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Masuk's Head Coach Dave Strong, during a girls basketball scrimmage against Staples in Westport on Thursday.
FCIAC

BASSICK
COACH — Jerry Johnson (14th year)
KEY PLAYERS — Sr. F Ashley Chestnut; Soph. G Shirley Kaiser
SKINNY — The Lions (7-13 last season) missed the state tournament last season when they lost to Wilton on the final day of the regular season by a point. Bassick's chances took a hit with leading scorer Latavia Goss (15.3 ppg) suspended until February for academics.

CENTRAL
COACH — Owen Francis (4th)
KEY PLAYERS — Soph. F Talish Peeler (10 ppg, 7 rpg); Soph. F Phylisse Lewis; Jr. F Shaquashia Allen; Sr. G Hycianna Grace
SKINNY — The Hilltoppers (0-20) look to get back on track after a winless season. A strong sophomore class is a reason for optimism.

FAIRFIELD LUDLOWE
COACH — P.J. Wax (3rd)
KEY PLAYERS — Sr. C Sara Kinsley (11.1 ppg, 10.1 rpg); Sr. G/F Meghan Mahder (8.8 ppg, 5.5 rpg); Sr. F Catherine Howard
SKINNY — An imposing frontline led by Kinsley places the Falcons (15-8) among the contenders in the FCIAC.

FAIRFIELD WARDE
COACH — Dave Danko (14th)
KEY PLAYERS — Jr. G Daphne Elliott (18.5 ppg, 7 rpg, 6 apg, 4 spg); Jr. F Sabrina Siciliano (16.5 ppg, 9 rpg, 4 apg); Jr. C Allie Rocchi
SKINNY — With the dynamic duo of Elliott and Siciliano alongside a solid cast of role players, the Mustangs (18-6) are primed for a run at the FCIAC title.

HARDING
COACH — Bob Doss (12th)
KEY PLAYERS — Sr. F Phabe Vielot; Sr. F Dinkeena Hines; Jr. C Carmarla Reid
SKINNY — The Presidents (9-12) were hardly pushovers the last few seasons because of the Felder sisters, who combined for nearly 40 points per night. Replacing those points won't be easy, but Harding does have a glut of great athletes who provide length.

MCMAHON
COACH — Ed Faulkner (30th)
KEY PLAYERS — Sr. G Shavonne Simmons; Sr. FG Jen Amato SKINNY — The Senators (7-13) missed the state playoffs by a game last year and hope to rectify that with a guard-laced lineup.

NORWALK
COACH — Rick Fuller (4th)
KEY PLAYERS — Sr. G Ashlee Downing; Sr. C Maria Bajnoczi; Sr. G Chanelle Brown
SKINNY — The Bears (11-10) have a solid senior core, which has been with Fuller since he took over. The biggest priority is replacing the 21.9 points per game from Shannon Singleton-Bates, now at Francis Marion University.

STAPLES
COACH — Ed Huydic (27th)
KEY PLAYERS — Sr. F/C Eliza Howe (10 ppg, 8 rpg); Sr. C Courtney Nicklas; Soph. G Suvi Puripattarapan
SKINNY — The Wreckers (13-10) graduated the bulk of their scoring. The goal this season is to keep their 24-year state tournament streak alive.

ST. JOSEPH
COACH — Joe Cavallaro (3rd)
KEY PLAYERS — Sr. C Brittany Capozziello (13.4 ppg); Jr. G Christine DellaVecchia (15.4 ppg); Sr. F Alyssa Lesko; Sr. G Nikki Hirshbeck
SKINNY — With an established inside-outside punch in Capozziello and DellaVecchia, the Cadets (12-10) appeared poised for a breakout season.

TRUMBULL
COACH — Steve Tobitsch (2nd)
KEY PLAYERS — Sr. G Christine Foley (9 ppg, 3 apg); Sr. F Rachel Russo (8 ppg, 7 rpg); Jr. G/F Rajvi Jarvis (11 ppg, 8 rpg)
SKINNY — The Eagles (10-11) finished strong last season, winning nine of their final 13 games and hope that they continue this positive momentum in Tobitsch's second season in charge.

