We asked high school girls tennis coaches to tell us about their teams. Here are the ones who did just that:

NVL

Holy Cross

Coach: Chris Sutton (3rd year, 19-13)

Last Year: 9-7

Key Players: Julia Dzinski (Sr., capt.), Julia Flynn (Sr., capt.).

Outlook: The Crusaders have a mix of experience and enthusiasm and are hoping to make noise in the NVL

Naugatuck

Coach: Jose Sendra (9th season)

Last year: 16-0

Key players: Sabrah Cegielski (All-NVL), Brielle Behuniak (All-NVL), Hailey Russell (All-NVL), Catarina Rego (All-NVL).

Outlook: The team graduated all of the singles players and we are working to find players to fill those spots. Naugatuck hopes to be in the top four of the league in the NVL and compete deep into the NVL team and individual tournaments. The doubles’ teams should be our strength with everyone returning.

Sacred Heart

Coach: Justin Michaud (3rd season, 27-5)

Last year: 15-1

Key players: Ava Longo (Sr.), Nhi Nguyen (Sr., NVL doubles champion), Hannah Dombroski (Sr.),

Siobhan Gilmore (Sr.), Katie Brown (Jr.), Najma Braddock (Jr.).

Outlook: The Hearts graduated four seniors, but have many returning players to give them a chance to have a very successful season.

Seymour

Coach: Dan Sorge

Last Year: 6-10

Key Players: Rachel Moon (Sr.), Claudia Iacomacci (Sr.), Zana Imetovski (Jr.).

Outlook: The Wildcats return 12 players from last season, giving the team more depth than prior seasons. The team hopes to translate this added experience to success on the court. The Wildcats are looking to stay competitive in all of their matches and return to the NVL playoffs for a second consecutive season.

Watertown

Coach: Timothy Malootian (13th year)

Last year: 9-6

Key players: Charina Manalo (Sr.), Alba Xhema (Sr.), Kiara Hima (Jr.), Morgan Holley (Jr.), Chloe Venuk (Jr.), Bianca Way (Jr.).

Outlook: The Indians have some spots to fill having graduated four out of ten starters from last year but have several freshman/upperclassmen competing for spots. The Indians goal is to get back to the success of the 2017 season when they went undefeated in the regular season and won the NVL title. They also hope to qualify for the state tournament for an eighth time in nine years.

Wilby

Coach: Cazzie Iverson

Last Year: 2-14

Key players: Trinity Thomas (Sr.), Miasia Gatling (Sr.), Sierra Ingrassia (Sr.), Nehemiah Gannie (Sr.), Taylor Saunders (Jr.), Julianna Dimichele (Jr.), Kayla Ireland (Jr.), Alexis Watts (So.), Alexia Cross (So.), Jiselle Dandridge (So.), Anajah Chapman (So.), Kayla McQuiller (So.), Armanee Parker-Ricketts (So.), Chisomo Phiri (So.), Octavia Fields (So.).

Outlook: The Wildcats are looking to build on last season by improving basic fundamentals.

Wolcott

Coach: James Crandall (3rd year, 18-15)

Last year: 10-5

Key Players: Makayla Welton (Sr.), Elena Marciano (Sr.), Skylar Romsky (Sr.), Kerri Rodrigues (Jr.).

Outlook: The Eagles plan on remaining competitive in league play with a majority of last year’s team returning.

Woodland

Coach: Jess DeGennaro (9th year)

Last Year: 11-4

Key Players: Alanna Carasone (Sr.), Mia Piccolo (Sr.), Rachel Poulos (Sr.), Kaitlyn Crosby (Sr.), Morgan Swift (Jr.).

Outlook: The Hawks will be competitive as always with experienced returners looking to make the line-up.

Berkshire League

Gilbert

Coach: Buckley W. Morgan II (2nd year, 6-10)

Last year: 6-10

Key players: Ashley Tran (Sr., singles), Lydia Bird (Jr., singles), Alexis Ellis (Jr., singles), Jayda Small (Jr., doubles), Kayla Sherrod (Jr.), Sydney Eisenlohr (Jr., doubles)

Outlook: The Yellowjackets graduated the No. 1 and No. 2 singles players, but return the nucleus of the team and others who are ready to fill the void and improve on last year’s record.

Litchfield

Coach: Dan Porri (7th year, 94-16)

Last year: 16-0, BL champs.

