Northwest Catholic Makes History With Third-Straight Girls Hoops Title

UNCASVILLE, CT — Though located in West Hartford, Northwest Catholic High School may as well call the Mohegan Sun Arena its new home.

For the third time in three years, the Lions walked out of the home of the Connecticut Sun as state champions, defeating Bethel High School, 56 - 40, Saturday night in the CIAC Class L state girls championship basketball game.

And for the first time in state history, they won three in a row in three different classes.

Despite the score, Northwest Catholic was given all they could handle for three quarters.

And, despite the pressure of a state championship game, Northwest Catholic coach Alison Connors said her team was poised. They had to be.

Thus, a three-point third quarter lead ballooned into a double-digit lead in a matter of minutes.

"They love the big moments," said Connors after the game. "They've been in this position before. They don't worry. They play buzzer to buzzer."

The Lions were led by junior co-captain Abigail Casper, who had 19 points and 19 rebounds, with junior co-captain Maeve Staunton calmly running the show at point guard with 18 points.

Going into the game, history was on the line for both programs in a battle of the tournament's top two seeds.

The top-seed Lions of Northwest Catholic (22-1 before the game), were looking to win their third straight CIAC title, the first to three-peat in three different divisions.

Meanwhile, Coach Danielle Scolpino's second-seed Bethel High School Wildcats (20-3) were looking to win their historic first CIAC girls basketball championship.

The game started out as a tense, defensive struggle, with Northwest Catholic and Casper - who has made the Mohegan Sun Arena her personal playground in recent years - scoring 7 points as the Lions took an 11-6 lead after one quarter.

Northwest Catholic then found their rhythm in the second quarter, using a balanced attack and stingy defense to pull away.

Staunton drained a three-pointer, then scored on a fast-break layup with 3:24 left in the half, giving the Lions a double-digit lead 22-11, forcing Bethel to call a timeout.

As the first half wound down, however, Bethel pulled a bit closer, going on a 6-0 run, topped off by a long, prayer three-pointer at the buzzer by senior co-captain Emma Huedepohl.

At halftime, Northwest Catholic was up 24-19, but Bethel — electrified by Huedepohl's shot — had momentum.

Both sides struggled at the start of the second half amid a wave of turnovers and missed shots, but Bethel stayed in the game.

That happened when Bethel junior Mia Marschner dropped in five points at the start of the third quarter as the Wildcats cut their deficit to two, 26-24 with the Lions in the lead.

From there, it was game on.

Bethel maintained pressure on Northwest Catholic, but the Lions never lost the lead.

They exited the third quarter up 36-33, with Staunton and Casper leading the way with a combined 28 points to that point.

It all set the stage for a fourth quarter where it was anybody's game.

Then Northwest Catholic's championship pedigree kicked in.

With no seniors and, yet, two consecutive state titles already under their belts, the Lions methodically pulled away with meticulous offense and tough defense.

The Wildcats came out cold in the fourth quarter and Northwest Catholic's 8-0 run stretched their lead to 44-33, taking the lead back to double digits with 5:42 left to play.

With the clock running, it became a matter of running down the clock and playing defense.

The Lion tidal wave continued with Freshman Samantha Casper, Abigail Casper's sister, hitting a dagger three to up the lead to 47-33.

From there, Northwest Catholic would not be denied as Bethel's struggles continued.

A third championship in a row was earned and history was made.

Abigail Casper was understandably giddy, not only winning her third straight title, but winning one with her sister on the team as well.

"I'm ecstatic right now," said Abigail Casper. "I just think it's amazing to get back here again."

Connors said the Lions are used to being targeted.

Said Connors, "It's pretty incredible. We keep saying, your 'X' marks the spot. Everybody wants you."

For full game statistics, click on this link.

From March 16, 2024: 'Northwest Catholic Repeats As Girls Basketball State Champs'

From March 18, 2023: 'Northwest Catholic Overcomes Nerves, Cruises To Championship'