New London Falls One Shot Short In Thrilling CIAC Hoops Final

UNCASVILLE, CT — The first half of Sunday's CIAC Division II boys basketball championship game produced about as awe-inspiring a first half of play as can be expected in high school hoops.

And the second half was almost as good.

In a game featuring highlight-reel drives, clutch three-pointers and intense rebounding and defense, the senior-laden Manchester High School Red Hawks did something not done since 1938.

They became state champs.

Manchester defeated an extremely game New London High School, 77-74, to win a thrilling state title that seemed inevitable all year long, but difficult to obtain nonetheless.

The Red Hawks were led by senior Chance Clark, who had 23 points and four rebounds, and senior Derrick Sheets Jr., who had 20 points and two rebounds.

Manchester senior William Oden-tann added 18 points and seven rebounds.

Red Shark coach John Reiser had a simple answer when asked about the win and the team chemistry that allowed them to gut out a "W" in the biggest game of their lives.

"Wow," he said. "I'm so blessed to have these guys here. We just have a good group."

Clark was exhausted and invigorated at the same time after the game.

"It don't even feel real," he said smiling. "We worked for this."

It was the perfect way to end a memorable weekend that saw 10 boys and girls hoops titles in Connecticut decided.

Going into Sunday night's contest, the top-seed Manchester Red Hawks were 22-1, including state tournament play.

They were looking for the program's second state championship and first since way back in 1938.

Meanwhile, coach Dave Cornish's New London High School squad, seeded third, entered at 20-3.

The Whalers were seeking the school's ninth championship and first one since 2011.

Both sides exchanged baskets throughout the first quarter, neither showing any of the tight play that can happen in a championship game.

The wild, up-and-down play thrilled the Mohegan Sun Arena crowd, which grew louder each possession in the first quarter.

Manchester got a bit cold later in the first quarter and New London, led by junior Amir Hall's eight first-quarter points, was up 22-15 after one entertaining quarter of play.

The Red Hawks came out firing in the second quarter and when Sheets Jr. hit two free throws, the lead was quickly cut to 22-20 New London.

Incredible shot-making from both sides and a frenetic pace of play whipped the crowd into a frenzy, with New London up 29-27 with a bit more than five minutes left in the half.

The breathtaking play continued for the rest of the half, as the Whalers and Red Hawks dazzled their way to a 37-35 score in favor of Manchester at the half.

Halftime came with the fans needing a break just as much as the players.

The same intensity erupted when the second half started.

New London grabbed a 41-38 lead halfway through the third quarter and they began to eye an upset of the top seed.

Then, after a brief cold spell, shots started to fall for Manchester, leading to a wild flourish at the end of the third quarter that saw the teams exchange the lead.

That was until the Red Hawks erupted down the stretch, going on an 8-0 run to put them up after three quarters, 54-48. It proved to be the key point of the game.

In the fourth quarter, Manchester continued making shots and the lead grew to nine at one point, 57-48.

With five minutes left, the Red Hawks had a 62-54 lead and time was of the essence for the Whalers.

But here came New London, as they cut the lead to 62-58 with 4:33 to go, the game not over yet.

The battle continued in the best game of the weekend, with Manchester up 64-62 with four minutes left, the crowd howling at every play and booing every whistle.

With Manchester up by one, Clark drained a clutch three to put his team up 67-63 with 3:31 to play.

New London didn't go away, though, cutting it to two points, 67-65, with two free throws then giving the Red Hawks a 69-65 lead.

New London then cut it to two on a Phillips basket, 69-67.

From there, Manchester pulled away on a steal, a pass, and then a driving layup by Sheets Jr., to up the lead to six, 73-67.

New London, though, cut the lead to 73-71, with 54 seconds left on a pair of free throws.

That's when Manchester senior Cameron Major drilled a three to put the Red Hawks up by five with 27.8 seconds left, 76-71.

But then New London's DeShaun Phillips hit a long, off-balance three-point shot, making it a two-point game, 76-74.

Put on the line, Manchester's Joseph Mugovero hit one free throw and a New London desperation three bounced off the rim, stopping hearts for supporters of both teams.

Game over ... and history made for Manchester.

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