25-26 CIAC Season Wrap Up

Nick Cozzolino | Thursday, February 19th, 2026

Stay tuned for the final CIAC ranking list and bracket pairings post Tuesday, March 3, 2026, which is when opening round matchups become official. The tournament is single elimination, with higher seeds hosting through the quarterfinals, then neutral site semifinals, and state finals at Mohegan Sun Arena.

The tournament calendar: Division II & IV first round is Friday, March 6, Division I, III & V first round is Saturday, March 7. The CIAC then runs split-second rounds March 9–10, quarterfinals March 12–13, semifinals are TBD, and finals on March 21–22 at Mohegan Sun Arena.

Here are some teams in each division to keep an eye on:

Division I

Staples (18-0) ends the season with a perfect record. They’ve built a balanced roster that doesn’t rely on a single engine, which is a matchup stresser. Sam Clachko, Mason Tobias, Dhilan Lowman, and Matt Corrigan give them a fearsome four scoring and playmaking that makes it difficult for opponents to take away one guy. Their ability to shoot the ball at a high rate, highlighted by two of the best shooters in the state in Clachko and Lowman, stretches the floor and spaces the offense. 5th starter, Austin Heyer has been a monster on the defensive end as well providing offensive punch. Staples has the profile of a team that's tough to match up with: they defend, share the ball, space the floor, and avoid mistakes.

West Haven (16-3) has a different plan. They are tested, facing one of the toughest schedules in the state. West Haven thrives on physicality and control of pace when they dictate tempo, they become extremely difficult to handle. Offensively, Loshon Roman and Aaron Johnson Jr lead with athleticism and relentless rim pressure. The three-level scoring depth of Matthew Morgan, Trew Kyson, and Jordan Sirabionian gives West Haven versatility in transition and the half-court. The Blue Devils will focus on their playoff seeding. A home game in the first weekend will dramatically raise their ceiling.

Notre Dame - West Haven (17-3) is another Division I program with a strong resume. They’ve built their identity around defensive intensity, athleticism, and half-court execution. While Abdou Toure is the star of the team, Landon Krygier and Kadrian Reeves have stepped forward, bringing tenacity, perimeter shooting, on-ball defense, and explosive finishing to help stabilize the offense. When fully intact, they have the discipline, size, and skill to take over the Division and make a run for their third straight state title.

Notre Dame Prep (17-3) caps off the upper-tier Division I conversation. They rely on structured offense and disciplined rotations, barely drifting from their system. The system's steadiness matters in a Division where one bad stretch or game can end a season. Young, lightning-quick guards Josh Charlot and Jaise Greaves command the backcourt with craft, speed, and playmaking ability. Jameer Reed and Travish Burnett add physicality, athleticism, and scoring around the basket. Their postseason success will be based on controlling pace and limiting opponents' transition offense.

Division II

Windsor (17-1) represents the division’s modern offense. They’ve shown the ability to score in bunches, including triple-digit victories earlier in the season. Alex Weaver, Missoni Brown, and Ji Gary are a headline group that is referred to as “The Best Trio in the State”, controlling the team's speed and constantly pushing in transition. Their defensive activity fuels their offensive burst and lets Windsor dictate the pace. In single elimination, their ability to balance tempo with consistent defense will be the main factor in how far they advance.

Trumbull (16-2) enters as one of the division’s most intriguing teams. Early season unbeaten buzz turned into a stretch of high-level competition, and they’ve responded with resilience. Sean Wilson, an elite lefty with excellent size and body control, anchors the team with his three-level scoring ability and physical finishing through contact. Wilson’s duo Jaden Tuhaise, complements him by controlling the offense, scoring effectively at all three levels, and stretching the defense with their shooting. Depth pieces like Josh Reed and Ryan Lamothe stabilize close games. Trumbull will use their momentum from experiencing a tough late-season schedule into their playoff matchups. 

Division III

Ellington (18-0) has continued to stack wins. The defending Division IV champions have carried their momentum forward. They have built a team around ball movement, defensive pressure, and balanced scoring. Jack Curtis has emerged as one of the top players in the state, leading the team in multiple stat categories while scoring off the dribble, uses body to absorb contact, and finishing through traffic. Around him, elite shooters and three-level scorers Reese Nicol and Ty Fieldhouse stretch defenses and thrive in drive and kick action. The offense does a good job at continuing to move the ball and forcing the defense to rotate. Their challenge now is translating regular season dominance into the playoffs.

North Haven (19-1) has been one of the biggest jumps in the state. After a solid previous season, they’ve risen behind improved structure and leadership. Nate Eggerling brings size, strength, and steady leadership. Sharpshooter Rocco Perrito spaces the floor, and Matt Fee adds perimeter scoring punch. Tristan Boyd operates as the key downhill guard with a tight handle and efficient rim pressure. Omari Clayton anchors the interior with strong post moves, physical finishes, and rebounding presence. This season, they’ve shown the ability to win tight games, which is a trait that becomes super valuable in March. 

Division IV

Woodland (20-0) has put together what local coverage described as the best season in program history. They’ve combined defensive discipline with shot making and sit at the top of the division entering bracket week. John Napiello and James Scampolino headline the roster, putting their perimeter shooting, defensive intensity, and consistent three-level scoring on display. This head turning season is based on the cohesion and late game poise that they need to carry with them in the playoffs.

Nonnewaug (18-1) made a major statement with a 66–63 overtime win over Shepaug to clinch the Berkshire League’s top seed. That performance highlighted their resilience and ability to make shots under pressure. Brady Herman controls the offense and controls the interior with size and skill. Robert Metcalfe adds perimeter shooting. Tristan Parker contributes defensive toughness on the perimeter. Jack Nettleton glues the team together, contributing across the board in tight games. This group continues to show resistance late in games and will force opponents to earn every possession for all 40 minutes.

Division V

Stafford (16-3) enters as one of the division’s most established programs this season. They’ve built a strong overall record and profile that will give them a top seed entering the bracket. In this smaller division, depth and execution outweigh star power. Colin Tozier leads with downhill scoring ability, finishing through contact at the rim, and also shooting effectively from the perimeter. His ability to draw defensive attention opens kick out opportunities for sharpshooter Gavin Iacobucci, a consistent catch-and-shoot threat that can swing game momentum with perimeter shot-making. This will be a hard matchup to face as they continue to compound success and play as a whole.