March Madness Begins for Nonnewaug, Pomperaug as Basketball State Tournament Pairings Released

As ESPN college basketball announcer Dick Vitale would say…It’s Tournament Time Babyyy.

Pairings were released for the 2011 CIAC Boys’ Basketball State Tournament Wednesday. Both Nonnewaug and Pomperaug earned home games in the tournament’s opening round, which is set to begin Monday March 7.

Nonnewaug, who finished the season 18-2 and Berkshire League champs, notched the #2 spot in the crowded field of 32 in Class ‘M’. The Chiefs will host the winner of a play-in round game between Joel Barlow (9-11) and Tolland (8-12) on Monday at 7 p.m.

Pomperaug (15-5) received the #7 seed in the Class ‘L’ field of 28 and will host #26 Sheehan (8-12) in their opener on Tuesday at 7 p.m. If the Panthers get by Sheehan, they will see either SWC foe New Fairfield or NVL power Kennedy in the second round.

The CIAC Girls’ Basketball Tournaments got underway this past week with both Nonnewaug and Pomperaug advancing to the second round.

In class ‘M’ action #13 Nonnewaug (15-6) beat #20 Coventry (11-7), 49-39 to earn their place in the next round. The Lady Chiefs will now travel to #4 Ellington (17-3) Friday for a chance to punch their ticket to the quarterfinals.

The only team who falls in Class ‘LL’ the Lady Panthers of Pomperaug won a close one over their opening round opponent #13 Westhill, 40-38. #13 Pomperaug will now tussle with local rival #4 Holy Cross (19-1) on Friday at 7 p.m. in Waterbury.

For complete tournament brackets visit www.casciac.org.