SWC

BARLOW
COACH — Nicky Tartaglia (7th)
KEY PLAYERS — Sr. G Jacqueline Shinall (11.7 ppg, 5.5 apg, 59 steals); Sr. G Jenn Shinall (14.5 ppg, 4.3 spg, 6.1 rpg, 62 3-pts); Sr. C Kristin Hanczor (9.5 ppg, 11.3 rpg, 3.1 bpg); Sr. G/F Melissa Touma
SKINNY — The defending Class L champs (20-6) have their three-headed monster back and should go as far as the Shinall twins can take them.

BUNNELL
COACH — Jeremy O'Connell (6th)
KEY PLAYERS — Sr. G Alice Gugliemoni; Sr. F Joelle Schrock (54 3-pointers); Jr. F/C Rebecca Carss; Soph. C Isnede Milfort
SKINNY — The Bulldogs (11-10) are a harmonious team with a solid core that should battle for an SWC playoff spot.

KOLBE CATHEDRAL
COACH — Lisa Hodges (5th)
KEY PLAYERS — Jr. G Kamiya Burwell (12.4 ppg); Jr. G Ashley Prim (17.8); Jr. G Ryann Simmons (17.3, ND-Fairfield transfer); Jr. F Breanna Barnes (12.8 ppg.)
SKINNY — The defending Class S champion Cougars (23-3) will be a force in both the league and the state, though Hodges, who's won three state titles in four seasons, will do her best to keep her team steadied on the game at hand. Simmons is not eligible until Jan. 4.

LAURALTON HALL
COACH — Steve Schuler (3rd)
KEY PLAYERS — Soph. G Keylantra Langley (9.6 ppg); Jr. G Molly Yardley; Sr. F Bridget O'Donnell
SKINNY — The Crusaders (15-9) have good depth and should be able to adapt and adjust to most opponents. The backcourt of Langley and Yardley should provide some punch.

MASUK
COACH — Dave Strong (32nd)
KEY PLAYERS — Sr. G/F Meagan Crouch (10. 5 ppg); Sr. G Markie Chalfant; Soph. G Kanika Cummings; Jr. F Lauren Fothe; Jr. G Tierney Parker
SKINNY — Even in a very deep SWC, you can never write off Masuk (17-6), which shoots for its 35th straight trip to the state playoffs.

NEWTOWN
COACH — Shawn O'Brien (4th)
KEY PLAYERS — Sr. C Morgan Knees (11.1 ppg, 10 rpg); Sr. F Katie Condon; Sr. G Katie Power
SKINNY — The Nighthawks (15-8) are solid across the board, but face a tough schedule with multiple games against Pomperaug, Barlow, Masuk and Lauralton Hall.

ND-FAIRFIELD
COACH — Eric DeMarco (1st)
KEY PLAYERS — Sr. C Candace Williams (11.9 ppg, 9.6 rpg, 2.0 bpg); Sr. F Jessica Holmes; Jr. G Rose Bajda (10.4 ppg)
SKINNY — Though they lost talented junior Ryann Simmons to rival Kolbe Cathedral, the Lancers gained longtime Seymour coach Eric DeMarco, which should bring a different style of ball to Reilly Gymnasium. With Williams, Holmes and Bajda, Notre Dame (21-7) has a strong nucleus to build around off a trip to the Class S final.

STRATFORD
COACH — Gregg Dobosz (3rd)
KEY PLAYERS — Sr. F Molly Townsend; Sr. F Ivona Patrick; Jr. G/F Amanda Aquilino; Soph. F Ashley Gomes
SKINNY — The Red Devils hope to improve on last year's 2-18 mark.

