Connecticut Class LL: Top Teams and 16 Players to Watch

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Holy Cross (1)</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Shania Howard is one of the most complete two-way guards in the entire state and enters this season as a Holy Cross tone-setter. She plays with elite intensity on the defensive end, using quick hands to generate turnovers and push tempo. Howard excels at attacking downhill, finishing through contact, and controlling the pace late in games. She's also a strong rebounder for a guard, consistently helping Holy Cross secure extra possessions. Offensively, she's capable of carrying the scoring load while also creating easy shots for teammates. Her leadership stands out, especially in clutch situations where she rarely makes mistakes. Howard's competitiveness elevates the rest of the roster and gives Holy Cross a championship-caliber presence. She is poised for one of the best senior seasons in in Class LL. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Isabella Lombardo hives Holy Cross consistency, toughness, and willingness to take big shots when the team needs them most. She plays with strong poise and rarely gets rattled by pressure defense. Lombardo is a reliable shooter from mid-range and three, helping stretch opposing defenses to create driving gaps. She rebounds at a high level for her position, often influencing games through hustle plays. Lombardo's court vision allows her to make simple, smart reads that keep Holy Cross' offense flowing. Defensively, she communicates well and rotates quickly, fitting perfectly into the Holy Cross aggressive style. She thrives in fast-paced environments where her decision making shines. Expect her role and scoring volume to grow significantly this season. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Southington (2)</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Lily Cooper is one of the most complete junior guards in Connecticut and the unquestioned leader of Southington's underclass core. She sores at all three levels and creates advantages using her poise and timing. Cooper is an excellent passer and frequently makes reads that elevate her teammates production. Her defensive instincts stand out: she jumps passing lanes, pressures the ball, and forces turnovers. She rebounds exceptionally well for a guard, helping start transition breaks. Cooper thrives in fast-paced systems but it just as effective in a half-court setting. Her ability to dictate tempo makes her one of the toughest matchups in Class LL. She enters the year as a top junior prospect statewide. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Aubrey Betances provides Southington with a young, high-upside guard who competes with toughness on both ends. She attacks the basket fearlessly and finishes well through contact for her age. Betances brings defensive grit, applying ball pressure and making opponents uncomfortable. She has good size for a guard and uses it well to rebound and defend multiple positions. Offensively, she's developing into a confident shooter capable of spacing the floor. Her energy and motor make her valuable in key moments, especially when Southington needs defensive stops. Betances shows maturity beyond her years and is trending upward fast. She gives Southington a strong sophomore presence next to Cooper. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Greenwich (3) </h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Zuri Faison is already one of the most dominant underclass players in Connecticut, and she's only a freshman. She controls the paint with elite rebounding instincts and physical strength that separates her from most players her age. Faison is an efficient scorer who finishes at a high percentage around the rim. Defensively, she alters shots, blocks attempts, and forces teams to rethink their interior offense. Her mobility and motor allow her to run the floor and create early scoring opportunities. Faison plays with confidence beyond her grade level and has the potential to be a game-changing prospect for years to come. Greenwich has a star in the making. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Madi Utzinger gives Greenwich a reliable scoring threat on the wing and provides a strong two-way impact. She shoots the ball well from the perimeter and can attack closeouts efficiently. Utzinger's versatility allows her to play multiple positions and defend several different matchups. She rebounds well and uses her length to generate deflections defensively. Offensively, she plays within the flow of the game and rarely forces tough shots. Her experience complements Faison's presence inside, creating a balanced attack. Utzinger is poised for a breakout junior year as her offensive confidence continues to grow. She remains one of the most important pieces of Greenwich's underclass core. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Sacred Heart Academy (4) </h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='968224' first='Mila' last='Harmon'] is a physical, athletic sophomore who brings energy and toughness to Sacred Heart's front court. She scores efficiently around the rim and is improving around the arc. Harmon rebounds aggressively and creates second chance points through pure effort. Defensively, she plays with high motor and challenges shots with her strength and timing. She runs the floor well and thrives in transition-heavy stretches. Harmon adds depth and balance to SHA's underclass unit. As her offensive game expands, she could become one of the top sophomores in Class LL. She's trending toward a breakout season. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Madelyn Burke is one of the most impactful junior forwards in Connecticut and a major reason SHA remains a contender. She protects the rim with excellent timing and instincts. Burke rebounds at a high level and consistently wins physical battles inside. Offensively, she finishes well around the rim and has developed a smooth mid-range game. She brings versatility on defense, allowing SHA to switch and still maintain discipline. Burke's basketball IQ continues to rise as she takes on more responsibility. Her presence gives SHA a dependable interior anchor. Expect her to be one of the focal points of their junior-driven core this season. