Sheehan Roars Back, But Comes Up Just Short In Girls Hoop Final

UNCASVILLE, CT - Never say never when it comes to playing for a state championship, and Sheehan High School's girls basketball team followed that mantra Sunday and nearly pulled off a thrilling upset.

Unfortunately for the Titans, Cromwell regained its composure after seeing a 16-point lead change to a two-point deficit with just over two and a half minutes to play in the Class M title tilt at the Mohegan Sun Arena. The Panthers scored six straight points, then iced the game with six free throws in the final minute to hold off Sheehan, 58-51 for their first championship since 2016.

With 6:40 to play in the third quarter, Cromwell led 31-15 and appeared poised for a runaway victory, but six straight Sheehan points, including four by Olivia Robles, trimmed the margin to 10. The Panthers stretched the advantage to 15, but an 8-1 Titan run left the No. 13 seed down 41-32 entering the fourth quarter.

Sheehan cut it to four with 5:21 remaining, then two with 4:11 to play before Robles tied it at the 3:41 mark. A pair of free throws by Caitlyn Velez put the Titans in front for the first time in the contest with 2:32 to play, but that lead lasted exactly 21 seconds, as Najla Cecunjanin converted an old-fashioned three-point play to push the Panthers back in front for good.

Sadie Budzik took game scoring honors from Cromwell with 18 points, while Cecunjanin had 15 and Vanessa Stolstajner added 13.

Robles tallied 17 points for Sheehan, and Madison Larkin contributed 13. Each pulled down seven rebounds.