Key players: Clarie Vailionis (Sr.), Sydney Donahue (Sr.), Francesca Luzzi (Jr.), Sam Barnes (Jr.), Roxanne Snowden (Jr.), Charlotte Gillman (Jr.), Allie Davenport (Jr.), Ella Demers (So.), Sophia Williams (So.), Amelia Girardin (So.), Tori Woolsey (So.), Julianna Sigut (So.), Ava Atwood (Fr.), Anna Devaux (Fr.).

Outlook: The Cowgirls graduated five varsity starters from a team that won the program’s first outright league title since 1973. The returning players, led by BL singles All-Star Luzzi, will need help the promising young athletes step up to keep Litchfield compeitive in the BL.

Nonnewaug

Coach: John Lawless (6th year) and Chris York (5th year)

Last year: 14-6

Key players: Sophia Cenatiempo (Sr., BL Doubles CHampion), Olivia Hendershot (Sr.), Mariah Hubert (Jr.), Celina Pancrazio (Sr.), Victoria York (Jr.).

Outlook: The Chiefs hope to reach their potential and compete for the league title.

Northwestern

Coach: Turi Rostad (9th year)

Last year: 8-8

Key players: Madeline Campbell (Sr.), Abigail Harwood (Sr.), Alex Itter (Sr.), Maria Hester (Sr.), Sarah Swetz (Sr.).

Outlook: The Highlanders bring back five seniors that qualified the Class M tournament last season. Rostad is optimistic Northwestern can return to states this season.

Thomaston

Coach: Megan Fitzgerald (1st year)

Last year: 0-16

Key players: Jenna McCarthy (Jr.), Darianna Scougall (Jr.), Breanna Miclette (So.), Kestril Wilcox (So.).

Outlook: The Bears will field a young team with many players who are playing tennis for the first time. The experienced returning players are stepping up to the challenge of leading the team by example and putting in the work necessary to improve The new players posses natural athleticism that should make for a smooth transition.

Area team

Cheshire

Coach: Bruce Levine (1st year)

Key players: Kelsey Mann (Sr., co-captain), Jenny Wang (Sr., co-captain), Erin Wu (Sr.), Sydney Wang (Sr.,), Olivia Santoro (Jr.), Jenna DeGennaro (Jr.), Christine Anthony.

Outlook: The Rams have a great base of returning players with some great improvements of several players who have worked hard all off season.

We asked high school boys volleyball coaches to tell us about their teams. Here are the ones who did just that:

Lewis Mills

Coach: Jim Barone (5th year)

Last year: 14-4

Key players: Tim Groleau (Sr.), Nick Jehnings (Sr.), Joey Gormley (Sr.), Dylan Hallet (Sr.), Alex Gallagher (Sr.).

Outlook: The Spartans hope to be competitive in every game after graduating the starting outside and middle hitters, libero and setter.

Wolcott Tech

Coach: Ray Tanguay (20th year, 191-172)

Key players: Angel Lopez (Sr., outside hitter, middle hitter, All-State), Chris Speaker (Sr., outside hitter), Hunter Miket (Sr., outside hitter), Hunter Folland (Sr., setter), Alex Sherman (Sr., defensive specialist), Cedar Sobek (Sr., libero).

Newcomers: Dudley Vaill (Jr., libero), Luis Sanchez (So., setter), Brian Tacuri (So., defensive speicalist), Zach Famiglietti (So., defensive specialist), Blake Sanford (So., middle hitter), Ron Redmer (So., middle hitter), Jaden Ortiz (So., middle hitter), Ethan Galinski (So., defensive specialist), Ethan Bernhardt (So., setter).

Outlook: The Wildcats have strong senior leadership with a lot of talent on the court from the seniors and the underclassmen. They play a strong independent schedule.

We asked high school lacrosse coaches to tell us about their teams. Here are the ones who did just that:

Boys

Cheshire

Coach: Rich Pulisciano (21st year, 263-147)

Last year: 13-7

Key players: Tim Krutz (Sr., capt.), Jack Surato (Sr., capt.), Brendan Grove (Jr.), Jason Shumilla (Jr.), Nick DiDomizio (So.), Jon Oris (So.).

Outlook: The Rams looking to be in the mix in the Southern Connecticut Conference along with Fairfield Prep, Hand, Guilford and Xavier.

