Middletown's Mercy High Falls In Girls Basketball State Title Game

UNCASVILLE, CT — New London High School girls basketball coach Tammy Millsaps said she didn't have to look far to learn a thing or two about winning with only a few players.

After all, she said, University of Connecticut Coach Geno Auriemma has been dealing with short benches as injuries have ravaged his squad for much of the past two years.

After Sunday night's CIAC Class MM girls basketball title game, one could say Millsaps learned well as New London defeated Mercy High School in Middletown 57-47 for the Whalers' first state title since 2017.

They rode a dominant performance from sophomore star Serenity Lancaster, an undermanned New London High School gritted out a state title at the Mohegan Sun Arena.

Lancaster's 24 points and 12 rebounds led the Whalers to a nearly coast-to-coast, but still anxiety-filled, victory.

After the game, a hoarse Millsaps said she had lost her voice. It was understandable.

"People have to understand what these girls had to do," Millsaps said. "They're in great shape. The heart has to go along with it."

And with that, New London's super seven rode a wave of emotion, grit and talent to an improbably state championship, especially againgst a team with nearly double the roster size.

Being as short-handed as New London was presented another challenge beyond mere physical exhaustion.

When there's only seven players, there's only so many fouls to go around.

Hence, New London's magnificent seven had four of their players in foul trouble, a situation that could have jeopardized the title quest.

But they played smart and no one fouled out, with three having four fouls and one with three.

Mercy came in as the higher-seeded team at No. 4, with a 15-5 regular season, while New London's 14-6 regular season helped them attain at No. 6 ranking.

Despite the double-digit win, New London couldn't rest too easily until the final seconds, as Mercy used a barrage of three-pointers to keep the game close.

But ultimately, according to Milsaps, her squad played together, something that is necessary if one is to win with such a short bench.

"They got to know each other very, very well," she said of her team's chemistry during the course of the season.

Two other Whalers scored in double digits in the title game, sisters Nyarah Dudley, a freshman, with 14, and senior Nalyce Dudley with 12 points.

Mercy didn't go down without a fight, and though they rarely held the lead, they rarely made New London comfortable.

The Tigers were led by seniors Ava Giansiracusa, who poured in 17 points, and Sophie Hedge, who had 16.

Down the stretch, though, stingy defense on New London's part and some clutch free-throw shooting closed out the game.

After the smiles, hugs and tears, Milsaps reflected on what her season was, especially looking back to when she realized she only had seven girls going out for basketball this year.

She attributed that to a combination of population and kids needing to work, especially after the Covid pandemic kepts many kids away from organized basketball.

"I know, with seven kids, I was so frustrated at the beginning of the year," Milsaps said. "But I knew we could do it."

She said her new task is to promote the sport of basketball to the female population in town, something she said will be easier to do with a memorable title under her belt.

Said Milshaps: "People want to be a part of success."

For the full game statistics courtesy of the CIAC, click on this link.