By JOE PALLADINO

The city girls basketball jamboree has been cancelled, Wilby athletic director Al Piccolo said Friday morning. With heavy snow forecast for Saturday, the jamboree, which featured all eight Waterbury high schools, was called off.

This is the second straight year that a jamboree was cancelled due to weather. The boys jamboree was KO’d in 2016, also due to snow.

The city boys jamboree is still on the schedule for Dec. 16, also at Wilby. Tip time is noon.

The Class S state championship football game between Ansonia and St. Joseph has been postponed, and will now be played Monday night at 6:30 at Cheshire High.

From the CIAC:

POLL: Vote for team you think will win title

Here are previews of the Berkshire League girls basketball teams with information supplied by the team coaches:

GILBERT

Head coach: Gerry Hicks (7th season)

2016-17: 15-8

Key players: Senior Liz Wexler (12.1 ppg) All-BL; Juniors Jill Wexler (7.3 ppg), Angie Delacruz (9.3 ppg), Dileysi Sarmiento, Marcela Moreira, Hannah Crowley.

Outlook: In a BL race where everyone is invited to make a run at the title, the Yellowjackets are a top contender. It starts with Wexler, that would be Liz, supported by a talented group of underclassmen. Size may be an issue.

Coach’s comment: “We lost our whole inside game to graduation, but the girls are working extremely hard to make up for that loss. We will probably be the smallest team in the league. We have a lot of experience, so we hope to have an impact on the league race.”

HOUSATONIC

Head coach: Steve Dodge (2nd season, 21-3)

2016-17: 21-3 (BL co-champ, Class S semifinalist)

Key players: Seniors Emily Geyselaers (8 ppg), Olivia Forstmann (6.1 ppg), Allison Holmes; Juniors Caroline Hurlbert, Christina Winburn.

Outlook: Housy can score, has skill, good size in the post, and returns with a piece of the BL title, and that’s saying something with the Bears still on a league rampage. Is Housy the team to beat? Might be.

Coach’s comment: “A strong group of returning plays mixed with good height under the basket will make us a team that can contend.”

LEWIS MILLS

Head coach: Al Ciarlo (1st season, 11 at Shepaug, 81-113)

2016-17: 15-8

Key players: Seniors Brooklyn Murdick, Gabby Bagdonas, Alyssa Wrabel, Hannah Rich; Junior Samantha Chadwick (11.6 ppg) All BL.

Outlook: Look for Mills to be near the top in the BL free-for-all. There is good size here, depth, and a proven scorer in Chadwick.

Coach’s comment: “We have a nice mix of senior leadership and youth. They are an incredibly hardworking, committed, dedicated, enthusiastic, and competitive group, from varsity to junior varsity. We have agreed to set the bar high at all levels. They have bought in from day one.”

LITCHFIELD

Head coach: Paige Young (1st season)

2016-17: 6-16

Key players: Seniors Alexa Guerrera, Amber Marino; Juniors Anna Conaghan, Rachel Leigh, Samantha Brodeur; Sophomores Aileen Lennon, Allie Davenport, Sam Barnes.

Outlook: Litchfield is yet another team with the size, talent, and depth to leap out of the BL’s mid-pack.

Coach’s comment: “Litchfield girls basketball has developed a significant culture change for the program. The team is driven on unity, commitment, and grit. Every player in the program will contribute to the team’s success this season. The team is embracing the changes established and looking forward to the positive outcomes they will lead to.”

NONNEWAUG

Head coach: Adam Brutting (6th season, 83-37)

2016-17: 7-15

Key players: Seniors Mary Bibbey (13.1 ppg) All-BL, Jen Charette (8.1 ppg), Bella Mancini; Junior Nicole Mercer; Sophomore Maddie Woodward.

Outlook: The Chiefs were knocked out of the BL and state tourney in the first round. That’s not the Chiefs we know. Look for a bounce back this season.

Coach’s comment: “This year’s team has a good mix of experienced, driven, and hardworking underclassmen. It will be a lot of fun to see how they grow and learn from each other as the year progresses.”

NORTHWESTERN

Head coach: Fred Williams (40th season, 594-289)

2016-17: 12-10

Key players: Seniors Addie Hester (9.2 ppg), Morgan Daley, Gina Weingart (7.7 ppg); Juniors Emma Propfe (8.9 ppg), Madison, Sydney Sanden; Sophomores Jana Sanden, Franky DeSanti, Skylar DiMartino.