Girls

Holy Cross

Coach: Sarah Ciarleglio (4th year)

Last year: 3-11-1

Key players: Emma D’Ambruoso (Sr.), McKenna Ellsworth (Sr.), Annie Kinsella (Sr.), Morgan Murray (Sr.), Camille Perron (Sr.), Sara Razza (Sr.), Norah Dreher (Jr.), Katelyn Honegger (Jr.).

Outlook: The Crusaders return most of their starting lineup from last season, but are looking to replace a couple of key contributors. The players are eager to improve upon last season’s record after gaining valuabele experience a year ago. The roster is young and features many returning skilled underclassmen who are ready to step up.

Wolcott

Coach: Marty DiTuccio (3rd year, 3-22-1)

Last year: 2-9-1

Key players: Cianna Navarro (Sr., capt.), Alex Arteaga (Sr., capt.), Melony Albert (Sr., capt.), Amanda Bard (Sr., defense), Taylor Crutchfield (Sr., defense), Elisa Shaholi (Sr., defense), Lindsey Perillo (Sr., defense), Yesmine Jlidi (Sr., offense), Gloriah Mills (Sr., defense), Hannah Francisco (Jr., offense-defense), Madison Berthold (Jr., offense), Alexis Charette (Jr., offense), Emily Tricarico (Jr., defense), Kailyn McMinn (Jr., offense-defense), Adriana Ferrucci (So., 30 goals), Vlora Alka (Soph., goalie, 74 saves).

Outlook: Ferrucci and Navarro have the potential to be earn all-league honors because of their abiilty to score and lead senior-laden team in only its third year as a program.

Cheshire

Coach: Dan Warburton (18th year, 248-91-3)

Last year: 17-4

Key players: Annie Eddy (Sr., Attack), Mikayla Crowley (Sr., Midfield), Annie Acquavita (Sr., Midfield), Kayla Sansone (Sr., Defense), Sophie Cremo (Sr., Defense).

Outlook: The Rams return several players from a squad that fell short of making the Class L final by one goal last season. Eddy and Sansone earned first team All-SCC honors while Crowley and Acquavita were named to the second team. The tough in-league competition should help the team prepare for states.

Pomperaug

Coach: Danielle McCauley (4th year, 52-12)

Last year: 18-4

Key players: Jill Murray (Sr., Attack), Mia Sullivan (Sr., Attack), Cassie Reilly (Sr., Attack), Hunter Onze (Sr., Attack), Katie Schenk (Sr., Midfield), Camden Frissora (Sr., Midfield), Kristyn Manes (Sr., Midfield), Katie Bursiner (Sr., Defense), Sami Pangle (Sr., Defense), Hannah Walewski (Sr., Defense), Olivia Heckendorf (Sr., Defense), Catherine Windover (Sr., Goalie), Maris DiBeneditto (Jr., Attack), Emily Slattberg (Jr., Attack), Lindsey Abarzua (Jr., Midfield), Leah Koswalsky (Jr., Midfield), Maddie Villa (Jr., Defense), Molly Flanagan (Jr., Defense), Maddie Mickune (So., Midfield), Alli MacDougall (Fr., Goalie).

Outlook: The Panthers graduated 11 players from a team that lost in overtime of the Class M semifinals. The new crop of seniors will be on the field a lot more this season, led by Frissora (107 career goals) and Schenk (81), both of whom earned All-SWC and All-State honors last season. Pomperaug is taking nothing for granted in the competitive SWC despite going unbeaten in conference play last season.

We asked high school boys tennis coaches to tell us about their teams. Here are the ones who did just that:

Berkshire League

Lewis Mills

Coach: Chris Bentley (6th year, 55-25)

Last year: 11-5

Key players: Harry Honig (Jr., No. 1 singles, BL All-Star), Jeremy Richter (Jr., doubles 8-0), Sebastian Mucha (So.), Dimitry Mucha (So., No. 3 singles), James Watson (So., doubles, 6-0).

Outlook: The youthful Spartans graduated five seniors, including four starters, but all singles starters return.

Litchfield

Coach: Dean Birdsall (3rd year, 30-2)

Last year: 16-0

Key players: Charlie Shanks (Sr., 2018 BL All-Star, All-State), Miles Chapman (Sr., BL All Star), Ryan Garden (Sr., undefeated regular season), Spencer Sivilla (Sr., BL All Star), Tim Donovan (So.)

Outlook: The Cowboys have a powerful core of players returning for their senior season. In addition, they have a solid number of capable underclassmen striving to break into the varsity line-up. They are hoping to build on the success of last year.

