Boys ‘Canes play Fairfield in State Tourney
By Matthew Cannata | Sports Correspondent at March 6, 2024 | 8:45 am | Print
The New Britain High School Boys’ Basketball team, under the direction of head coach Todd Stigliano, will begin their quest for a state title when they tip off against the eighth ranked Fairfield Ludlowe High School in Fairfield on Monday, March 9 at 7 p.m. The Golden Hurricanes, who are ranked 25th in the state, became eligible for the state tournament when they won their eighth regular season game against Newington back on Feb. 10.
The team finished the regular season with a record of 9-11. Despite the fact that many believed the team overachieved based on their incredible season in 2013, Stigliano wasn’t buying any of it – at least on the court and in terms of wins and losses.
“Success is determined in a great deal of ways. For starters we have five seniors….if they all graduate and go onto college then we have been successful. As for our regular season success, no I do not consider that an accomplishment. Sure, we lost a great number of players but the best programs find a way to overcome that. Obviously, I knew we would not go 17-3 this year. However, I am disappointed in our inconsistency during the regular season. However, that season is over and I have always told my players you will only be remembered for how you finish. Thus we start our new season on Monday and still have a wonderful opportunity with this team to make something special happen.”
After a victory against Southington to end their regular season and a little help from other teams around the CCC conference, the Hurricanes unexpectedly found themselves in the CCC tournament against Middletown in the first round. After leading for much of the game, they weren’t able to hold it together towards the end and lost 59-66. Taking lessons from that loss and all the lessons from the regular season, Stigliano expects his team to learn from it and compete against the best of the best in the state tournament.
“I expect to compete at the highest level and be a tough team to beat. The state tournament is not about your record going in, it’s about matchups. Some years you have a great record and get dealt a very tough hand. Others you have an average record but get a good draw. All I know is that in LL there are no easy games and we go in expecting to win no matter who we play.”
To find success on the court in the state tournament, Stigliano said he will lean on several key players to help guide the team on the court throughout the course of the game.
“Every team must lean on the veterans when you get into the tournament. We have a group of five seniors, three of them who have been in the program multiple years. I expect them to step up to the plate and carry us. During every tournament game, there are moments of struggle and adversity. Our seniors must be the ones to push us through these tough times. The teams who overcome these moments of adversity survive and advance. The teams that do NOT look to next year. I am anxious to see which team we will be.”
While we are all hoping for the team to have a successful run throughout the state tournament , it’s important to also take a quick look ahead to the future of the basketball program at New Britain High. For anyone who has watched the lower level games this season, you know that there is a lot of potential over the next several years.
“I’m extremely excited about the future of the program. We have a group of sophomores and juniors who were able to get some very positive experiences at the varsity level this year that will pay off next year. Moreover, to we have an excellent freshman class that has the chance to create a very strong team over the next three years. If this group can stay together and continue to work hard and make a commitment then the sky is the limit.”
If the Hurricanes defeat Fairfield Ludlowe on Monday, they will advance to the second round and will play the winner of the Hamden vs. New Milford game on March 11.
