Five questions for the UConn women in season’s second half

As the calendar shifts to 2019, the UConn women’s basketball team will resume its quest for a 12th national title.

The Huskies (11-0) return from their week-plus holiday break Thursday for a Top-10 matchup at Baylor.

Given what we already know about the Huskies, here are some questions to ponder for the season’s second half.

Who has the best chance to beat UConn?

UConn passed its first major test of 2018-19 when it knocked off defending national champion Notre Dame 89-71 on the road. The win vaulted the Huskies into the No. 1 spot in the Associated Press poll, where they have remained ever since.

from Sports https://www.ctpost.com/uconn/article/Five-questions-for-the-UConn-women-in-season-s-13500658.php

UConn women: Geno reflects on Breanna Stewart

STORRS — It wasn’t so much an opinion as it was an indisputable fact. Breanna Stewart could retire today and have a place among the greats.

“You know, if Stewie retired today she would go down as one of the greatest basketball players in the history of college and women’s basketball,” UConn coach Geno Auriemma proclaimed during a recent practice. “And she’s how old? 24? She never has to play another game to be considered one of the best that’s ever played.”

Stewart’s 2018 season alone was one to behold. Her on-the-court accomplishments were nothing short of extraordinary: a WNBA championship, regular season and Finals MVP awards, FIBA World Cup gold medal.

from Sports https://www.ctpost.com/sports/article/UConn-women-Geno-reflects-on-Breanna-Stewart-13499050.php

Former UConn guard transfers to Texas Tech

Former UConn combo guard Lexi Gordon has transferred to Texas Tech, coach Marlene Stollings announced Sunday.

“I am very proud to welcome home the highly-ranked Texas girls’ basketball phenom, Lexi Gordon,” Stollings said on the school’s website. “She brings an exceptional ability to score and will thrive in our high-octane offensive system. Lexi’s tireless work ethic and high basketball IQ are characteristics that will help catapult our program into the national spotlight. We are ecstatic to have her join The Movement!”

Gordon, a native of Fort Worth, Texas, struggled to get on the court during parts of two seasons at UConn.

from Sports https://www.ctpost.com/uconn/article/Former-UConn-guard-transfers-to-Texas-Tech-13498922.php

Homes That Sold for Around $1.5 Million

Recent residential sales in New York City and the region.

from Connecticut https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/30/realestate/homes-that-sold-for-around-1-5-million.html

Sound Tigers gut out overtime win at Hartford

HARTFORD — Three games in three nights is a staple of any AHL season, but to Bridgeport Sound Tigers coach Brent Thompson, the one his team just completed might be the hardest one he saw in a long time.

And they won all three games, capping their weekend with a 3-2 overtime win Saturday night over the Hartford Wolf Pack at the XL Center.

The degrees of difficulty added up on the Sound Tigers: They were off for four days for Christmas. They returned to beat Hartford 3-2 at home Thursday. Springfield had Thursday off, but Bridgeport beat the Thunderbirds 4-3 Friday night to start a six-game road trip.

And Hartford had Friday off, but Bridgeport gutted out this last win on Travis St.

from Sports https://www.ctpost.com/soundtigers/article/Sound-Tigers-gut-out-overtime-win-at-Hartford-13497988.php

HIGH SCHOOL ROUNDUP: Shannon scores 30 to lead Foran

MILFORD — John Shannon scored a game-high 30 points to lead Foran over Platt Tech, 66-44, in a non-league boys basketball game Saturday afternoon.

Jason Giambra added 19 points for the Lions, who have won three straight games to improve to 3-3. Kamien Murphy and Tyler Dowdy scored 12 and 10 points, respectively, in the loss for the Panthers (1-4).

PLATT TECH (1-4)

Kamien Murphy 5 0-0 12 Josue Aponte 2 0-0 5 Tyler Dowdy 3 4-6 10 Carlos Mateo 3 0-0 8 Tyler Bernard 4 0-0 8 Nylan Wilson 0 1-2 1. Totals: 17 5-10 44.

from Sports https://www.ctpost.com/highschool/article/HIGH-SCHOOL-ROUNDUP-Shannon-scores-30-to-lead-13497981.php

LOCAL COLLEGE ROUNDUP

STONEHILL 65, UB MEN 63 (OT)

EASTON, Mass. — Owen Chose hit a three-pointer with 27 seconds left in overtime and made two free throws with eight seconds left to seal the win for the Skyhawks over the Purple Knights.

Bridgeport took a 61-60 lead in overtime on Dennis Green’s jumper with 1:03 left on the clock, before Chose’s three put Stonehill ahead for good at 63-61.

The Purple Knights (5-7) led by 11 at 41-30 with 12:34 remaining in regulation before Stonehill (9-4) rallied and sent the game into overtime on two free throws by Joel Berroa with 13 seconds left.

Bakary Camara scored 19 points to lead three players in double digits for Bridgeport.

from Sports https://www.ctpost.com/sports/article/LOCAL-COLLEGE-ROUNDUP-13497766.php

Sacred Heart men fall to UMass Lowell in OT

FAIRFIELD — Christian Lutete poured in 29 points on 10-of-12 shooting, scoring five in a 12-2 overtime run, to lead UMass Lowell to a 100-91 victory over Sacred Heart on Saturday.

Lutete sank 4 of 6 from 3-point range and grabbed nine rebounds for the River Hawks (8-7), who made 46 percent from distance (11 of 24). Obadiah Noel pitched in with 22 points, five rebounds, five steals and three assists. Ryan Jones scored 18 and Josh Gantz contributed 10 points and seven assists.

Sacred Heart (4-9) led 42-41 at halftime and 82-74 after E.J. Anosike made 1 of 2 free throws with 2:52 left to play.

from Sports https://www.ctpost.com/sports/article/Sacred-Heart-men-fall-to-UMass-Lowell-in-OT-13497677.php

Warde tops rival Ludlowe for Holiday Classic title

FAIRFIELD — Playing defense paid off tenfold for the Fairfield Warde boys basketball team.

The Mustangs were locked in a struggle with cross-town rival Fairfield Ludlowe and they were able to hold on down the stretch in a 38-37 victory over the Falcons in the championship game of the Fairfield Prep Holiday Classic on Friday night in front of a packed house at Alumni Hall.

It was Warde’s first Prep Classic title in three years and head coach Ryan Swaller knew why his team was able to come out on top.

“I couldn’t be more proud of my guys,” he said.

from Sports https://www.ctpost.com/highschool/article/BOYS-BASKETBALL-13496705.php

HIGH SCHOOL ROUNDUP: Paulmann powers Ludlowe over Staples

FAIRFIELD — Anna Paulmann scored 15 points and Bridget Paulmann added 12 points to lead Ludlowe over Staples, 48-36, in the championship game of the Todd Burger girls basketball tournament at Warde Friday night.

The Falcons’ record improved to 4-2 with the win. Marisa Shorrock scored a game-high 17 points in the loss for the Wreckers (5-2).

Warde (4-3) defeated St. Paul Catholic, 60-53, in the tournament’s consolation game, led by Kirsten Rodriguez and Caroline Aufiero, who scored 12 and 11 points, respectively.

from Sports https://www.ctpost.com/highschool/article/HIGH-SCHOOL-ROUNDUP-Paulmann-powers-Ludlowe-over-13496763.php