NVL

Sacred Heart

Coach: Chris Ortiz (12th season)

Last year: 3-13

Key players: Leandro Fernandes (Sr.), Oliver Chen (Jr.), Amari Brantley (Jr.).

Outlook: The Hearts have a good core of players returning and should be very competitive. The league will have new format with three singles matches and two doubles.

Torrington

Coach: Mark Moulton (10th year)

Last year: 13-2

Key players: Kevin Dixon (No. 1 singles), Brett Stater (No. 2 singles), David Teti (No. 3 singles), Brendan Cisowski (No. 1 doubles).

Outlook: The Red Raiders beat Holy Cross in the semifinals, but lost to Wolcott in the 2018 NVL championship match after splitting dual matches with Holy Cross and Wolcott in regular season.The Red Raiders hope to contend for title again.

Watertown

Coach: Eric Miller (17th year)

Last year: 4-11

Key players: Casey Butwell (Sr., capt., All-NVL), Jack Ryan (Sr.), Evan Remiszewski (So.).

Outlook: The Indians have a large but young squad with 10 new players, 9 being freshman. The Indians goal is to win 50% of their matches and return to the Class M States as a team after a one year absense.

Area teams

Chase Collegiate

Coach: Tomas Kopecky (16th year)

Last year: 2-10

Key players: Simon Kopecky (So., No. 1 singles), Jack Li (No. 2 singles)

Outlook: The Highlanders graduated Alex Pozin, the second most successful player at Chase in last 15 years, according to coach Kopecky, hopes to improve on ther record. Improving their doubles’ skills is a main goal.

We asked high school boys track coaches to tell us about their teams. Here are the ones who did just that:

Naugatuck Valley League

Holy Cross

Coach: Brian Walker (6th year, 51-19-2)

Last year: 12-1

Key performers: Dom Bernard (Sr.), Ben Bowler (Sr.), Miguel Esteves (Sr.), James Lanese (Sr.), Dante Malaspina (Sr.), Kyle Moser (Sr.), Jack Schiavone (Sr.), Shawn Austin (Jr.), Chris Christiano (Jr.), Randy Desaulniers (Jr.), Aidan Nixon (Jr.)

Outlook: The Crusaders have a good mix of underclassmen and upperclassmen.

Sacred Heart

Coach: Thomas Festa (4th year)

Key performers: Mike Digivancarlo (Sr.), Victor Lopez (Sr.), Joe Badillo (Sr.), Nick Trujillo (Sr.), Nyron Dunnamario )Sr.), Adam Pepin (Sr.), Aidan Knappe (So.), Nick Salerno (Jr.), Fujie Lan (Jr.).

Outlook: The Hearts are looking forward to a competitive season and putting their hard work to the test in a strong league.

Seymour

Coach: Matthew DeMarco (1st year)

Last Year: 7th in NVL

Key performers: Kyle Gabianelli (Sr., sprinter/jumper), Tyler Ganim (Sr., sprinter/pole vault), Jeremy Labelle (Sr., hurdler/mid-distance/jumps).

Outlook: The Wildcats have a lot of young talent that can carry the team into the future. The few returning seniors will be relied upon to lead the team this spring as Seymour hopes to qualify athletes in all 18 events at the NVL championship.

WCA

Coach: Laura Thomas (3rd year)

Key performers: Langstun Racine (Sr., sprints), Kobi Hunter (Sr., sprints), Tyrese Gallant (Sr., sprints), Justin Lugo (Sr., sprints), Vaughn Coggins (Sr., hurdles), Harrison Foley (Jr., distance), Jayden Taylor (Fr., mid-distance/sprints), James Feliciano (Fr., mid-distance/sprints).

Outlook: The Spartans look to improve off last season, led by a solid core of senior sprinters. Taylor and Feliciano lead a promising freshman class.

Wilby

Coach: Eddie Tiru (5th year)

Key performers: Dylen McKitty (Sr., capt.), Daniel Navarro (Sr., capt.), Leonardo DaGraca (Sr.), Messiah Harling (So., Indoor Class L Champion 55m and long jump).

Outlook: Wilby finished off the indoor track season on a positive note. As the team continues to grow into their roles, the key is to stay healthy while keeping that positive momentum going forward.

Wolcott

Coach: Becky Riviezzo

Key performers: Dean Howell (Sr.), Jacob Maisto (Sr.), Ryan Young (Sr.), Joe Mancini (Jr.), Jason Irizarry (Jr.), Nick Bendtsen (Soph.)

