NEW HAVEN — Four returning starters were a good enough reason for voters to designate the Hillhouse boys’ basketball team as the preseason No. 1.

That experience, along with offensive balance and pressure defense, will be the reasons why Hillhouse could finish in the same position in March.

Shane Christie and Bobby Bynum had 16 and 15 points, respectively, to lead Hillhouse to a 65-35 win over host Wilbur Cross Friday night in the first of two Southern Connecticut Conference interdivision matchups between the Elm City rivals.

Read more about Hillhouse's big win, along with a video and slideshow.

Due to the unfortunate tragedy occurring in Newtown today, two SCC games have already been postponed:

Sheehan at Notre Dame-West Haven, makeup TBA

Shelton at Hamden, now Saturday at 5.

All other SCC games are on for this evening, including Hillhouse at Wilbur Cross, no the Floyd Little Athletic Center, at 6.

All NVL events were also ppd. today, including Ansonia at Seymour.

LaSalle Academy of New York City and Monsignor Farrell High School of Staten Island will join host St. Joseph of Trumbull and Trinity Catholic  for the Dec. 27-28 Northeast Classic round-robin tournament at Webster Bank Arena.

This is the second straight year the tournament has been held there. Last year, New London and Archbishop Molloy (NY) participated.

Here is the schedule:
December 27: Trinity Catholic vs. LaSalle Academy at 6 p.m.; St. Joseph vs. Msgr. Farrell at 8 p.m.

December 28: Trinity Catholic vs. Msgr. Farrell at 6 p.m.; St. Joseph vs. LaSalle Academy at 8 p.m.

St. Joseph finished a unanimous No. 1 in the final Register Top 10 poll after winning the Class LL state championship last March.
Tickets are $12 per game or $20 for a tournament pass and are available at the Webster Bank Arena Click It Or Ticket Box Office. Pre-sale game tickets are available for $10 per game or $18 for a tournament pass at each school.