Fourth-ranked Stratford had to come from 15 points down to win at Newtown on Tuesday 72-69. Guard Russell Payton completed a four-point play with 6 seconds left. Now Stratford hosts another good South-West Conference team, Pomperaug, tonight at 5:15. This is the only area game on the schedule.

Friday's schedule is highlighted by two SCC games eith first place on the line. In the Quinnipiac Division, Xavier comes to West Haven to play Notre Dame. Both teams have one loss, none in the division.
In the SCC Housatonic. Sheehan travels across town to face Lyman Hall to determine the division leader at the season's midway point. Expect both games to have exuberant crowds on hand.

Around the state on Friday, undefeated and No. 2 Bridgeport Central plays at Bassick and the top two teams in the Eastern Connecticut Conference, No. 7 New London and East Lyme, get together in New London.