Outlook: The Eagles will be looking to the few upperclassmen to guide the younger athletes.

Berkshire League

Housatonic

Coach: Gary Davis (3rd season)

Last year: 1-8

Key performers: John Bartram (Sr., throwing events), Xavier Johnson (Jr., sprinter)

Outlook: The Mountaineers do not have a big squad but we have some talented newcomers and will look to improve on last year’s record.

Terryville

Coach: Jeff Foulds (21st year) & Chris Perkins (13 years)

Last year: 2-7

Key performers: Colby Brown (Sr.), Ryan Cook (Jr.), Chris Deforest (Jr.), Conor Garrity (Jr.), CJ Hart (Jr.) Owen Mantoni (So.), Noah McCoy (So.).

Outlook: Despite having a relatively young team, the Kangaroos have a solid core of returners that should be multi-event point scorers at regular season and post season meets.

Shepaug

Coach: John Spear (4th year, 23-4)

Last Year: 8-1

Key performer: Gavin Block (Sr., mid-distance/sprints/jumps), Jon Galligan (Sr., throws), Cam Brown (Jr., hurdles/jumps/sprints), Mark Desrochers (Jr., jumps), Gavin McCabe (Sr., pole vault/sprints).

Outlook: The Spartans have a small team that is looking for depth in many events. Their strengths will be in the jumps and sprinting events as Shepaug looks to compete with the top teams in the BL and Class S.

BY JASON LEVY

CHESHIRE — Last season, Cheshire High girls lacrosse attacker Annie Eddy didn’t merely establish herself as one of the best players in the Southern Connecticut Conference or even the state. Her 72-goal, 23-assist effort placed her among the best in the nation.

Eddy was named a U.S. Lacrosse Girls High School All-American, one of 21 players from Connecticut to earn the honor. Eddy said it was “a huge honor and a privilege.”

“It definitely felt really great because it shows my hard work as well as my team’s hard work,” Eddy said. “They pushed me every day, and they and my coach made me the player I am today.”

Cheshire coach Dan Warburton, entering his 18th season with the Rams, said Eddy is the first Cheshire player to earn All-America honors since Maria Blois was named honorable mention in 2012. Eddy’s sister, Katherine, made the team in 2010. Dana Heritage and Kelly Bruneau were honored in 2005 (honorable mention) and 2006 (All-America), respectively.

Before Warburton took over, Tracy Kennedy made the team in 1999.

“People saw Annie play last year,” Warburton said. “We played good teams — she scored four goals against Greenwich last year. She showed that she can score against good teams. She has good size and a great stick. She plays hard. You have to be a really good player to get an All-American honor.”

Cheshire midfielder Mikayla Crowley was honored for her dedication in the classroom, earning a spot on the U.S. Lacrosse All-Academic team. Warburton noted that Crowley doesn’t need “a lot of motivation for academics.”

“It shows that hard work pays off in the classroom and on the field because it’s a combination of both,” Crowley said. “It allows me to keep working hard because I saw what the hard work did. It keeps me pushing to do the best I can.”

Warburton believes the All-America and All-Academic honors say as much about the Cheshire girls lacrosse program as it does the players.

“It just shows that we are a competitive program that’s respected in the state,” Warburton said. “They just don’t hand out All-American honors to anyone. You’ve got to be one of two things. You have to be an incredible player and you also, a lot of times, have to be part of a pretty good team to be recognized. I think it says for (Eddy and Crowley) that they are great athletes. I think for us it says we are a respected program in this state, and they represent us well.”

While individual honors are a nice achievement, Eddy and Crowley, both seniors, are more focused on what the Rams can do as a team this season. Cheshire lost in overtime in the Class L semifinals last season and lost in the quarterfinals in 2017 and 2016.

“We have such a strong group of girls coming back, especially our senior class,” Eddy said. “We have been together for forever. I just can’t wait to have some fun and make some great memories.”