Outlook: The Highlanders are back in it. There is size here, returning scorers, and for a team that graduated a load of players, still a surprising amount of experience and depth. The coach approaches a significant milestone.

Coach’s comment: “We graduated eight, so we are looking for players to step up and fill those voids. We have four players with lots of varsity experience, which will help. We have to see how much we have improved from a year ago. Injuries need to be avoided and hard work from all is needed. It is a great group of girls who have the potential to improve upon last season.”

SHEPAUG

Head coach: Karen Puskas (5th season, 28-56)

2016-17: 0-20

Key players: Seniors Olivia Moore, Avery Serra; Sophomores Lucy Puskas (9.6 ppg), Gwen Noto, Skylar Soletsky.

Outlook: No way do the Spartans go winless again – no way. Yes, Shepaug is young but the nucleus is there, led by Puskas who, as a freshman, led team in scoring, rebounding (6 rpg), blocks, and steals.

Coach’s comment: “The team is definitely in a rebuilding year as we are heavily loaded with underclassmen. While our two senior captains will be four year players, they need to put their leadership skills and experience to work and create a basketball environment that will be challenging and competitive but yet educational and absorbing for our young team. Our talent is heavily loaded in our freshmen and sophomores and they will need to learn to compete quickly as they are called upon to perform at a varsity level. Getting the team back in the win column is our goal, knowing our future is bright.”

TERRYVILLE

Head coach: Tom Morgan (3rd season)

2016-17: 4-16

Key players: Seniors Sam Stone, Alana Girch, McKenzie Huria; Junior Lauren Jacobs; Sophomores Amy Roqi, Jackie Johnson.

Outlook: Across the board BL teams have excellent size this season, and no team is taller than Terryville. The Kangaroos have a chance to get into the top tier of the league.

Coach’s comment: “We have good size and some quickness, but team has not played together before. It will take time to develop chemistry.”

THOMASTON

Head coach: Bob McMahon

2016-17: 23-5 (BL champion, Class S finalist)

Key players: Seniors Alexa Milius (6.2 ppg), Alexa Sanson, Mackenzie Doyle, Kaitlin Root; Juniors Alexis Theriault, Erin Fainer, Megan Guay; Freshman Anna Colavecchio, Evan Doyle.

Outlook: To recap — six straight BL championships, two Class S titles, five straight appearances in state title game. This isn’t the Little Team That Could, it is The Little Team That Does. However, the BL chase-pack is bigger and a bit closer this season. It will be a challenge to repeat. The Bears like a challenge.

Coach’s comment: “We are hoping that strong senior leadership will impact newcomers to make us a factor in the league race.”

WAMOGO

Head coach: Kerri Stolle (1st season)

2016-17: 8-14

Key players: Seniors Rose Kelly (13.1 ppg), Morgan Betti, Cassidy Wilson (7.3 ppg).

Outlook: There is a Stolle in the Wamogo gym, and it is the coach. This should be interesting. There is a great player to build around in Kelly.

Coach’s comment: “We have many returning players. They are working hard every day to learn the new defenses, plays, and style that we want to use. We are going to need every player’s effort to accomplish our goals this season.”

The Housatonic and Thomaston girls basketball teams tied for the Berkshire League championship last season. The Bears have had quite a run in the league and state tournaments (you might have heard), but has their dominance run out?

PREVIEWS: Find out what the BL coaches say about their teams

So, who you got in the BL girls hoop race this winter?

Here are previews of some other area girls basketball teams with information supplied by the team coaches:

CHESHIRE

Head coach: Michelle Vieira (2nd season)

2016-17: 5-15

Key players: Seniors Julia Schaff (7.9 ppg), Sara Mulligan, Brady McQuade, Emily Yonych (6.6 rpg), Mia Pulsciano, Ariana Perlini, Emma Watkinson; Juniors Mia Juodaitis (12.8 ppg, 5.5 rpg), Jade Barnes.

Outlook: The Rams will turn things around this season. Juodaitis will score and Cheshire will bomb from behind the arc, and make them.

Coach’s comment: “We return a strong core of players. Should have a balanced scoring attack. We hope to exploit mismatches with our long, athletic guards.”

