East Catholic Still Soaring High in Boys Basketball Poll

MANCHESTER, CT — Two more runaway victories and a close win over a fierce conference rival last week left East Catholic High School still the top choice as best boys basketball team in Connecticut by media members conducting their weekly poll.

The Eagles (9-0) received the number one nod from all 19 voters to maintain their lofty perch atop the rankings. After easy wins over Manchester and Berlin, they defeated Windsor 65-59 Saturday in by far their closest game to date.

Here are the top 10, plus all other schools receiving votes, with records through Jan. 14:

1. East Catholic (9-0)
2. Notre Dame-Fairfield (7-0)
3. Hamden (8-0)
4. Sacred Heart (5-2)
5. Hillhouse (6-2)
6. Holy Cross (6-1)
7. Waterford (8-0)
8. Bassick (5-1)
9. Danbury (7-1)
10. Wilbur Cross (7-1)

Also receiving votes: Kolbe Cathedral (7-1), Guilford (8-0), Xavier (5-3), Ridgefield (6-2), Trumbull (8-1), East Hampton (9-0), Windsor (5-3), Notre Dame-West Haven (7-3), Simsbury (6-1), Waterbury Career (5-1), Prince Tech (6-0), Enfield (7-1), Norwich Free Academy (6-1), Ledyard (5-2), Middletown (4-3), Crosby (3-3), Career (5-2), East Hartford (7-3), Amity Regional (6-2), St. Bernard (8-1), Immaculate (6-2), East Lyme (5-1), Pomperaug (7-2), Wilton (5-2).

Voters: Bill Bloxsom, HAN Network; Doug Bonjour, Connecticut Post; Jim Bransfield, Middletown Press; Desmond Conner, Hartford Courant; Mike DiMauro, The Day of New London; Scott Ericson, Stamford Advocate; Dave Grant, WATR-AM; Sean Krofssik, Record-Journal; Mike Madera, Elm City Newspapers; Joe Morelli, New Haven Register; Joe Palladino, Republican-American; Dave Phillips, Shore Line Newspapers; John Pierson, WTNH; Marc Robbins, Vantage Sports; Dave Ruden, The Ruden Report; Ben Talbott, Bird’s Eye Sports; Richard Zalusky, The Chronicle; Jimmy Zanor, Norwich Bulletin, Joe Zone, WFSB.

Photo credit: Tim Jensen