BASEBALL
Naugatuck Valley League
St. Paul 10, Crosby 0 (5)
Others
Kennedy 2, Hartford Public 1
Thomaston 2, Sacred Heart 1
Oxford 5, Pomperaug 2
Brookfield 7, Shepaug 3
Naugatuck 1, Cromwell 0
Taft 4, Berkshire 3
Canterbury 9, Hotchkiss 3
SOFTBALL
Naugatuck Valley League
Woodland 15, Ansonia 0 (6)
Others
Brookfield 11, Torrington 3
New Canaan 5, Oxford 4
Sacred Heart 8, Wolcott Tech 2
Shepaug 5, Bethel 3
Joel Barlow 13, Holy Cross 3
BOYS LACROSSE
ND-West Haven 12, Pomperaug 4
Cheshire 10, Wappingers Central (N.Y.) 8

Isaiah Johnson singled in Brendan Fainer with one out in the bottom of the seventh inning to give Thomaston a 2-1 win over Sacred Heart on Saturday in season-opening baseball action at Thomaston High.
Andrew Colavecchio pitched a five-hitter with eight strikeouts and had two hits for the Bears.
Fainer had an RBI single.
Zach LaFerriere had an RBI single for the Hearts.
Hector Alejandro had two hits and allowed one earned run on four hits with eight strikeouts over 5 1/3 innings.
The win marked the head coaching debut of Craig Prasauckas, a 1996 Watertown High graduate.
Kennedy 2, Hartford Public 1: Bryant Bonilla drove in both runs for the Eagles, in the first and sixth innings, at Waterville Park.
Xavier Frias (five strikeouts) and Harold Garcia (six strikeouts) combined on a five-hitter for Kennedy.
Naugatuck 1, Cromwell 0: Nate Deptula allowed five hits with five strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings for the Greyhounds.
Derrick Jagello drew a bases-loaded walk in the fifth, scoring Derek Sampaio with the only run for the Greyhounds, who turned a double play in the second.
Oxford 5, Pomperaug 2: Jake Biondo had a double, a single and two RBI, and recorded five strikeouts over four innings for the host Wolverines.
Liam Donaldson pitched three innings for the save.
Dean Fallas had two hits for Oxford, and Hunter Keller and Joe Galla had RBI singles.
J.T. Landgrebe had a double and an RBI single for Pomperaug (0-1). Jack Messina added an RBI.
St. Paul 10, Crosby 0 (5): Shawn Remillard had a two-out, three-run triple in a five-run first for the Falcons in Bristol.
Julian Thayer added an RBI triple. Ethan Rembish and Dylan Gagnon combined on a five-inning no-hitter with 13 strikeouts for St. Paul.
Brookfield 7, Shepaug 3: Mike McCluskey had two hits and Ethan Hibbard had two hits and a run scored for the Spartans in a nonleague game. Owen Hibbard doubled and scored.
Taft 4, Berkshire 3: Nolan Grooms allowed one earned run and struck out three in four innings for the Rhinos.

Sophia Audi had two doubles, a single, three RBI and tossed a three-hitter with seven strikeouts as Sacred Heart downed Wolcott Tech, 8-2, on Saturday in nonleague softball action in Torrington.
Jillian Boland added a triple, a single and an RBI for the Hearts.
Taylor Benjamin had a double, a single and an RBI, and Lauren Kiluk had two singles and an RBI.
Katie Benedict had an RBI single for the Wildcats.
Woodland 16, Ansonia 0 (6): Riley Kane threw a no-hitter with 13 strikeouts and no walks for the Hawks, and she added two doubles, a single and an RBI.
Liz Triana had a triple, a double and a single for two RBI, Kylie Bulinski had three hits and two RBI, and Stephanie Krebbs had two hits and three RBI for Woodland.
Shepaug 5, Bethel 3: Alexa McCarley had a two-run homer to break a tie in the sixth inning for the Spartans.
Haylie Lasky had two hits and a run scored, and Marisa Perachi and Jessica Kisling had a single and an RBI apiece.
Lucy Puskas pitched a three-hitter with four strikeouts.
New Canaan 5, Oxford 4: Molly Sastram recorded her 100th career hit for the Wolverines.
Rose Reitmeyer had two home runs and three RBI for Oxford.
Joel Barlow 13, Holy Cross 3: Brandi McIntosh homered for the Crusaders. Allie Brown added two singles.

