Anthony Hill resigned Monday morning as Wilbur Cross boys’ basketball coach after just four seasons.

Hill indicated in an email that he was resigning due to "family reasons."

He became the fourth coach in the program’s history in September of 2008, following Red Verderame, Bob Saulsbury and Jim Reynolds.

Hill went 59-38, winning one Southern Connecticut Conference Oronoque Division title outright in 2009-10 and sharing another with Career in 2010-11. The Governors never reached the SCC tournament final and reached the CIAC state tournament semifinals during the 2009-10 season in the Class L division.
Wilbur Cross has not won a state championship since 1985.

Hamden Hall forward Darren Payen will play at Hofstra Tuesday, choosing the Colonial Athletic Association school over Northeastern and St. Bonaventure.

Payen, a 6-foot-8 Milford resident, averaged 18 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks for the Fairchester League regular-season and tournament champions. Payen is a two-time Register All-Area selection.

Two players from Fairfield County will also be playing in the Colonial next season: Timajh Parker (St. Joseph) and Terry Tarpey (Fairfield Prep).

“It came down to where I could see myself being the most comfortable the next four years and what team I could see myself playing for over the next four years,” Payen said. “I can now relax knowing I picked a good school academically and where I can play Division I basketball at a high level.”

For the full story, check out nhregister.com later this evening or Wednesday morning.

Hamden Hall senior forward Darren Payen of Milford will decide Tuesday at approximately 5 p.m. which Division I college he will take his talents to next season.

The final three choices for Payen, a 6-foot-8 forward who has been a Register All-Area selection the past two years, are Northeastern, Hofstra and St. Bonaventure. Payen led Hamden Hall to the Fairchester League championship this season.

By Joe Morelli, Schools Sports Editor
jmorelli@nhregister.com / Twitter: @nhrJoeMorelli

The Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference amended its bylaws Thursday, allowing the pre-scheduling of CIAC state tournament finals in all sports on Sundays.

In the past only rescheduled events mainly due to inclement weather, state tournament games or otherwise, were allowed to be played on a Sunday, except for league tournaments.

What was the reason for the change?

By Joe Morelli, Schools Sports Editor
jmorelli@nhregister.com / Twitter: @nhrJoeMorelli

STRATFORD — The relationship between the men’s basketball coach of the reigning NCAA Division I national champions and Connecticut’s all-time winningest boys’ basketball coach dates back a quarter-century.

John Calipari recruited a player from St. Joseph High by the name of Chris Watts in the late 1980s when he was the head coach at UMass.

Watts ended up going to Providence.

Calipari had plenty more to say about St. Joseph coach Vito Montelli and the NCAA "one-and-done" rule. Read more.

The Register All-State and All-Area basketball teams have officially been released. read the MVP/Player of the Year stories for both the State and Area teams.

Peruse for your enjoyment or criticism. Feel free to email any feedback to me at jmorelli@nhregister.com.

St. Joseph boys’ basketball coach Vito Montelli was named the National Coach of the Year by the ESPNHS boys’ basketball section.


Montelli, 79, just finished his 50th season. The Cadets won their second straight Class LL state championship to finish 25-1 and the unanimous top choice in the final Register Top 10 poll. He has a state-record 878 career wins.