Almeida’s late 3-pointer lifts Danbury girls over Warde, gives DiNardo win No. 499

DANBURY — With seconds ticking down, she didn’t have much choice left but to shoot from no-man’s land. And on a night the Danbury girls basketball team was honoring one of their own, it somehow found the bottom of the net. Susana Almeida’s long 3-pointer with 3.8 seconds left sent the Hatters to a dramatic … Read more

Deep New Canaan team emerges as playoff threat, earns first state berth in 10 years

If you’ve followed high school boys basketball even a little bit this winter, you’ve surely seen the shot. Ryan McAleer intercepts an inbounds pass, heaves the ball up from halfcourt and scores at the buzzer to give the New Canaan Rams a 52-49 victory over the Stamford Black Knights. Bedlam ensues in the NCHS gymnasium. … Read more

New Canaan basketball tops Warde, earns first state playoff bid in 10 years

At the beginning of the season, the New Canaan Rams boys basketball team set three goals for itself: Win its Holiday Tournament, qualify for the state playoffs and make the FCIAC postseason. After Tuesday’s 48-38 win at Fairfield Warde, the Rams can now check off two of those goals as “achieved.” For the first time … Read more

Girls Basketball: Trinity Catholic outslugs Ludlowe in statement win

FAIRFIELD — It was a statement game. Both Trinity Catholic High School and Ludlowe High girls basketball teams entered having won six of their last seven contests. The outcome would have an effect on FCIAC playoff seeding down the line. And after 32 minutes of grit, physicality, hustle and owning the moment, Trinity Catholic came … Read more

Girls Basketball: Thompson, No. 5 Hamden hand No. 2 Trumbull first loss

TRUMBULL—Those hoping for a sneak peek at the CIAC Class LL girls basketball tournament, got what they wanted Monday night in Trumbull in a contest between two teams ranked in the state’s top 5. No. 5 Hamden rallied from as much as nine down, defeating No. 2 Trumbull 46-44 when a 3-point attempt for the … Read more

Boys Basketball: Constant returns to the court as Stamford rolls over Westhill

STAMFORD — Waiting was the hardest part for Rasheed Constant. After transferring from Trinity Catholic to Stamford High, Constant had to sit the first 10 games of the season before he could get on the court in a game. He has been practicing with the team but pulling on the uniform and hearing his name … Read more

Girls Basketball: Stamford’s defense steps up in win over Westhill

STAMFORD — Offense is in the hands of the individual. A basketball player can roll out of bed and drain 3-pointers. Defense is a never-perfected skill. It is a talent that is developed and nuanced over time. You need an entire unit of five players working together to create successful defense. Defense has been the … Read more

Danbury boys basketball handles St. Joseph, even with Burton on bench

Just 22 seconds into the third quarter, the St. Joseph boys basketball team appeared to catch a big-time break. On the Cadets’ first possession of the period, Danbury’s Denali Burton was called for his third personal foul and went to the bench. With the score tied 23-23 and Burton — the Hatters’ impactful 6-foot-4 senior … Read more

Boys Basketball: Trumbull’s spurt-ability defeats New Canaan

TRUMBULL — Trumbull High scored on its first five possessions of the second half. The large contingent of Eagle fans in the student section began to chant: “It’s too easy,” as visiting New Canaan took a timeout down 42-26 early in the third quarter. Trumbull coach Buddy Bray, whose team earned a 64-52 team, wasn’t … Read more

Norwalk’s Ashley Wilson uses ‘street edge’ to lift game

Ashley Wilson is not going to be intimidated on the basketball court. Wilson will drive the lane with determination no matter how who is waiting in the key, pop a jump shot in a defender’s face with just an inch between them and get inside anybody’s kitchen defensively. Wilson imported what she calls her “street … Read more