Guilford Hoop Standout Elected to CT Women's Basketball Hall of Fame

GUILFORD, CT - A Guilford High School Athletic Hall of Fame member is among seven new electees to the Connecticut Women's Basketball Hall of Fame, according to an announcement released by that organization Tuesday.

Kara Crismale-Burgarella, a 1993 GHS graduate, led her teams to a record of 81-16 during her four year varsity career. The Indians were Shoreline Conference champions in 1992 and league runners-up in 1991 and 1993. The 1992 Class L state championship basketball game, in which was edged 42-41 by Sacred Heart Academy, was the first in program history.

She was a two-time All-Shoreline pick (1992-93), a member of the New Haven Register's All-Area team (1993), a New Haven Tap-Off Team selection (1992-93), and a Hartford Courant All-State honoree (1993). Her career earned her induction into the Guilford High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2009, and the New Haven Tap-Off Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012.

Crismale-Burgarella went on to play at Colgate University, where she still holds the record for most 3-point attempts in a single game, going 7-for-14 in a 1997 matchup vs. Canisius. She eclipsed the 1,000-point barrier for the Raiders, and earned All-Patriot League honors in 1996.

She graduated from Quinnipiac University School of Law in 2002 and is currently a partner at the law firm of Faulkner & Graves, P.C., in New London. She resides in Guilford.

The 2016 inductees (pictured in this order) are:

• Kara Crismale-Burgarella, High School Player, Guilford H.S.
• Jennifer Monti, High School Player, Ellington H.S.
• Bill Scarlata, High School Coach, Norwich Free Academy
• Carla Berube, College Player, UConn
• Francine Perry Little, College Player, Quinnipiac
• Charlene Shepard, Referee, New Britain
• Judy Sylvester, Honorary, Hamden

The 29th annual Connecticut Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held Wednesday, April 20 at Cascade Banquet Facility, 480 Sherman Avenue, Hamden. Ticket information may be obtained from Ann V. Fariss at 203-378-6581 or avfariss@sbcglobal.net.

The Connecticut Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame was the first organization of its kind in the country. It was created in 1987 by five professional and personal friends who strongly felt the need to honor outstanding basketball players, coaches, officials, and advocates.

The Hall of Fame honors those who have contributed to the enhancement of women’s basketball in Connecticut - either through participation, through service, through support, or through achievement. The 2016 Connecticut Women’s Basketball Hall of Famers exemplify the finest achievements in Connecticut.

Photos courtesy of Connecticut Women's Basketball Hall of Fame