WESTON
COACH — Scott Nails (3rd)
KEY PLAYERS — Sr. F Kate Butelein; Sr. G Marissa Diaz; Sr. G Jenna Keplesky
SKINNY - — The Trojans (3-16) eye improvement thanks to a large cast of returning players. SCC

AMITY
COACH — Doug Fortune (6th)
KEY PLAYERS — Sr. C Carol Ortiz (10 ppg, 9 rpg); Sr. F Courtney Brinton (8 ppg, 6 rpg); Sr. G Elisa Basini; Sr. F/C Asha Woodard
SKINNY — The Spartans (1-19) should have a reliable frontline with Ortiz and Brinton, making a state playoff berth a possibility.

DERBY
COACH — Dave Chevarella (11th)
KEY PLAYERS — Sr. C Tegan Bedard (9 ppg, 5 rpg); Jr. G Shae Harding (10 ppg); Soph. G Mary Hyde SKINNY — The Red Raiders (12-10) were solid last season, but only return three players with significant playing time.

FORAN
COACH — Marc Zanghi (6th)
KEY PLAYERS — Sr. G Danielle Librandi (7 ppg, 6 apg); Sr. F/C Colleen Swaller; Jr. G Sydney Hyatt (10 ppg)
SKINNY — The Lions should be better than last year's 2-18 mark, but are still relatively young across the board and should get better as time passes.

LAW
COACH — Mike Hoggatt (1st)
KEY PLAYERS — Soph. G Casey Dulin (15.6 ppg); Sr. G/F Allie Kochiss; Sr. F Becca Shields; Sr. F Mary Fowler
SKINNY — The Eagles (16-8) lost seven players and only return one with significant experience. Luckily that one player is Dulin, one of the best sophomores in the state.

SHELTON
COACH — Scott Gura (9th)
KEY PLAYERS — Sr. F Kate Kozlowski; Sr. C Kristi Ibsen (9 ppg, 8 rpg); Sr. F Liz Malay (10 ppg)
SKINNY — The Gaels (7-13) aim a return to the postseason. Shelton is experienced at the varsity level, but suffered a setback when all-division point guard Erin Harkins tore her ACL in the summer.

WEST HAVEN
COACH — Jim Eagen (6th)
KEY PLAYERS — Sr. F Maria Biondi; Jr. G Bianca Zisek
SKINNY — The Blue Devils (8-13) lost four starters, but should be competitive with a strong defensive team and a couple of quick guards.

OTHERS

ANSONIA
COACH — Heather Yablonski (5th)
LEAGUE — NVL
KEY PLAYERS — Sr. G Christiana Kachoulas; Sr. G Jessi Mengold
SKINNY — The Chargers (8-12) are a veteran team that could surprise in the reconfigured NVL.

BULLARD-HAVENS
COACH — Al Traumuda
LEAGUE — CSC
SKINNY — The Tigers look to improve on last year's 10-8 mark.

GREEN FARMS ACADEMY
COACH — Jessica Manetti (2nd)
LEAGUE — FAA
KEY PLAYERS — Sr. F Jasmine Williams
SKINNY — Greens Farms ought to be competitive thanks to a double-double threat in Williams.

O'BRIEN TECH
COACH — Mark Belade (8th)
LEAGUE — CSC
KEY PLAYERS — Sr. F Jessica Pratt; Sr. C Hannah Uszakiewicz; Jr. F Rebecca Snider
SKINNY — The Condors (9-12) don't bring back a lot of height, but have enough talent overall to flirt with .500.

PLATT TECH
COACH — Sue Schryver (6th)
LEAGUE — CSC
KEY PLAYERS — Sr. G Olivia Navarro (10 ppg); Sr. G Audrey Martneau; Sr. F Paris Wiggins; Jr. G Jenn Rinko
SKINNY — The Panthers (16-6) return a solid cast of characters that should put them in contention for the CSC crown.

SEYMOUR
COACH — Mike Collins (1st)
LEAGUE — NVL
KEY PLAYERS — Sr. C Jess Biercevicz; Sr. F/C HettyLou Dow; Sr. F Kaitlin Eastwood SKINNY — Collins comes over after two years as an assistant at Newtown. He inherits a team that went 15-8 and should be able to play strong defense.