 points, while the freshman, Bernard Brantley scored 11 points.
Payton netted 11 points, six rebounds and three steals, while Sherrod was a monster on the boards with 16 rebounds to go along with eight points and four blocks. Charles had four rebounds, three points and three steals. For New London, Kristopher Dunn had 19 points and 13 rebounds, while Torin Harris had 11 points, six rebounds and five steals, and Malcom Simmons had 10 points.
New London, which led 15-6 after one quarter, saw its lead dwindle to 22-19 by halftime, but held on to that three-point edge through the third quarter. The Whalers were still ahead by five at 38-22 with 7:55 remaining in the game, but Stratford came back and took a 43-41 lead when Payton scored on a lay-up, drew a foul and hit the ensuing free throw with 5:17 on the clock.
After Dunn nailed a jumper to tie the score with 5:06 remaining, Stratford scored the next five points to take the lead for good. Sherrod hit a free throw to start the run, Bajda followed with a lay-in and Payton hit two free throws for the 48-43 lead with 1:56 on the clock.
2. Bridgeport Central tops Hillhouse for Class LL championship: Bridgeport Central finished off a remarkable season as the state’s top-ranked team when the Hilltoppers scored a 78-66 victory for the State Class LL crown Saturday night at the Mohegan Sun Arena.
Jerome Parkins led the Hilltoppers with 19 points and brought down seven rebounds in the victory. Andrew Victoria had 16 points, 15 rebounds, three blocks and three steals; Jerry Washington and Diontay Washington had 17 points apiece; and Orayne Clarke had 10 rebounds.
Top-seeded Central finished the season with a 27-1 record with the only blemish being a forfeit loss to Staples on opening night. The Hilltoppers dominated that game, but used an ineligible player in the closing minutes and had to surrender the victory later on in the season.
Hillhouse, the No. 3 seed, ended the year with a 24-4 record. The Academics were led by Fred Wilson, who had 20 points, four assists and three steals. Tavon Allen had 14 points, nine rebounds and three steals; Brian Patterson had 12 points, eight rebounds and five blocks; and Spencer Smith had seven points, nine rebounds and three steals.
Central led 33-25 at halftime, but Hillhouse took the third quarter 23-18 to close the gap to three at 51-48 heading into the final frame. The Academics eventually took a 61-56 lead with 4:43 remaining before Bridgeport went on a 12-2 to take the lead for good.
Parkins had the big play during that run when he turned a 3-point play for a 64-63 lead with 3:19 on the clock. Parkins then sank two free throws and Jerry Washington nailed a jump shot for a 68-63 lead with 2:33 remaining.
Two free throws by the Academics’ Jengodji Gates closed the gap to 68-65 moments later, but Central pulled away, finishing the game on a 22-5 run for the title. It was the fourth State championship for Bridgeport Central and the Hilltoppers’ first since the 2002-03 season.
3. Sheehan bumps Bloomfield in Class M final: Eighth-seeded Sheehan was an upset winner over No. 3 Bloomfield, 72-61, in the Class M finals on Saturday night.
Sheehan (20-5) burst out of the starting gate for leads of 27-14 after one quarter and 44-26 at halftime. Bloomfield closed the gap to 56-45 by the end of the third, but Sheehan held on to win by 11 points. Johnathan Songer led Sheehan with a game-high 24 points and pitched in on the boards with six rebounds. Philip Gaetano had 16 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and four steals, while Christian Collette added 14 points and six rebounds. Brett Biestek also had a solid game with eight points, nine rebounds, four assists and three steals.
For Bloomfield (26-3), Shomari Cowan scored 23 points, Ashar Whittingham scored 11, and Denzell Jones had 11 points, 11 rebounds, six blocks and three steals.
4. Howling Wolves of Hyde captured Class S title: In the Class S final, top-seeded Hyde Leadership finished its undefeated season with a 70-58 win over No. 10 Prince Tech.
Hyde Leadership (Hamden), which led 37-30 at halftime, ended the winter 26-0, while Prince fell to 19-8. For Hyde, Hashiem Roberson had 24 points, seven rebounds and four steals; Deshawn Murphy had 14 points, seven rebounds and three blocks; Joe Lambert had 13 points and five steals; Montel Walcott had 10 points and 12 rebounds; and Kendall Groom had six points, 11 assists and five steals.
For Prince Tech, Phillip Starks led the scoring with a game-best 28 points and six rebounds; Dajai Wilcox added eight points and nine rebounds; David Cooper had seven points and six rebounds; and Lindel Lennon had 10 rebounds.
5. Kolbe bumps Bobcats for Class L crown: The Brookfield Bobcats came into the State Class L title tilt with the gaudy record and the No. 1 seed. The Kolbe Cathedral Cougars left the Mohegan Sun Arena with the championship plaque.
The Cougars (20-5) scored the first nine points of the game and never trailed en route to a 64-50 victory. They led 15-9 after one quarter, 31-20 at halftime and 49-32 after the third quarter. In the fourth, Kolbe’s lead swelled to 26 points at 60-34 with four minutes to play.
Brookfield (20-4) scored the final 11 points of the game to close the gap to 14. For Kolbe, Tiarrah Thompson racked up 21 points, 15 rebounds, three assists and two steals. Jasmine Fogle netted 13 points, Cherelle Moore had 11 points and six rebounds, and Malaysia Jimenez had eight points and six rebounds.
Jaime Bickelhaupt led the Bobcats with 16 points and six rebounds, while Brittany Martelle had 14 points.
Dave Stewart, the Sports Editor of the New Canaan (Conn.) Advertiser, is a MaxPreps.com writer and photographer. He may be reached at 203-966-9541 or at sports@ncadvertiser.com.
