Previews: Basketball and Hockey Championship Games

Beginning at 7:30 p.m. Friday, a total of 12 state championships will be earned in a 48-hour period between Yale University and the Mohegan Sun Arena, as CIAC title games for boys ice hockey and girls and boys basketball have been set.

The 24 finalists encompass 10 different athletic conferences, carrying winning streaks ranging from three to 23 games. The Southern Connecticut Conference and Central Connecticut Conference are each represented six times, the South-West Conference has three finalists, and the Eastern Connecticut Conference and Shore Line Conference each have two participants.

Just three number one seeds remain among the 24 finalists, two of them in ice hockey, while two teams seeded 20th or higher will be competing in state championship games.

Five nicknames are carried by multiple finalist schools: Lancers (Notre Dame-Fairfield, Waterford), Panthers (Cromwell, Career Magnet), Warriors (Wamogo, Hall), Tigers (Mercy, SMSA) and Indians (Farmington, Guilford).

Here is a brief capsule of each championship matchup. All basketball finals are at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, and hockey finals are at the Ingalls Rink at Yale. Records are regular season only; winning streaks include conference and state tournament play.

BOYS BASKETBALL

Division I, Sunday, 6 p.m.
No. 2 Notre Dame-Fairfield vs. No. 4 Sacred Heart
Records: ND 20-0; SH 18-2
Win streak: ND 23; SH 16
Title game history: ND 0-4; SH 9-2
Previous titles: ND none; SH 2017 (L), 2016 (M), 2015 (S), 2014 (S), 2009 (M), 1997 (M), 1984 (M), 1967 (L), 1949 (M)
Rosters/Results

Division II, Saturday, 8:30 p.m.
No. 2 Immaculate vs. No. 9 Amity Regional
Records: IMM 16-4; AR 15-5
Win streak: IMM 9; AR 8
Title game history: IMM 3-3; AR 0-0
Previous titles: IMM 2016 (S), 2012 (S), 1976 (S); AR none
Rosters/Results

Division III, Sunday, 10:30 a.m.
No. 2 Waterford vs. No. 9 Avon
Records: WAT 18-2; AV 12-8
Win streak: WAT 11; AV 6
Title game history: WAT 1-1; AV 2-0
Previous titles: WAT 2012 (M); AV 2005 (III), 1988 (S)
Rosters/Results

Division IV, Sunday, 3:30 p.m.
No. 5 Kolbe Cathedral vs. No. 26 Rocky Hill
Records: KC 15-5; RH 8-12
Win streak: KC 6; RH 4
Title game history: KC 4-5; RH 1-2
Previous titles: KC 2004 (II), 1999 (M), 1985 (M), 1971 (M); RH 2002 (S)
Rosters/Results

Division V, Saturday, 12:30 p.m.
No. 3 Cromwell vs. No. 4 Wamogo Regional
Records: CRO 17-3; WR 16-4
Win streak: CRO 14; WR 8
Title game history: CRO 8-7; WR 0-2
Previous titles: CRO 2009 (S), 1980 (S), 1979 (S), 1971 (S), 1970 (S), 1969 (S), 1968 (S), 1967 (S); WR none
Rosters/Results

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Class LL, Saturday, 6:15 p.m.
No. 2 Mercy vs. No. 5 Hall
Records: MER 19-1; HAL 17-3
Win streak: MER 6; HAL 16
Title game history: MER 2-4; HAL 0-1
Previous titles: MER 2013 (LL), 1996 (L); HAL none
Rosters/Results

Class L, Sunday, 1 p.m.
No. 1 RHAM vs. No. 3 Farmington
Records: RH 19-1; FAR 17-3
Win streak: RH 12; FAR 6
Title game history: RH 0-0; FAR 1-1
Previous titles: RH none; FAR 2013 (L)
Rosters/Results

Class M, Saturday, 3 p.m.
No. 2 East Haven vs. No. 20 Career Magnet
Records: EH 18-2; CM 12-8
Win streak: EH 8; CM 4
Title game history: EH 0-0; CM 3-2
Previous titles: EH none; CM 2011 (LL), 2008 (LL), 2003 (M)
Rosters/Results

Class S, Saturday, 10 a.m.
No. 9 Coginchaug vs. No. 10 SMSA
Records: COG 14-6; SMS 14-6
Win streak: COG 5; SMS 10
Title game history: COG 1-0; SMS 0-0
Previous titles: COG 2012 (S); SMS none
Rosters/Results

BOYS ICE HOCKEY

Division I, Saturday, 2 p.m.
No. 1 Fairfield Prep vs. No. 2 Greenwich
Records: FP 17-2-1; GRE 18-2
Win streak: FP 5; GRE 12
Title game history: FP 16-4; GRE 1-3
Previous titles: FP 2014 (I), 2013 (I), 2011 (I), 2008 (I), 2007 (I), 2005 (I), 2004 (I), 2001 (I), 2000 (I), 1996 (I), 1995 (I), 1991 (I), 1981 (I), 1980 (I), 1979 (I), 1977 (II); GRE 1992 (I)
Rosters/Results

Division II, Friday, 6 p.m.
No. 1 Farmington Valley vs. No. 3 Guilford
Records: FV 17-2-1; GUI 17-3
Win streak: FV 3; GUI 10
Title game history: FV 1-0; GUI 3-1
Previous titles: FV (Farmington) 2005 (II); GUI 2017 (II), 2010 (III), 1994 (II)
Rosters/Results

Division III, Saturday, 10 a.m.
No. 3 Tri-Town vs. No. 5 Eastern CT Eagles
Records: TT 12-7-1; ECT 14-3-3
Win streak: TT 5; ECT 4
Title game history: TT 0-1; ECT 0-0
Previous titles: TT none; ECT none
Rosters/Results

Photo credit: Tim Jensen