BASEBALL
Berkshire League
Northwestern at Nonnewaug, 3:45
Wamogo at Housatonic, 3:45
Terryville at Litchfield, 3:45
Lewis Mills at Thomaston, 3:45
Gilbert at Shepaug, 4
Others
Middletown at Watertown, 3:45
Crosby at Kaynor Tech, 3:45
Wolcott Tech at WCA, 3:45
Woodland at Wilbur Cross, 3:45
O’Brien Tech at Abbott Tech, 3:45
Seymour at Pomperaug, 4
Amity at Cheshire, 4
SOFTBALL
Berkshire League
Northwestern at Nonnewaug, 3:45
Shepaug at Gilbert, 3:45
Terryville at Litchfield, 3:45
Thomaston at Lewis Mills, 4
Wamogo at Housatonic, 4:15
Others
Career Magnet at Ansonia, 3:30
Platt Tech at Derby, 3:30
Wolcott Tech at WCA, 3:45
Kaynor Tech at Crosby, 3:45
O’Brien Tech at West Haven, 3:45
Pomperaug at Naugatuck, 4
Trumbull at Seymour, 4:15
BOYS TENNIS
Naugatuck Valley League
Crosby at Naugatuck, 3:30
Watertown at Kennedy, 3:30
Torrington at Sacred Heart, 3:45
Wolcott at Woodland, 3:45
Berkshire League
Nonnewaug at Wamogo, 3:45
Northwestern at Litchfield, 3:45
Lewis Mills at Thomaston, 3:45
Housatonic at Shepaug, 3:45
GIRLS TENNIS
Naugatuck Valley League
Kennedy at Watertown, 3:45
Naugatuck at Holy Cross, 3:45
Sacred Heart at Torrington, 3:45
St. Paul at Crosby, 3:45
Woodland at Wolcott, 3:45
Berkshire League
Wamogo at Nonnewaug, 3:45
Litchfield at Northwestern, 3:45
Thomaston at Lewis Mills, 3:45
Shepaug at Housatonic, 3:45
BOYS LACROSSE
Bristol Eastern at Wolcott, 4
Lewis Mills at Shelton, 7
GIRLS LACROSSE
Wolcott at Old Saybrook, 4:30
Housatonic at Amistad, 4:45
Cheshire at Hall, 6
BOYS GOLF
Pomperaug at Immaculate, 3
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Wolcott Tech at Maloney, 5
Oxford at Kolbe Cathedral, 5:30
Cheshire at Lewis Mills, 5:30

By STEVE BARLOW

One team, Northwestern, rampaged through the Berkshire League undefeated a year ago, stretching its conference winning streak to 30 straight.

One team, Wamogo, went further in the state tournament than ever before, coming just one out away from the first state championship game in the school’s history.

Both teams are back and both are loaded.

The Highlanders and Warriors figure to duel again for the BL softball title this season since their lineups, with only a couple of exceptions, are little changed from 2018.

For Northwestern, the biggest cog missing is Gina Weingart (now at Clemson), the cleanup hitter in the Highlanders’ smash-mouth offense. Plenty of other big bats, though, are back, including those of All-State senior second baseman Syndey Sanden, junior All-BL shortstop Jana Sanden and senior All-BL catcher Harley Jasmin.

Northwestern (22-1 last year) also returns its All-BL pitcher, senior Lexi Fortier. The Highlanders opens the season Monday at Nonnewaug looking for BL win No. 31 in a row.

“There is a little bit of pressure because we’d love to continue (the streak), but we all know we just have to keep pushing hard,” said Jana Sanden. “If we keep working hard, good things will happen.”

Like Northwestern, Wamogo also has seven returning starters. The Warriors (19-5) are strong up the middle with All-BL junior catcher Danielle Maliszewski, All-State junior pitcher Samantha Sylvester, All-State senior shortstop Savannah Wheeler and All-BL senior centerfielder McKenzie Hoyt.

“Right now, our team is looking pretty solid,” said All-BL senior first baseman Mackenzie Harnett. “We’re very well bonded. It’s a family vibe.”

The Warriors, who open on the road at Housatonic on Monday, took a one-run lead into the bottom of the seventh against eventual champion Stafford in the Class S semifinals last year, only to lose a 5-4 heartbreaker.

They would love to go at least one step further this time.

“Of course we do,” said Hoyt. “But we’re going to take it one game at a time. We’re not going to get too eager.”

Besides Northwestern and Wamogo, the other top teams in the BL figure to be Lewis Mills, with seven seniors; Shepaug, with seven starters back, and Thomaston, a perennial threat.

But on paper it looks like a dogfight between Northwestern and Wamogo.

“They always have real good hitters, but I also think we’re pretty good hitters,” said Wamogo outfielder Cassidy Wilson, “so it will be who hits the ball best when we play.”

