The Academics of Hillhouse-New Haven extended their state title record to 24 Saturday in a 78-58 victory against East Hartford and captured the CIAC Class LL Championship.
Joey Kasperzyk scored 19 points in his final game for Hillhouse. It was the second title victory in as many years for Joey and the Academics.
“I went through a couple of injuries,” Kasperzyk said. “We went through a lot this year, I feel like we just overcame everything. We did what everybody said we couldn’t do and came out on top.”
Davon Warner also had 19 points stepping in for Byron Breland who missed the game because accumulating two technical fouls in the semifinal round.
East Hartford trailed from the moment Warner hit a three just seconds into the game. The Hornets did pull to within nine in the third quarter after being down by 19 at the half. Kingsley Cockburn, Justin Nwafor, and Austin Nwafor each had 11 points in their final game.
“We knew they were going to make a run, they’re a good basketball club,” Hillhouse coach Renard Sutton said. “We just wanted to stick to our principles, stay out of foul trouble and keep rebounding.”
The Academics finished the year as SCC tournament champions and 24-1 overall.
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