POMPERAUG

Head coach: Joe Fortier (8th season, 130-40)

2016-17: 18-6 (Class L semifinalist)

Key players: Senior Karli Opalka (17.9 ppg, 14.8 rpg, 4 steals) All SWC, All State, Ally McCormick (6.2 rpg), Megan Todhunter (14 ppg, 6.6 rbg), Claudine Legato (9.1 rpg); Junior Maggie Lee (10.7 ppg).

Outlook: The Panthers lost no one from a really good team, and now have the chance to be a lot better than good. They will bash you on the boards. Get used to it. Opalka will reach the 1,000-point plateau, and she has already done that in rebounds, with 1,034 boards for her career. Get to the Pomp-O-Dome.

Coach’s comment: “We are an experienced team looking to build off last year’s success. The SWC has a lot of quality teams in the top half of the league with a chance to win it all. Hopefully we can be one of those teams playing on the final night.”

KAYNOR TECH

Head coach: Brian Stasaitis (12th season, 149-96) … coach will be busy this winter.

2016-17: 16-8

Key players: Seniors Maggie DeSantis, Haley Romaniello, Brianna Isaacs, Nicole Morris; Juniors Julia Mongelluzzo, Bernie Hernandez, Sarah Wisniewski, Danielle Salvati, Se’Raya Steward.

Outlook: The Panthers graduated five off a team that was 13-1 in conference play, the only loss to Capital Prep. They build around Wisniewski and DeSantis.

Coach’s comment: “We have two returning starters that have significant experience. We look to other seniors and younger players to make an impact. We will continue to play a very competitive out-of-conference schedule.”

WOLCOTT TECH

Head coach: Jennifer Garzone (2nd season)

2016-17: 5-15

Key players: Seniors Madison Rubino, Abigail Hanlon, Allysia Ruggiero, Morgan Rubino; Juniors Katiusca DeLaCruz (11.5 ppg), Victoria Smith-Silvia, Katelyn Benedict.

Outlook: The Wildcats play their first season in Connecticut Technical Conference, Nutmeg Division, and this will help. There’s a shot at a state tourney berth next spring.

Coach’s comment: “We finally have an experienced varsity lineup after a season with no seniors, minimal experience, and multiple injuries. The opportunity to qualify for the league and state tournament is always our team goal.”

WESTOVER

Head coach: Marty Pelosi (12th season, 119-99)

2016-17: 11-11

Key players: Seniors Gabbie Dunn (27.9 ppg, 7.8 rpg) All New England, Chaylee Macadam (6.4 rpg), Grace Bollard, Madison Burns, Tegan McBride; Sophomores Kayla Surajnoth, Ellie Dunn, Mia Izzi, Nat Calo, Paige Carroll.

Outlook: When Gabbie Dunn puts it up, it goes in. Westover will thrive behind Dunn as she chases after 2,000 career points. The team has the balance to challenge for a championship.

Coach’s comment: “This is a very athletic and experienced group with high expectations. Offensively, we have several players to complement Gabbie this year. We have to play better team defense if we are to reach our goals.”

TAFT

Head coach: Jon Willson (16th season, 219-117)

2016-17: 13-10

Key players: Lauren Pelosi (12.4 ppg) All New England, Juliana Yamin All Founders League, Amara Chidom, Kris Manfreda, Kaia Whiteley, Kayla Robinson (11 ppg) All New England, Natalie Hodak.

Coach’s comment: “This is one of the most balanced and experienced teams in recent Taft girls basketball history. We have size, quickness, and scoring ability at the offensive end, and we are defensive-minded enough at the other end that we should be competitive against virtually all teams we face. If we stay healthy, and if the returners and new players quickly learn each other’s tendencies and preferences, we could win a lot of games.”

CHASE COLLEGIATE

Head coach: Bill Maisto (5th season, 47-35)

2016-17: 8-10

Key players: Samantha Crone, Samantha Dassatti All HVAL, All New England, Angelene Guglielmo, Phoebe De-Riu Crowley, Madeline Patrick All HVAL, All New England, Grace Frohock.

Outlook: When you return all your starters, including two All-New England picks, you expect big things.

