2. Class LL 1. Trumbull 2. Mercy Trumbull Mercy Bye Bye 16. Shelton 15. E. Catholic 17. Nor. Free 18. Norwalk 8. Ridgefield 7. Newtown 25. Cheshire 26. S. Windsor 9. Career 10. Laural. Hall 24. Amity 23. N. Britain State championship game 4. Holy Cross 3. Manchester Holy Cross Manchester Bye Bye 13. Pomperaug 14. St. Joe’s 20. Westhill 19. Wilbur Cross 5. Hall 6. Glastonbry 28. Staples 27. Stamford 12. S.H. Acad. 11. Danbury 21. Newington 22. Southington First rnd: 3/1 Second rnd: 3/4 Quarters: 3/10 Semis: 3/14
3. Preview of opening games No. 4 Holy Cross (19-1 regular season) earned a first-round bye. The lone Naugatuck Valley League team in the Class LL bracket will play the winner of Tuesday’s game between No. 13 Pomperaug and No. 20 Westhill on Friday night. No. 13 Pomperaug (15-5) hosts No. 20 Westhill (12-8) with a trip to Waterbury on the line. Gabrielle Holness (14.4 ppg) and HailiWelton (11.9 ppg) lead the Panthers, who are coming off a quarterfinal appearance in the Class L tournament last year. Pick: Pomperaug. No. 22 Southington (11-9) makes a trip to No. 11 Danbury (15-5), and the winner faces either No. 6 Glastonbury or No. 27 Stamford. Not much to go on here, but the Hatters play in a little bit better of a conference, so I give them the nod. Pick: Danbury. No. 25 Cheshire (10-10) visits No. 8 Ridgefield (16-4) with the winner facing wither No. 9 Career Magnet or No. 24 Amity on Friday. The Rams will have their hands full, but Julia Strobel (13.0 ppg) and Missy Bailey (10.4 ppg) provide a couple capable scorers for the underdog. Pick: Ridgefield. Previews, picks by Kyle Brennan
