E.O. Smith Goes for First State Championship

The second-ranked girls basketball team will try to win its first state championship, in its first attempt, Saturday at 4:15 p.m.

The Panthers will take on fourth-ranked James Hillhouse High School in the Class L final at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Montville.

Although Coach Kirk Murad and the team will try to make history, they are trying to treat it like just any other game.

“We haven’t talked a lot about it,” Murad said. “We’re trying to approach it as just another game, as hard as that is. We can talk about the history of it after it's over. I don’t want to make anybody nervous. Our mentality is if we play well, we have a very good chance to win.”

The Panthers were in their second round game after receiving a bye. Since then, E.O. Smith has taken care of business, , and .

The Academics have had somewhat of a cakewalk to the final. Hillhouse has dominated opponents winning by 30, 27 and 24 points, respectively, to make it to its third consecutive title game.

Murad is happy with the way his team’s tournament run has gone so far.

“We’re playing really well as a team right now, everybody’s contributing. We’re still getting Maggie Sundberg’s leadership, Morgan Olander has established herself as a scorer, Murphy Murad is still softening up defense with outside shots. Those three are contributing with the scoring, but we’re getting contributions from four other kids,” the coach said.

Sundberg is averaging more than 16 points a game and is the floor leader at point guard for the Panthers. But the Academics have a start point guard of their own.

“They have a superstar point guard going to Hofstra in Andreana Thomas,” Murad said. “I can see why she’s a Division 1 point guard.”

Thomas has received all-state honors the past two seasons, along with state titles.

“It wouldn’t hurt if Hillhouse has an off night,” Murad said with a laugh. “They’re very experienced and have won two titles.”

The Academics have won the last two Class L titles, winning over Wethersfield and Fairfield Warde high schools. Hillhouse has eight state titles to its name dating back to 1981. Murad said he has seen the Academics play twice, in the Southern Connecticut Conference tournament, which they won.

“They’re very athletic,” Murad said. “Our keys to the game are cutting down penetration to the basket and rebounding.”

Murad knows it will take quite an effort to beat the defending champs, but his team is going into the championship riding confidence and momentum.

“We’re very excited for the opportunity to play the best,” Murad said.