By JOE PALLADINO

Every season coaches retire. This spring, when two coaches stepped aside they took with them a load of NVL titles.

One is Steve Jasulavic. This is one is unnerving. Once upon a time Jasulavic played tennis against my kids in high school. Talk about time slipping away. Jasulavic coached Wolcott boys tennis for 19 seasons. His Eagles won the last five NVL championships. Now, that’s a title run.

“When I look back at the last 19 years I am incredibly proud of what has been accomplished,” Jasulavic said.

Since 2008, Wolcott never finished lower than second in the NVL. You didn’t win the title unless you beat the Eagles, and that wasn’t easy.

Jasulavic stayed on the job for two decades. He stopped a high tennis coach turnover rate at Wolcott, and the athletes “bought into me, and what I wanted to do. Families were incredible in their support.”

During this recent championship binge the Eagles ran off 85 consecutive NVL match wins.

“When I reflect on the accomplishments of the program, I do so fondly,” Jasulavic said. “It has been an amazing run, with amazing student-athletes. Their success speaks for itself and I was blessed to go along for the ride.”

Another coach who will not return this season is Joe Minutillo, the Godfather of Golf. Minutillo, a Kennedy High grad I must remind you, coached Torrington High golf for 33 seasons.

“The time has come,” Minutillo said, “although, I can tell you that it really hasn’t kicked in yet.”

Raiders golf teams once ripped off 12 straight league titles, and a run of six straight was ended by Watertown in 2004.

“I enjoyed my time with the kids,” Minutillo said. “I liked to watch them grow from freshman to seniors.”

He cannot count the number of Torrington golfers who went on to careers as club professionals. “I liked to see that love for the game develop,” Minutillo said, “and some kids enjoyed it so much that they made it a career.”

Minutillo, who is a member at the Watertown Golf Club, might now actually have time to do something unusual for him this spring: play golf.

“I was asked if I wanted to play in the Tuesday night league up at Western Hills,” said Minutillo, a Waterbury resident. “I don’t know. Maybe. If there is an opening I might play. Now, I finally have the time.”

Surely there’s room for the Godfather of Golf.

Send comments to jpalladino@rep-am.com.

By STEVE BARLOW

Last year was a baseball season to remember at Shepaug High, where the memories are painted on signs that hang from the backstop at picturesque Ted Alex Field listing every league and state title.

The Spartans have dominated the Berkshire League, winning 28 conference crowns. They have also reached nine state finals in their history and won five.

In 2018, they rolled through the BL with a 17-1 record and were three outs away from their 10th state final before Coventry erupted for four runs in the seventh inning of their Class S semifinal for a 4-1 win.

In 2019, nearly everyone is back from that 22-2 team. Shepaug’s roster is loaded with nine seniors, including seven returning starters.

“For our town, this is huge,” said senior pitcher-outfielder Chance Dutcher. “Baseball means something different to every town, but I think for our town it’s on a whole different level.”

“That’s what Shepaug is known for, and that’s what we all feel when we play for Shepaug,” said senior catcher Ethan Hibbard. “We play on Ted Alex Field and it’s a great honor to wear the pinstripes.”

Hibbard, an All-Stater who will play at Fairfield next spring, hit a school-record .559 last season with 28 RBI. He is surrounded in the lineup by other potent bats: Dutcher (.468, also All-State), senior second baseman Joe Brunelli (.423, 27 RBI), senior outfielder Jack Schneider (.368, 20 RBI) and sophomore shortstop Owen Hibbard (.325, 16 RBI).

The pitching rotation needs to replace the graduation of All-Stater Alan Stinson, but it still has Dutcher (4-0, 1.25 ERA) and senior Dom Perachi (7-1, 1.43).

“We’re all good friends. There’s a bond between us,” Perachi said. “We’ve been playing baseball with each other since were 8 or 9. We just have that connection that a lot of teams would like to have.”

Shepaug, which dropped a 7-3 nonleague game to Class M Brookfield on Saturday, opens its BL title defense Monday by hosting Gilbert.

The Yellowjackets have one of the top pitchers in the BL in senior Ryley Weiss. Other teams that figure to challenge Shepaug include Lewis Mills, playing its final BL season before it heads to the CCC next fall; Northwestern, Thomaston and Nonnewaug.

The key, according to Brunelli, “is the little things, hitting the cutoff man, moving runners over, doing the little things that other teams might not do. We really succeeded at that last year.”

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