Coach’s comment: “We bring back our five starters from last year, so we expect to compete for a league title. Our defense and rebounding will be the key. As always, we will set goals and work hard to achieve them. The girls come to practice every day, work hard and have a willingness to learn and develop their skills.”

1 of 6

Here are previews of the NVL’s Copper Division girls basketball teams, with information as supplied by team coaches:

ANSONIA

Head coach: Vince DellaVolpe (4th season, 5-55)

2016-17: 3-17

Key players: Seniors Josenia Lopez, Sara Hanaif; Juniors Arianna Blackwell, Liz Wilson, Larissa Rodriguez; Sophomores Natasha Rivera, Hailey Belido; Freshman Jayda Sanchez.

Outlook: The Chargers believe that a place in the Class S tourney is possible this season.

Coach’s comment: “We have had our best offseason in a long time and hopefully it translates into more wins. The girls have been working extremely hard and are excited to get the season going. We also welcome back former head coach Pat Lynch as our junior varsity coach and Natalie Ramadanovic as a first-year varsity assistant.”

DERBY

Head coach: Dave Chevarella (21st season, 143-268)

2016-17: 7-14

Key players: Junior Cristina Carloni; Sophomore Madison Koval (7.9 rpg).

Outlook: Replacing graduates and leading scorers Anna Chevarella and Amelia Carloni will be a great challenge.

Coach’s comment: “We have to replace three starters and 88 percent of our scoring. The team is young with only one senior, a transfer from Kolbe Cathedral (Aryssel Flores). They are the most athletic group in years. We currently have 16 girls, which is the most in the past six years. If the new players understand what is expected and adjust to varsity basketball quickly, a return trip to the state tournament is possible.”

OXFORD

Head coach: Nora Curley (1st season)

2016-17: 5-15

Key players: Seniors Sam Kostek, Laura Trombetta; Juniors Molly Sastram, Maddie Smith, Molly Smith, Kelly Shpak (9.8 ppg); Sophmores Sapphire Leigh; Freshmen Maddie Sastram, Paige Davis, Alexis Sanders.

Outlook: Oxford has the Maddies, Mollys, the Smiths, the Sastroms and that sounds like a winning formula.

Coach’s comment: “We are returning a young group from last year and are looking to expand on the total wins. The team has been working really hard to get ready for regular season play. We are looking for leadership from our upperclassmen to lead the team.”

ST. PAUL CATHOLIC

Head coach: Joe Mone (23rd season, 330-187)

2016-17: 22-4 (NVL champion, Class M quarterfinalist)

Key players: Seniors Molly Hooks, Brie Giantonio, Aidrianna Lopez, Lindsey O’Bright; Sophomore Janessa Gonzalez (13 ppg) All NVL, Jade Udoh (7.7 rpg).

Outlook: The Falcons got it done last season and beat Holy Cross in the NVL title game, and followed that up with a run to the Class M quarters. There is enough talent back to expect more of the same. Gonzalez, as a freshman, was the NVL tourney MVP.

Coach’s comment: “Although lacking varsity experience, we should have enough talent to compete for our division and league.”

SEYMOUR

Head coach: Brian Cleveland (9th season, 74-86)

2016-17: 16-7

Key players: Seniors Grace Hayes, Molly Kennedy; Juniors Sydnie Drezek (9.9 ppg), Isabella Calabro, Alyssa Cosciello; Sophomores Kolby Sirowich, Arlinda Peraj.

Outlook: Seymour must adjust to life without Faith Thurmond in the post. The returning players bring back experience in pressure postseason games.

Coach’s comment: “We have a lot of new faces, and much needed, after graduating last year’s seniors. We’ll play a different style than in years past, but if we gel as a team as the season progresses, Seymour won’t be overlooked.”

Here are previews of the NVL’s Iron Division girls basketball teams, with information as supplied by team coaches:

NAUGATUCK

Head coach: Gail Strumpf-Cheney (1st season, also coached at Woodland, Oxford)

2016-17: 7-14

Key players: Seniors Alexis Woods, Alyssa Peterson, Bridget Rosikiewicz, Alyana Sosa; Juniors Mia Rottatori, Shannon Burns, Hailey Deitelbaum.

Outlook: It is time for Naugy to get back into the NVL title picture. Is this the group that can do that?

