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Final predictions
We are down to the final day of the boys' basketball season. Here are my final thoughts on the four games being played Saturday at the Mohegan Sun Arena:
Class S: No. 1 Hyde vs. No. 10 Prince Tech, 9:30 a.m.
Analysis: Prince Tech has done well to get here, beating Kolbe Cathedral in the quarterfinals. This club won't go away and may even run with the Howling Wolves. But Hyde is on a mission and this club is just too talented, too good and too motivated to have gotten this far unscathed to go home in the finale with a loss.
Prediction: Hyde 74, Prince Tech 58
Class M: No. 3 Bloomfield vs. No. 8 Sheehan, 1:30 p.m.
Analysis: Sheehan finds itself in the same situation as Prince Tech - a decided underdog with nonthing to lose. So the Titans can play loose. If they do that, maybe they hang in. If post players Brett Biestek and Jon Songer can hold their own on the boards, and if Phil Gaetano can break free from Bloomfield's pressure defense to make shots and find those big men underneath, this will be a game late. But Bloomfield is the Central Connecticut Conference champion for a reason: the Warhawks are very, very good.
Prediction: Bloomfield 69, Sheehan 57
Class L: No. 1 Stratford vs. No. 2 New London, 6:30 p.m.
Analysis: A rematch of the season opener, won by Stratford 68-57. New London hasn't lost since and Stratford is still undefeated. New London is out for some revenge and a state championship to go along with it. This is going to be the closest game of the day. Stratford's Brandon Sherrod has been a difference-maker all season long and the center and new Gatorade State Player of the Year should do it one more time.
Prediction: Stratford 62, New London 60.
Class LL: No. 1 Bridgeport Central vs. No. 3 Hillhouse, 8:30 p.m.
Analysis: Hillhouse has done it with defense the last two games, shutting down Windsor (quarterfinals) and St. Joseph (semifinals) in the late stages of the fourth quarter. Freddie Wilson is a master at controlling tempo, finding the open man and, if necessary, get fouled to get on the free-throw line. How he handles Bridgeport Central's full-court pressure will determine if this game is tight down the stretch. Hillhouse has to control tempo and needs to hit its 3-point shots to stay close. I think the Academics will keep it a low-scoring affair and hit some 3-pointers - but Central is the better team here and will prevail.
Prediction: Central 64, Hillhouse 57.
Class S: No. 1 Hyde vs. No. 10 Prince Tech, 9:30 a.m.
Analysis: Prince Tech has done well to get here, beating Kolbe Cathedral in the quarterfinals. This club won't go away and may even run with the Howling Wolves. But Hyde is on a mission and this club is just too talented, too good and too motivated to have gotten this far unscathed to go home in the finale with a loss.
Prediction: Hyde 74, Prince Tech 58
Class M: No. 3 Bloomfield vs. No. 8 Sheehan, 1:30 p.m.
Analysis: Sheehan finds itself in the same situation as Prince Tech - a decided underdog with nonthing to lose. So the Titans can play loose. If they do that, maybe they hang in. If post players Brett Biestek and Jon Songer can hold their own on the boards, and if Phil Gaetano can break free from Bloomfield's pressure defense to make shots and find those big men underneath, this will be a game late. But Bloomfield is the Central Connecticut Conference champion for a reason: the Warhawks are very, very good.
Prediction: Bloomfield 69, Sheehan 57
Class L: No. 1 Stratford vs. No. 2 New London, 6:30 p.m.
Analysis: A rematch of the season opener, won by Stratford 68-57. New London hasn't lost since and Stratford is still undefeated. New London is out for some revenge and a state championship to go along with it. This is going to be the closest game of the day. Stratford's Brandon Sherrod has been a difference-maker all season long and the center and new Gatorade State Player of the Year should do it one more time.
Prediction: Stratford 62, New London 60.
Class LL: No. 1 Bridgeport Central vs. No. 3 Hillhouse, 8:30 p.m.
Analysis: Hillhouse has done it with defense the last two games, shutting down Windsor (quarterfinals) and St. Joseph (semifinals) in the late stages of the fourth quarter. Freddie Wilson is a master at controlling tempo, finding the open man and, if necessary, get fouled to get on the free-throw line. How he handles Bridgeport Central's full-court pressure will determine if this game is tight down the stretch. Hillhouse has to control tempo and needs to hit its 3-point shots to stay close. I think the Academics will keep it a low-scoring affair and hit some 3-pointers - but Central is the better team here and will prevail.
Prediction: Central 64, Hillhouse 57.
posted by Joe Morelli at
5:58 PM
2 Comments:
I saw Central play twice , and no Central is not better Than HH, thy are smaller and less skilled, you spoke about Central pressure. what about HH's pressure. Ask Windsor@ St Joes. HH had the harder draw, central had a cake walk Scared Heart was weak. Not one of the teams that central scored so many point's on is as good on defense as HH.
HH 's Mentality will nver allow them to tryto keep the score LOW (thats a joke).
How did you get to such a high opinion of Central?. They have not played anyone except St Joes. Look up their Sched, You did not even pick HH to make the final 4@ we see how that went. Might have to clean those glasses Mr. Morrellli.
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