News Summary

The 2025 CIAC Basketball Championships dazzled fans at Mohegan Sun Arena, showcasing thrilling matches and remarkable performances. Manchester High School claimed their first championship since 1938, while Sacred Heart Academy celebrated their fourth title in girls’ basketball. The weekend saw record-breaking attendance with over 10,000 spectators and standout individual achievements that highlighted the passion for high school basketball.

The Exciting Highlights from the 2025 CIAC Basketball Championships!

This year, the 2025 CIAC Basketball Championships brought together 10 dynamic teams competing for glory at the dazzling Mohegan Sun Arena. Fans of all ages filled the stands to catch some fabulous basketball action as they cheered for their favorites, soaking in the high-energy atmosphere.

A Look at the Games

As the day unfolded, basketball enthusiasts enjoyed the thrilling matches which were streamed live on the NFHS Network. The atmosphere was buzzing, showcasing the excitement and talent on display. It’s essential to mention that the dimensions of the courts here differ significantly from the high school gymnasiums, with professional and college-sized courts being a whopping 10 feet longer, adding another layer of adaptation for the players.

Manchester High School’s Winning Return

One of the biggest stories of the day was Manchester High School seizing victory against New London with a nail-biting score of 77-74. This remarkable win marked the school’s first state title since 1938! What a way to break a long-awaited drought! The match was a rollercoaster affair, with New London showcasing impressive leads at various points in the game. However, key players stepped up for Manchester to secure the gold.

A standout moment was when Joey Mugovero sank a critical free throw, keeping the momentum alive. Right down to the wire, DaShaun Phillips from New London hit a magnificent deep three-pointer that brought the score to 76-74 with only 11.3 seconds left on the clock. But it was Chance Clark from Manchester who stole the spotlight, nailing a spectacular three-pointer during this critical phase and finishing with an impressive 22 points, shooting five for ten from beyond the arc. It was an intense showdown that fans will remember for years!

Sacred Heart Academy Shines Bright

Switching gears to the girls’ championship, Sacred Heart Academy solidified their dominance by overcoming Southington with a final score of 57-47. This victory added another title to their impressive collection as they celebrated their fourth CIAC championship in just six appearances. They’ve definitely established themselves as a force to be reckoned with, having claimed titles in 2022, 1992, and 1993 as well.

Critical moments from this game included strong performances from D’Errico, who hit essential free throws to maintain their lead, and Emily Mennillo, who showed remarkable skill hitting crucial free throws down the stretch. A timely timeout was called by Sacred Heart while holding a solid 47-37 lead, showing strategic prowess in securing their win.

Celebrations All Around

In the spirit of celebration, the event didn’t shy away from honoring the impact of past coaches. A heartfelt tribute was paid to late Southington assistant coach Bill Queen by his fellow coach Howie Hewitt. It served as a touching reminder of the community spirit tied to high school sports.

Additionally, the Sheehan girls’ basketball team made headlines by clinching their first CIAC title since 1976! They triumphed over East Catholic with a close score of 56-51, with stars Megan and Jenna Wresien leading the charge.

In yet another triumph, Coventry secured their first CIAC title in Class S since 1988, defeating Morgan thanks to phenomenal performances from freshman Hailey Mayo, who dazzled the crowd with 18 points and 17 rebounds.

Record-Breaking Attendance

This thrilling weekend of basketball saw attendance numbers that spoke volumes about the love for the game, with 4,740 fans joining the excitement in the first session and an impressive 6,136 in the second.

Individual Brilliance

Among the standout individual performances, Abdou Toure from Notre Dame-West Haven showcased his skills by scoring a spectacular 27 points while also pulling down 20 rebounds in their victory. Not to be outdone, Abby Casper and Maeve Staunton from Northwest Catholic also made headlines with their unmatched scoring efforts of 19 and 18 points respectively in their win over Bethel, giving fans plenty of reasons to cheer wildly.

As the dust settles on this phenomenal second day of the 2025 CIAC Basketball Championships, it’s safe to say that the talent, teamwork, and sheer passion for the game have left a lasting impression on everyone involved – both players and fans alike!

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