The Southern Connecticut Conference, with the support of presenting sponsor j.roo’s of North Haven, is naming a female and male athlete of the month during the academic year.
Each recipient receives a certificate and $25 gift card to j.roo’s.
SCC Athletes of the Month, presented by j.roo’s of North HavenSCC’s April Athletes of Month,…
SCC Athletes of the Month for March 2023, presented by j.roo’s of North HavenLeah Philpotts, Hamden, basketball The…
SCC Athletes of the Month for January 2023, presented by j.roo’s of North HavenAmani Abuhatab – West Haven…
Just a junior, Shalisha had a successful month for the Hillhouse girls indoor track team. On Feb. 4, she won first place at the SCC Championship Meet with a throw of 36-06.75 and led the Academics to a second-place team finish. A week later, she won the Class M state meet (37-04.25) and helped Hillhouse to the team title. At the State Open on Feb. 18, she again won the shot put with a throw of 39-06.25.
Just a junior, Raekwon was undefeated (15-0) during the month of February, dominating in the 106-pound weight class for the Falcons. On Feb. 11, he captured the 106-pound class title at the SCC Championship meet. A week later, he captured the Class L title (helping Xavier won the state team title) and then culminated the month with a dominating performance at the State Open on Feb. 24-25. In the State Open championship match, he won by technical fall (18-3, 4:47) over RHAM’s Ben Fournier.
Christian McClease – Wilbur Cross – boys basketball
Senior guard Christian McClease led the Governors to a 9-0 record during the month of January. The reigning SCC boys basketball Player of Year, Christian averaged 24.3 points and 8.1 rebounds a game, including a season-high 36-point effort in a win over Shelton on January 31. He also scored his 1,000 career point in a victory over East Haven on January 24.
Amani Abuhatab – West Haven – girls basketball
Senior guard/forward Amani Abuhatab led the Blue Devils to an impressive 9-1 record during the month of January. The reigning SCC girls basketball Player of Year, Amani averaged 20.3 points, 14.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 3.0 steals per game during the month, including a last-second game-winning shot to lift West Haven over fifth-ranked Daniel Hand on January 20. This is the second time Amani was won this award (December 2021).
Julianna Picard, West Haven/Sacred Heart Academy girls ice hockey co-op
A sophomore who attends Sacred Heart Academy, Julianna Picard scored 15 points (10 goals, 5 assists) in the month of December to lead the co-op team to a 5-1 record, including a perfect 4-0 mark in SCC contests. An outstanding two-way forward, Picard’s top game came in a 4-3 win over Guilford where she scored three unassisted goals and the game-winner.
Tommy Guidone, North Haven boys ice hockey
A senior forward, Tommy Guidone led the defending SCC Division II champion Nighthawks to a 4-0 record in the month of December, including two victories over Division I teams. Tommy posted two goals in wins over Farmington Valley and Lyman Hall, before tallying one goal and two assists win in victories over FCIAC Division I teams St. Joseph and Greenwich.
Gianna Bozzi, Branford, Field Hockey
A senior captain, Gianna was the leader of a Branford defense that allowed zero goals in four state tournament games that culminated in the Hornets winning the Class M state title. It was Branford’s first state title since 2005.
Bozzi led the Branford defense that allowed a total of seven shots on goal throughout the entire state tournament. She also picked a great time to score the first two goals of her career. As an inserter on corners, she scored the deciding goal in a 1-0 first-round victory over Brookfield. She then scored in a 1-0 win against SCC-rival Daniel Hand in the semifinals.
Gianna is an honor roll student.
Samir Dishnica, Cheshire, Boys Soccer
The SCC Boys Soccer Player of Year was outstanding in leading the Cheshire to the Class L state title, the Rams’ first state title in 34 years.
In four state tournament games, Dishnica tallied seven goals and six assists as the Rams outscored their opponents, 18-5. He had a career-best four assists in second-round win over Avon, then tallied three goals and 2 assists in the quarterfinal victory over SCC-rival Notre Dame. In the semifinals against Guilford, he scored twice and added one goal in the championship game win against Xavier.
