East Catholic Strengthens Hold on Top Hoop Spot

MANCHESTER, CT — Seven games, seven victories, seven winning margins of at least 20 points. Those factors prompted all 19 voters in the latest weekly high school boys basketball poll to tab East Catholic as best in Connecticut thus far.

The high-powered Eagles offense is averaging 77 points per game, while the defense is allowing just 46 points a contest. East Catholic solidified its standing by thumping previously-unbeaten crosstown rival Manchester 71-47 Monday night.

Manchester (6-1) also received some support from voters.

Here are the top 10, plus all other schools receiving votes, with records through Jan. 8.

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

Also receiving votes: Amity Regional (5-1), Simsbury (5-0), New London (5-1), Wilbur Cross (5-1), Kolbe Cathedral (5-1), Norwich Free Academy (4-0), Waterbury Career (4-0), East Lyme (4-0), East Hampton (7-0), Pomperaug (6-1), Career Magnet (3-2), Trumbull (5-1), Guilford (6-0), Ridgefield (4-2), Windsor (4-2), Middletown (3-2), Notre Dame-West Haven (5-3), Immaculate (5-1), Manchester (6-1), Naugatuck (3-1), Wilton (4-2).

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