Coach’s comment: “This is a great, hard working group of ladies. They come ready to go each day at practice and they are excited to see what the season holds. They are driven and focused.”

TORRINGTON

Head coach: Mike Fritch (25th season)

2016-17: 17-7

Key players: Senior Kayla Williams, Kirsten Gray, Shannon Reardon, Amelia Mierzwinski; Junior Alyssa Maraia (9 rpg).

Outlook: The Raiders graduated the league’s top scorer in Brie Pergola.

Coach’s comment: “We lost five seniors to graduation who played major minutes last year. Returning players will need to develop quickly, and we need to replace the bulk of those minutes. Size and bench strength will be an issue, but as always our players will work hard to improve and compete.”

WATERTOWN

Head coach: Jason Hurdle (4th season, 46-24)

2016-17: 15-8

Key players: Seniors Brianna Nolan, Kayla Fac; Juniors Jordyn Forte (13 ppg), Emily Deptula, Alyssa Santangeli, Chloe Defeo.

Outlook: The Indians will go small and quick. Forte is a guard package who will be tough to defend.

Coach’s comment: “We are a different type of team from past years, and really look to be competitive. Every player will step on the court and help us have a successful season.”

WOLCOTT

Head coach: Marty DiTuccio (2nd season)

2016-17: 11-11

Key players: Senior Raven Cody (17.2 ppg), Alana Greene, Samantha Hickey, Jenna Hoban (5.6 rpg), Morgan Kiely.

Outlook: The Eagles have the NVL’s top returning scorer in Cody, a strong senior class, and a solid bench. The first goal of the season: Finish higher than eighth in the NVL and avoid the top seed in the postseason. That would be something new.

Coach’s comment: “Our team returns five experienced seniors who have dedicated themselves to the program for four years. They work well together and they all bring a different element to the program. I have been very pleased with their leadership, as they encourage and challenge our underclassmen.”

WOODLAND

Head coach: Jess Moffo

2016-17: 9-11

Key players: Senior Haley Andrews, Eliza Smith; Junior Hana Bojka; Sophomores Jillian Barbarito, Paige Resnick, Katie Sirowich.

Outlook: Graduation was not kind to the Hawks. The team lost its top scorers and rebounders.

Coach’s comment: “We have to fill in some roles but have leaders in Andrews and Smith who are doing a great job. The girls seem excited and are putting in the work. We are a young team that will gain a lot of experience this year.”

BY JASON LEVY

BRISTOL — Defending its first Naugatuck Valley League girls basketball title won’t come easy for St. Paul High.

All five senior starters from last year’s team — Brigid Johndrow, Amelia Sanchez, Chantell-Marie Lopez, Alexa Morneault and Alexandria Mourges — have departed.

The current roster is mostly comprised of freshmen and sophomores with little experience at the varsity level. Sophomore Janessa Gonzalez earned All-NVL honors last season coming off the bench. Senior Molly Hooks and sophomore Jade Udoh will lead the frontcourt. The Falcons must rely on many new faces as they try to repeat as league champs.

“We want to compete for everything,” St. Paul coach Joe Mone said. “So for myself, it’s the same as it always is. We want to play in every championship game we can and we want to try and play on the last day of the season.”

Mone likes the talent on the team, but knows things may not always go smoothly as younger players are thrust into larger roles.

“Everybody is going to have to be ready all the time,” Mone said. “The past few years, we’ve been very successful, but it’s been the same group of kids. You kind of knew who was where. I think this year anybody sitting on that bench better be ready because you never know who is going in. Somewhere along the line, it will all settle in.”

Gonzalez will take on a new role as a combo guard. She has put in the work during the offseason to be more of a leader, something vital to running the offense.

“Playing point guard is new for me since I only played (shooting) guard last year,” Gonzalez said. “But each and every day I get more comfortable with it.”

The senior class of Hooks, Brie Giantonio, Lindsey O’Bright and Adrianna Lopez doesn’t have a lot of on-court experience; the brunt of it belongs to Hooks. But Mone expects them to be leaders on a young squad.

“We’re definitely trying to watch and see what we can help people with and tell them on the side what they can work on, what they need to do,” Giantonio said. “Because we’ve been there, we know what they’re feeling.”

Mone believes the younger players are more willing to listen when the advice is coming from someone to whom they can relate.

