A New Leader At The Top Of The Girls Basketball Rankings

CONNECTICUT — A loss for previously top-ranked Newington last week opened the door for Notre Dame-Fairfield to take over the No. 1 spot in the latest Connecticut high school girls basketball poll of coaches and media members.

The Lancers earned 16 of 18 first-place votes to move up a notch into the top position. Newington and Holy Cross each had a top nod to place second and third, respectively.

Here are the top 10, with last week's ranking in parentheses, as well as all other schools receiving votes.

1. Notre Dame-Fairfield (lw: 2)
2. Newington (lw: 1)
3. Holy Cross (lw: 3)
4. Sacred Heart Academy (lw: 4)
5. Daniel Hand (lw: 6)
6. East Hartford (lw: NR)
7. Hamden (lw: 9)
8. Ridgefield (lw: 8)
9. Southington (lw: 5)
10. St. Joseph (lw: 10)

Also receiving votes: Simsbury, Enfield, Middletown, Bacon Academy, New London, Fairfield Ludlowe, Farmington, E.O. Smith, Mercy, RHAM, Valley Regional, Cromwell, Somers, Thomaston.

Voters: Tim Jensen, Patch Media; Lori Riley, Hartford Courant; Mike Madera, New Haven Register; Vickie Fulkerson, The New London Day; Dave Phillips, Shoreline Newspapers; Dave Ruden, The Ruden Report; Rick Wilson, Waterbury Republican American; Adam Betz, Journal Inquirer; Matt Hornick, Bristol Press Jimmy Zanor, Norwich Bulletin; Christopher Saunders, WATR 1320-AM; Brian Medeiros, Canton; Fred Williams, Northwestern Regional; Sean Krofssik, Record-Journal; Rich Zalusky, The Chronicle; Dave Danko, Fairfield Warde;; Scotty Nails, Rye Country Day School; Scott Ericson, GameTimeCT.
Compiled by Scott Ericson