Alexa Bonato, Amity Regional, volleyball
A junior outside hitter, Alexa Bonato led the Spartans to a 11-2 record during the month of October, recording 95 kills, 12 aces and 81 digs. Amity Regional captured the Housatonic Division title with a perfect 8-0 mark.
Kieran Driscoll, Xavier, Soccer
As the only returning defender from last year’s SCC championship team, Kieran Driscoll anchored a Xavier defense that allowed just six goals during the entire month of October which culminated in an 8-1 record. A junior, Kieran is a two-year starter at center back and a high honor student.
Ariana Mullin, Hamden, girls soccer
A junior forward, Ariana Mullin scored 16 goals and added two assists in eight games as the Green Dragons were 4-4. Mullin scored multiple goals in six games, including four in a game versus defending SCC champion Amity Regional. She also had three, three-game efforts in the month. The Green Dragons’ four wins during September have matched their entire win total last season.
John Neider, Jonathan Law, football
A senior quarterback, John Neider accounted for 19 touchdowns (10 passing, 9 rushing) during the Lawmen’s four victories during the month of September, including two Connecticut High School Football Alliance wins against Bethel and East Lyme. An outstanding three-sport athlete (football, basketball and baseball) for the Lawmen, Neider completed 49-of-72 passes for 856 yards (averaging 214 yards per game) and rushed for 367 more yards (averaging 10.8 yards per carry).
Audrey Kozak, Shelton
Just a junior, Audrey had a stellar month in May for the Shelton girls outdoor track & field team. At the SCC West Sectional meet on May 18, she set a meet record in the triple jump (18-10.5) as the Gaels captured first place. A week later at the SCC Championship Meet, Audrey won three events (long jump, high jump and triple jump) and was named as the Meet’s Co-Outstanding Performer.
Peter Grandolfo, Fairfield Prep
A junior midfielder, Peter had an outstanding month for the Fairfield Prep lacrosse team. The Jesuits were a perfect 8-0 during the month, including a 13-6 win over Cheshire in the SCC championship game on May 26. For the month, Peter was a consistent performer, totaling 17 goals and 4 assists and 12 ground balls. In the SCC final, Peter scored four goals as the Jesuits captured their sixth straight title. Peter is a two-time All-SCC honoree.
Kiley Pickens, junior, Amity Regional
The reigning SCC Division I Girls Tennis Player of Year, Amity Regional junior Kiley Pickens picked up when she left off in 2021 with a perfect 9-0 singles record in the month of April.
Among her impressive victories at the number-one singles position was a straight-set win over Jonathan Law’s Lucia Pino, the reigning SCC Division II Player of Year. Pickens led the Spartans, the defending SCC champion, to an undefeated 9-0 record in April.
Kevin Milewski, junior, Notre Dame
A junior catcher/first baseman, Kevin Milewski batted .545 (18 for 33) with 10 extra base hits (5 doubles, 1 triple, and four home runs) to lead the Green Knights to a 5-5 record, including five wins in their last six games during the month of April.
Milewski drove in 19 runs and scored 17 himself. His on-base percentage was .610 for the month, and had an impressive 1.731 OPS and 1.121 slugging percentage.
Rosa Rizzitelli, Sacred Heart Academy, basketball
A senior forward, Rosa Rizzitelli averaged 11.3 points,12.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals as the Sharks won four games on their way to the Class MM girls basketball state championship.
In the Class MM state championship game on March 20, Rosa led the way with a game-high 19 points and 15 rebounds as the Sharks held off St. Joseph, 52-50. It was SHA’s first state title since 1993.
Rizzitelli was a First Team All-SCC selection this winter and was recently named to the Connecticut Coaches Association Class MM All-State team.
Michael Pilato, Notre Dame, boys ice hockey
An outstanding two-way forward, senior Michael Pilato led the Green Knights to the SCC and state Division I championships during the month of March.
On March 4, Pilato and the Green Knights blanked second-seeded Xavier, 5-0, to the win the SCC title.