“Sometimes, certain things they talk about come across better from their peers than from some middle-aged guy or somebody they never saw play,” he said.

Mone expects competition for the NVL crown from Holy Cross, Watertown, Kennedy and Sacred Heart, to name a few. A slow start shouldn’t be too high a hurdle for St. Paul to overcome.

“Everybody wants to win 10 in a row. But we’re using the beginning to benefit the end,” Mone said. “And I’m not so concerned that, especially with an inexperienced team, it’s not going to be pretty all the time. There’s going to be some ugly-looking games. But we’re gearing to play our best basketball come February and March. That’s what everybody should be doing.”

By MARK JAFFEE

On the eve of the conclusion of the 2017 scholastic football season, with Ansonia High seeking its 21st state title Monday night, we reflect on some of the people, places and things that have made this year memorable from my sideline vantage point.

Coach of the year: The .500 record was monumental for second-year Woodland coach Chris Moffo, who guided the Hawks from a 1-9 mark in 2016 to 5-5 in year two. The Wolcott native and longtime Hawks assistant paid his dues, weathered the storm and now has just scratched the surface of what he is capable of doing down the road.

Best comebacks: Down two TDs in the fourth quarter, Watertown rallied to edge Wolcott, 34-32, with a Nick D’Elia-to-Joe Deptula TD pass in the final minute. Naugatuck was down to Watertown by 13 points and rallied for a 27-13 win. A week later, Naugatuck was down by a TD and scored 41 straight points to beat Wolcott.

Best finish: Holy Cross’ Corey Fappiano’s lofted pass against the wind to DeAndrew Wallace in the left corner of the end zone in the final minute to defeat WCA, 20-14.

Best clutch boot: First-year place-kicker Jason Hirschauer, a standout golfer and basketball player, booted the game-winning PAT kick to give Pomperaug a 13-12 win over host Notre Dame of Fairfield on Thanksgiving for the Panthers’ third win of the season.

Best defensive game: Naugatuck’s Ricardo Montanez recorded three interceptions, all in the first half, to set up scores as the Greyhounds topped Crosby, 61-14.

Best offensive game: Ansonia senior Markell Dobbs had 404 rushing yards and six TDs on Thanksgiving Day to beat Naugatuck, 46-28.

Best individual play: Dobbs’ defensive hustle and strip of Stafford’s Julien Rivas just before the goal line in a Class S semifinal win set him apart from others.

Best juniors: Cade Klarides-Ditria is a rising defensive standout who also proved his respect for his team by volunteering to move from tight end to right tackle to fill a need. A close second is Naugatuck running back and linebacker Malachi Gatison.

Best Brass City player: WCA senior Jadan Battle recorded eight interceptions, including a sensational leaping catch against Gilbert-Northwestern in the season finale.

Comeback player of the year (2018): Watertown junior running back Kobe Champagne is motivated after being sidelined this season due to a leg injury sustained on the first day of contact practice.

Best sibling moment: Watertown junior center Marty Smith received his game cleats from his sister, Olivia, who sprinted around Sage Park to deliver them a half-hour before the Class M playoff game against Berlin.

Best honorary gesture: WCA senior Jessah Doctor sported the No. 13 jersey in honor of his late grandfather, Sephus Jacobs Jr., who died July 5, 2013.

Best act of respect: Seymour’s Ryan Keough had a season-ending leg injury during a scrimmage in August. He thanked Wildcats assistant Jamie Yakushewich for riding in the ambulance to the hospital with him and checking on him regularly after his surgery and subsequent release from the hospital.

Best conversation: After a close loss at Watertown and a demoralizing loss at home to Seymour, Wolcott’s Nick Longo and Mike Ciarlo talked maturely about handling the adversity.

Best family support: House Minority Leader Rep. Themis Klarides, R-Derby, got through the capitol budget chaos and rarely missed a game played by her nephew, Cade Klarides-Ditria. Her reasoning: Family comes first.

Best good deeds: Watertown’s D’Elia spearheaded a student campaign to help raise money for the Oakville VFW, which was burglarized twice during the fall, and to honor veterans at a home game. For the second year, Watertown and Torrington students donated hundreds of dollars to the family of a local child dealing with a serious illness.

Best nonfootball award: Oxford senior captain Robert Sergyienko earned a $500 scholar-athlete scholarship from the Colonial Football Officials Board at the Anthony’s Lake Club in Danbury recently.

