Top-seeded Notre Dame defeated #2 Hillhouse, 61-47, in the 2024 SCC Boys Basketball Championship Game, presented by Vertical Hoops, on Feb. 28 before 2,116 at Quinnipiac’s M&T Bank Arena. It is the Green Knights’ third straight SCC title.
The Green Knights (24-0) spotted Hillhouse a 10-0 lead before the entering halftime with a two-point deficit, 28-26. ND’s Eli Ssenyange hit a three-pointer at the halftime buzzer.
In the third quarter, the Green Knights outscored the Academics, 20-9, to take the lead for good.
ND’s Abdou Toure led the way with a game-high 21 points, 17 coming in the second half. Toure, who added 11 rebounds and three blocked shots, was named the Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. Travis Upchurch, Jr. added 12 points and four assists for ND, while Tim Swanson contributed 9 points. Colin Garretson had six points and 10 rebounds.
For Hillhouse (18-6), Avery Sutton led the way with 12 points, while Thomas Glover and Giovanni Rosario each scored nine. Jared Coleman had a team-best 11 rebounds.
Semifinal Recap (Feb. 26): Notre Dame reached the title for the sixth straight year with a 58-39 victory over #5 Daniel Hand. Abdul Toure led the Green Knights (23-0) with 20 points, while Travis Upchurch Jr. added 16. Notre Dame outscored Daniel Hand, 21-6, in the final quarter.
Hillhouse advanced to the title game with a hard-fought 72-61 victory over #6 West Haven. The Academics (18-5) outscored the Blue Devils, 22-11, in the final quarter. Giovanni Rosario led Hillhouse with a game-high 22 points, while Thomas Glover added 14. Michael Singleton led West Haven with 20 points. It is Hillhouse’s 16th SCC title game appearance.
Here are the 2024 SCC Boys Basketball Playoff pairings, presented by Vertical Hoops. Sixteen teams have qualified for the SCC playoffs – the most since the league expanded its playoff field in 2008.
First Round – Thursday, Feb. 22 @Higher Seeds
#1 Notre Dame 73, #16 Fairfield Prep 50
#2 Hillhouse 88, #15 Amity Regional 68
#3 Xavier 62, #14 Branford 43
#4 Wilbur Cross 73, #13 Guilford 54
#5 Daniel Hand 67, #12 Sheehan 28
#6 West Haven 57, #11 Career 41
#7 East Haven 58, #10 Foran 48
#8 North Haven 64, #9 Hamden 51
Quarterfinals – Saturday, Feb. 24 @Branford High School
#1 Notre Dame 68, #8 North Haven 40
#5 Daniel Hand 57, #4 Wilbur Cross 53
#2 Hillhouse 84, #7 East Haven 56
#6 West Haven 52, #3 Xavier 45
Semifinals – Monday, Feb. 26 @Shelton High School
#1 Notre Dame 58, #5 Daniel Hand 39
#2 Hillhouse 72, #6 West Haven 61
Championship Game – Wednesday, Feb. 28 – M&T Bank Arena – Quinnipiac University
#1 Notre Dame 61, #2 Hillhouse 47
“Tom Fleming” Tournament Most Outstanding Player: Abdou Toure, Notre Dame