Notre Dame, the tournament’s top seed, then proceeded to defeat three FCIAC teams — Ridgefield (2-1), New Canaan (4-1) and Darien (4-2) – to win the Division I state championship. In the state final game against Darien on March 22, Pilato assisted on the eventual game-winning goal as the Green Knights won their first state title since 2007.
Gary Moore, Jr., Hillhouse, Indoor Track
Senior Gary Moore, Jr., who is off to Baylor University next year, had a record-breaking month for the Hillhouse indoor track team.
On February 6, Moore set the SCC championship meet record with a throw of 63 feet, 2 inches. He also competed on the Academics’ SCC champion 4 x 200 meter relay team.
Five days later at the Class L state meet, Moore shattered a 53-year-old state record with a throw of 64-1.25.
On February 19, he won the shot put with a throw of 63 feet, 11.25 inches, a State Open record.
Morgan Flickinger, Daniel Hand, Gymnstics
Just a freshman, Morgan led the Tigers to the SCC and Class S state titles during the month of February.
At the SCC championship meet on February 10, she won the All-Around title (36.15) and was named the Meet’s Most Outstanding Performer.
At the Class S state meet on Feb. 26, Morgan was the leading point earner for the Tigers with a 9.35 in the bars, 9.325 in the beam and 9.1 in the floor exercise as the team won the title – its first state title since 2017.
The January SCC Female Athlete of the Month is Sheehan indoor track senior Erin Brennan.
A senior, Erin Brennan had an outstanding month of January for the Lady Titans’ indoor track team. At the Hillhouse Varsity Night Meet, she took home first-place finishes in all three events (pole vault, long jump and triple jump) with marks of 10-00, 16-10.5 and 36-05, respectively. The 36-05 triple jump qualified her for nationals.
At the SCC Coaches Invitational, Erin started the day by running the first leg of the 4x200m relay. The team ran a New England lead time of 1:46.30. She then cleared 10-00 to win pole vault again. She finished the day with a long jump and then a school record of 17-02.5 for second place. Erin completed the month of January at the SCC East Sectional meet where she again led off for the first place 4x200m relay team with a time of 1:47.17. In the pole vault, Erin set the school and meet record with a winning vault of 10-08. She then capped the meet with a 1st place long jump of 17-05, besting her own school record.
The January SCC Male Athlete of the Month is Lyman Hall ice hockey senior forward Jack Roberts.
The captain of the Lyman Hall ice hockey team, senior forward Jack Roberts led the Trojans to a perfect 6-0 record during the month of January. During the month, Jack totaled 21 points (12 goals, 9 assists), including hat tricks against East Catholic (a 5-2 win on Jan. 5), Milford co-op (a 7-1 win on Jan. 19), and Eastern Connecticut Eagles co-op (a 6-1 win on Jan. 22).
Amani Abuhatab. West Haven, Girls Basketball, Junior, Guard
The Blue Devils went 3-0 during the month of December, Amani averaged 18.0 points, 12.5 rebounds, 8 steals and 5.0 assists per game for head coach Jessica Moriarty. In a win over eighth-ranked Stamford, Amani nearly posted a triple double (24 points, 15 rebounds, nine steals and six assists). Amani is a two-time All-SCC honoree.
Fredo Delgado, Wilbur Cross, Boys Basketball, Junior, Guard
The Governors went 3-0 during the month of December, and Fredo averaged 21.3 points a game for head coach Kevin Walton. On December 18, Delgado scored 32 points as Wilbur Cross came-from-behind to defeat second-ranked Northwest Catholic. Three days later, Delgado scored 19 as the Governors defeated city-rival Hillhouse, 65-62. Fredo was an All-SCC honoree in 2020-21.
The November SCC Female Athlete of the Month is Guilford field hockey midfielder Maddie Epke.