Best career aspiration: Nonnewaug’s Peter Rickenbach aspires to be a constitutional lawyer and keeps a pocket U.S. Constitution with his school books.

Best preseason quote: “It’s our time.” Watertown’s D’Elia predicted the Indians would have a winning season. Watertown (8-2) advanced to the postseason for the first time in 31 years.

Best quote/college essay: “I’m so proud of my mom (Michelle) for going back to college. She’s my inspiration.” Ansonia’s Kevin Rascoe wrote his college essay on his late father, Kevin, who died in a car accident in 2011 when he was only 11.

Best assist to yours truly: Vince Schaff, who moved out West last summer, reached the mother of Kennedy player Marc Soto through Facebook, enabling me to reach him for a Thanksgiving profile.

Finally, a shout-out to the nearly 1,500 people, both current and ex-players, coaches, referees, fans and faithful readers who reached out to me upon the death of my mom in late September.

Have a safe and healthy holiday season and beyond.

Reach Mark Jaffee at mjaffee@rep-am.com or follow him on Twitter @TheRealJaffman

By JOE PALLADINO

Though we are on a headlong dash toward the winter sports season, perhaps we can use a bit of snowfall to tidy up a bit from fall soccer.

One missed story was the postseason appearances by the Wilby High boys and Shepaug High girls soccer teams, and a fitting tribute to Waterbury’s Pedro DeBrito.

This was Shepaug’s first postseason trip in three seasons. For Wilby, it was the first trip in four. But this was significant for Wilby: The team was once shut down for lack of player interest, and three seasons ago the team did not have a coach 24 hours before the start of practice.

Current coaches Tom Hunt and John Alves stepped forward to save team in 2014 and have brought the Wildcats back from the brink and into the postseason.

“Getting back to the state tourney has brought some excitement and pride back to school,” said Hunt, who is also the Woodland boys basketball coach. “The players understod that the program was at a low point. These guys bought into what we asked them, and they have seen the rewards of their hard work.”

Hunt and Alves, who also work together in the state Department of Corrections, have preached what they called “the new Wilby Way, which is play hard and play for each other.”

Tara Flaherty, the Shepaug coach, is thrilled by Wilby’s success. You may recall she was once the Wildcats head coach. In fact, she allowed me into a difficult team meeting 17 seasons ago when she informed the players that the decision had been made to close up Wilby soccer. She stayed on, though, revived interest and brought soccer back one season later.

“The Shepaug girls do not play together prior to high school,” Flaherty said. “Shepaug is a regional school district with students from three different towns. It takes a lot of team building to get the students to gel and play as a cohesive unit.”

Flaherty was part of that first Wilby revival, when she coached the team back into the state tournament in 2005. That was the first postseason appearance in 16 years.

“We (Shepaug) also parallel Wilby in struggling with numbers,” she said. “Shepaug is a Class S school with 350 students. Our numbers have increased, which has helped us rebuild and make the state tournament.”

The last bit of good news — and we’re back at Wilby here — was that the soccer field, which was named for the late Pedro BeBrito, has finally received a sign to announce that fact.

There is no small irony in the fact that DeBrito, Connecticut’s greatest men’s soccer player, graduated from a city school, Wilby, that did not have soccer program at the time.

There is a DeBrito Field now at Wilby and a Wilby soccer team once again on solid ground on Pedro’s pitch.

Send comments to jpalladino@rep-am.com, and follow on Twitter @RAOffTheRecord.

GIRLS BASKETBALL
Kaynor Tech at Joel Barlow, 5:15
SWC-FCIAC Challenge
at Pomperaug
Newtown vs. Danbury, 5
St. Joseph at Pomperaug, 7

Here are previews of the NVL’s Brass Division girls basketball teams, with information as supplied by team coaches:

CROSBY

Head coach: Phil Lott (8th season)

2016-17: 5-16

Key players: Seniors Leyda Colon, Erica Soares; Sophomore Tiahna Pulliam.

Outlook: The Bulldogs made the state tourney last season with just five victories. The goal is get back, the old-fashioned way, with eight wins.

Coach’s comment: “We have a smaller team, therefore we need to use our speed to run the floor and play good defense. We have a young team of girls who are motivated and are in the gym working hard.”