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Conard (5)</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Emily Knowles is a dynamic junior guard and the centerpiece of Conard's young roster. She plays with confidence and can create her open shot from anywhere on the floor. Knowles thrives in transition, using speed to attack early before defenses set. She's also a capable shooter from deep, forcing opponents to pick her up early. Defensively, she competes hard and uses her quickness to pressure ball-handlers. Knowles embraces the responsibility of being Conard's lead option and performs well under pressure. She shows strong leadership qualities and elevates those around her. Expect her to continue climbing as one of the top junior guards in Connecticut. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Grace McMahon is an emerging sophomore wing with strong upside and versatility. She plays with length and fluidity, making her effective in transition. McMahon rebounds well for her position and contributes consistently on the glass. Defensively, she uses her frame to contest shots and disrupt passing lanes. Offensively, she is improving as a shooter and becoming more confident creating off the dribble. Her ability to play multiple positions gives Conard flexibility with lineups. Mcmahon's long-term development is extremely promising. She is one of Conard's most important underclass pieces moving forward. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Warde (6)</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Ryanee Gulbin is a highly competitive junio guard who brings scoring, toughness, and leadership to Warde's young team. She shoots the ball well from three and is comfortable creating off the dribble. Gulbin thrives in late game situations and embraces the big moments. Defensively, she brings intensity and consistently disrupts ball-handlers. She's also a strong communicator who sets the tone for the rest of Warde's backcourt. Offensively, she can initiate sets or play off the ball depending on matchups. Gulbin's versatility makes her one of the most important juniors in Class LL. She should have a major impact on Warde's success this season. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Samantha Silvia anchors the frontcourt for Warde with her rebounding, physicality, and improved finishing ability. She plays with a nonstop motor and consistently wins hustle battles. Silva protects the rim well and provides much-needed interior toughness in Class LL matchups. Offensively, she finishes through contact and has become more confident as a mid-range shooter. Her ability to run the floor gives Warde an additional transition threat. Silva's presence helps balance Warde's inside-outside attack. She communicates well defensively, and always keeps an eye on her man and the ball. As she continues to grow, Silva is on a lot of recruits radars this season. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Ridgefield (7)</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Cathryn Mills is one of Ridgefield's most promising sophomores, contributing in key moments even as a young player. During Ridgefield's 2025 FCIAC championship run, she scored in the final, going 3-for-5 from the field. Her ability to knock down shots under pressure shows both confidence and skill; that kind of poise is rare for a player her age. Mills also plays with a high basketball IQ: she moves without the ball, understands spacing, and looks for the open shot. On defense, she applies pressure, using her length and footwork to stay in front of ball-handlers and help in rotations. She rebounds well for a guard, often being in the right spot on long rebounds or loose balls. Her composure in games makes her a go-to option for clutch possessions, even as a sophomore. As she continues to develop her shot creation and decision-making, Mills could emerge as a primary playmaker for Ridgefield's core. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Kate Sullivan has a strong feel for the game, showing poise and confidence beyond her years. Sullivan can create her own shot off the dribble, but she also makes smart decisions to find open teammates in transition or in the half-court. Defensively, she uses quickness and reach to stay infront of ball-handlers and disrupt passing lanes. She crashes the boards for a guard, helping Ridgefield generate extra possessions and second-chance points. Sullivan's basketball IQ allows her to stay composed in late-game situations and make plays when it matters most. As she gains more experience, she has the potential to be a primary offensive option and a leader in the backcourt for years to come. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Mercy (8) </h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Kasey Clerkin made a huge splash as a freshman during Mercy's playoff run, showing poise well beyond her years. She plays with unselfishness, rarely forcing the ball, but knows when to attack and when to make the right pass. Defensively, Clerkin is scrappy and alert, using her anticipation to generate turnovers and fast break opportunities. She's not just a spot up shooter, she creates her own looks and is fearless attacking the rim. Despite being a freshman, Clerkin's maturity, high basketball IQ, and two-way impact make her one of the most promising underclass prospects in Class LL. If she continues to grow more, she could be a cornerstone of Mercy's backcourt for years. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Jasmine Bryant is a confident, high motor guard for Mercy who makes her presence known on both ends of the floor. She shoots with range and is not afraid to pull up from outside, keeping defenses honest. Her ability to attack off the bounce gives Mercy a secondary playmaker when their primary creators are covered. Defensively, she competes aggressively, using her quickness to pressure ball-handlers and disrupt passing lanes. She's also an active rebounder for a guard, helping her team maintain possession after contested shots. Offensively, Bryant can step into big moments and knock down key buckets, especially in tight games. Her leadership and work ethic are contagious, she consistently brings energy that lifts Mercy's intensity. </p>    <p></p>