The 2021 SCC Field Hockey Player of Year, Maddie led the Grizzlies to the SCC and Class M state titles in November. On November 3, she scored two goals to lead Guilford to a 3-0 victory over Branford in the SCC championship game – the team’s fourth straight league title. In the Class M state tournament, she recorded 4 goals and 9 assists in four games, culminating with a 3-assist effort in a 4-0 state championship victory over Wethersfield on Nov. 20 – the team’s third consecutive state title. For the season, Epke finished with 38 goals and 29 assists as the Grizzlies finished 22-1.
Also an outstanding ice hockey and lacrosse player, Epke recently signed a national letter-of-intent to attend James Madison University to play lacrosse
The November SCC Male Athlete of the Month is Xavier senior cross country standout Eamon Burke.
The 2021 SCC Boys Cross Country Runner of Year, Eamon led the Falcons to the Class L state title and a runner-up finish at the State Open on November 5. Individually, Eamon finished sixth at the State Open, and then one week later, finished 13th (16:53) at the New England Championships in Thetford, Vt. His 13th-place finish earned him All-New England accolades.
On November 27, Eamon participated in the Nike Cross Northeast Regional race at Bowdoin Park in Wappingers Falls, N.Y. He finished second (16:16) in the race, and his performance would have qualified him for Nike National High School Championships (the Nike championship was unfortunately cancelled for 2021).
One of the team’s captains, Eamon is an outstanding student and was nominated for academic all-state with a current gpa of 3.38.
The November SCC Female Athlete of the Month is Guilford field hockey midfielder Maddie Epke.
The 2021 SCC Field Hockey Player of Year, Maddie led the Grizzlies to the SCC and Class M state titles in November. On November 3, she scored two goals to lead Guilford to a 3-0 victory over Branford in the SCC championship game – the team’s fourth straight league title. In the Class M state tournament, she recorded 4 goals and 9 assists in four games, culminating with a 3-assist effort in a 4-0 state championship victory over Wethersfield on Nov. 20 – the team’s third consecutive state title. For the season, Epke finished with 38 goals and 29 assists as the Grizzlies finished 22-1.
Also an outstanding ice hockey and lacrosse player, Epke recently signed a national letter-of-intent to attend James Madison University to play lacrosse.
The October SCC Male Athlete of the Month is Sheehan senior running back/outside linebacker Jacob Shook.
A captain, Jacob led the Titans to a 4-1 record in the month of October, totaling 793 yards rushing (158.6 yards per game) and scored nine touchdowns and five two-point conversions. He added 10 receptions for 122 yards. On defense, he posted 13 tackles, two quarterback sacks, one interception and one fumble recovery. His best game came on October 29 when he rushed for 304 yards and four touchdowns in a win over Hillhouse.
The September SCC Female Athlete of the Month is Cheshire sophomore cross country runner Alexa Ciccone.
In just her first year running cross country, Alexa was the Rams’ top performer leading the team to a perfect 6-0 record in the month of September. On Sept. 25, she led the Rams to the team championship at The Winding Trails Invitational, placing third overall (19:34 for 3.1 miles). During the month, she set two course records (at Cheshire Park at Mercy HS). Her course record at Cheshire Park shattered the previous mark by 73 seconds.
The September SCC Male Athlete of the Month is Jonathan Law senior boys soccer midfielder Lex Edwards.
During the month of September, Lex led the Lawmen to a perfect 7-0 record and tallied a team-best 25 points (10 goals and 5 assists). He scored game-winning goals against Shelton, Branford, Lyman Hall and Wilbur Cross. Lex is a two-year captain.
j.roo’s of North Haven to sponsor SCC Athlete of Month recognition program for third year
2023 SCC Fall Sports Playoff Schedules
Week #5 Football Results, presented by Casey-O’Brien New Haven County Chapter of National Football Foundation
2023 Fall Sports Standings
SCC Athletes of the Month, presented by j.roo’s of North Haven
2023 Spring Sports Player and Coaches of Year, presented by Connecticut Orthopaedics Urgent Care
2023 Spring Sports All-Conference Teams
Amity Regional Wins 2023 SCC Girls Tennis Title
Cheshire Captures 2023 SCC Boys Volleyball Title