HOLY CROSS

Head coach: Frank Lombardo (24th season, 494-82)

2016-17: 25-3 (NVL finalist, Class L finalist)

Key players: Seniors Meah Austin (10 ppg, 9 rpg), Devan Eason, Meghan Mazzatto, Julia Mecca, Aiyana Ward (12 ppg, 10 rpg); Juniors Hannah Brown, Allie Brown, Nadia French-Graham, Elise Pelletier, Jasmine Thorpe, Jalin Waters; Sophomores Mariah Grady, Jenna Mowad, Elisabeth Diorio, Ashley Davis.

Outlook: Cross lost a load of talent through graduation and transfer, and none bigger than Century McCartney, who left to attend prep school. The team is still good, quick, and athletic.

Coach’s comment: “There are a couple seniors and juniors who played varsity minutes last year that will be counted on to play a lot of minutes. Our juniors and sophomores have been very successful at the JV level. Now they need to prove they can be successful at the varsity level. Our team goal is to work hard and improve each day. We strive to be the best we can at the end of the year during tournament time.”

KENNEDY

Head coach: Jenn Deeley (17th season)

2016-17: 16-7

Key players: Seniors Ashley Lamb, Yakira Edwards; Juniors Hannah West, Phoebe Cossette.

Outlook: An NVL semifinalist, but the top scorers were lost to graduation. There is rebuilding to do.

Coach’s comment: “We have dedicated seniors who will mentor the many new freshmen and sophomores. Once we establish team chemistry and understand our roles, the potential is there for a great season. Our number one goal is to be a better team in February.”

SACRED HEART

Head coach: Ron Picard (5th season)

2016-17: 16-9 (Class S semifinalist)

Key players: Seniors Jenna Madigan, Kayleigh O’Donnell; Juniors Hayley Tucker, Adalena Francis, Treasure Coleman (12.2 ppg); Sophomores Nevaeh Jones, Aamya Rivera (9.2 ppg), Trista Caron.

Outlook: The Hearts lost in the NVL tourney’s first round, but then went on a superb run in the state tourney, falling one game shy of playing for a state title. Expectations are for even better things to come. This will be a fast team, with superb guard play.

Coach’s comment: “Our team only lost one starter. The returning players had significant playing time last year. This makes the team better prepared to compete against the premier teams in the NVL. I am proud of how hard my girls worked in the offseason and now in practice.”

WCA

Head coach: Stephen Barbieri (3rd season, 11-31)

2016-17: 9-13

Key players: Seniors Armani Weaver (17.4 ppg), Alyssah Chouinard, Shyra Fisher, Alexus Lee, Kendra McPherson, Shynia Moore, Allaysia Murrell, Micahlyn Vaichus; Juniors Taylor Dunn, Leila Lazaro, Dianne Samaroo, Janelle Goodman, LaTavia Parker, Chelyse Joseph.

Outlook: We have waited for the Spartans to become a factor in the NVL, and that season may have arrived. Career has a star in Weaver, and talent on the floor.

Coach’s comment: “We are experienced and ready to compete. Our goal remains the same year in and year out, and that is to compete for an NVL championship and qualify for the state tournament. If we continue to commit ourselves on the defensive end, our goals should be accomplished.”

WILBY

Head coach: Emmanuel Martinez (1st season)

2016-17: 0-20

Key players: Senior Jerica Fabian (8 ppg); Junior Tyla Hyman.

Outlook: The Wildcats retool with a new coach, but experience is thin. The first goal is to compete against city schools and get wins on the board.

Coach’s comment: “The team has good individual talent. Our main focus is to put the pieces together, build chemistry, and do better as a team. We are very young, with just one senior, but they are motivated and eager to play. They want to compete.”

The girls basketball season begins tonight and The Hoop Zone has you covered. Check out these preview videos as you prepare for the games:

Torrington

[This post contains video, click to play]

Pomperaug

[This post contains video, click to play]

Thomaston

[This post contains video, click to play]

Northwestern

[This post contains video, click to play]

St. Paul

[This post contains video, click to play]

Wolcott

[This post contains video, click to play]

Sacred Heart

[This post contains video, click to play]

Holy Cross

[This post contains video, click to play]

Watertown

[This post contains video, click to play]