The only other movement was Immaculate and New London swapping spots at No. 9 and No. 10
After Hamden and Ludlowe, No. 7 Bacon Academy and unranked Northwestern are the other two undefeated teams remaining in the state as the season hits the midway point. Northwestern has not convinced voters it belongs in the Top 10, but may do so if it can beat Thomaston for a second time and knock off Bunnell out of the SWC this week.
This is the first week of 2023 that no ranked SCC teams will face each other. The SCC remains the top conference with four of the top five teams in the poll.
With New London and Bacon Academy ranked, the ECC is the only other conference with more than one team in the poll. New London lost twice in close on the road in New York City over the holiday weekend but, given the comopetition, remained in the Top 10.
Simsbury remains as the lone CCC representative, but EO Smith and Newington will be knocking on the door if another Top 10 team falters.
1. HAMDEN (16)
11-0
480
1
LL
Latest Results: Def. Mercy 48-44
This week: vs North Haven, Fri. 6
The Bottom Line: The Dragons moved to 3-0 on the season against ranked teams with their victory over Mercy.
Latest Results: Def. Norwalk 59-47; def. Darien 59-32.
This week: vs Westhill, Fri. 5:30; at Hillhouse, Sat. 2.
The Bottom Line: The Falcons have won 16-straight FCIAC regular season games going back to last season.
Latest Results: Lost Hamden 48-44
This week: at Law, Fri. 6; at Amity, Mon. 7
The Bottom Line: This will be the first week since the season began that Mercy is not facing a ranked opponent.
Latest Results: Def. Hand 51-38; Lost Springfield Central (MA) 60-54; Def. West Haven 77-54.
This week: vs Windsor, Wed. 6; vs Guilford, Fri. 7
The Bottom Line: The secret to the Sharks' success may come from having different leading scorers every night.
Latest Results: Lost SHA 51-38.
This week: vs West Haven, Fri. 7.
The Bottom Line: Like Mercy, Hand finally getting a week off from facing ranked opponents.
6. HOLY CROSS
10-1
336
6
L
Latest Results: Def. Derby 73-50; Kennedy 84-33.
This week: vs Kennedy, Fri. 7.
The Bottom Line: The Crusaders are still waiting on the rest of the NVL to catch up.
7. BACON ACADEMY
10-0
250
7
M
Latest Results: Def. Killingly 48-40.
This week: at Waterford, Fri. 7; vs Amistad, Mon. 6.
The Bottom Line: Bacon is 28-2 in the last two regular seasons with no losses to ECC schools.
Latest Results: Def. Windsor 50-33; Hall 56-24.
This week: at Conard, Fri. 3:45; at Shenendehowa (NY), Sat. 3; at Averill Park Central (NY), Sun. 12:30.
The Bottom Line: The eight CCC teams left on Simsbury’s schedule all have winning records.
9. IMMACULATE
9-1
215
10
M
Latest Results: Def. New Fairfield 46-36.
This week: at Stratford, Fri. 7; at Barlow, Mon. 6.
The Bottom Line: The Mustangs are winning with a defense which has held seven opponents under 40 points.
10. NEW LONDON
6-4
192
9
MM
Latest Results: Def. Ridgefield 47-30; Lost St. John Baptiste (NY) 49-47; Mary Louis Academy (NY) 49-43.
This week: at Ledyard, Fri. 5:30; vs North Kingstown (RI), Sat. 5.
The Bottom Line: The Whalers took two close losses in NYC but Nalyce Dudley scored 39 and 27 points in the two games.
